Steel Panther

“Feel The Steel” - the call to rock and ditch-the-pop order of music parody metal-heads Steel Panther. Coincidentally, it was also the audacious title of their self-penned second studio album released in 2009, which hit number one in the Comedy Billboard Chart. Heralded the nouveau L.A Motley Crue, Steel Panther have been critically revered and repulsed in equal measure, for songs that deal with morally sensitive issues. Well, with tracks like “Eatin' Ain't Cheatin'” and “Asian Hooker” there's bound to be feedback bordering on uproar, but inevitably it's the 80's that are to blame – according to the band. Big hair, bolshy attitudes and a semi undertone of punk rebellion were all synonymous with glam metal – now where music parody rockers Steel Panther find their inspiration.

Leather chaps and meaty riffs characterize the attitude of Steel Panther, whom have been likened to a fusion of The Darkness and Tenacious D – except neither comedy rock band dared to take things quite to the extreme. The L.A shock rockers allege they found their feet in the heyday of hair metal, crawling out from the same alternative cave as the prolific Guns 'n' Roses. They might not be kidding. Ralph Saenz, the honey locked lead singer who goes by the pseudonym of “Michael Starr” formerly led Van Halen tribute band “Atomic Punks” during the 90's, and later enjoyed a stint with L.A Guns – the band that influenced the final line-up of Guns 'n' Roses. Shag-sporting lead guitarist Russ Parish (whom now adopts the stage ego of “Satchel”) joined Rob Halford and Scott Travis of Judas Priest fame, as the new guitarist for thrash metal band “Fight”. He also heads up his own band “The Thornbirds” alongside “Atomic Punks” guitarist Jeff Duncan.

Whenever a band intent on reviving a lost genre rears their head, there's bound to be a controversial backlash from music gurus. Steel Panther have suffered it more than most. “Michael Starr” in particular takes a bashing for mimicking the on-stage charismas of Axl Rose and Jon Bon Jovi, yet his charged vocals pretty much silences the critics. He's been dubbed the only other singer on the planet who can approach a Van Halen cover with the same energy of David Lee Roth, and he still manages to pull out the gnarly vocals required of Alice Cooper's “Poison” as a follow-up. It won't surprise you then to learn that Steel Panther (formerly Metal Skool) have performed with some pretty legendary icons in music. Of the more contemporary crackers was a duet of “18 and Life” with Pink, at Keys Hollywood 2008. A slightly worse for wear Kelly Clarkson also joined the band on-stage in L.A in 2006 for Journey's “Don't Stop Believing”, but that's nothing compared to Panther career highlights, like the night they pulled Bon Jovi keyboard maverick David Bryan from the audience for “Runaway” and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian also made a surprise appearance. It's unprecedented moments like these that add credence to the authenticity of Steel Panther as a talented glam rock band, rather than just another covers group.

With residences in L.A, New York and Las Vegas, one might wonder how Steel Panther can possibly meet the punishing requirements of their tour schedule – in Vegas, they're always on time. They're clearly not just in it for the laughter factor, further proven by their longevity at Las Vegas' “House of Blues” (it must be at least four years now, every Friday night!) The Gothic interior of the Mandalay Bay Hotel “Music Hall” is a far cry from the foggy industrial venues played in New York. The Mandalay never do things by halves, evident by recent reports of intent to recreate Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch on site! One look at the size of the stage will guarantee this is an appropriate setting for an amp-explosive rock out and potential crowd surfing, with the plus-factor of a 2,000 capacity for seated and standing patrons.

Their reputation for outrageous showmanship might precede them, yet a night with Steel Panther is far more than just a groupie fest. With a set-list that packs in covers from Motley Crue to Deep Purple, fans of the 80's are treated to an eclectic sweat show of exhibitionism, featuring some of the biggest hits of the time. Bon Jovi and the Guns' get more than ample coverage as do some of Steel Panther's own shock-factor hits, but the ultimate draw is the comedy 'x' factor - these guys have it by the gallon!