In their sophomore Australian performance, the voracious STEEL PANTHER invited Adelaide audiences to join them On the Prowl for a scintillating performance.
Bold and brash, bawdy and bombastic, there’s no band quite like STEEL PANTHER. An outfit in every sense of the word, their global (and equal) reputation for musicianship and debauchery are unmatched. This year celebrating the 15 year anniversary of their debut, Feel the Steel, and hot off the tail of the 2023/2024 US and European legs, the ‘planet’s most notorious, hilarious, and downright outrageous glam metal band’ brought the On the Prowl world tour down under.
Hailing from America’s epicentre of fame and filth, Los Angeles, since inception under other names, STEEL PANTHER’s infamy has continued to swell. Attaining mainstream recognition and notoriety for their parody of the lifestyle synonymous with the 1980s, the Hollywood heretics have achieved more than many, arguably more serious, musicians of the genre have in a lifetime spanning the former era into the present. In celebration of their sixth studio album, the band promised a performance of incomparable calibre.
Joining the ever-performative heavy metallists on Australia’s five-city stretch, JOHN 5 is an aptly befitting presence. A revered and renowned artist in his own right, the guitarist’s collaborative accolades include former membership in MARILYN MANSON and ROB ZOMBIE’s bands, infinite cameo works with artists of all persuasions, and current lead responsibilities for MOTLEY CRUE. Born JOHN LOWERY and assigned his biblical moniker by MANSON, he enters, a staunch silhouette to Gene Wilder’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory favourite.
Pure Imagination running wild, JOHN 5’s painted appearance and phenomenal skill reinforce the glamour of his gothic performance. Ghostface with an axe, alongside his co-conspirator drummer, without uttering a word, Que Pasa asks ‘what’s happening’ and is answered in nonverbal mesmerisation. A single hand outstretched, a neon disco erupts from the virtuoso’s blackened lips, pirouetting to the unmistakable psycho-circus of Crank It. Exchanging weapons he needn’t reintroduce himself, yet he does with his self titled, I am John 5.
Flamenco fulminates into a furious cover of QUEEN’s A Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Making reference to his most recent visit to our southern shores, with MOTLEY CRUE almost exactly a year ago, the soloist’s medley melds into Home, Sweet Home. Taking a walk on the Wild Side, a once motionless but adoring crowd is finding its movement. A resounding audience scream is called for in echo. Threatening to Kickstart My Heart, the classic proves a surprising finale, closing without fanfare a fabled set.
The best of a bygone era providing the intermediary soundtrack, red light illuminates the mighty sleek animal; our headliners namesake. Dropping to floodlights, a melodic vocal track asks: “Are you ready for the best night of your life, for it all to change, your insides to rearrange?” Gesturing crudely to the thrill of the audience is the band’s premium leathergood himself, SATCHEL; wooing the crowd with wild sex appeal, the familiar vocal refrain of MICHAEL STARR sings the ultimate opener – Eyes of a Panther.
Begging ‘Let Me Cum In your house tonight’, every man and woman (here’s hoping there’s no children but SATCHEL tells us differently, instructing them to “Grow the fuck up!”) come alive for STEEL PANTHER‘s full force, unleashed in the provocatively titled track – Asian Hooker. The front of house trio, completed by newest member SPYDER, command a choir of while encouraging fellatio, and boasting about the “sheer amount of drugs we brought into your country”. Men unafraid to put their money where their mouth is, there’s cause to believe this is said in jest but one can never be sure.
Pausing for conversation, the basis of any solid relationship, brotherly love is extended to the heartbeat of the band, drummer STIX ZADINIA. There seems a mere moment of bashfulness from the member usually afforded privacy behind his instrument, before he joins the play with gusto. “I only get more pussy by weight”, SATCHEL foreshadows Fat Chick and the chant of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussies, show us your tits!” reveals a few Friends With Benefits for the boys. STIX pounds, while the threesome gyrate suggestively, an intermission is called in the onstage orgy for SATCHEL’s electrifying guitar solo.
Commencing the second half with the two lead tracks from the first and last albums, Death to All But Metal receives an Adelaidian glam-up while 1987 suggests that, all jokes aside, the best music may be ahead of them (even as they jest about taking us from behind). The band’s “favourite year of all time” for a wide range of debaucherous reasons, a special place in heart and mind is kept for the Girl From Oklahoma from yesteryear, and the newly met female audience member, Jamie, escorted on stage for the privilege after a personalised, highly intimate serenade.
Opening the stage to all now, 17 Girls in a Row sees a harem amass on command. Wild scenes ensue, before a heartfelt dedication is offered by STARR in gratitude for Adelaide’s beautiful women; an acoustic rendition of ballad Community Property serves as penultimate track of the major set. One last roll in the hay, STEEL PANTHER announce their mission statement for the last time. They came to Party All Day (Fuck All Night) and for keeping the stamina high, they afford us one one “special trip” and a final glance through the Gloryhole.
Adrenaline and libidos high across the room, the end of tonight’s ride seems unfairly premature. Aching for more yet satisfied beyond imagination, Adelaide’s audience filters out and under ‘the stars in the sky’, STARR’s words ring true. Tonight all can attest: STEEL PANTHER, ‘My heart belongs to you.’
