Valley band Kobra Kai lives–musically, at least–in the '80s, when solos wailed, hair was plentiful and debauchery was king. The group named itself after the "bad dojo" in The Karate Kid, one of that decade's archetypal movies, and their stated mission is clear: to bring their love of partying and classic '80s metal to wherever they're invited.

Kobra Kai was formed over a year ago by veterans of some of the area's best metal bands: singer Mark Lopes (Dark Day Sunday, Hellspeak), guitarists Jon Donais (Shadows Fall) and Frank Aresti (Fates Warning, Dark Day Sunday), bassist Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall) and drummer Mike Bartlett (ex-All That Remains).

"Sometime in 2008 a few of us were at a bar watching a cover band and it just hit us," says Bachand. "If we are going to be out drinking anyways, why not get on stage, get paid for it, and drink for free?! There was also a lot of downtime from the Shadows Fall touring schedule, so it gave us something to do."

The group decided '80s metal was where it was at. "It's feel-good music," Bachand says. "Everyone knows the songs whether or not they like to admit it. Once the '90s hit, everything was about being bummed out and how bad life is, blah blah blah. We want to play the songs about screwing chicks and getting wasted."

Kobra Kai's set list is chock full of diverse numbers, thanks to the collective talent of its members. "We cover a little bit of everything, really," says Bachand. "Our range of tunes is anywhere from Warrant and Ratt to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. No band is off the radar for us to cover. We just want to have a good time doing it."

According to Bachand, selecting tunes is easy: "The songs choose us, really. There have been attempts at some great songs that for some reason just didn't have the energy we were looking for to put in our show. Some Bon Jovi, for example. We tried it—great song, but it just didn't feel right to do, so it got cut. We don't want any slumps in the set list."

Bachand contends that there isn't a substantial divide between playing other people's music versus their own. "There really isn't all that much difference, to be honest, because we do the songs they way we want to do them. We don't go over tab books and study the songs too hard to make them perfect. As long as we stay somewhat true to the song, there is room for interpretation with things like guitar solos, bass lines and drum fills."

And what elements make up the perfect '80s metal song?

"Very simple," says Bachand. "Big vocal hooks and lots of guitar solos!"

The response to Kobra Kai has been overwhelmingly positive. "So far, so good," Bachand says. "Anyone that has been to a Kobra show can tell you that it's not about the band or the songs, it's about the party! As long as people, including ourselves, are having a good time, that's all that matters."

Kobra Kai, like most cover bands, is willing to take the party to virtually any event: weddings, graduations, family reunions—even funerals. "Hell, yeah," says Bachand. "We will rock anywhere if the price is right. Book us up!"

Kobra Kai rocks The Brass Cat in Easthampton this Saturday, Jan. 9. Visit myspace.com/kobrakaikills for more information.