Danger Danger

For a spell during the late '80s and early '90s, it seemed like almost every day there was a new hair metal band popping up on MTV, taking aim at joining the likes of Poison, Motley Crue, and Bon Jovi at the top of the mountain. Some (Skid Row, Winger, Slaughter, etc.) did manage to challenge the aforementioned groups, while bands like Danger Danger came oh so close before vanishing from view completely. Danger Danger enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame with their self-titled 1989 debut, which merged built-for-mainstream-radio hooks with pinup-boy good looks -- a formula that seemed like a can't-miss proposition during this aforementioned era. Included is the group's best-known track, the album-opening anthem "Naughty Naughty," as well as the similarly styled "Bang Bang" (what is it with this group and repeating words?), the Bon Jovi carbon copy "Under the Gun," and, of course, an obligatory power ballad, "One Step from Paradise." It seemed like all the pieces were in place for Danger Danger to break on through with their debut album -- but an oncoming shift in rock music tastes would soon send these party-hearty lads packing. ~ Greg Prato