Live Review: Brace for impact! Steel Panther is On The Prowl at The Hordern – Spotlight Report
If someone asked you to describe a really stereotypical 1980’s rock band, what would you say? Studded spandex with a pop of leopard print, tick! Bandanas, neon sweatbands and big hair? Yes! Throw in some wind machines, cocaine references and holograms – you get the picture. Think heyday Bach, Sixx or Coverdale, throw in a setlist with song names and lyrics only one band could (barely!) get away with and hallelujah! Feel the Steel – welcome to Steel Panther!
Fans and Fanthers gathered in their best tribute wigs and outfits to see Steel Panther take to the stage one more time to deliver an evening of music, bants and laughs and their own very special brand of debauchery. It was an unusually small crowd for the Hordern but in the end, that seemed to just give people more room to have more fun and certainly didn’t dampen the atmosphere. People talking between acts about the last time they saw John 5 with Motley Crue, or asking new friends ‘did you see Steel Panther at Luna Park?!’ and pointing at their best push up bra saying ‘hell yeah I’m going to get on the stage!!!’
Men and women alike love these guys and their style. It’s like the one night of the year when you leave your PC at home and get ready to giggle at things you know you shouldn’t. They know the lyrics, the moves and apparently exactly what happens during songs Girl from Oklahoma, 17 Girls in a Row and Community Property! If you haven’t seen the show before, no spoilers but see above comment about push-up bras and maybe give it a Google before you buy tickets for the kids!
The set is delivered by Starr, Satchel, Stix and Spyder like a well-loved, well-oiled machine, moving through songs to comedy bit to ‘serenade’. There seems to be a genuine bromance happening with this group and despite Spyder being newer to the group (replacing Lexxi Foxx) they look and feel well established. They sound good, play well and really do deliver an unforgettable performance, especially if this is your first time!
Supporting Steel Panther was guitarist John 5 of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and more recently, Motley Crue fame. With a pallor that would make the Cullen family seem tanned and a passing look of Papa Emeritus, John 5 jammed away supported only by a drummer for the first 30 minutes of his set. The Telecaster masterclass took the crowd on a journey with lights (flashing mouthguard anyone!) and a mix of hybrid sounds from country to bluegrass and metal – a genre he calls ‘Blackgrass’. The result is quite mesmerising and holds the attention of the crowd right up until his bass player takes to the stage with the words ‘Tattoos, Titties and Telecasters’ emblazoned across his t-shirt. And with the arrival of this statement tee, you may not be surprised to hear the rest of the set is dedicated to the crowd* singing to an acoustic track of the best of Motley Crue! (*likely an important clarification for any Motley Crue legal representatives out there!)
Steel Panther have two nights left on the Australian leg of their tour. If you are a fan and undecided – buy the tickets and go have a blast. If you are a newbie and curious, just remember to check any sensitivities and political correctness at the door and lean into the experience. It’s parody, it’s one night, it’s Steel Panther!
