Warrant's success was due to the fact that their glam rock sound appeared at the perfect time - the 1980s. Formed in the epicenter of all the spandex wearing, big-haired rocker fans who easily flocked to Warrant concerts, the group, also known as Hollywood, was formed in 1984 by guitarist Erik Turner. Later bassist Jerry Dixon joined followed by former SilverPants drummer Steven "Sweet" Chamberlin and vocalist Jani Lane to complete the group by 1987. Performing locally in and around the Los Angeles club scene, the group recorded their demo tape and got a few hits toward big time stardom before plans ended up falling through.

A year later, Warrant finally signed with Columbia Records and started working on their debut album, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. The album eventually went double platinum and spawned three hit singles, including "Heaven" and "Sometimes She Cries." In promotion for their successful debut album, the group toured with Paul Stanley, Quuensryche, Cinderella, Poison, the Motley Crue and Kingdom Come. Former Kingdom Come members Rick Steir and James Kottak eventually joined the Warrant gang.

Their sophomore effort, Cherry Pie, saw another group of hits, including the title track and "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and went on to sell three million copies. Warrant went on to tour with Poison in 1991 along with a European tour with David Lee Roth. The group's third album saw fewer sales and commercial success but allowed them to tour in Europe on the "Monsters of Rock" festival. The ‘90s saw loads of turmoil in the group, as a plethora of lineup changes stigmatized their sound and Columbia dropped them.

Warrant performed in Rock Never Stops Tour in 1998 and 2003 and has continued to tour with similar glam rock groups throughout the ‘00s.