Metal Sludge Editor at Large

ANAHEIM, Calif., USA — The annual NAMM convention gets bigger — and better — every year, and it was another successful event this past weekend, highlighted by Steel Panther and Hardcore Superstar teaming up at the official NAMM Jam before an overflow crowd of about 2,000 at the City National Grove just across the road from Anaheim Stadium.

While the ever-popular Steel Panther is an obvious pick for a headliner — the parody group has evolved into one of the world’s top acts — Hardcore Superstar proved a special treat because though the band is huge in native Sweden, they had not played in America for 10 years.

Steel Panther rocks a sold-out show during NAMM weekend

The foursome has released nine albums, the lastest entiled “Come on Take on Me” in 2013, and with an energetic live show, the group caught on with the NAMM crowd — no easy task when most of us have seen it all.

Hardcore Superstar has a red-hot singer named Jaokim “Jocke” Berg, who does a good job connecting with fans in the front, and the other members are Vic Zino (guitar), Maryin Sanfvik (bass) and Magnus “Adde” Andreasson (drums).Between sets, Berg cracked open a Corona backstage and made some time for Metal Sludge.

“It’s an honor to be here. I love California,” Berg said. “We want to make it in America, and I think we’ve definitely got something for America. We’re talking about coming back in the fall and doing a West Coast tour, and right now, we’ve been mixing our new album in Pasadena.”

With the giant exception of the band Europe, most Swedish groups this side of ancient Abba don’t make it the USA — so that means Hardcore Superstar is an underdog.

“Sometimes, it’s hard.  I guess a lot of (Swedish) bands out there like putting the image before the music,” Berg said.

As Steel Panther was turning their guitars, there was a fashion show for Afflction, so there were a bunch of tall. beautiful models milling about. Surpisingly, considering the timing, the Hardcore Superstar singer said he actually prefers Swedish women.

“Of course I do — but I don’t know why,” Berg said.

Hardcore Superstar perform for a packed house

Michael Starr of Steel Panther and Joakin “Jocke” Berg of Hardcore Superstar

Tommy Thayer of KISS and Jeff Scott Soto

Model Thuy Ta and Stephanie Pierce a Sludgette from June 2001

When Steel Panther took the stage, KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer joined in for “I Love it Loud,” and former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman jumped up there for the Steel Panther original “Asian Hooker.”

Me? I was hanging with D.J. Will Howell from KNAC and That Metal Show, and together we rushed off to the Observatory Theatre to catch the end of the Randy Rhoads Remembered tribute, produced by drummer Brian Tichy (ex-Foreigner, Whitesnake, Ozzy) and promoter Joe Sutton.

Among the luminaries were singers Sebastian Bach and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey), bassists Rudy Sarzo (ex-Ozzy, ex-Whitesnake, ex-Quiet Riot) and Phil Soussan (ex-Ozzy) and guitarists Jeff Watson (ex-Night Ranger), August Zadra (Dennis DeYoung) and Brent Woods (Sebastian Bach, ex-WildSide).

Earlier in the day, we checked out all the equipment-manufacturers, and the lines of booth seemed to go on for miles.

The party continued through Sunday.

Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gspot@metalsludge.tv