Nothin’ But A Good Time

The Zoo Crew is spinning the ultimate party anthem, "Nothin' But A Good Time" by Poison, from their iconic album Open Up and Say... Ahh!. This track, released in 1988, was born from a collaboration between guitarist C.C. DeVille’s infectious guitar riff and Bret Michaels’ desire to craft a feel-good arena rock song. In a 2018 interview with AXS, drummer Rikki Rockett shared that the song reflected their early days in Los Angeles, living in a warehouse with barely any money, convincing friends to buy fast food, and dreaming of carefree weekends at the beach. The song’s working-class vibe resonated with fans, capturing the grind and the yearning for a break. Its music video, featuring a dishwasher rocking out to Poison’s cover of KISS’s "Rock and Roll All Nite" before getting scolded by his boss, became a staple on MTV, with the same actor appearing in Mötley Crüe’s "You’re All I Need" video.

Another tidbit comes from producer Tom Werman, who noted the challenges of recording the song digitally in 1988, when technology was still glitchy. C.C. DeVille’s 30-second guitar solo took hours to perfect due to his party-heavy lifestyle at the time, requiring multiple punch-ins. The song’s legacy endures, with Billboard ranking it number nine and OC Weekly number four among Poison’s greatest tracks in 2017. It’s been covered by artists like Reel Big Fish and featured in pop culture, from The Simpsons to Rock of Ages. In 2017, Blabbermouth.net reported Poison releasing a fan video for the song, compiling fan-submitted photos from their "XXX" tour, showcasing the Zoo Freaks-level devotion of their audience.

Poison, hailing from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, formed in 1983 with Bret Michaels (lead vocals), Rikki Rockett (drums), Bobby Dall (bass), and C.C. DeVille (guitar). The band started as a group of young dreamers playing local gigs under the name Paris, scraping together money from day jobs to buy equipment. Inspired by the glam rock and punk scenes, they moved to Los Angeles in 1984, diving into the Sunset Strip’s vibrant club circuit. Their big break came with their 1986 debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, which went multi-platinum, fueled by hits like "Talk Dirty to Me." Their raw energy, flashy style, and relentless touring built a massive following, cementing their status as hair metal icons by the time Open Up and Say... Ahh! dropped in 1988, selling over eight million copies worldwide.

Stay connected with Poison through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans, or Zoo Freaks as you might call yourselves, can join the community at fan sites like PoisonWeb.com or engage in Facebook groups such as Poison Fans, where diehards share memories, concert photos, and love for the band’s high-energy legacy.