Down Boys

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Down Boys" by Warrant from their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track, released in 1989, was Warrant’s debut single and hit #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Described as one of the band’s toughest and heaviest songs, it became a staple of their live shows, with fans going wild during MTV performances where, as one X post noted, “the girls are going crazy & the guys are dancing like girls.” The song’s music video also helped cement its popularity, featuring the band’s high-energy glam metal vibe and earning the nickname “Down Boys” for the band itself. Fun fact: the song was revisited in 1999 for their Greatest & Latest album, showing its lasting appeal.

Another juicy tidbit about Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich involves some controversy around the guitar work. Rumors swirled that guitarists Erik Turner and Joey Allen didn’t play a note on the album, with all parts allegedly handled by session musician Mike Slamer. However, in a 2020 Chuck Shute podcast, Turner clarified that he, Allen, and Slamer all contributed, with Slamer taking on some solos. In a 2022 interview, Allen detailed who played which solos, noting that producer Beau Hill made Turner and Allen record “bone dry” without effects, while Slamer got to use delay, creating tension in the studio. Allen even took lessons from Slamer post-recording to up his game, showing the band’s dedication despite the drama.

Warrant’s journey to fame kicked off in Los Angeles, the heart of the 1980s glam metal scene. Frontman Jani Lane, born John Kennedy Oswald in Ohio, started in local metal bands in the late 1970s before moving to L.A. in the mid-’80s. There, he formed Plain Jane with drummer Steven Sweet, playing the wild Sunset Strip circuit. Erik Turner, who’d been gigging with various lineups, invited Lane and Sweet to join his band Warrant, and the classic lineup was born with bassist Jerry Dixon and guitarist Joey Allen. As WMMO recounts, Columbia Records signed them, and Lane famously used his advance to buy and smash a black Corvette, embodying the era’s excess. Despite setbacks, like a failed demo with Prince’s Paisley Park and Lane’s nervous breakdown after a personal betrayal during recording, Warrant’s debut album soared, hitting #10 on the Billboard 200 and going double platinum.

Today, Warrant keeps the glam metal flame alive, and fans can connect with them across the web. Their official website, warrantrocks.com, offers tour dates, merch, and news. On Facebook, they share throwback photos and tour updates, while their Instagram features behind-the-scenes shots and concert clips. Follow them on X for real-time updates and fan interactions. For diehard Zoo Freaks, fan communities thrive online. The Warrant Rocks - Official Fan Page on Facebook is a hub for fans to swap stories and memorabilia. While older fan sites from the early internet days have faded, as Reddit users lament, these platforms keep the Warrant spirit rocking.