I spent a fair amount of evenings watching TS as a (mostly) cover band back in the late 70s and early 80s. They were always entertaining, even if it was largely about Dee singling out some mirror star from a less successful band standing in the back of the club with his arms folded, trying to be too cool for the room - and berating them until they either participated or left. They were loud, boisterous and literally demanded that you join the party. There were bands that were better-looking, more polished, superior musicians or whatever, but I don't think I ever saw one that worked as hard. Bottom line is that TS was around at the right time with the right gimmick to catch the brass ring, if even for a short period.
Yeah, the venues were tough. Parking lots in most of the bigger clubs were ripe for violent confrontations - and you didn't have to be actually involved to suffer damage. I've seen car windshields smashed, knives pulled, and in one case an ear bitten off by a guy who had just been hit in the head with a bat THREE times. Only
one of those incidents came at a Twisted Sister show.
