Soon the trio was beginning to learn the very idea of broken dreams, of real frustration; there were many factors involved in earning a national audience and radio support then, and the band did its part. But in 1998, Mötley Crüe had already blown up and Seduce was imploding.

"We were flying out to LA ... and I.R.S. pulled the deal on us," Andrews says, grimacing. "We were heartbroken and didn't know what to do next."

It's true; they didn't know what to do. They even tried hiring another singer, Angelo Ganos (of Gangway and Paris, who died of a stroke in 2008) to become a more traditional four-piece. "But our fans didn't know what we were doing," Andrews says. "We got to the point where we decided we were kicking a dead horse and, after 10 years, dissolved from there."

Normally that'd be where the story ends. Like many '80s bands, Seduce had worked hard and released albums, they'd supported major headliners and they were even immortalized in the infamous film The Metal Years (courtesy of Miles Copeland).

More importantly, they'd generated the kind of hometown following that'd be the envy of many more established acts, and those fans weren't about to let their band fade out like a beer going flat. Certainly not literally; the trio partied hard, of course, but they've managed to avoid self-destruction.

Talk of Seduce's implosion isn't comfortable; Black's eyes immediately give that away. Still, since that initial breakup, the guys, and in particular Burns and Black, have kept busy in bands such as Speedball, the Skeemin' Nogoods, Universal Temple of Divine Power, and Heresy (Burns), Crud (Black) and the Shakey Jakes (both). Throughout that time, however, Seduce has been consistently re-forming to do one-off reunions, both for their still-adoring old fans and for themselves.

Indeed, only a couple of years ago the three found themselves opening for Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath with Dio), Judas Priest, Motörhead and Testament at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.

Just like the old days?

Andrews has mixed feelings about those shows. "I wasn't gonna turn it down, but I felt guilty because there are a lot of younger bands that could have done the show to get some exposure because they're trying to promote something," Andrews says. "In the same sense, it was a great day for us. I knew we could do the job. It is what it is. I'm glad they asked for us."

To this day, the band refuses to sell itself short on stage — it's that basic idea that won them fans early on. "Now we play a Seduce show because we want to," Burns smiles. "We all have good jobs. It's not like we need the money. We do it because we love to. I'd love to play more but we're all busy guys. Seriously though, if you want us to walk out the door, mention a record deal. We just want to play."

Black adds, "I tried being a prostitute with a guitar. I didn't like it."

Seduce plays the Token Lounge on Dec. 11, with Syrant, Helicon and Co Dam, 28949 Joy Rd., Westland; 734-513-5030.

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