<a href="http://www.interference.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/51yhw2yai-l__ss500_.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-9087" title="Mom, Have You Seen My Leather Pants?" src="http://www.interference.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/51yhw2yai-l__ss500_-100x100.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a> <strong>By Jennifer B. Kaufman</strong>
<strong>July 31, 2008</strong>
Many a teen boy has dreamed of strapping on an electric guitar, joining a band, playing to cheering crowds, getting it on with groupies and achieving both fame and fortune. For most of them, this is just a dream. But for Craig A. Williams, this dream was nearly a reality, and he documents his experiences in his book, <em>Mom, Have You Seen My Leather Pants?</em>
While still in his teens, Williams played lead guitar in an LA-based heavy metal band, Onyxx (later, Onyxxx). Originally called Onyx, the band added the extra xx-s to avoid copyright infringement due to a hip-hop group also named Onyx. And perhaps because their band was just too much rock for one measly X. Managed by a Loni Anderson look-alike, Onyxxx managed to graduate from small school gigs to the hottest clubs on the Sunset Strip.
<!--more-->
Williams first embraced his musical dreams when he wrote a song using his Casio keyboard. The seeds of musical greatness were sown, but Williams knew making music on a Casio keyboard was too dorky for words, so he picked up an electric guitar. Soon he joined forces with some high school chums -- lead singer Tyler, bassist Sunil and drummer Kyle -- and formed Onyxxx.
Laying the groundwork for rock and roll stardom, Onyxxx went from playing for their classmates in suburban LA to less than enthusiastic audiences at seedy dives. Despite these humble beginnings, Onyxxx's manager believed they could make it big, and be the New Kids on the Block of glam heavy metal. It was the pre-grunge days where Guns ‘n Roses, Poison and Motley Crue were MTV staples. Before long Onyxxx were playing shows at such notable venues like the the Troubadour and the Roxy. Their shows garnered them a sizable fan-base, including some very willing groupies. Williams thought he had reached the pinnacle of rock and roll paradise when he autographed a girl's breast for the very first time.
But like lots of other rock bands on the verge of fame, Onyxxx had to deal with their share of problems. Tyler, though a charismatic frontman, was often a total jerk to those who crossed his path. Sunil was frequently bullied due to his East Indian heritage. And despite being a drummer, Kyle didn't have the best sense of rhythm. Onyxxx also had to deal with the stuff familiar to anyone who has seen at least one episode of VH-1's "Behind the Music," including rampant drug use, unsavory club managers, psycho fans and fighting among band members.
But Williams had other issues that probably weren't bothering Axl Rose or Tommy Lee: the life of a teenaged boy. When he wasn't rockin' out on-stage, Williams argued with his parents about doing his chores and his homework, studied for exams, and tried to maneuver the halls of his high school. Williams lived in two very different worlds, which kind of made him the Hannah Montana of glam heavy metal.
Sadly, Onyxxx was not meant to be. Even without the drug use, mismanagement and squabbles among the band members, glam heavy metal was about to be toppled by flannel-clad grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. By their senior year, Onyxxx was on the verge of breaking up and they were also on the verge of adulthood, which included college, jobs and other not exactly glamorous responsibilities.
Onyxxx's loss is our gain. Williams proves himself to be a deft and entertaining writer. He is able to look at his rock and roll past with both insight and clarity. He's self-deprecating and at the same time he is truly proud of almost grabbing the brass ring of stardom. Any rock fan who treasures his or her copy of <em>Appetite for Destruction</em> will get misty-eyed over days gone by. And kids who think of Bret Michaels as a reality tv star, not the lead singer of Poison, will be able to relate to a teenage Williams' desire for freedom and fun. Williams is a fresh new voice, and has written a very honest book about the music industry. <em>Mom, Have You Seen My Leather Pants?</em> is a head bangin' good time.
<strong>July 31, 2008</strong>
Many a teen boy has dreamed of strapping on an electric guitar, joining a band, playing to cheering crowds, getting it on with groupies and achieving both fame and fortune. For most of them, this is just a dream. But for Craig A. Williams, this dream was nearly a reality, and he documents his experiences in his book, <em>Mom, Have You Seen My Leather Pants?</em>
While still in his teens, Williams played lead guitar in an LA-based heavy metal band, Onyxx (later, Onyxxx). Originally called Onyx, the band added the extra xx-s to avoid copyright infringement due to a hip-hop group also named Onyx. And perhaps because their band was just too much rock for one measly X. Managed by a Loni Anderson look-alike, Onyxxx managed to graduate from small school gigs to the hottest clubs on the Sunset Strip.
<!--more-->
Williams first embraced his musical dreams when he wrote a song using his Casio keyboard. The seeds of musical greatness were sown, but Williams knew making music on a Casio keyboard was too dorky for words, so he picked up an electric guitar. Soon he joined forces with some high school chums -- lead singer Tyler, bassist Sunil and drummer Kyle -- and formed Onyxxx.
Laying the groundwork for rock and roll stardom, Onyxxx went from playing for their classmates in suburban LA to less than enthusiastic audiences at seedy dives. Despite these humble beginnings, Onyxxx's manager believed they could make it big, and be the New Kids on the Block of glam heavy metal. It was the pre-grunge days where Guns ‘n Roses, Poison and Motley Crue were MTV staples. Before long Onyxxx were playing shows at such notable venues like the the Troubadour and the Roxy. Their shows garnered them a sizable fan-base, including some very willing groupies. Williams thought he had reached the pinnacle of rock and roll paradise when he autographed a girl's breast for the very first time.
But like lots of other rock bands on the verge of fame, Onyxxx had to deal with their share of problems. Tyler, though a charismatic frontman, was often a total jerk to those who crossed his path. Sunil was frequently bullied due to his East Indian heritage. And despite being a drummer, Kyle didn't have the best sense of rhythm. Onyxxx also had to deal with the stuff familiar to anyone who has seen at least one episode of VH-1's "Behind the Music," including rampant drug use, unsavory club managers, psycho fans and fighting among band members.
But Williams had other issues that probably weren't bothering Axl Rose or Tommy Lee: the life of a teenaged boy. When he wasn't rockin' out on-stage, Williams argued with his parents about doing his chores and his homework, studied for exams, and tried to maneuver the halls of his high school. Williams lived in two very different worlds, which kind of made him the Hannah Montana of glam heavy metal.
Sadly, Onyxxx was not meant to be. Even without the drug use, mismanagement and squabbles among the band members, glam heavy metal was about to be toppled by flannel-clad grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots. By their senior year, Onyxxx was on the verge of breaking up and they were also on the verge of adulthood, which included college, jobs and other not exactly glamorous responsibilities.
Onyxxx's loss is our gain. Williams proves himself to be a deft and entertaining writer. He is able to look at his rock and roll past with both insight and clarity. He's self-deprecating and at the same time he is truly proud of almost grabbing the brass ring of stardom. Any rock fan who treasures his or her copy of <em>Appetite for Destruction</em> will get misty-eyed over days gone by. And kids who think of Bret Michaels as a reality tv star, not the lead singer of Poison, will be able to relate to a teenage Williams' desire for freedom and fun. Williams is a fresh new voice, and has written a very honest book about the music industry. <em>Mom, Have You Seen My Leather Pants?</em> is a head bangin' good time.
