Steel Panther; still partying like it’s 1987
Written by Aggie Anthimidou on February 13, 2020
O2 Academy Brixton
Love or hate Steel Panther, one thing’s for sure; they know how to bring back the 80s and put on a great party for their fans. Probably best to leave any judgement at home because those 2 hrs of fast glam rock n’ roll and politically incorrect humour and lyrics is not the time to be offended.
Review and Photos: Aggie Anthimidou
The L.A. hair metal ‘revivalists’ released their fifth album Heavy Metal Rules last year and have played a sold out show at the O2 Academy Brixton as part of their 8 dates UK & Ireland tour.
It is clear that there is still a big following of people longing for the escapades, fashion (there was a lot of ‘spandex’ and hair sprayed bandana-bound wigs ‘in attendance’ amongst the fans) and music of a long-gone era. Most of the audience was too young to be around when Sunset Strip bands were taking over the world. So this is the only way to relive the fantasy. Steel Panther knows this and – even with haters and mixed reviews on their latest album – they still manage to pack the UK venues they have been playing.
Michael Starr, Satchel, Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia take on stage doing every justice to the 80s glam metal fashion. Opening up with their old classic ‘Eyes of a Panther’ they drive their fans wild and pretty much hold the mood until the curtain falls.
Before embarking on the second song ‘Let Me Cum In’ there is a ‘comedy’ routine including a series of politically inappropriate jokes; about Rick Allen, the UK and the EU (an extended booing followed), drugs and English girls.
No one seemed to mind about any of the above.
Musically, all four members deliver great performances; with Satchel’s shredding solo one of the highlights of the evening and Lexxi Foxx’s on stage beautification routine being another. The fact is that the fans expect every single aspect of the parody and indulge in every moment of it.
‘All I Wanna Do Is Fuck (Myself Tonight)’, ‘Asian Hooker’ and ‘Poontang Boomerang’ are amongst the fans’ favourites but most of the girls in the room wait for ‘that moment’ where the real interaction between fans and band kicks off. During ‘Weenie Ride’ a girl is invited to join the band on stage and flirt with all members and for ‘Party All Day (Fuck All Night)’ and ’17 Girls in a Row’ the long-awaited all-female stage party finally materialises and girls seem to be climbing on stage from every direction.
To cool down the elevated atmosphere ‘Community Property’, a ballad, followed and ‘Death To All But Metal’ closed the main set before the band returned to finish off with ‘Gloryhole’.
The band’s on-stage energy and showmanship are great and the tunes – lyrical content aside – are catchy and nostalgic.
Most importantly; the fans are buzzing by the end of the show. I think it’s fair to say Steel Panther wouldn’t have a challenge to fill up a bigger venue. Maybe, next time.
