By: Brian Maddox
Photos: THT/Brian Maddox/Fiendish Maven
Atlanta, GA (The Hollywood Times) 12/10/2024 – Ask yourself, in what possible circumstance would you ever expect to be found of your own volition in a setting with hundreds of other fellow concert goers yelling “GLORYHOLE, GLORYHOLE” at the top of their lungs?
Why, at a Steel Panther show of course!!
It’s been a decade and a half since this ill-prepared earth was graced with an absolute path breaker of an album, and it’s with the utmost confidence that I say here and now that it still holds up beautifully at the tail end of 2024!
I’ve said of this particular album (Feel The Steel) in the past that once you latch onto the genius levels of comedic motifs centered around the “sex, drugs and rock and roll era” mentality of the band itself, a plethora of creamy and nostalgic 80’s hair metal empathy is sure to flood the senses. Everything from the decade of decadence such as the deliciously cheesy dance moves, vainglorious vogueing and high scissor kicking are included, and I’m all for it!
Now, as a concert photographer, I’m always leery about certain boundaries I’m able to tiptoe around regarding the policies of particular artists and such. Throughout my tenure behind the lens, the positive experiences of my work always outweigh any potential negatives.
The performers are commonly very responsive to my lens, they’re very affable to the fellow photographers in the pit and they actually appreciate the effort from us doing our part in making them look even more badass. But the 2 amazing bands on this bill were without a doubt the most amenable and unsparing of any other in my repertoire; so much so that the night was perfectly polished with the generous deed of having my own copy of Feel The Steel signed by the founding masterminds of Steel Panther themselves.
The evening kicked off with Baltimore Maryland modern swamp rockers, Stone Horses and my camera lens is still in recovery mode due to the amazingly frenetic energy exuded from this beautifully riffing roster of musicians made up of vocalist/guitarist John Allen, bassist Rick Reynolds, drummer Jason Heiser and guitarist Teddy Merrill (who presently has some of the best hair in the business in my opinion).
Through my lens during this set, the true essence of what rock is meant to represent was being fed in colossal abundance both visually and audibly. My sacred rule of thumb in photography is knowing precisely what to look for; finding that raw emotion expelling from the vessel that is the artist. Stone Horses understood that slant and delivered on numerous fronts.
[Since this is the 15th anniversary of Steel Panther’s major label debut album, it’s clear that one person in particular will not be in attendance. the inimitable Lexxi Foxx with his perfectly coiffed hair and bitchin’ glossy lips being self-observed in one of his many decked out vanity mirrors. In life, it’s understandable that certain instances aid in the decision to vacate one’s position in a prominent rock band, so in that. I wish nothing but the best for Lexxi in his future endeavors].
Once the mighty Steel Panther take their stage, the near capacity crowd roar in unison as the band kicked off their set with Eyes Of A Panther, a now classic anthem detailing the feline-like propensities of the fairer sex. Vocalist Michael Starr is still as nimble and golden throated even more so these days just as he was back in 2009, wowing the audience above in the balcony and below with his signature high range intonation.
In the 3 instances where I’ve photographed Steel Panther in the past few years, Mr. Starr has always been so appreciative of the audience and photographers alike, extending his gratitude with a fist bump and a hand slap to me every time. It’s fleeting moments like these that I will always cherish and hold dear.
Cranking out bangers like Death To All But Metal, Eatin ‘Ain’t Cheatin’ and The Shocker, Steel Panther continue to flawlessly bring metal back to the masses, of which has always essentially been their mission statement. Satchel on guitar never ceases to amaze with his faultless proficiency so much that it practically makes my brain foggy watching him scaling the fretboard. Paired with the pulse belaboring skin bashing from a drummer with the greatest moniker of Stix Zadinia and the tastily efficient low end from bassist Spyder rounding out the rhythm section, Steel Panther have unquestionably proven their valued musical excellence time and time again within the pantheon of hard rock royalty.
When certain elements are introduced into a collective entity, the outcome is usually one that will never cease to draw notice. In that respect, Steel Panther have successfully cornered their desired market in the 15 years since their debut.
For more information on Stone Horses, please visit:
Facebook: Stone Horses
Instagram: @stonehorsesmusic
X: @STONEHORSESBand
For more information on Steel Panther, please visit:
Facebook: Steel Panther
Instagram: @steelpanther
X: @Steel_Panther
