Everything makes a comeback: Fashion styles circle back, movies get new life as remakes, even food recipes return through social media challenges. One form of comeback we love is when a music genre gets hot again courtesy of talented musicians. One of those talented bands is Classless Act and they are going to bring back the sound affectionately called “hair metal.”
Sounding like an electrifying mix of Guns N’ Roses, The Black Crowes, Motley Crue, Mother Love Bone, and The Darkness, Classless Act still has an individual sound that fills the hair metal/grunge rock void you didn’t know you had.
The Los Angeles band got its start in 2018 after meeting on social media. They dropped their debut album, “Welcome to the Show,” in June of 2022.
They followed up in December, “Welcome to the Acoustic Show.”
In addition to releasing two albums, Classless Act spent the majority of 2022 gathering more fans as they toured the country supporting Dorothy and Joyous Wolf. Then again, the talk of the industry centered around them landing on the hugely popular Stadium Tour opening for Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts over the summer.
As they traveled the chilly East Coast to get to their gig with Giovanni & The Hired Guns, I spoke with guitarist Dane Pieper and bassist Franco Gravante for an update. Pieper said the band has enjoyed this bonding time on their first tour, while Gravante agreed and jokingly added they all combine their body heat in the tour van to keep warm in the cold East Coast air.
Classless Act at SoFi Stadium by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
Each member of the band brings their own slice of flavor and experience to Classless Act pie, but one thing they all have in common is their age. Each member of this five piece is in their younger 20s. Why does this matter, you ask? It matters because each member performs with such fiery energy that you would guess they are rock star veterans. Pieper said although they are still learning as they go, they have a great team of people behind them that help pave the way.
I mentioned to the guys that I saw them hanging in the crowd after their set when they played with Dorothy this past spring. Gravante said, “There’s nothing to do backstage. You want to hang out with the people that came to support you.” Pieper continued, “Some people are driving from far away to come see us, which is an inspiring feeling because you don’t know if they had to get a babysitter, cancel other plans, save for gas money, or something, so there’s a lot of responsibility in that!”
Among the other things this band does well, it knows how to dress the part of the rock star. Each member has a snappy wardrobe that would make you think they were professionally styled every time they step onto the stage. Pieper says they like to have fun with expression through their music and clothes.
Because of their eclectic musical style, I was dying to know what their Spotify year end Wrap Up had to say about them. Gravante said one of the artists he listened to was Rick James. Pieper jokingly asked him if Kate Bush was listed. Gravante responded, “No that was a couple years ago, but you don’t want to open that phase again.” Pieper said to me, “Franco is a proud Kate Bush fan!” I laughed and reminded them that whatever they told me, I’d be sharing, so not to tell me anything embarrassing like Miley Cyrus. Though the three of us were now laughing heavily, Pieper countered, “I love Miley Cyrus! Don’t be dogging my girl,” when Gravante quipped, “We’re looking for a new guitar player!”
After we all caught our breath, Pieper told me his Spotify Wrap Up consisted of My Chemical Romance and Kendrick Lamar, among others.
Classless Act’s most recent EP, “Welcome to the Acoustic Show,” is exactly that; an acoustic version of their previous EP, “Welcome to the Show.” While some bands focus on slowing down the tempo and changing the structure of the original song, Classless Act did a tremendous job at keeping the flavor and tempo alive. Filming the recording in a Los Angeles studio in one afternoon, the band performed this acoustic album in one take, but is chopping each song into its own video. On December 16th, they began releasing one video every two weeks until all five are available on their YouTube page.
The band has some things in motion for 2023, so keep an eye on their socials for upcoming tour dates. They bring an incredible energy to their rock performance – and their hair – for a can’t-miss live show. When they come to your area, do yourself a favor and go see them.
