MUSIC : ‘Metal Massacre’ Bands Set for Weekend Shows

Hard rock bands Ratt and Iron Butterfly got their starts in San Diego, which continues to produce heavy metal musicians raring to achieve the same fame as their forerunners.

Some of these local rockers are gathering at Rio’s nightclub for what has been dubbed “Metal Massacre Weekend.” The event, which starts Friday at 9 p.m., will pick up again at that time on Saturday. A show for those who are 18 and older will conclude the showcase Sunday night at 8. No alcohol will be served during the Sunday concert.

The weekend festivity features such groups as Britton, Teazer, Arrogance, Sanctuary, Hands Off, Violation, Sisaras, Sanctions and Archer.

According to Buddy Blue, Rio’s booking agent and the front man for local rhythm and blues band The Jacks, heavy metal music has a thriving audience in San Diego. He said unknown metal bands often receive more attention than other types of rock groups just starting.

“This is the first time we’ve ever done a local heavy metal weekend at the club,” Blue said. “We would like to do it one weekend out of every month. I think Sunday will really draw because a lot of the audience for this kind of music is under 21.”

Spike Redden, a 32-year-old veteran rocker and singer for the four-piece band Teazer, agrees with Blue.

“Now young people no longer have to go to Los Angeles or wait for Ozzy Osbourne to come to the Sports Arena to see a show,” he said.

Redden, who joined Teazer five years ago, identifies with the metal audience but said the band is inspired by ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll.

“We’re a lot like the old Van Halen--good rock ‘n’ roll that’s got an edge,” he said. “We think of our stuff as good old dance music. If you can’t get up and dance to it, we don’t write it.”

Redden said that recently they have been receiving attention from record companies in Los Angeles. However, the band can’t afford to play in Hollywood, where club owners require bands to make up lost revenue from lack of ticket sales out of their own pockets, he said.

“Hopefully, San Diego will see some more clubs where original rock is welcome,” Redden said.

Teazer will play Friday night at the club along with headliners Britton, who have been together for eight months.

According to Dave Britton, lead guitarist and founder of the group, heavy metal is the big trend again in music today.

“We already have a couple of record companies interested in us,” he said. “Hard rock is what they’re playing on the radio, and everyone is jumping on it.”