This Is Cringeworthy

It's 2016, Guns n' Roses is back on the road and that means the heavy metal parking lot is back and in full effect. Here's "Guns n' Roses Parking Lot," but it's more cringeworthy and less humorous than the original Heavy Metal Parking Lot to me. Maybe you'll disagree, but I doubt it. The actual film is a true piece of nostalgia and anthropology all rolled in to one. The clip below is just more YouTube filler, but a good plug for GnR nonetheless.

Comments

[Ace Steele]

CRINGEWORTHY. Good Word.

[Kixchix]

Released in 2016?.?. Hmmm opportunistic.

The original HM Parking Lot is classic!! I don't cringe. Some are poseurs, some true fans. The original is an amazing piece of rock n roll fan culture from that era. Beautiful summer day in a lot boozing, being silly and waiting to rock!! Guilty and proud of it!!!!

[Metalboy!]

The original movie showed a much more sophisticated brand of idiocy because it was simpler times when there was no internet, no cellphones, no facebook, no twitter, rampant drug use, underage drinking and "philandering" with far less of a chance of suffering any serious consequences.

Today, as demonstrated in this current assessment of the parking lot in stark contrast to the original, with the dominant presence of the internet, cellphones, facebook, twitter, less drugs, virtually non-existent public underage drinking and pretty much no philandering, these people featured in this current unintended parody have no excuse for their idiocy!

[Shawn]

Well said MB...

[Gallogs]

I concur with Metal Boy. Though I have the original cued up on you tube and can't wait to reminisce.

[Metalboy!]

Thanks, Shawn!

The original is priceless, Gallogs... I've probably watched it 20 times. Another thing that was way cooler back then was the STYLE. Cooler Clothes, Cooler Hairstyles and Cooler Cars! It was a Cooler Time, plain and simple.

And it goes without saying, as evident in the original, people's attitudes were generally A LOT Cooler!

[Him]

Agree with all the posts here. There is something different about attitude vs. affectation, a stance vs. a posture, and pure unbridled (and often idiotic) joy vs. approximated (and also often idiotic, but in an ironic way!) emotion.

I have no doubt they are having the time of their lives in the parking lot. So I can't slam them for that. But it would have been far more interesting if those opening licks had morphed into 2 Live Crew's "F**k Shop" as the camera tracked over to Luther Campbell selling bootleg GnR shirts out of a vintage steamer trunk, propped up against the bumper of his Cutlass Ciera.

[Bkallday]

Yes, in 2016 no one does drugs or drinks anymore. That was only done back in the prehistoric days, when no one knew the awful horrors that would await them!!! Smh at pc crap.

[Bob]

when I think of the parking lot, I think of many many good times back in the day -- like one Summer day in 1989 when we went to see The Who at Giants Stadium. We had a Coors party ball in the trunk, with the hose hanging out so we could keep the beer flowing. We're all having a great time when, unexpectedly, a big truck pulls in to the parking lot with a full band set up on the back. I don't remember who the band was, but they were great, and we all got a free live concert to make the parking lot party that much more awesome. That's just one example. I can't say for sure, but I suspect pre concert parking lots are nothing like they were back in the 70s and 80s.

[Him]

Awesome story, Bob. Party balls?!!!? Hilarious!

I think of Coors Extra Gold, the sweet taste of water filtered through a delicious-remover!

But, here again, I can't let my history stick get in the way of the presentness of those who party in the lots. For some, this is their _now_. So be it. Even if I find it, more and more, a drag. Paying for lots where you can party? Having to hide your wares from the pay-cops patrolling the beat.

Specific snapshot of resistance: near Shoreline Amp. there is a parking lot, owned by Google (I think). It holds maybe a dozen cars. But if you get there early, you are golden. After hours, the Google security guys patrol the area and couldn't give a damn what you do. And so you do . . . in all your middle-aged glory. Then you walk a bit to the show and enjoy the over-priced spirits and the (hopefully) great bands. An occasional Google bike (look it up) goes missing. Headaches are the norm the next day.

But it is a small-scale attempt to hold back the swells of age and affectation. From the outside, I bet it looks sad. From the inside, it still feels fun. I tip my party ball to you, Bob. Great story. And I raise you a Keystone. You know, it's got a special lining to make it taste that icky?

[Bob]

LOL Him. None of us was under the illusion that Coors was good beer of course, but they were the first ones to put out a beer ball. Beer balls were great for concerts because there were no cans or bottles to worry about, and because, as long as what you were drinking was in a cup, the cops didn't care what it was. My favorite memory about the Coors party ball...It had a written warning on it about not pumping it up too much because it could cause "Loss of content or injury." I love how loss of content was first! speaking of bad beers, remember Meisterbrau? A horrible beer from the Miller brewing Company, but horrible though it was, you could buy a case of it for $7.50. I drank that stuff like crazy in college.

[Him]

Oh, yes, Bob, I remember Meisterblow! And Blatz (still around!??!) and Blitz and Falstaff. Heck, I was even known to tip back an Iron (Arn) City when I lived in the 'Burgh.

Going to school is smaller town in Montana, I still recall being in awe when Stroh's came out with the 30 pack. That was a revelation! [Sidebar: the story of Stroh's decline is a fascinating one, from hubris, lethargy, and business standpoints.]

I will trade you a recollection: remember when Lowenbrau was considered premium? Boy, times have changed.