(Toronto, ON) – Where do I start? I had never been to a Steel Panther show yet all my photographer friends said that I must see them live. I admit, I wasn’t overly familiar with their music. I knew they were a Metal Glam Band out of L.A. and that they looked like they where a blast from the past (late 80’s). I grew up during that era and partook in the big hair and spandex phase so when I heard they were playing a gig in Toronto supporting their All You Can Eat tour, I knew I had to go.
I did my research on these “over the top guys” and soon discovered that they were a satirical group, poking fun at the Rock philosophy of Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. Mostly the sex aspect, with sexual explicit lyrics. By no means is this show for the prude. Their attire certainly mirrored the fashion trends of the 80’s.
The Sound Academy, which holds 3230 guests, was near capacity. I was surprised to see there were a lot more women than I had anticipated. And come to find out, they were just as excited being there as their male counterparts.
The opening act was a band called Future Villains. These Californian boys of hard rock genre, lit up the stage with their enthusiasm and energy. They provided great showmanship and where fairly tight. Future Villains were well received by the crowd.
Steel Panther‘s set opener was the song “Pussywhipped“, which brought out the public displays of nudity. Girls flashing their breasts at the slight taunt from the band. “Party Like Tomorrow Is the End of the World” had the crowd surfers emerging. Positioned in the photographer’s pit during this time, I was aware that at any moment I could have a surfer or burly security guard squishing me to the stage. Luckily enough only two crowd surfers made it past the gate.
Bassist Lexxi Foxx, with this hair fluttering in the breeze, would pull out his bedazzled mirror, applying extra lip gloss and ensuring his make up was up to specs. His makeup vanity was nearby at stage left.
With the song “17 Girl In A Row” Michael Starr invited the ladies up on stage filling every square inch with dancing girls. “This is the most amount of girls that we’ve every had on stage with us”, explains Starr.
“Gloryhole” had the crowd waving their arms back and forth – their singing encompassed the building.
“Kanye” started off the acoustic portion of this set. Which just so happens to be their first viral video, explains Satchel, although it only sold four copies, was viewed over “one hundred trillion times”. He attributes the popularity of the song to the subject mater that everyone can relate to, the hatred of Kanye West.
Shout outs where given to our Toronto talent, Glass Tiger, Honeymoon Suite and Rush, playing the intro to “Limelight” but squashing the song saying Lexxi can’t pull it off.
Unlikely guest Joey Fatone (N Sync) made a special appearance for their encore, singing “Community Property” and “Party All Day“.
I was pleasantly surprised at the band’s stage presence and, above all, their strong musicianship. I assumed that perhaps their entire persona would be exaggerated yet the music would lack slightly. But I was wrong. Their sound tech did a fantastic job with the production of the audio. Their lighting rig was a photographers dream and the way the band interacted with the audience and the media made them incredibly easy to photograph. Between songs, this comedic glam band would have the crowd engaged in their comedic banter. Poking fun at themselves and others.
Not a show for the under 18 crowd or the sexually conservative. For their comedic value and the sheer musicianship, it’s worth seeing.
Their set list for the evening:
1. Pussywhipped
2. Party Life Tomorrow Is The End Of The World
3. Fat Girl
4. Tomorrow Night
5. The Shocker
6. Hair Solo
7. 17 Girls In A Row
8. Gloryhole
9. If I Was The King
10. Guitar Solo
11. Ten Strikes You’re Out
12. Kanye (Acoustic)
13. Weenie Ride (Acoustic)
14. Stripper Girl (Acoustic)
15. Why Can’t You Trust Me (Acoustic)
16. Girl From Oklahoma (Acoustic)
17. Asian Hooker
18. Eyes Of A Panther
19. Death To All But Metal
20. Community Property (Encore) Featuring Joey Fatone
21. Party All Day (Encore) Featuring Joey Fatone
For more information on Steel Panther check them out at:
(WEBSITE) (FACEBOOK) (TWITTER) (YOUTUBE)
Photographer Sue Sadzak captured Steel Panther during a recent show at the Sound Academy.
© 2015. All photos are copyrighted. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
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Most of the STD tour is sold out, even though Steel Panther’s third album, All You Can Eat, isn’t out until the beginning of April.