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UNAUTHORZIED '80S WITH DAVID S. GRANT PRESENTS: TWISTED SISTER 
Raised in Long Island, New York, the band Twisted Sister started as a '70s local glam band that would evolve into one of the most important heavy metal bands of the '80s (eventually flip-flopping and becoming more heavy metal with a dash of glam, opposite of their initial vision).
Twisted Sister was originally formed in 1972 by Jay Jay French. The band went through several line-up changes until it eventually settled on Dee Snider (vocals), Jay Jay French (guitar), Eddie Ojeda (guitar), Mark Mendoza (bass), and A.J. Pero (drums). In 1979 the band self released two singles and then was signed by Secret Records in the UK. In 1982, via Secret Records, they would release an EP titled Ruff Cuts and their first studio album, Under The Blade which quickly became an underground hit. The band would then sign with Atlantic Records and put out their second studio album, You Can't Stop Rock N' Roll, in 1983. In 1984 Twisted Sister shocked the heavy metal world, releasing Stay Hungry, their contribution to an era that continues to define a decade. The album caught on with fans as well as government officials -- organized as the P.M.R.C. (which stands for the Parents Music Resource Center and is the least intimidating name I've ever heard). Twisted Sister was called out for their rebellious lyrics in the song "We're Not Gonna Take It". It was a strange group that was being targeted by the P.M.R.C. and included Twisted Sister, W.A.S.P., and Motley Crue as well as Madonna, Sheena Easton, and Prince. These proceedings eventually led to the 'Explicit Material' or 'Tipper Sticker' found on the cover of albums, cassettes, and CDs that were deemed to have offensive content. 
The Stay Hungry album is arguably one of the greatest hard rock/heavy metal albums from the decade. The first track, "Stay Hungry", is an energy filled first track filled with lyrics that are more uplifting than this band is often given credit for. This is directly related to Dee Snider's vocal delivery that easily turns a positive message into a horror movie -- this is considered a strength. The second track, "We're Not Gonna Take It", may be the number one song of '80s rebellion; a special bonus for encouraging the "sing the chorus with only drums" trend (that would last through 1989). "Burn In Hell" has a creepy beginning that turns nasty by 1984 standards, how this song was used in the band's cameo in Pee Wee's Big Adventure movie will always be a mystery to me. "Horror-Teria (The Beginning) Captain Howdy/Street Justice" was named like a Grindhouse double feature -- it had the feel of a B-Movie soundtrack (in a good way) and sure enough, later would be the centerpiece for Dee Snider's horror movie titled Stangeland. Side two begins with "I Wanna Rock", one of the strongest first song-side two tracks of all time and also may be the second greatest '80s rebellion song ever.
Along with "We're Not Gonna Take It", the song "I Wanna Rock" featured videos with the band, and essentially they are the same video. They show rebellion against authority by incorporating the use of Mark Metcalf (Neidermeyer from Animal House). A boy (around thirteen) is confronted by teacher/parent who doesn't like Twisted Sister music. Wait long enough and the band will break through a door and scream their lyrics -- they were angry and in your face. This was a band that was hurt by censorship. Is "The Price" supposed to be a ballad? I was never quite sure. Is "Don't Let Me Down" supposed to be filler? I was never quite sure. When I first heard the song "The Beast" I was ten years old and I didn't sleep for three days. Finally, "S.M.F.", a call-out to their fans, the "Sick Mother Fuckers", brings the energy and really the whole album full circle. 
After Stay Hungry the band would release the album Come Out And Play. It was a commercial disappointment, but the album did feature a strong title track, but immediately lost its edge due to a cover of "Leader Of The Pack" that even Dee was unable to turn nasty. A video for the song featured comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, but it was the band themselves that came across as caricatures. MTV then banned the video for "Be Chrool To Your Scuel", a duet with Alice Cooper, due to graphic violence. Billy Joel was also featured in the song, so I'm assuming some guy in a suit at MTV was just sick of the song "Piano Man" and punished Twisted Sister in the process because it was no worse than Michael Jackson's "Thriller" which was heavily rotated on the channel shortly before.
Later, the album Love Is for Suckers was released under the Twisted Sister name, though it was more of a Dee Snider solo project that included work by Reb Beach, Kip Winger, and Steve Whiteman. It was a commercial failure and in 1987 the band officially separated. Snider pursued the bands Desperado (with ex-Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr and ex-Gillan guitarist Bernie Torme), Widowmaker (with drummer Joe Franco, who had played with Twisted Sister on Love Is For Suckers) and SMF's (AJ Pero sometimes toured with the band) and his horror movie Strangeland. Eddie Ojeda worked in the bands Scarecrow and Prisoners Of War, Jay Jay French produced the alternative rock band Sevendust and Mark 'The Animal' Mendoza briefly appeared with the band Blackfoot. 
In 2001 Twisted Sister got back together for a 9/11 benefit concert and then released a best of compilation. In 2004 Twisted Sister re-recorded Stay Hungry and released it as Still Hungry -- the song "I Wanna Rock" was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and in 2006 the band put together a Christmas CD and Broadway show titled A Twisted Christmas. This was also the year the band was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. No word on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Twisted Sister or KISS or... insert '80s heavy metal band at this time. When the band isn't reuniting for mini-tours and charity events you can often find lead singer Dee Snider hosting his syndicated radio show 'House Of Hair' and on television where he has been in VH1 reality shows about country music as well as a full season of Growing up Twisted, following around his family on A&E.
For the youth of the eighties the album Stay Hungry was an introduction to rock music and rebellion. Twisted Sister wasn't the first group of rock stars, but for many they always will be. About the Author: David S. Grant is the author of several books including Rock Stars (Oak Tree Press), Corporate Porn (Silverthought Press), The Last Breakfast (Brown Paper Publishing), and Happy Hour (SynergEbooks). David lives and works in New York City. For more information go to www.rockstarbooks.net follow David on Twitter: @david_s_grant. |
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