Steel Panther And Winger, O2 Academy, Birmingham, 18.05.23
The first time I’d heard of Steel Panther was a day maybe two before I saw them live at Download 2010 and I can’t recall listening to something so catchy, familiar or downright funny since I’d had and outgrown my ICP phase. Lyrically it’s not clever, it’s juvenile but that’s the appeal, it’s like listening to an American Pie movie and conjuring up your own visuals. Honestly I loved it and the album was on heavy rotation once I’d bought it but to be honest, following albums went downhill for me; having said that though on the 18th of May, Michael Starr and co hit the O2 Arena in Birmingham and whilst it’s been well over ten years since seeing them live and a fair few albums in between, I am looking forward to it.
Before the headline act so much as show a hint of hairspray though it’s support act Winger (8) that take to the stage and they are who I’ve been asked to review tonight (My love of Winger and bias against Steel Panther - Ed). As I write this post gig, I’ve had to do a bit of research into who the hell Winger actually are, for despite them being nominated for various awards and being quite popular during the late 80’s to early 90’s, they’re not a band I’ve heard of, though I do seem to recall their logo on a character’s shirt in Beavis And Butthead. Winger were victims of the rise of Grunge, as many bands of that Hair Metal style of playing were when Grunge dominated the scene but it would seem that from the reception at the Arena, they are very much a band to enjoy.
Before the headline act so much as show a hint of hairspray though it’s support act Winger (8) that take to the stage and they are who I’ve been asked to review tonight (My love of Winger and bias against Steel Panther - Ed). As I write this post gig, I’ve had to do a bit of research into who the hell Winger actually are, for despite them being nominated for various awards and being quite popular during the late 80’s to early 90’s, they’re not a band I’ve heard of, though I do seem to recall their logo on a character’s shirt in Beavis And Butthead. Winger were victims of the rise of Grunge, as many bands of that Hair Metal style of playing were when Grunge dominated the scene but it would seem that from the reception at the Arena, they are very much a band to enjoy.
Not knowing a single song did little to stem any enjoyment or participation for me, the songs were well played, melodic and radio friendly crowd pleasers. An obviously well rehearsed guitar solo from Reb Beach Jr, whilst looking like a cross between Norman Reedus and David Spade led to, an equally well rehearsed, visit from Michael Starr as he joined the band for one song.
One song in particular stood out, mainly for the wrong reasons though I have been singing it on and off all day; Seventeen. 87th Best Hard Rock Song Of All Time according to VH1; Billboard Hot 100 placed it at No. 26 in 1988. Dubious lyrical content 35 years on, catchy song.
Steel Panther (10) were a for the performance and comedy sketch alone, I was expecting a mix of songs taken from the bands back catalogue with the focus being on material from the latest release.
Opening with Eyes Of A Panther and Let Me Come In from Feel The Steel and Balls Out respectively, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Asian Hooker was accompanied by a woman from the audience who proceeded to flash her wares whilst dancing along to the song, it takes a special kind of bravado or just sheer stupidity to encourage a girl on stage based on her ethnicity whilst singing a song about an Asian prostitute but this is Steel Panther.
One song in particular stood out, mainly for the wrong reasons though I have been singing it on and off all day; Seventeen. 87th Best Hard Rock Song Of All Time according to VH1; Billboard Hot 100 placed it at No. 26 in 1988. Dubious lyrical content 35 years on, catchy song.
Steel Panther (10) were a for the performance and comedy sketch alone, I was expecting a mix of songs taken from the bands back catalogue with the focus being on material from the latest release.
Opening with Eyes Of A Panther and Let Me Come In from Feel The Steel and Balls Out respectively, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Asian Hooker was accompanied by a woman from the audience who proceeded to flash her wares whilst dancing along to the song, it takes a special kind of bravado or just sheer stupidity to encourage a girl on stage based on her ethnicity whilst singing a song about an Asian prostitute but this is Steel Panther.
Basing a career on sex, drugs and heavy metal obviously comes with its own attractions and there were plenty of girls hiked up onto their partners shoulders and obediently flashing to the shouts from onstage. Girl From Oklahoma was yet again accompanied by a member of the audience, to much amusement as her thick Birmingham accent caused a few moments of confusion for the Americans in spandex, the band each sang a song to her, a short ditty each professing their love for her, or at least their desire before newest member of the band, Spyder managed to get her to flash.
I was trying to remember on the way home just how many songs were played during the nearly two hour slot and though it didn’t feel like many, the majority of those played were from their first album with Glory Hole and The Burden Of Being Wonderful from All You Can Eat and All I Wanna Do Is Fuck from 2019’s Heavy Metal Rules alongside at least five tracks from this years On The Prowl; I think it was just a case of time flying by when you’re having fun. The rather untraditional love song Community Property, got as many girls on stage as could possibly fit, each getting their few minutes of fame.
A great evening all in all, somehow Steel Panther have managed to release six albums based on the same juvenile jokes and whilst I felt that the albums have shown that those same jokes can get old, live they make it work, between songs about hookers, the Eighties and tour bus antics the band cracked the jokes, some aimed toward each other and their respective musical abilities whilst others were aimed at Sheffield and Def Leppard, you had to be there for a rather awkwardly funny impression.
Fun times for all.
Fun times for all.