Why you need to worship Blue Oyster Cult

By Michael Mishak

Friday, March 21, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Few bands typify 1970s excess like Blue Oyster Cult.

Their big mustaches, big guitars and big laser-light shows were a primary inspiration for Spinal Tap, after all. (Giant, red-eyed, fire-breathing Godzilla head, anyone?) But beyond the semi-self-parody, BOC served up enough serious classic rock gems in its early years to be forgiven for latter-day transgressions, such as “Cultosaurus Erectus” and “Club Ninja.”

Exhibit One: “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” The death trip tale from 1976, penned by guitarist Buck Dharma, was the centerpiece of “Saturday Night Live’s” legendary “Behind the Music” skit in 2000, featuring Will Ferrell as the aggressive, gyrating cowbell player. (“More cowbell, Baby!”)

Add to that “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ for You” and you’re halfway to a solid greatest hits collection. Sadly, the band never matched the glory of those early nuggets. But that didn’t stop BOC from issuing multiple best-of compilations over the years and carving out a healthy road career. (The band has adopted the motto “On Tour Forever.”)

BOC, which started life in Long Island, N.Y., as Soft White Underbelly, now plays more than 100 shows a year, and fortunately for Las Vegas, the band’s schedule brings it to the Railhead at Boulder Station on Saturday.

Five reasons to worship the Cult:

1. Spooky rock

BOC was the opening act for Alice Cooper for a reason. Its hook-and-cross logo is the ancient symbol of Cronus, the Titan who ate most of his children (except Zeus), and its science-fiction-meets-heavy-metal lyrics are chock-full of mayhem and mysticism. The group’s first record opens with “Transmaniacon MC,” an Altamont tale told from the perspective of the Hells Angels. Critics dubbed BOC “thinking man’s metal” before Metallica graduated from high school. ’Nuff said.

2. Death trip

Even without its relentless touring schedule, BOC could easily live off the royalty checks from its breakthrough hit, “Reaper.” The song has played in so many movies and been covered by so many bands that it’s up there with “Free Bird” in the collective unconscious. Rolling Stone called it the best rock single of 1976 and listed it as No. 397 on its top 500 songs list, just before “Sweet Home Alabama.” It’s also got the mad cowbell and the most extraneous, self-indulgent guitar solo this side of Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker.” Go, Buck Dharma!

3. Monster chops

“Godzilla” is a ridiculous ode to the giant Japanese lizard. Follow Godzilla as he terrifies subway passengers, wrecks buildings and destroys Tokyo, all to the glorious sounds of a three-guitar army. The apparent message: “History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man.” Um, OK. I’ll just be hoping for that monster sound and the red-eyed, fire-breathing Godzilla stage prop that would make Spinal Tap proud.

4. On flame

That’s right: On flame. Not on fire. The boys may have burned down the house with their black hearts, cold lips and 3,000 guitars in “Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll,” but the real scorcher is 1981’s “Burnin’ for You.” Key line: “I’m livin’ for givin’ the devil his due.” Fearless. Awesome. And there are some sweet synthesizer fills in the chorus.

5. More cowbell

Did I mention “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”? Here’s your chance to see three guitars rip through one of the best rock tunes — and worst solos — of all time. (The solo is only one minute long. You can take it.) Bring a cowbell.