STEEL PANTHER
@ HISTORY, TORONTO
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
In a word, Steel Panther Live is straight up CRAZY! The crowd at History in Toronto had the role-playing scene DOWN as there were hair metal wigs as far as the eye could see. All sexes, we’re dressed right up and ready to “Party Frikkin Hardy!!!” (If you know, you know)
Kicking off the party was SP’s biggest hit song, “Eyes of the Panther”, which hit HARD and threw the crowd into a horny feline rage. Musically, the band was as tight as their recorded material, and all musicians were in TOP form.
The stage banter was SO over the top; it was straight up cringe, but hey, that’s the whole point of Steel Panther now, isn’t it? Satchel was the leading man in that category, where he’d point out crowd members and discuss banging their moms, girlfriends, grammas, you name it, they WENT THERE!
Going totally offside, Steel Panther invited an Asian fan onstage and proceeded to sing “Asian Hooker”; they just kept upping their class act as the show went on. The fan was a great sport and played along the whole time.
When it comes to lead singer Michael Starr, he’s 100% in. No wig, full-sleeve tats, this man is THE REAL DEAL folks! His magnetic swagger mesmerizes fans from the front row to the back seats of the balcony and holds them tightly in the palm of his hands throughout the entire show. Starr is a master at connecting with the crowd, especially the ladies as he just oozes LA sleaze all the way. What a showman!
Newcomer bassist βSpyderβ was very well received by the Toronto crowd, replacing the 21-year SP vet and legendΒ Lexxi Foxx. He didn’t miss a single note and had amazing harmony vocals, he fit right in!
At one point in the concert, the band invited a couple of dozen women to make their way to the stage to join them in their very romantic renditions of “(My Cock Is) Community Property ” and “Party All Day (Fuck All Night)”. The ladies LOVED being part of the show, and yes, there was a tittie flash, bringing this ultra-sleaze fest full circle.
All told, I’d hit another Steel Panther show in a heartbeat. It’s clear these dudes LOVE what they do, and the fans know it.
(Photography by Andre Skinner)