The live-fast-die-young maxim has taken its toll on hair metal, both literally and philosophically. And though Western civilization continues to decline, Bang Tango marches on with one original member remaining. Formed in Hollywood in 1987, Bang Tango got lumped into the hair-metal heap despite the band's injections of funk and boogie. But unlike a lot of its Sunset Strip brethren, the band was more focused on the height of its sound and not of its coifs. The single "Someone Like You" off Bang Tango's 1989 major-label debut, "Psycho Café," got the band some "Headbanger's Ball" attention, but failed to break the band into the big time. Members have come and gone, but Bang Tango continues to tour and record, led by singer Joe Leste. Opening the show will be Rochester's Methanol, disciples of the Bang Tango-era with one foot in 80's metal and the other on the gas pedal jammed to the hard-rock floor...and no brakes.

Bang Tango plays Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m. at California Brew Haus, W 402 Ridge Rd. $7-$10. 621-1480