Five of the hardest rockin’ shows headed to the Whisky A Go-Go in 2021.

Sure, we all know that the year 2020 sucks worse than that recent Tommy Lee album, but with a promising vaccine reportedly on the way, there are plenty of awesome concerts that we’re looking forward to in 2021 as we start to make up for lost time.And thanks to Pfizer, we’ll be doing it mask-free and close enough to scare the band. (That was a Fast Times at Ridgemont High joke.)

While we certainly love, respect and appreciate livestream shows from our favorite bands and nightclubs, nothing can ever replace the euphoria and excitement and the intrinsic connection with bands and fellow fans that a live concert offers. Catching concerts at the Whisky A Go-Go–which I’ve done countless times for decades–is a unique experience that wows all the senses.

Setting the scene for virtually every Whisky show is the ubiquitous aroma of fine cannabis that wafts above small cliques of Whisky patrons usually seen hanging out in front of the club between sets. The contact high provides a decent buzz that adds to the excitement of seeing the awesome interior of the legendary venue and its unique rock artifacts that cover its walls and pay tribute to past Whisky headliners and house bands like Motley Crue and The Doors.

Then, of course, there is the music. This is no ordinary L.A. nightclub. This is an iconic venue globally revered for hosting the greatest artists that ever rocked — from Axl to Zeppelin. And on any given night at the Whisky A Go-Go, whether you’re seeing a legendary band like Dokken, attending an annual “Cruefest,” or catching a free weekly “Ultimate Jam Night Hollywood” show, the world-class mastery of music coming from the performers on stage is second to none. The talent is always stellar, the acoustics in the spacious venue are fantastic, and the vibe from the hard rock history that happened there always provide a rush.

And when 2021 rolls around, all of that magic will once again be lighting up the Sunset Strip. We can not wait. And keep in mind that the Whisky and Rainbow will likely be bringing back the annual spring and fall parking lot parties, too. So, let’s all give a big, hearty one-finger salute to 2020 and get ready to start rockin’ like Dokken in 2021! In addition to Dokken, here are five of the most awesome hard rock concerts set to rock the Whisky A Go-Go’s stage in a few short months.

The Iron Maidens – March 13

After a year of having to mask up, social distance and endure douchebags debating pandemic protocol, it will be a welcome, exciting release to run to the hills (of West Hollywood) and head to the Whisky on March 13 for a night of blistering metal mastery by the Iron Maidens, which is proud to proclaim itself to be “the world’s only all-female tribute to Iron Maiden.” That’s all we need to hear, and we’re there!

The Iron Maidens have been a Sunset Strip mainstay for years, rocking clubs like the Whisky and Viper Room with their faithful renditions of popular and obscure Maiden classics, and the mega-talented band always leaves anywhere they perform engulfed in smoke because their shows are always scorching hot.

Tickets are $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. Whisky A Go Go is located at 8901 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood.

John Corabi – March 18

Sunset Strip rock refugee and one-time Motley Crue singer John Corabi is headlining an all-ages acoustic show on March 18 at the Whisky A Go-Go.

The multi-talented singer/songwriter/guitarist and Dead Daisies frontman is set to perform an unplugged set that will include hits from his time in Crue, The Scream, Union and, of course, the Dead Daisies. Plus, he’s also known to toss in some cool covers from other bands. In the past, Corabi has dropped some scorching renditions of classics by everyone from Aerosmith to Zeppelin. His cover of Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” is especially badass.

It sounds like it’s going to be an awesome show! And “Hooligans Holiday”—hands down one of Motley’s coolest classics (Sorry, Vince!)—is certain to sound very cool as an acoustic version too.

Tickets are $20. Doors open at 7 p.m.

L.A. Guns – June 11 and 12

What better way to kick-off the summer of 2021 than bangin’ your head to some classic metal mastery from Tracii Guns when L.A. Guns brings the hits to the Sunset Strip during back-to-back headlining shows on June 11 and 12 at the Whisky.

Notoriously, there are currently two versions of L.A. Guns in existence. The band’s early drummer Steve Riley‘s edition of L.A. Guns recently dropped a new album, Renegade. And then there is the version featuring the band’s namesake Tracii Guns and vocalist Phil Lewis, who brilliantly provided the vocals on L.A. Guns’ biggest hits, including “The Balllad of Jayne,” “Sex Action,” and “Electric Gypsy.”

Riley started drumming from the band after its self-titled debut was recirded and released in 1988, and he play drums on successive hit albums like 1989’s Cocked and Loaded, providing the perfect back beat for awesome heavy metal classics like “Rage” and “Never Enough.”

Fortunately, Lewis has been back in the band for a while now and proves that he simply can’t be replaced. And the Whisky’s June shows feature Tracii and Phil’s incarnation of the legendary band, which is what I consider to be the “real” L.A. Guns. The latest version of L.A. Guns also includes bassist Johnny Martin, guitarist Ace Von Johnson, and drummer Scot Coogan.

L.A. Guns proves it hasn’t lost its touch, releasing the blistering and badass album The Devil You Know last year, featuring a title track that releases the same unbridled heavy metal energy of classics like Cock and Loaded and 1991’s Hollywood Vampires. And the album;s kick-off single, “Let You Down,” is a moody metal ballad as memorable as “It’s Over Now.”

Tickets are $30. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Kix – June 27

Kix’s stark, edgy 1989 hit “Don’t Close Your Eyes” remains one of the best power ballads of the awesome ‘80s. But frontman Steve Whiteman and his band can also rock just as hard as the next guy and prove it with killer tracks like “Blow My Fuse,” “Midnite Dynamite” and “Get It While It’s Hot.” And on June 27 at the Whisky, Kix will be shaking the roof off the Whisky with a headlining show.

The band’s 2021 show is great news for fans who were hoping to catch Kix last year before its scheduled show on the Sunset Strip was canceled. Kix was slated to headline the Rainbow Bar and Grill’s 48th annual “Party in the Parking Lot” last April until the pandemic changed those plans and the event was axed.

The new year, however, seems to be bringing some good vibes with Kix returning to the Sunset Strip in June. And if they give as good of a show as they did when they headlined Rainbow’s 2019 party, expect Kix’s Whisky concert to be a memorable one.

Tickets are $35. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Firehouse – August 28

Things are gonna get hot in WeHo next summer, when hard-rockin’ hit-makers Firehouse headlines the Whisky A Go-Go on August 28. Singer-songwriter C.J. Snare helped to keep heavy metal alive at a time when grunge was beginning to take over rock radio in the early Nineties.

Catchy hard rock hits like “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and power ballads like “Love of a Lifetime” helped Firehouse knock Nirvana and Alice in Chains out of the race for the American Music Awards’ “Favorite Hard Rock New Artist” award in 1992.

The multi-band night of hard-rock also features sets by support acts The Hard Way, SJ Sindicate, Evolution Eden, and Strikeforce.

Tickets are $30. Doors open at 6 p.m.