Hollywood Casino has a regular history of bringing free live musical acts to entice and entertain its patrons. National acts such as Blue Oyster Cult, along with hometown local favorites, Imposters In Effect, performed last year to the delight of fans old and new. Recently, the H Lounge stage took a gnarly trip through time with the totally outrageous, totally awesome band Totally ’80s!
Amidst swirling lights and the shimmer of a gleaming disco ball, the band took the stage in late December, bringing with them the vibrancy and high energy of the ’80s to the delight of the crowd. Decked out in neon, fishnet, animal prints and big, big hair the band got the crowd pumped up and dancing with fun favorites from Journey, Devo, and Cyndi Lauper, to name a few.
“I’m committed to bringing out the dancing from our audiences!” bassist B. Dawgg said, and dance they did. The crowd‘s enthusiasm and energy were equally matched by the band, who never missed a beat as they spanned the decades catchiest ditties. Their upbeat sound combined with their vibrant vintage outfits kept the audience dancing the night away until the stroke of midnight.
Righteous rockers
The righteous ring of retro rockers, hailing from Pennsylvania, celebrates a decade of bringing the beats this year. From varied musical pasts, the group formed in 2010 and has been delighting audiences ever since.
Female vocalist Lizzy Liz states “I absolutely love being on stage and entertaining the audience. As Totally ’80s, we have the ability to take our fans back in time to the music, the dance styles and the fashion”. Her male vocalist counterpart Chris d’Fershurr added: “This band has a family atmosphere that allows us to stay focused on our fans and doing what we do best!”
This attitude is obvious when watching the band perform. Their onstage antics and genuine camaraderie highlight the friendships – and fun- they share through music. Calling on influences from Duran Duran, Queen, and Poison the band loves bringing people together to have a great time.
The rad rundown
Vocals: Chris d’Fershurr
“I have been singing for as long as I can remember, but entertaining even longer. From a cappella to Doo-Wop, to rock n roll, to the 80’s that we do today.”
Vocals: Lizzie Liz
“My style is what I would call your classic 80’s chick…off-shoulder t-shirt, fun leggings and a bright skater skirt. You can’t forget the big, crimped hair, extremely colorful makeup and the lace gloves. There was always so much excitement when an arists new album was released in the 80‘s. You went to Sam Goody to get the new cassette tape. I had the best cassette tape collection!!”
Guitar: Art O’Graff
“[I graduated] high school in 1984. I was right in the midst of some great guitar-oriented music and theatrics, like dressing wild with a white wig in parachute pants, jumping off of amplifiers and spinning the guitar around my body It’ is awesome that I’m able to relive it today!”
Bass: B. Dawgg
“Graduating high school and beginning playing bass in 1981, my musical exposure consisted largely of the great guitar rock of the ’70s. [By] bringing the influences of the ’60s and integrating the funk and digital sounds of the 80’s my style pays homage to a player like Sting and JohnTaylor…”
Drums: J Rokk
“My special memory of the ’80s is getting my first hair metal band cassette, Poison, with Un-Skinny bop on it, and playing that cassette so much that I wore it out. I think it was at that point I wanted to be a drummer”
Keyboard: Dynamixx
“I have gone through style phases but the ’80s is where it’s at. My favorite color is everything neon, head to toe. Some clothes have ‘accidental neon paint splashes all over, and when it comes to music, everyone knows the most neon sound is the synthesizer, preferably as in-your-face keytar to bring you yesterday’s sound of the future.”
Additional crew members include a full-time sound engineer (THUMPP!), photographer (A-Townn!) and lighting director (Freddie Glowzz).
Back to the Future
Looking forward to the new year, the band plans to expand its audience with a larger casino circuit and continue to evolve and add new songs. They are looking forward to rocking out at several winter resorts over the next few months. The band loves meeting new people, seeing familiar faces as they grow and evolve and especially when the dance floor is packed. This return of high energy is the true motivator for the band.
Singer Chris d’Fershurr said “2020 is pretty exciting…Since we are high energy and like to entertain; we love to see faces up close and personal with us as we perform”
The band will be back in Toledo in August of 2020, so there’s plenty of time to get an outfit together that Madonna or Prince would swoon over.
Their full schedule can be found on their website totes80s.com.
