Leather, Loud Guitars, and Big Hair: A Cultural Tour of ’80s RockThe 80s were a time of change. While exemplified by a waning Cold War and a shift towards a far more neoliberal era, we can still feel the ripples of that time period today. What truly set that time period apart from others was the music. This was a time when we moved away from the hippy movements of the 60s and the funk. Discos sounds that made the 70s such a memorable decade to live through. While those genres most certainly endured into today, the 80s gave us something we had never experienced before.This was the moment when we moved from what we might call conventional band music using traditional instruments such as drums and guitars, to a sound that made extensive use of electronic instruments and synthesizers, which has really become synonymous with 80s music. What also personified the era were the truly outrageous (even by today's standards) outfits and hairstyles! As a result, this decade deserves a bit of a deep dive to help those of the millennial generation and after, truly appreciate the decade that shaped modern music as we know it.(Image source: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524779709304-40b5a3560c60?w=600&auto=format&fit=crop&q=60&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8MXx8ODBzfGVufDB8MHwwfHx8Mg%3D%3DThe Sound Of The ’80s: What Defined The Music)When we’re talking about tunes of this time, what we’re generally referring to is the pretty hefty usage of electronic synthesizers mixed with the traditional instruments of the preceding decades. Many of these musicians learned how to read sheet music during the formative decades of the '60s and '70s, and when they reached adulthood in the decade of this post, they used it, alongside the modern technology that was maturing at the time, to turn it into something truly special. But aside from the music itself, what can we say epitomizes this time?Arena Rock AnthemsDon't Stop Believin', Livin' on a Prayer, Sweet Child o' Mine, and Eye of the Tiger. What do all of these have in common? Well, aside from the massive impact they had on this author's formative years, they were all banging choruses from the sorts of power ballads that made the '80s so famous. Of course, these massive tunes were still somewhat conventional in terms of what went before, but the main difference was the sheer size and power that these kinds of bands could create and output. But as I will continue to state throughout this post, what a time for music it was!The Rise Of Glam MetalLove it or hate it, it was a thing that the universe chose to provide, and provide it did! From bands like Mötley Crüe to Poison, the glam was strong in this decade. Personified by outrageous outfits and equally outrageous sounds, glam metal introduced a sort of music that wasn’t quite rock/ metal, and wasn’t quite anything else, but something unique unto itself. In other words, while some groups were slightly toning things down in favor of more ambient synth, glam metal chose to take the idea that more is more and went full force into it.(Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-computer-generated-image-of-a-futuristic-landscape-U62hhCof3xAGuitar Virtuosity Takes Center Stage)If you think back to before the heady days of the 1980s, while guitars and rock bands certainly made use of guitar solos, they tended to be slightly tamer and more in the realm of what we could call psychedelic sounds (which is no surprise due to the awakening that occurred during that period). But it was really the 80s where guitar solos came to the fore and absolutely smashed it in terms of big sounds and hardcore rock. As a kid listening to some of these sounds, it was hard not to suddenly eschew the dream of being an astronaut or cowboy, and instead want to be a rock star!The Synth-Driven Evolution of RockNot all music remained within the rock genre, and as we have touched on, synth and electronic sounds were a relatively new experience on the scene. Rock bands began blending electronic textures with traditional instruments, creating a futuristic, polished sound that captured the spirit of technological optimism. In the USA, most synth remained saddled to a more upbeat, optimistic feel, but across the pond in Europe, it seemed that synth experimentation really came into its own and brought in a slightly darker style. This helped to move music from a constant need to be upbeat or wacky into a world where it was OK to not always be OK.(Image source: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568664303752-9b1df13a24a3?w=600&auto=format&fit=crop&q=60&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8MjJ8fDgwc3xlbnwwfDB8MHx8fDI%3DThe Look: Fashion That Defined A Generation)We can’t discuss the 80s and music that it spawned without at least paying a glancing mention to the style and outfits that were, to say the least, pretty out there! Although plenty of folks will tell you that they’re happy that 80s style hasn’t continued into the modern era, the fact is that some of it has. Perhaps not quite at the same volume as the kids were experimenting with back in the day, but you can see in the rebellious style that contemporary fashion maintains.Big hair, the higher, the better: Look back at any music video or live concert from that time, and you will be immediately met with a range of hairstyles, all different, but all massive! This might have manifested as the long, luxurious locks that the more rock-oriented bands sported, to the slicked-back or bouffant designs that the synth crews were most famous for. Makeup, spandex, and glitter: You might think that it was only those seeking the androgynous look that were into their sparkly outfits, but you’d be wrong. Look at any video or static image of the main rock bands of the time, and you’ll fast discover that they, too, enjoyed donning some incredibly….interesting outfits!The Fans: Identity, Escape, And BelongingTo finish this post off, it’s a good idea to give a mention to the fans who made this era what it was. Music has always brought people together into their own communities, but what made the 80s different from the years before was the addition of a far more intricate tone of promotion and worldwide coverage that allowed all styles of music to flourish, not only those that the massive music companies wanted to promote.The 80s were many things to many people, but it’s safe to say that the music and the fashions that it brought in were utterly unique. In fact, it can be argued that it was something that we haven’t seen since, due to the genuinely creative and in some cases absurd nature that epitomized it.

