‘Metal mayhem’ returns to Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian Orban
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  Metal mayhem returned here as heavy metal giants Quiet Riot and Skid Row rocked a packed house during their final concert on the Korean peninsula May 17.

During the previous week, Quiet Riot and Skid Row toured Army and Air Force installations to bring their in-your-face style of hard rock, said Quiet Riot frontman Kevin DuBrow.

“It is like throwing raw meat to animals, and I mean that in the best possible way. We go out on stage and people go absolutely nuts,” said the man who founded Quiet Riot in 1975.

In an era stylized with zebra pants, leather, big hair and even bigger chart-topping hits, Quiet Riot broke out of the Los Angles music scene in 1983 with its multiplatinum album “Metal Health.” The band’s chart-topping anthem “Cum on Feel the Noize” earned notoriety as the quartet became the first heavy metal band to top the pop charts.

Making its presence known toward the end of the 1980s metal scene, Skid Row is noted as one of the last mainstream metal bands to claim the spotlight before the grunge movement stole the stage in the early 1990s. Skid Row reached notoriety with hard-hitting hits like “18 and Life” and its rock anthem “I Remember You.”

The goal of the six-day sweep to places like Kunsan was to meet as many Airmen and Soldiers as possible and show their appreciation for those entrusted with the responsibility of serving on the peninsula, said Johnny Solinger, Skid Row’s new frontman.

“We owe all of you guys a (lot of) thanks because we’re here to support you, the troops,” he said. “It’s to say, ‘hello’ and show you what you’re fighting for back home.”

Before the concerts, members from both bands had a chance to “ride” in the base’s F-16 Fighting Falcon flight simulators while meeting with pilots, maintenance and support Airmen from the 35th Fighter Squadron and others from the 8th Fighter Wing here.

“From the bottom all the way to the top, they’ve been most gracious. It’s been awesome,” Mr. Solinger said.

For people like Mr. DuBrow, coming here and playing for fans young and old gives him the opportunity to do the one thing he loves to do -- return to the stage and perform for those who protect the United States.

“I’ve got to hand it to all of you, you rock my world. You are my heroes,” he said. “Some people play music because it’s what they do. In the case of me, it’s what I am. I’m one of the few people who get to do what they love to do for a living. And I still get to do it after all these years, and it’s a blessing.”