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Arizona Daily Star photography

Robert Mason's created a head-banging character that's cobbled together from the likes of Sebastian Bach and Axl Rose.

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — Robert Mason, with microphone, pumps up the audience energy at Cactus Moon with his alter-ego band Nerd Alert. The band's performance is half-serious, half over-the-top theatrics. Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — Robert Mason, who claims to have an introverted side, jumps into the crowd during a recent Nerd Alert set at the Cactus Moon. Nerd Alert and Metal Head are both strong on audience participation and encourage fans to sing along. "It's kind of like a live karaoke," says Mason. JILL TORRANCE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — Manny Romero, left, Dusty Gauthier and Wendy Dickson savor the sound of Metal Head. The band's shows at Cactus Moon now have a regular following of hundreds. Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — The energy is at a peak with the sound building to a climax as the lights go out during a Metal Head show in Tucson. For Robert Mason, the performances tap into something that's been inside him for a long time. "The people singing along with us is the greatest rush there is," he says. PHOTOS BY JILL TORRANCE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — "You need to play well, but the audience listens with their eyes," says Robert Mason, left, with cohorts in full-on rock regalia. Using recorded tracks makes the covers sound more authentic. PHOTOS BY JILL TORRANCE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — Mason makes it hair-band real, painting his nails black before a Metal Head show. For Mason, the show has to be "visually impressive." JILL TORRANCE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — It's all there: the hair, the shredded jeans, the sleeveless shirt. Robert Mason performs with Metal Head at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale, one of two regular gigs for the band. "I am absolutely happiest when I am singing a song," Mason says. JILL TORRANCE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — Far from the stage, Robert Mason uses his laptop and guitar to compose songs at Tucson's Crave Espresso Bar. He also writes the occasional tune for Warrant. Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — It's work being in a hair band. Mason brushes out his wig as he and guitarist Dallan Baumgarten, left, prepare for a show. Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does

Can ya feeel the love? undying rocker does — Mason, center, is also the lead singer of Warrant, a real '80s hair band that performs dozens of shows each year. NEIL ZLOZOWER

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