After a successful Australian tour, Steel Panther landed back in Melbourne to finish off their On the Prowl tour in grandiose fashion.
The night kicked off (26 October) with the appearance of guitarist John 5 (best known as a current member of Motley Crüe, and formerly of Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie's touring bands), playing a 45-minute set of originals and covers.The set was mostly in duo format, accompanied by a drummer, until the last few tracks when John 5's erstwhile guitar tech joined him on bass. The set was unique, to say the least. The absence of a singer created a significant challenge for the band and audience alike.
Their choice to omit vocals on their covers, and the decision to instead use the audience to sing the tunes, certainly polarised the crowd. While unusual, there was no doubt some sections of the audience heartily took up the group vocalist's mantle with gusto.
John 5 - image © Dante Griffith
When Steel Panther took the stage, the entire dynamic was a wild blur; from the tight leather pants to the gravity-defying hair, I felt like I was witnessing the rebirth of glam metal in real-time, and the ensemble's manner embodied living gods than mere rockstars.
The bandmates walked onto the stage with an immense roar from the audience, opening with their hit track 'Eyes Of A Panther'. There could have been no greater choice of an opener, setting the stage for what would be a wild show.
Early into the set, the band slowed the cracking pace they'd set to talk to the audience and crack jokes; in particular, remarking on one fan who flashed them in the first minutes of the show.
Steel Panther - image © Dante Griffith
Usually, when a band enters the 'chat-sphere' this soon into a set, it can feel like the energy is permanently lost, but in Steel Panther's case, it only further endeared them to the crowd, as it gave each member time to show their personality and charm. Lead guitarist Satchel pointed out a fan who flew from Japan to be at the show and invited her onstage to play the controversial yet wildly hilarious ‘Asian Hooker’.
Getting fans onstage is de rigueur for a Steel Panther live show, and they soon invited their early set flasher onstage dedicating a song to her. This number soon devolved into raunchy chaos as this topless wild child took over the stage and performed their song 'Girl From Oklahoma' – to the audience's surprise, her singing ability almost matched the band's lead singer, Michael Starr.
The band then gave an open invite to any girl in the crowd to jump the barrier and join them onstage for the track 'Community Property', and within seconds the stage swarmed with upwards of 40 women in various stages of undress, surrounding the band members. It was certainly a sight to behold, both raunchy and loose, yet somehow still completely wholesome.
Steel Panther - image © Dante Griffith
Steel Panther brought the show home by bringing up one final fan to perform their track 'Gloryhole' – this 'fan' was said to be lead singer Michael's son due to similarity in looks and vocal range.
The energy the band gave this track defines their sound and the notoriety they engender – not only are they truly a band for the alternative masses, but they are an iconic act that may have spawned copies but will never be replicated.
Steel Panther fills the stage with a totally honed and defined rock & roll presence. They are masters of walking the line between complete controversial and downright loveable. Their most recent album has proven they're not slowing down anytime soon. They will continue to stay as the most beloved modern glam rock band.
- written by Dante Griffith
More photos from the concert.
