Steamboat Pilot & Today

Members of the band Berdoo did not leave the Nite's Rest Room No. 104 until they finished recording 13 songs in 34 days.

Guitarist and songwriter JC "Bad Boy" Berdoo and guitarist and lead vocalist Mike "4 String Master" Smith moved to Steamboat Springs a year ago from San Bernardino, Calif., to record their fourth album, "Back and Burning." They met their drummer, Jesse "Dr. Death" Calhoon, at the Boot Hill Bar & Grill.

The walls of their practice space are lined with skulls, an inflatable guitar, a lava lamp and posters for their upcoming show that Berdoo members made with scissors and glue.

"Skulls are good luck. They represent no fear," Berdoo said. And there was no fear as the band hit its instruments with the fever that only heavy metal can induce.

The band's sound can be described as a mixture of ZZ Top, Guns N' Roses and Black Sabbath. "Basically, we make a lot of racket, but people seem to like it," Berdoo said.

Berdoo and Smith formed the band in 1981 and have played more than 450 shows with artists such as Alice Cooper, Whitesnake, Mtley Crüe and Quiet Riot. Smith, who is also a tattoo artist, did the "mayhem" tattoo on Mtley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee's stomach. Smith has given himself 40 tattoos.

Berdoo put together the first Mtley Crüe Fest and created the New Millennium Rockfest 2006. The band produced the score for the HBO series "Spawn" and created a jingle for a Snapple beverage.

Smith learned to play the bass by playing along to Iron Maiden and says he prefers playing heavy metal because he is an adrenaline junkie. He also was a professional skateboarder and says he invented the "Smith Grind" trick.

Before joining Berdoo, Calhoon was in six bands, including two heavy metal bands in Seattle. He prefers metal. "I feel freer playing this music. It lets me break free," Calhoon said.

Berdoo said the chemistry of adding Calhoon to the band six months ago was incredible. The first time members played together, they played for three to four hours nonstop.

At the show, there will be juggling and fire throwing. "It will definitely be a circus for the eye," Calhoon said.

When Scott Parker, owner of the Steamboat Mountain Theater, asked Berdoo about the band's typical audience, Berdoo answered, "Our crowd's in California."

Steamboat is not just a stopping point for this band. Berdoo wants to buy property and a house where he can build a studio. When bands come to town, they will have a place to hang out. "I'm not going anywhere," Berdoo said.

The band member's plans for summer involve playing in the Mtley Crüe Fest, the Ozz Fest and the Moondance Festival, and they are planning to perform in Spain and Italy. They are making their Steamboat debut Saturday night.

"We are bringing new music to the 'Boat," Calhoon said.