That sound you heard last night in Casper was the sound of hundreds of smiling faces melting all at once.
The band Hairball rocked for over two-hours, blasting out covers of classic metal and rock, and sporting numerous costume changes.
The spirit of KISS, Van Halen, AC/DC, Twisted Sister, Motley Crue and even Prince emerged as Hairball singers switched costumes and characters. The technically impressive band of guitar, bass and drums kept up with authentic live recreations of the original recordings that millions of boomers and Gen-Xers have come to love over the decades.
Hairball has been performing their epic tribute shows for almost 20-years, according to the band’s website. They arrived in Casper after a stint at the Sturgis motorcycle rally.
The band played on an outdoor stage rented by Gaslight Social for the event, which also closed off the street in front to complete the summer rock festival feel.
An air guitar competition preceded the Hairball show and featured Casper’s own air guitar world champion Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard, who got the mood going early with his intense air shredding technique.
Photos by Dan “Texas Tornado” Cepeda
Casper’s Justin Howard, AKA “Nordic Thunder”, performs during an air guitar competition before the start of Hairball on Friday afternoon at the Gaslight Social in Casper. Howard is the Air Guitar World Champion and has traveled extensively with his air shredding technique. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
Justing “Nordic Thunder” Howard shreds during the air guitar segment before Hairball on Friday afternoon at the Gaslight Social. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard brings his nephew Mason Howard, 6, onto the stage for air guitar before the start of Hairball on Friday afternoon. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
Period appropriate clothing was sported during the Hairball show on Friday afternoon at the Gaslight Social. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
The crowd reacts as Hairball takes the stage on Friday evening at Gaslight Social in Casper. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
Hairball starts with KISS during their show on Friday afternoon at Gaslight Social. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
Hairball brings Twisted Sister to life on Friday evening at Gaslight Social. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
Hairball introduces Diamond Dave for some Van Halen classics during their show on Friday night at Gaslight Social. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
Hairball does Prince as the sun vanishes on Friday night at the Gaslight Social in Casper. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
The street in front of Gaslight Social is closed off for onlookers during the Hairball show on Friday night in Casper. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City)
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