Peacemaker’s Love for Hair Metal Is an ‘Affront’ to His Father Reveals James Gunn
In his pain and his happiness, Peacemaker turns to music for comfort. But according to showrunner James Gunn, the DC superhero’s choice of music reflects the strained relationship with his father.
James Gunn says Peacemaker likes hair metal bands because his dad would hate them
From the intro of Peacemaker to the superhero’s (John Cena) emotional jam sessions, it’s clear how much music means to him. And his preference for ’80s metal bands may stem from his angst toward his racist, sexist, Nazi father, Auggie (Robert Patrick).
“I think that is the music that speaks to Peacemaker’s spirit,” Gunn explained via Comicbook.com. “He loves hair metal. But I also think that it speaks to a lot of the things that his dad is not.”
“It’s androgynous,” he noted. “I think of Peacemaker bringing home a Hanoi Rocks album with all the guys in the makeup, and the fishnet stockings, and everything else. I think of him bringing a Motley Crue album with the satanic symbol on the front. And those are direct affronts to who his father is.”
Gunn said that music is something the superhero can call his own. And he teased fans will get to see how and why before the season finale.
James Gunn is a music buff himself
Gunn is a big music buff himself. His Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy films are oozing with nostalgic tracks. And he told Billboard that with Peacemaker, he’s getting to make the hair metal soundtrack of his dreams.
“Secretly, I’ve been wanting to do a hair metal/glam metal soundtrack for a while because I do think there are a lot of great songs out there,” Gunn revealed, noting how many bands disappeared when Grunge rock hit the scene.
“But there’s also some really good musicianship and some really good songs from that era that just stick with me,” he added. “So finding those gems amidst the heap of glam metal was something that excited me and something I’ve been doing for years on my own anyway.”
‘Peacemaker’ Episode 5 songs reveal more of the superhero’s favorite music
In Episode 5, “Monkey Dory,” Peacemaker and his team head out on a mission to raid a potential alien butterfly food jarring factory. On the drive there, Peacemaker sits shotgun in the truck and pulls out his stash of CDs on the drive there.
He plays “Fight Song,” by Sister Sin and starts jamming to it, as he loves to do. But Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) isn’t thrilled, so she shuts the stereo down.
Peacemaker and Economus (Steve Agee) then begin talking about their love for hair metal. And they realize they both love the Finnish band, Hanoi Rocks.
The team makes it to the factory, where they’re ambushed by butterflied humans and a gorilla. But after killing the aliens and making it out alive, the crew celebrates as Peacemaker plays “11th Street Kids” by Hanoi Rocks.
