STEEL PANTHER - BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY, 18th MAY 2023

BY SHARI BLACK VELVET

Bands and concerts that make you laugh continuously are a rare breed. Most take themselves very seriously, which is no bad thing, but it’s always refreshing when a band is downright fun and frolicsome. We all need a bit of humour once in a while. And, with new album ‘On The Prowl’ released in February 2023, Californian rockers Steel Panther get to go on a huge worldwide prowl themselves, delivering their naughty sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll humour to rock fans across the globe

The album artwork covers the back of the stage, it’s very neon – pink, red, orange, purple and metallic blue. And when the bright lights turn on as the band enter the stage, it’s a fabulous treat. Michael Starr on vocals, Satchel on guitar and Stix Zadinia on drums are now joined by new bassist, Spyder. ‘Eyes Of A Panther’ is the perfect opener, considering a giant panther is looking out from the backdrop. It’s immediately uplifting and vibrant. Michael, Satchel and Spyder are all great showmen at the front of the stage, while Stix keeps the beat at the back. ‘Let Me Cum In’ is a bouncy blast, Michael Starr swirls his mic stand around and bends backwards to stretch out some high notes, before Satchel and Spyder join him in the middle of the stage. 

The between-song banter soon starts with Satchel telling Spyder “I can’t remember your name.” With Winger being the support band, Satchel also makes a joke about Kip Winger’s sperm. “Boobies!" they exclaim, when they notice a girl on someone’s shoulders in the audience lifting her top. “Spyder is new to the band. He’s never seen titties before in all of the bands he’s played in,” says Satchel. 

Satchel introduces Michael to the audience, telling the crowd he pulled his career out of the fire. “He was in a Poison tribute band back then. It was called ‘Open Up And Say Aaah-ful'”. He introduces Spyder, telling the crowd “He’s got some very big gay shoes to fill.” Stix does an impression of Def Leppard’s Rick Allen, before a girl is brought out onto the stage for ‘Asian Hooker’. She is not slow to lift her skirt and top and generally play the role of a cheap ho. 

Songs such as ‘All I Wanna Do Is Fuck (Myself Tonight)’ and the classic ‘Death To All But Metal’ (prior to which Satchel performs an ostentatious guitar solo) are fist-punching anthems, while the Def Leppard ‘Hysteria’-sounding ‘The Burden Of Being Wonderful’ adds a more melodic tone. ‘1987’ is an affectionate retrospective, while Stix comes to the front to join the rest of the band for the acoustic slow burner, ‘Ain’t Dead Yet’, playing the keys, while Satchel adds slide guitar to the song. 

It wouldn’t be a Steel Panther show without a whole host of females from the crowd getting up on stage for a song or two - ’Community Property’ and ‘Party All Day’ – some flash their boobs, some try to get selfies with Satchel, and a couple try and sneak onto the drum riser to give Stix a hug, before security flap them back down to the main stage. ‘Gloryhole’ ends the hour-and-a-half party in its own uniquely raucous way, leaving you feeling like the band you came to see really did their job, and entertained. They gave their all, they put on a fabulous show from start to finish, and everyone went home after having their best night out in a long time. Steel Panther ain’t dead yet – in fact, going by tonight’s performance, they’ll be around for a long, long time to cum (pun intended).   

Click HERE for more photos from previous Steel Panther shows