AIRHEADS
This week, we discuss the cult classic 'AIRHEADS', dir. Michael Lehmann, 1994, Comedy.
THE LORE:
It’s 2001, I’m thirteen, and Comedy Central is playing a film that will change the course of my sexuality for the rest of my life.
THE FILM:
Airheads is the tale of three moronic (and sexy) rockers who take a radio station hostage with toy guns to get their demo tape played on air. Starring Adam Sandler, Brendan Fraser, and Steve Buscemi, Airheads does what few films have done - it captures a specific time and subculture with truth, love, and satire.
Director Michael Lehmann’s filmography contains the phrase ‘failure’ a lot. He’s best known for directing Heathers, another FLICKIN’ PIC, which cemented him with cult status.
Despite rockstar cameos and Sandler’s name attached, Airheads was a total flop. It wasn’t until Comedy Central started playing the film on a seemingly endless loop that it found its audience. I know many fools who will ride or die for this film, myself included, because it saved us from ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Family Matters’ re-runs. We love the chaotic energy of three dumb dudes digging themselves deeper into trouble, we love Brendan Fraser singing Reagan Youth’s ‘Degenerate’ in prison scrubs, and we love a tale about a naive band aiming for greatness.
WHY IT TURNS ME ON:
Anytime I notice a drop in my libido, all I have to do is close my eyes and picture the LONE RANGERS. Aside from making me think naughty thoughts, I love the mix of innocence and danger that the film portrays. The audience knows that the Lone Rangers won’t hurt anyone, but what they don’t expect is how a band might hurt each other. In movies, friendship always prevails, even if it’s restored in jail. At its core, Airheads is a sweet tale about the determination and passion that it takes to make it in the music industry. It’s also a study on male friendship and team dynamics.
I was raised by a hair-metal mama and had rejected men with long hair for as long as I could…that all went out the window on that fateful afternoon in 2001. Fraser’s Chaz embodies every rocker who wants fame and adoration: “I was a geek in high school, I had really short hair, I played Dungeons & Dragons, I had a bug collection, I ate my boogers. My name’s not Chazz - it’s Chester.” His vulnerability is palpable and soft, while his hair is long and pull-able. Buscemi’s Rex represents fragile male volatility - it’s Rex who pulls the gun out when he feels belittled, propelling the story forward with one macho move. He craves danger, despite weighing 130 pounds wet. Not to mention, his Soundgarden roadie look really gets me hot. Sandler is the only character who owns his weakness, supporting his band no matter what. He openly admits fear, expresses his emotions, and falls for a secretary. Also, he looks sexy as hell in jorts.
The key takeaway: none of us are as cool as we think we are. All we can do is persevere and keep the music playin’.
THE FINAL FANTASY:
My hair is teased to the sky and my Frederick’s of Hollywood nightie is extra tight. Three men who call themselves the “Lone Rangers” have invited me to their hotel room after a gig. They say they wanna show me how to pluralize their band name. Rock on, I think. I find them waiting for me in a heart-shaped bed while the Scorpion’s ‘Wind of Change’ plays on repeat. They spend the whole night playing my body the way Les Claypool slaps that bass, taking turns ‘tuning my forks’. Steve Buscemi shows me what MOTORHEAD really means, while Adam Sandler coos one of those baby voices in my ear. Finally, Brendan Fraser takes body shots of Jack Daniels off me while showing me his tattoos. Once we finish, they complain about royalties, slam dance to ‘We Want The Airwaves’ and tell me their darkest secret: the band they’re most inspired by is The Bee Gees.
Airheads is available on Amazon Prime and is worth every cent.
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goddamn i love this movie
“i aint fartin on no snare drum”