Hairball Brings BALLS TO THE WALL to Fargo

Last year, I was very lucky to have gotten to capture footage of a band unlike any other — hailing in from Minneapolis, MN, HAIRBALL came back to Scheels Arena in Fargo last January to celebrate with their fans their 25th anniversary as a band and to introduce their newest addition to the family: lead vocalist of Budderside, Mr. Patrick Stone.

This year, HAIRBALL made yet another swift return to Fargo for their Balls to the Wall Tour. But what really is HAIRBALL? In a nutshell, the band is truly a full-throttle homage of true classic arena rock, delivered with the precision and spectacle of a headlining act rather than any standard cover band.

With now over 25 years of touring experience behind them worldwide, they have proven once again why they remain one of the most in-demand rock tribute acts in the US. From the opening notes, the show embraces excess in the best way possible — loud guitars, towering vocals, and a relentless pace that never lets the energy dip.

What sets the band apart, is how they rapid-fire journey through some of rock’s most iconic artists with both look and sound. Using major smash hits from KISS, Van Halen, Motley Crüe, Journey, Queen, Aerosmith, and many others, they are a force not to be overlooked.

Every segment features authentic costuming, spot-on vocal performances, and stage personas that honour the originals without feeling like parody. The band’s musicianship is tight and confident, while elaborate lighting, pyrotechnics, and theatrical transitions elevate the performance into a full arena-style production.

Throughout their tours, Hairball is notorious for their ability to unite audiences across generations. Longtime rock fans are transported back to the soundtrack of their youth, while newer listeners experience the power of these songs in a live, communal setting. It’s truly patriotic every time that Happy, the lead guitarist, invites veterans to come on the stage to honour them, all the while playing the American national anthem on his guitar. What’s even cooler is that the band even included the return of Cal, a Make-A-Wish patient join in to play the late Ozzy’s “Crazy Train” with the band during their set.

While the format may feel familiar to returning fans, its execution remains sharp and exhilarating. Ultimately, HAIRBALL’s Balls to the Wall tour was yet another reminder that classic rock, when performed with passion and polish, still hits just as hard today.

I want to extend my sincerest thank you to everyone in the band for again, welcoming me onboard to capture yet another momentous event, and to allow me to bring along my friend Allison to assist in recording video footage throughout the set.

Thank you to the companionship of Patrick, and a congratulations on his one year anniversary of joining the band — there is no doubt everyone is very proud to have him with such a fantastic legacy of sweet, sweet nostalgia; and to the talents of Michael “Happy” Schneider, Brian HBK, Dave Moody, Kris Vox, Billy Thommes, & everyone in the HAIRBALL family. I also appreciate the kindness and support of the Scheels Arena staff, and advice all else else, the fans that made all of this happen.

HAIRBALL‘s Setlist:

  • Made For Loving You / Shout It Out — KISS
  • Love It Out / Rock N Roll All Nite — KISS
  • Feel Good — Motley Crue
  • Photograph — Def Leppard
  • Wheels / School’s Out — Alice in Chains
  • Panama — Van Halen
  • Deaf or Alive / Livin On A Prayer — Jon Bon Jovi
  • Tom Sawyer — RUSH
  • I Wanna Rock — Twisted Sister
  • Separate Ways / Don’t Stop Believin — Journey
  • Cherry Pie — Warrant
  • National Anthem — HAPPY
  • Metal Health — Quiet Riot
  • Crazy Train — Ozzy
  • Fat Bottom Girls / Bohemian Rhapsody — QUEEN
  • Back in Black / Shook Me All Night — AC/DC
  • (ENCORE) Sweet Child of Mine / Paradise — Guns N Roses

For more info about HAIRBALL, you can visit their website at: https://hairballonline.com/ or follow their social media through Instagram or Facebook.

Daeve