Metalhead

Alright, Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew’s dropping a quirky blast from the past with Metalhead by Blotto, that tongue-in-cheek rocker from their Collected Works album, serving up a dose of ‘80s new wave sass that’s got us all grinning like kids sneaking into a dive bar. This tune’s a playful poke at the heavy metal scene, with its chugging riffs and Sergeant Blotto’s over-the-top vocals howling about a headbanger’s wild life. Fun fact: in a chat with Albany Times Union, bassist Lee Glixman dished that the song was born from their love of riffing on music subcultures, inspired by watching metal fans strut around Albany’s club scene with big hair and bigger attitudes. Fans on a retro Reddit thread reminisced about catching Blotto live in ‘82, saying Metalhead had the crowd mock-moshing and laughing, with one Freak swearing they saw a guy in a leather vest air-guitar so hard he spilled his beer. On Facebook, the band’s shared old gig flyers, hinting at how this track was a staple for their costume-heavy, theatrical shows.

Here’s a groovy tidbit: Metalhead landed on Blotto’s 1981 Combo Akimbo before getting its shine on Collected Works, and it caught a second wind when MTV aired its low-budget, hilariously campy video, complete with fake wigs and exaggerated headbanging. A fan on X recently posted a grainy clip from that era, joking it’s “the most gloriously un-metal metal song ever,” while another shared a story of their dad blasting it on a road trip, claiming it was their gateway to both metal and satire. Drummer Broadway Blotto once quipped in a radio interview that they wrote it as a love letter to their metalhead pals, not a diss, ‘cause they dug how passionate those fans were. The song’s DIY charm and sly humor still spark joy, with Instagram posts showing younger fans discovering it via vinyl hauls, proving its oddball magic endures.

Now, let’s rewind to how Blotto kicked off, ‘cause their story’s a wild ride through Albany’s barroom underbelly. Formed in 1978 in Albany, New York, Blotto started as a gang of college buddies—Sergeant Blotto (Gregg Kirkpatrick), Bowtie Blotto (Paul Rapp), Broadway Blotto (Keith Stephenson), Lee Glixman, and Blanche Blotto (Cynthia Connelly)—who loved punk, new wave, and sketch comedy. They met jamming at local dives like The Last Resort, blending catchy hooks with absurd humor inspired by Zappa and The Ramones. Their early gigs were part variety show, part rock ‘n’ roll circus, with costumes and skits that turned bars into party zones. By 1980, their indie single I Wanna Be a Lifeguard became a regional hit, snagging airplay on Dr. Demento’s show and paving the way for their cult status. Blotto stayed true to their roots, never chasing major-label glitz, and built a loyal scene through relentless gigs and a knack for making crowds laugh and dance.

Zoo Freaks, if you’re digging Blotto’s vibe, connect with their retro coolness: check their official website for merch and gig updates, groove with them on Facebook, flip through throwback pics on Instagram, and catch their witty posts on X. For you super-fans, join the Blotto Fan Group on Facebook to swap vinyl finds and memories of sweaty ‘80s shows, or peek at fan pages like Blottomania for deep dives into their discography and lore. Keep spinning those records, and let Metalhead remind you to rock hard and laugh harder!