Richmond, VA – I admit it, I grew up in a warped generation. Sure, we did not consume Tide Pods or anything like that… but we had a lot of hair that when whipped up into a do posted a health hazard for all around. We had leather pants that gave us some idea of religious affiliation at birth and we had a free spirit in music that will never be duplicated again.
Enter Steel Panther. Not since Spinal Tap has there been a legendary band that has stood the test of time. Now into their 70s (they quipped), the band’s original members, Michael Starr (vocals) and Satchel (guitar) have aged quite well, near original member, Stix Zadinia (drums) has kept up as well. The newest member, Spyder (bass) was the most photogenic and camera hungry of the crew, but that may just be the generational difference. On July 20, 2023 at the National in Richmond, Steel Panther brought enough glitter, glam, hair, and harlots to last a lifetime.
They took the stage by storm, from out of the shadows they came, hair ablaze in the blinding backlight. Let the fun begin. They opened with “Eyes of a Panther” from their Feel the Steel album. This also happens to be the song they used in their audition for America’s Got Talent earlier this year (yeah, they got four yeses, that video is at the end).
Next in the set was a song that pretty much sums up the theme of that hair band generation, “Let Me Cum In“. Afterwards, in 80s fashion, the band intros all came together, on stage, in front of everyone. For the most part the intros were awesome, with the only disappointment being that Satchel really, really wanted to introduce one of the best vocalists out there, it was obvious how much he yearned to do the introduction. Sadly, Vince Neal was unable to make the show. While no one in the sold out show (well, it was sold out, but as the band pointed out, some ticket holders were unable to attend) Satchel wanted to set the audience straight and pointed out that Spyder was not a transvestite because he drank a lot of Bud Light backstage, the rumor was put to rest.
I have to admit, the banter was fun and so reminiscent of a time when you could say anything and people could take a joke. It was pretty vulgar, in a fun way and the audience was eating it up. “Asian Hooker” was followed by “Man in the Box” and all was good.
Now for those of you who may remember hair bands in their heyday, you know that shouldered women were known to display their wares for the pleasure of the band (and audience as well). I would like to share the experience with those who may have missed it, but, as it turned out, I clicked prematurely. You will just have to settle for the pre-flash moment.
On their nearly 80 years of life (again, they quip), they have been exposed to a lot of acts. As such, they have developed other talents. Two of Stix’s talents that we were exposed to was his uncanny ability to do an impression of the Def Leppard drummer and also play keyboards in a power ballad.
I could talk the entire show, it was awesome and so brought me back to a different time and place that I never fully experienced. Yes, I missed so much of this in my younger days (a real geek) but Steel Panther was able to let me live my lost decade in a matter of a couple decadent hours. No one should be allowed to have this much fun in such a short time!
No show would be complete without a serenade (in a glam metal sort of way) for an attractive female audience member. Enter Suzanne. She was a blast and seemed to have no problem dishing it out to Starr and the rest of the band. As was expected, they did ask to see her (boobs), and she quickly denied (REJECTED!!). So much for a second pop. They did a little improv with the music and even came up with a cute riff commemorating Suzanne’s fallopian tubes. Who would have thought we were in for a biology lesson!? They took turns seductively crooning to the special guest, with Stix proclaiming he wanted to take her backstage and lift her skirt to prove she was not a man. This was my generation!!
Before the end of the night, the band brought up several women from the audience, all dancing on stage. No, it was not a strip show, but they were all definitely paying attention to the ladies and the ladies were paying attention to them (and some of them were paying a lot of attention to each other as well). Finishing off the main set with “Community Property” (with all on stage… gotta listen to the words!) and “Party All Day (Fuck All Night)“ the evening was over… or was it.
For an encore they came out to “Glory Hole” with its obvious connotations. They did express pleasure in idea that all the boyfriends of the women that came on stage had remained quiet, knowing what the band was going to do backstage. That is the impression I remember!!
Now for the serious part of the story. I was blown away by their talent and schtick!! There were two other photographers there and they were blown away as well (I do not think I have ever seen two bigger smiles behind a lens in my life). Steel Panther did an awesome job of taking those of us who lived the generation down memory lane (but the music was more aligned with mammary lane). It also introduced those who had not lived the life to what it was like when music could be fun and carefree!!
Of course, to pull it off, the band had to be powerful too. It is hard to compete with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Nikki Sixx, Brett Michaels, or Tommy Lee and Steel Panther did it wonderfully!! I am going to say they were so over the top, they may have outdone the originals. The audience loved it. Starr’s vocals kicked glitter and ass, his attitude was so glam! There was a moment I thought we may discover he was not a natural blonde, thankfully that was a false alarm. Then there was Satchel, an almost impish presence that just said, “hey babes, I play guitar, can you help me strum a few chords?”. Stix was the always present but not overbearing drummer that kept them all together… and then there was Spyder. While Starr and Satchel drew the attention, Spyder went out on a journey to find the attention! You can’t get much more genre that that. Adding to the show was the overly busy roadie, always taking the stage to make sure all was in order!!
I think what made it most fun was, while the genre from that 80s hinted at the antics, Steep Panther eliminated all innuendo and got straight to the point!! My only concern at this time is, despite taking the judges on America’s Got Talent for a ride on the hair express, I am not sure what they will be allowed to follow up with. Perhaps “The Burden of Being Wonderful” would work. Not only is it fun but it would tell Simon and rest why they deserve to win!! Good luck guys!! Keep the hair alive and well into your 100s!!
Steel Panther Gallery
Steel Panther Setlist
Eyes of a Panther
Let Me Cum In
Asian Hooker
Man in the Box
The Burden of Being Wonderful
Friends With Benefits
Death to All but Metal
1987
Ain’t Dead Yet
Impromptu Songs for a Girl (For Suzanne)
Girl From Oklahoma
Community Property
Party All Day (Fuck All Night)
Encore:
Gloryhole
Show Date: July 20, 2023
