It’s usually an inevitability during the first half of the year that Steel Panther will be here in the UK with their latest album. People aren’t slow in filing into Birmingham’s O2 Academy tonight because it’s Steel Panther, you know exactly what you’re going to get at this point in their career – one of the most entertaining nights you can have. That said, there does seem to be less excitement than usual with the standard atmosphere a little lower than you’d expect and one of the most prevalent sights at a Steel Panther show – people dressed as if they’ve arrived here from the mid-1980s in a Delorean, complete with spandex, tros so bright you can see your future in them and some dodgy wigs – fewer in attendance, too.
Despite that, when Winger make their presence known, there’s a rapturous response to them taking their marks before they hammer through a set which goes down an absolute storm with the assembled. Indeed, their inclusion on this tour seems perfect, if a little overdue, given they’re a very obvious inspiration to tonight’s headliners. It’s a great combination of rock and a glossy, pop sheen filtered through an ozone layer-damaging layer of hairspray. The near-dozen setlist hits the usual marks you’d expect from them, including the token song from their new album, Seven, which goes heavy on the keys.
Meanwhile, Michael Starr puts in an early appearance to provide guest vocals on “Headed for a Heartbreak”, sparring with Kip Winger. There’s a chance for Reb Beach to have a quick extended between songs whilst the rest of the band vacate. Naturally, it’s met with as much enthusiasm as the songs themselves. And as they play, you can see why they’ve endured because they know how to write a song and how to work the crowd, playing as a tight and well-oiled unit. It does veer more into AOR at moments rather than hair metal but you can’t deny they aren’t good at what they do. However, it’s just not my cup of tea and I was quietly hoping that Wayward Sons would make it three UK tours in a row after 2020. That aside, the crowd are nice and warmed up for what follows.
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It wouldn’t be a Steel Panther show if they didn’t kick off their set with “Eyes of a Panther” and through the seas of phones documenting the moment, you can see Michael Starr, Satchel, Stix Zadinia and the new (ish) addition of bassist Spyder (replacing Lexxi Foxx who went off to start his own business – Sexy Lexxi’s Prettiest Pets – making ugly pets as pretty as him) giving it their all. And after the follow-up of “Let Me Cum In”, there’s a solid ten minutes of banter between the band and crowd and Satchel gets to slag off Sheffield once more. In other words – Steel Panther are back, motherfuckers.
Indeed, it’s very much business as usual as they pay homage to their own holy trinity of sex, drugs and heavy metal. Unsurprisingly, they pull a hefty dose of the night from Feel the Steel, with most of the rest of their discography having a nod or two and a few from their latest album, On the Prowl, but it’s no surprise it’s those early songs which get the warmest response of the night given their evergreen quality. Sure, there’s a few of gems missing like “The Shocker”, “Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)”, “17 Girls”, “Tomorrow Night” and “Party Like Tomorrow is the End of the World” but it’s still as entertaining as ever.
However, they do manage to mix it up a bit more with Michael Starr donning a guitar to fill out the acoustic section of the evening on their new love letter to one of the greatest years of music ever in “1987” (no prizes for guessing which year, but if Lexxi is reading this, do you know which year?) and the acceptance of aging with “Ain’t Dead Yet”. It segues nicely into plucking a girl from the audience and serenading her with some impromptu songs from each of the quartet and then into “Girl From Oklahoma” and when it comes to calling Michael Starr a motherfucker, she absolutely nails it. And for the finale, as many girls as possible her and the band for “Party All Day (Fuck All Night)” and “Community Property”.
Michael Starr can still hit those same notes he recorded fifteen years ago, Satchel remains an incredible guitarist with an understated virtuosity to his playing and Stix Zadinia can actually for a real musician rather than just being a drummer. Meanwhile, Spyder might not have the chiselled cheekbones of his predecessor or a jawline that could cut cheese but he makes up for it by easily filling the boots of Foxx, albeit, he doesn’t toe the line of speaking only when spoken to. Hopefully the rest of the band will be able to discipline him. But as a unit, he’s slotted in perfectly and the four of them continue to be one of the tightest live bands you can see.
While they do tread some well-worn ground by relying on the older material, it’s not unwelcome. Especially as the first album is just so damn good and on the last couple of albums, it feels like the joke is running on fumes. But it doesn’t stop people from coming out in their droves because it’s Steel Panther and they continue to be a spectacular live band, reminding you that heavy metal doesn’t always have to be serious to make for a great night out. And let’s be real, as long as people keep coming out in their droves, Steel Panther will be able to afford their drugs, women and botox.
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Pics by Watchmaker Studios
