Facing the Music: Metal on Trial

In 1985, the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) sought to bring the music industry down, compiling a list of the “Filthy Fifteen” songs that they found too violent, too sexual, too devil-ish, and too drug-inducing for impressionable kids’ ears and eyeballs. Before the PMRC could put labels on all music they found offensive, the Senate agreed to hold a hearing in September of 1985 on what they called "porn rock." Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Frank Zappa, and John Denver all led the charge to keep the PMRC away from censoring art and music in these landmark hearings. It was a war of attrition, with the artists coming out with a little less carnage than the PMRC. 

We also discuss the political and social climate that helped to breed the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980’s and 90’s, discussing cases that involved Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest (our favorite), and Slayer. 

So, join Nipper and Tipper Gore as they go head to head to see who can talk out the most trash on this week’s episode. Cheers!