So Young, So Bad

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious riffs of So Young, So Bad by Starz from their 1978 album Coliseum Rock, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks buzzing with its raw energy. This song, a standout on the album, captures the band’s hard rock swagger with lyrics that teeter between rebellious flirtation and gritty storytelling. One piece of trivia comes from a 2009 fan discussion on The Other Board, where fans debated the lyrics, particularly the line, “Two more years and you’ll be seventeen / Will you be blood eyed wasted from the things you’ve seen?” Some fans noted that in live performances, like a 2007 YouTube clip, vocalist Michael Lee Smith cheekily sang “balls” instead of “darts” or “parts” in the line about “playin’ with my balls,” hinting at the band’s playful, provocative edge. The ambiguity of the album version’s lyrics sparked debates, with fans speculating whether the studio toned it down for radio.

Another tidbit comes from guitarist Richie Ranno, who shared in a 2015 Medium interview that Coliseum Rock was recorded during a turbulent time for Starz. The band faced lineup changes, with new members Bobby Messano and Orville Davis stepping in, and their label, Capitol Records, was losing interest. Despite this, So Young, So Bad emerged as a fan favorite, with its driving rhythm and suggestive lyrics. Ranno also mentioned that the album’s recording in Toronto with producer Jack Richardson was a high point, even if the band was fraying. Fans on The Other Board have praised the song’s “sex-laden” vibe, comparing it favorably to Aerosmith’s output, noting its appeal to young listeners in ’78, including one fan who discovered it at 13 and found it “pretty tight.”

Starz, the band behind So Young, So Bad, kicked off their journey in the mid-1970s, evolving from the earlier outfit Looking Glass. Fronted by the charismatic Michael Lee Smith, brother of actor Rex Smith, Starz carved out a niche in the hard rock and pop metal scene. According to their bio on Last.fm, the band’s early sound was shaped by producer Jack Douglas, fresh off successes with Aerosmith, giving their debut album a polished yet gritty edge. Starz gained traction with their energetic live shows, opening for giants like Blue Öyster Cult, Ted Nugent, and Kiss, with whom they shared manager Bill Aucoin. Their 1976 self-titled debut and 1977’s Violation scored minor radio hits like Cherry Baby, and their influence rippled into the 1980s, inspiring hair metal acts like Mötley Crüe and Poison. Despite label struggles and a shift toward pop by their third album, Attention Shoppers!, Starz’s legacy endures, with Coliseum Rock cited by Metallica’s Lars Ulrich as a key influence, per Ranno’s comments in a Songfacts interview.

You can dive deeper into Starz’s world through their official channels and fan communities. Their official website, StarzCentral.com, offers updates, merch, and tour info. Follow them on Facebook for news and throwback photos, or check out their Instagram for visual nostalgia. On X, they share quick updates and engage with fans. For fan-driven content, StarzStuff.com is a hub for merch and history, while The Other Board hosts lively discussions among dedicated Zoo Freaks. The Starz Fan Group on Facebook is another spot where fans swap stories, rare photos, and love for tracks like So Young, So Bad, keeping the band’s spirit alive.