The Trump administration has paused the processing of all immigration applications for individuals from 19 “high risk countries” following the shooting of two National Guard troops by an Afghan national while they were patrolling Washington, D.C., last week. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services directed personnel to stop the decision-making process for immigration applications for anyone from the countries “of concern,” according to a Tuesday agency memo. The new guidance extends to immigrants slated to receive a Green Card or citizenship. Some immigrants from the targeted countries have already received the dates of their naturalization ceremonies, which are being cancelled, according to Fox News. Meanwhile, the Trump administration will launch a “re-review” of asylum-seekers who entered the U.S. after former President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. “This order aims to safeguard U.S. citizens from aliens who may seek to commit terrorist acts, pose threats to national security, promote hateful ideologies, or exploit immigration laws for malicious purposes,” the memo stated. 50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at DailyWire.com/cyberweek. The new rules apply to immigrants from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, countries that were targets of travel restrictions enacted in June. President Donald Trump has recently taken steps to shut down immigration pipelines following the D.C. shooting by Afghan migrant Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, who was brought to the U.S. through the Biden administration’s “Operation Allies Welcome,” which brought over 77,000 Afghans following the botched withdrawal of American troops. The Afghan man received asylum in April, according to CBS News. West Virginia National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom, 20, tragically died from the wounds she sustained in the attack. Her colleague, Andrew Wolfe, 20, continues clinging to life. The Biden administration justified Lakanwal’s entry to the U.S. over his past work for American government agencies operating in Afghanistan, including the CIA, agency Director John Ratcliffe revealed last week. The Trump administration immediately responded to the attack by “halting” asylum decisions and stopping the issuance of visas to Afghans.  

It’s finally December, and time for all the holiday flavors. If you dream of sweet red and white peppermint swirls, Baskin-Robbins will be your go-to this month. With a play on Mariah Carey’s annual thawing video, the ice cream shop shared a clever Instagram post announcing the return of the fan favorite. “It’s tiiiime,” reads text above a perfect scoop of peppermint ice cream. The chain captioned the post with the most real statement we’ve seen in quite a while. “Literally one snowflake falls: Peppermint has arrived,” Baskin-Robbins joked. But it’s not just the peppermint scoop, it’s also a feature in a new dessert. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baskin-Robbins (@baskinrobbins) Peppermint Takes Center Stage at Baskin-Robbins this Month According to its website, Baskin-Robbins will also feature a Peppermint Avalanche Cake in a Box. The cake is layered with peppermint ice cream, Oreo cookies, chocolate cake, whipped frosting, peppermint bark, and fudge. But that’s not it: coffee fans can also grab a Peppermint Fudge Cappuccino from Baskin-Robbins. We’re in for all the Baskin-Robbins peppermint goodness, and so are lots of other people. The brand’s Instagram post has lots of excited comments. “I love this! Brings great memories,” someone wrote. “Can’t wait to stop by later and try this out,” Waze commented. “Thank you, Mariah,” a fan joked. And one more thing, Baskin-Robbins is also celebrating its 80th birthday. What better way than with an $.80 scoop? “Eighty years ago, Baskin-Robbins set out to bring more joy to the world one scoop at a time, and that spirit still guides every flavor we create,” Nicole Boutwell, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Culinary at Baskin-Robbins shared in a news release. “As we mark this milestone, we’re sharing an 80th birthday gift with our Rewards members, 80 cent scoops, to honor all the memories and moments of which Baskin-Robbins has been fortunate to be a part across eight decades.” Baskin-Robbins peppermint ice cream for less than $1? Yes, please. This story’s featured image is by Kevin Carter/Getty Images.