Into the Pit: Cherry Bombs founder Alicia Taylor

As founder of a heavy metal dance troupe that incorporates fire, aerials and storytelling into its eyebrow raising, action-packed, entertaining act, Cherry Bombs director Alicia Taylor has realized her vision of bringing theatrical dance to a new, explosive level.

Along the way, Taylor expanded on her days as an NFL cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons and landed opening tour slots with Buckcherry, Black Stone Cherry and Stone Sour. She then took her love life to another level as well by marrying Stone Sour and Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor. Cherry Bombs tours hit San Antonio’s Vibes Event Center indoors in 2017 with Stone Sour and last May outside the Vibes supporting Corey Taylor’s solo band (coverage here).

Alicia Taylor now gets the chance to hit the road on her own as Cherry Bombs will headline the Rock Box, the room adjacent to the Vibes Event Center, on Tuesday, March 1, as part of their Macabaret tour with Them Evils (tickets here). But that’s not all. Cherry Bombs will host a two-hour workshop from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, during which would-be dancers can learn choreographic moves and ask questions of Taylor and her crew at Countdown Studio (9023 Huebner Rd., Ste 103). Tickets to the workshop cost $40, but if you bring your ticket stub from the show, you’ll get $10 off (buy here; see details here).

Alicia Taylor graciously went “Into the Pit” with ATM on Monday to discuss the troupe, the tour, the “Girl Gang” documentary (watch Episode 1 below), her recently penned tribute in Revolver Magazine to one of her favorite bands (click here), her famous rock-star husband and more.

Click the video box below to watch our entire conversation.

Cherry Bombs Macabarét Tour with Them Evils

February 25- Albuquerque, NM - The Launchpad - 618 Central Ave SW

21+ Doors 8 p.m. - Tickets $15 advance/$20 door

February 27 - Dallas, TX - Trees - 2709 Elm Street

All Ages - Doors 7 p.m. - Tickets $15 advance/$20 door

March 1 - San Antonio, TX - Rock Box - 1223 E Houston Street

All Ages - Doors 7 p.m. - Tickets $16 advance/$20 door

March 2 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall - 2915 N Main Street

All Ages - Doors 8 p.m. - Tickets $20

Alicia Taylor (center) and her heavy metal dance troupe Cherry Bombs performed in 2017 at Vibes Event Center supporting Stone Sour, and Taylor soon thereafter married the band’s frontman Corey Taylor (all photos by Jay Nanda / Alamo True Metal)

Taylor affectionately dubs this move the “sparkle fart.”

The Cherry Bombs incorporate pole dancing and aerials into their acts to the tune of heavy metal songs.

Taylor (right) plays the guitar while one of her dancers breaks out in song.

Alicia Taylor gets down and dirty with the sparklers.

Corey Taylor headlined outside the Vibes Event Center last May with his wife’s dance troupe as part of his CMFT solo tour.

Alicia Taylor breaks out the sparkler drill .

Alicia Taylor said last year’s skit involving coats and suitcases was not a conscious effort to be more conservative but rather part of telling a story.

Taylor’s husband Corey Taylor is shown during the 2014 Knotfest with Slipknot in San Bernardino, Calif.