“Is that too much, or can I be louder?” a voice shouted into the microphone as the strings were plucked on a bass guitar. Marty’s customers glanced toward the elaborate stage to see a man with long dark hair in tight, studded leather pants and a vest.

This is not a typical outfit for a sound check in Marty’s. Then again, Hairball is not a typical band for Luther, but an 80s hard rock tribute band based in Minneapolis. Hairball performed in Marty’s Friday, April 18.

The concert, sponsored by the Nena Amundson Lifetime Wellness Program, was planned over a year ago by the Wellness program. According to Greg Lonning, director of the Wellness Program, this was their first time sponsoring a concert.

“It’s a great wellness activity,” said Lonning. “It’s fun and social … and hits all the dimensions of wellness.”

Lonning attributes the decision to sponsor the concert to the inspiration and persuasion of Lisa Chensvold, a manager in Marty’s and devoted Hairball fan.

Over a year ago, she mentioned to Lonning the possibility of bringing the band to Marty’s.

Both Chensvold and Lonning expected the concert would draw an audience of varied age groups.

“We expect people of all ages,” said Chensvold prior to the concert. “We really hope the Luther students enjoy the show because it has been planned primarily for the students. We are excited to know staff and community members, as well as Hairball fans, will be joining the crowd.”

The concert was attended by curious fans like Jordan Loki Lang (‘11). Lang attended the show with his friends, expecting to see his favorite style of music in a unique live concert.

“Usually summer is the time to go see concerts,” he said.

Other students, like Kristen Skaar (‘09), came with limited knowledge of 80s rock, expecting little more than guys with big hair and tattoos.

Hairball fans traveled to Marty’s from out of town and even out of state. Jeff Rude (‘95), a committed Hairball fan, traveled from Minneapolis to his hometown of Decorah for the concert.

He expected the concert to be as entertaining as the ones he had attended, but with one change.

“This will be the first time I see them with the new lead singer,” he said.

Anticipation built as the lights in Marty’s dimmed. Fans sat close to the dance floor, while curious customers stood admiring the elaborate set-up. Colored lights shone on either side of the duo of bass drums as a fog machine poured mist over the extended stage.

This was the first time a concert in Marty’s included a fog machine —and the last. Unfortunately, the faux fog set off the fire alarm, sending audience members outside for a few minutes. Although some audience members were discouraged enough not to return, those who came back experienced the band’s sense of humor.

“Boy we rock don’t we?” said lead singer Rockstar Bob who, dressed as Alice Cooper, also spontaneously added the lyric “no more fire drills” to the band’s first song, “School’s Out.”

The band recently hired Kris Box as one of their two lead singers. The singers alternated performing and changing wardrobe, while the guitarist, bass player and drummer remained on stage for the entire show.

The lead singers underwent 17 full-wardrobe changes throughout the show, impersonating everyone from Prince and AC/DC to Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister.

For Stacy Shanks, an audience member and Marty’s manager who grew up in the 80s, the wardrobe changes added a new level to the performance.

“When the lead singer comes out, you know who the band is going to be,” said Shanks. “Then you just have to guess what song they’re going to play.”

Not only did the singers dress to mirror original 80s hard rock bands, but they also mimicked each band’s musical style and trademark moves. Hairball’s guitarist and front man, Happy, earned cheers by kicking his leg over his head, swinging his guitar around his body, playing while sliding around the floor on his back, rolling backward and forward across the stage and even rolling off the stage with his cordless guitar during solos.

“It was people like Billy Idol, Kiss, Van Halen and Aerosmith who motivated me to pick up a guitar and play,” said Happy. “I like the fact that the bands of the 80s had big personalities. It put on a show.”

Although Marty’s does not quite size up to the arenas where Happy’s idols played, or even Hairball’s biggest venue, the Iowa State Fair, the band came ready to rock the show just as hard.

“I only care about two things — I have electricity and enough stage room to move,” said Happy. “I’ve played in a palace and an outhouse. This is neither of those. I’m not worried about it. We’re always ready to have a good time.”

And that’s what they did. The dance floor slowly filled with dancers (and a headbanger or two) as the crowd sang and clapped along. Audience members were raving after the performance.

“The concert was so good, it inspired me to get myself some tights, roller skate kneepads, snow boots, a girl’s belt and a black vest and run around campus,” said Cody Hyland (‘10), an 80s rock fan and admirer of the band’s wardrobe.

Lang commended the band’s musical talent.

“Musically, they’re excellent,” he said. “They play the songs precisely how the bands played them in the 80s. They know how to have a good time.”

Lang saluted the drummer, Colt Python, with a standing ovation after a solo.

Maritza Navarro (‘10) was pleasantly surprised by the band’s skills.

“The [band’s] title isn’t that catchy,” said Navarro. “I was expecting something cheesy, but they’re really good. I knew a lot of their songs.”

The band enjoyed the night as well.

“It always goes well because people have fun and that’s the bottom line,” said Rockstar Bob.

After the concert, the band members could be found talking with fans and helping the men’s basketball team deconstruct the stage. A comment box has been placed in the C-store for reactions and compliments to be sent to the band.