The 80s Aren’t Dead, They’re Just Louder: Why You Need to See The Sunset Strip Band

If you think the glory days of the Sunset Strip died with the grunge movement, you clearly haven’t spent a Saturday night in South Jersey lately.

We’ve got a lot of cover bands in our area. Like, a lot. You can’t throw a pork roll sandwich without hitting a guy with an acoustic guitar playing “Wagon Wheel.” But sometimes, you don’t want chill. Sometimes, you want spandex, Aqua Net, and enough guitar solos to melt your face off.

Enter Sunset Strip, the band that is single-handedly keeping the dream of 1987 alive from the Jersey Shore to the Philly suburbs.

The Vibe: High Voltage & Hairspray

I caught their set recently, and let me tell you—this isn’t just a band playing songs; it’s a full-blown time machine.

Sunset Strip bills themselves as the ultimate 80s glam and hair metal tribute, and they commit to the bit. We’re talking high energy, big production, and a setlist that reads like the back of a greatest hits CD you bought from a TV commercial at 2 AM.

What sets them apart right now is their lineup. This is a female-fronted powerhouse outfit. The vocals are insane—hitting those high notes that Axl Rose hasn’t been able to reach since the Clinton administration. They bring a fresh, gritty energy to the classics without losing that raw, dirty rock-and-roll feel that made the genre famous.

The Setlist: All Killer, No Filler

You know exactly what you’re getting, and that’s why it works. If you want to hear obscure B-sides, stay home and listen to Spotify. If you want to scream the chorus of “Pour Some Sugar on Me” with 200 strangers while spilling a little bit of your drink, this is your band.

Expect to hear:

• Bon Jovi (obviously—it’s Jersey state law)

• Guns N’ Roses

• Mötley Crüe

• Poison

• Def Leppard

The Drink South Jersey Recommendation 🍻

You can’t watch a hair metal band sipping a craft IPA with notes of citrus and pine. It just feels wrong.

Pair this band with:

• A “Shot and a Beer” special: Preferably a domestic light beer and something neon-colored.

• The venue’s sweetest cocktail: If it has an umbrella or a cherry in it, you’re doing it right.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a night out in South Jersey where you can let your hair down (and maybe tease it up a bit), check the calendar for Sunset Strip. They play all over the circuit—from the shore bars in the summer to the local pubs in Gloucester and Camden counties during the off-season.

Rating: 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 (5/5 Metal Horns)

Check out our Events Page to see where Sunset Strip is playing next weekend!