Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of '80s Hair Metal coming to Paramount+

Fans of 80s hair bands take notice: a new docuseries, Nothin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of '80s Hair Metal, will be released exclusively on Paramount+ later this year. The series will include interviews with band members of some of the most iconic hair metal bands, including Poison, Skid Row, Ratt, Extreme, Guns N’ Roses, and more.

The three-part series, directed by Jeff Tremaine (jackass, The Dirt), is based on the acclaimed book, Nöthin But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the ‘80s Hard Rock Explosion, written by rock journalists Tom Beaujour and Richard Bienstock. The series will feature a new, in-depth look at the wild times associated with the 80s hard rock phenomenon.

"This docuseries is a celebration of the most outrageous decade in rock n’ roll. It’s my love letter to the ‘80s."

- Jeff Tremaine - director

Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Gorilla Flicks, and Spoke Studios, the series will also include interviews with iconic legends who live the life of hair bands, including Stephen Pearcy, Nuno Bettencourt, Dave “Snake'' Sabo, and Riki Rachtman. Corey Taylor, Steve-O, and others also weigh in on the era.

The hair metal or glam metal movement began in the late 1970s and reached its height in the 1980s. The sound featured unforgettable hooks, scream-along choruses, guitar-driven sound, and don't forget the upbeat rock anthems and power ballads. Band members donned their flashiest and tightest clothing, extreme make-up, and, of course, BIG HAIR.

The genre was inspired by heavy metal artists such as Alice Cooper, Van Halen, and Kiss and added glam or glitter rock elements similar to T. Rex and David Bowie. The first hair bands on the scene included Mötley Crüe, Hanoi Rocks, Bon Jovi Night Ranger, and Quiet Riot, who paved the way for the mid-80s surge, which included Poison, Skid Row, Cinderella, and Warrant.

One element that allowed hair metal to shine was the continued rotation of music videos on MTV. This allowed the band to showcase their high-energy performances and outrageous hair, make-up, and clothing. Visually, hair/glam metal was appealing to everyone from producers to fans.

Booze, women, parties, and drugs were part of the lifestyle, and bands often found their antics of excess and debauchery featured in tabloids. Fans of the genre attempted to mimic the lifestyle of the bands they listened to and admired.

The genre faded out when the 1990s grunge sound came on the scene, giving a new striped-down look and sound that people were excited to see and hear after the hair band craze. That's not to say that hair metal is dead; look at all the bands of that era still performing in sold-out stadiums.

Don't miss Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of '80s Hair Metal, exclusively on Paramount+ in 2024.