Steel Panther concluded their “On the Prowl Tour” in San Antonio on Friday, May 17. This was my second time seeing them live and let me tell you if you are a fan of glam rock and raunchy lyrics, this is the show and band for you.
If you take all of the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll of the 80s hair band and amplify it, you get Steel Panther. With stage personas as big as their hair, Steel Panther turns it up to 11.
This time around I knew what to expect and it was 90 minutes of pure chaos and joy. Opening with “Eyes of a Panther,” I found myself in front of the barricade signing along from behind my camera. I had missed this energy and charisma. After seeing them last year, I became a fan and knew this show would echo the energy I felt last time.
One of my favorite songs is “1987.” For the sensitive audience, this song is a nice introductory to the band. It is a love letter to the year, 1987, laced with clever lyrics that highlight the top pop culture moments during that period give or take a few PG-13 lyrical jabs.
Steel Panther oozes stage presence and audience engagement! New bands and even older bands…take note. Michael Starr, Satchel, Spyder and Stix are pros at engaging with the crowd. From impressions of Brett Michaels, David Zoolander and Def Leppard’s drummer, Rick Allen, everyone is left laughing and responding to the band creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere (maybe a little too friendly for some audiences).
Be warned though, the content of this stage banter is raunchy and hypersexualized. You may also be privy to a few flashes from the ladies in the crowd. If you know, you know. Sensitive eyes and ears you have been warned.
Steel Panther has left their mark on my music repertoire and they are a band that I will see live again and again. From the personas to their musicianship, they are what I look for in a band, especially a hair metal glam rock group.
