The holiday season is here and the zany hair metal act Steel Panther is on the road to get you in the festive spirit. The LA glam group is on a short run titled the “On the Prowl Winter Holidaze” tour where they are supporting their latest album, On the Prowl (Republic Records) that came out earlier this year. One of their twelve tour stops includes Michigan’s Vehicle City. Flint is home to the independent and nationally acclaimed music venue, The Machine Shop. This iconic concert hub was an optimal choice to host this racy, yet lovable group of stylishly bold fellas for two nights in a row. Everyone forgot the dreary December cold as they entered the small-sized venue where these fiery, comedic rockers sizzled things up.
Moon Fever kicked off the party with a jovial, energetic set filled with a lot of ‘pump up’ numbers that peaked the crowd’s interest. These Seattle rockers were bright eyed and bushy tailed as they delivered their feel-good tunes. Front man Triston Bracht belted out in a M. Shadows fashion and moved about the stage with an antsy sort of energy. They showed off their gracious demeanor when they thanked the venue’s owner and sound guy by name. They were young, hungry, and unpolished giving their pieces a punk rock edge that everyone seemed to enjoy. They played a tight thirty-minute set and got the sold-out room revved for the comedic commotion to come.
The mostly male audience mingled as they patiently waited for the night’s headliners. The evening was about to shift gears from adolescent spunk to well-seasoned entertainment. Steel Panther strolled onto stage with a sultry swagger that instantly put the packed house in a tizzy. They opened with their classic, “Eyes of a Panther” and the Christmas lights flashing matched the twinkle in singer Michael Starr’s eyes. Each player was gung-ho as they reminded the enthusiastic fans how good eighties metal was. The evening’s show was being recorded for a live record and that did not deter them from spending heaps of time on delightful, cringy jokes and “adult only” stories. Their laugh out loud banter cast such a fun, amiable vibe that felt very refreshing at a metal show. They ran around stage while they ran their mouths making their theatrics next level.
An older, wiry gentleman was a source of material for the band when jester/guitarist Satchel dubbed him “Crack Santa”. The constant interaction with the audience and all the nudge-nudge wink-wink content engaged every person present. Their hits like “Death to All But Metal” and “Party All Day ” had hair sweeping and booties shaking. They brought some eager ladies from the crowd on stage to philander with and Crack Santa got a little jealous. The bright colors, the spandex, and the animated duck faces from each witty and wacky member was good, heart-felt showmanship. The band’s hair metal influences carry the big, bombastic zip in each instrument. Though their lighthearted show is funny, it only works because they are so musically capable. The evening wrapped up with the gleeful hit “Gloryhole” and all fervently cheered as the glammed-out quartet took their final bows. The jubilant evening filled with laughs and dancing was a great way to get in the holiday spirit.
Catch the band on tour in 2024:
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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RAGIN ROSIE