It's been more than a decade since the popular late 80's band Warrant erupted on to the music scene, along with many other groups now discarded as "hair bands."

Warrant, like many of the "hair bands" including Poison and Cinderella, rocketed to the top of the rock charts with a laundry list of hits, despite their nickname for their good looks and big hair.

Although the coming of grunge music in the early 90's meant execution for their genre of big hair rock, members of Warrant continued touring throughout the year.

After making it to rock stardom, Warrant members are now on the road with a goal to just have a good time.

"It's not about making it to the top of the charts now," said Warrant bassist, Jerry Dixon.

"We wanna have a good time. It's about the music."

Staying loyal to the band throughout the group's rise and fall proves that Dixon and other members are in the band for the long hall.

Performing together in a non-stop wild tour of rock-n-roll, the band has been touring throughout the country with other rock bands Dokken, Ratt, Warrant, Firehouse & L.A. Guns in "Metal Edge Rock Fest" this summer. The tour comes to Oklahoma Friday in Lawton.

The group's worldwide album sales are approaching the ten million mark, with hits including "Cherry Pie," "Heaven," "Down Boys," "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Sometimes She Cries."

Hot off the heels of last summer's tour with Poison, Dickson said the greater number of bands makes this year's tour more worth while.. "People are going to be coming earlier, staying later, and drinking more," Dickson said.

"There's no real headliner, per say, so they're not going to be pulling in to hear the last band. They'll make a day of it, and they'll be hearing hits all day long."

Whatever the reason, crowds are coming out in full force, selling out concerts across America.

"I think people's musical tastes are a lot more varied than people think," said guitarist Erik Turner.

"I'm really surprised by how many younger fans are out there at our shows."

While critics have mocked at the talent of "hair bands" throughout the years, Warrant members said they are still proud to have graced the billboard charts and will continue to play, hit or no hit.

"When grunge hit, there was a definite backlash, but now we're seeing a new generation of listeners," Dickson said.

"We also have a really loyal fan base."

"I don't mind being included in that hair band genre at all. We made it once and not everybody can say that," Dickson said.

Jani Lane, the band's lead singer, releases his first solo album this summer, and Warrant will follow with their sixth studio album early next year.

The other bands headlining this summer's tour have also seen their share of the spotlight.

Dokken has sold over 7 million albums world wide, holding five top 40 hits, including 'Alone Again,' 'In My Dreams,' and 'Just Got Lucky.'

The band Ratt has sold over 13 million albums world wide with four top 40 hits and five top MTV videos with hits such as"Round and Round" and "Lay it Down."

Firehouse proved themselves by turning platinum not once, but three times, worldwide with their hits "Don't Treat me Bad," "Love of a Lifetime" and "When I Look into your Eyes." L.A. Guns came to light when the quintet first hit the music scene in 1988 with their self-titled release. By 1989, they released the album "Cocked and Loaded." The album sold 2 million worldwide with hits "Never Enough" and "Ballad of Jayne."

"We're getting along well with everyone on tour," Dickson said.

"We're mostly playing a lot of our older songs and we have a lot of loyal fans that have been there since the beginning."

Concerning how long the band will continue to be on the road, Dickson said indefinitely.

"We usually go out every summer and we have an open door policy, which has allowed us to get along so well throughout the years," Dickson said.

"We have our fights like all bands do, but we just call that road riot. The music's what matters."

The music would have to be at the core of a band whose drive has continued to stay so strong through past years.

Whether Warrant will ever reach their number one status from a decade ago, only time can tell. As far as one could say, the band's motto is "been there, done that."

For more Metal Edge Rock Fest ticket information, visit Warrant's web site at www.warrant.com or www.metaledge-rockfest.com.
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