Kentish Town Forum: Rocking with Steel Panther Steel Panther – Gig review
Winger
The sold out Kentish Town Forum (Or for those who remember it ‘back in the day’, the Town and Country Club) was packed with rockers young and old excited to see LA Glam rockers Steel Panther. We lost count of the number of blonde flowing wigs, headbands and leopard print clothing. This audience had come to rock!
Support came in the form of Winger. Formed in New York City in their late 80’s by former Alice Cooper bassist Kip Winger, they are enjoying a bit of a renaissance, and this tour sees them promoting a new album, ‘Seven’ and accompanying single ‘Proud Desperado’.
The years certainly haven’t dulled their energy, and they took to the stage to a warm welcome from the Steel Panther crowd.
Winger seemed to be struggling a little with his voice, and asked for some help from the crowd, who obliged willingly.
Their set was punctuated with old classics and new numbers from ‘Seven’, and a seemingly never-ending but ridiculously brilliant guitar solo from a grinning Reb Beach as he danced around the stage on his own before the rest of the band rejoined him
Steel Panther’s own Michael Starr appeared and accompanied them on ‘Headed for a Heartbreak’ to the delight of the North London crowd.
Steel Panther
The evening had begun well, but the night belonged to Steel Panther……
The familiar refrain of a capella voices singing in harmony and asking “are you ready…for the musical notes to f*ck your ears like big fat erections” rang out as Michael Starr, Satchel, Stix Zadinia and Spyder took to the stage and assumed the ultimate rock star poses on the drum riser, forming a silhouette that let the crowd know they were in for a wild show.
And what a wild show it was. Starr leapt, bounded and danced around the stage like a man possessed, whipping the crowd up into a frenzy. Satchel, with his green and black bengal-striped Charvel flicked so many plectrums into the crowd we were worried he’d run out. Bassist Spyder wielded his instrument and pulled so many poses he puts Gene Simmons to shame.
Opener ‘Eyes of a Panther’ was a massive crowd pleaser, and were quickly followed by ‘Let me cum In’ and ‘Asian Hooker’. Satchel’s guitar solo was wild, and led in to ‘Death to All But Metal’.
These guys have never taken themselves too seriously, and tonight they were having a ball – laughing at themselves and just enjoying being on stage doing their thing. As Michael Starr stated: “I’ve still got it!” – that I think we can all agree on.
‘Party All Day (F**k All Night)’ finished the set before the encore of ‘Gloryhole’ saw the stage fill with excited audience members, joining their heroes for a raucous, joyous signalling.
We left the Forum with a smile on our face and glam rock ringing in our ears.
When are they coming back?
Celebrity spotting
The Middlenight Men Guitarist Heidi Cotton joined Michael Starr, Satchel and the guys on stage for 17 Girls in A Row and Party All Day. Heidi said “Last night was so much fun so here’s a reel ….will post more later once I have finished processing the heavy metal awesomeness from last night in my brain ???? ????????????????????”
For everything Steel Panther
https://steelpantherrocks.com
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