Steel Panther
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (March 2012) |
Steel Panther | |
|---|---|
 Michael Starr (left) and Lexxi Foxxx (center) performing with Steel Panther in San Diego. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Danger Kitty Metal Shop Metal Skool |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock, comedy rock[1] |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Universal Republic |
| Members | Michael Starr Satchel Lexxi Foxxx Stix Zadinia |
| Website | www |
Steel Panther is a band from Los Angeles, California mostly known for their profane and humorous lyrics as well as their exaggerated on-stage personas that reimagine and parody the glam metal music and lifestyle of the 1980s. Formed in 2000, the band has formerly been known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop and Metal Skool.
The Aldo Nova song "Fantasy" was remade by the band into a faster paced song for the MTV original series Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. The remake was released on iTunes on December 8, 2009 and their album Feel the Steel was released in June 2009.
Biography
Metal Skool
The quartet began to gain popularity in the Sunset Strip at the beginning of the new millennium under the name Metal Shop (soon changed into Metal Skool, then into Steel Panther). Their lineup consists of vocalist Ralph Saenz ("Michael Starr"), drummer Darren Leader ("Stix Zadinia"), bassist Travis Haley ("Lexxi Foxxx"), and guitarist Russ Parrish ("Satchel").[1] The band did weekly shows on Monday nights at the Viper Room, playing covers of 1980s hair metal hits while parodying the bands that made the songs famous. Despite presenting themselves under different stage names, two members of the band were already in other heavy metal acts. Frontman Michael Starr, using his name Ralph Saenz, had been in glam metal band L.A. Guns[2] between 1997 and 1998, publishing the 6 tracks EP Wasted. Before this, Saenz was the frontman of a Van Halen tribute band called Atomic Punks.[3] Guitarist Satchel was part of War & Peace, founded by ex Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson[4] and the band Fight, founded by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford.[5][6] He was also a member of Atomic Punks together with Saenz. Years before, he played in the band Electric Fence with Racer X members Paul Gilbert and Jeff Martin.[2]
The band, under the name Danger Kitty, published in 2002 the promotional single "Love Rocket".[2] Steel Panther jokingly claims to be a glam metal band which had failed to gain mainstream success during the '80s.[1] This is why their official biography claims they have been active since 1988.[7] Thanks to the use of hair-sprayed looks, leather jackets and zebra spandex and to their experience in the Van Halen tribute band, they finally managed to gain some success.[1] In 2003 Steel Panther published Hole Patrol,[2] their auto-produced debut. The band appeared in a Discover Card advertisement as Danger Kitty and in the sitcom Drew Carey Show as themselves. Also in 2003, their song "Death to All But Metal" was included in a compilation CD called Hey, That's What I Call Sludge! Vol. 1 put out by the Metal Sludge web site. Their cover of the song "Fantasy" by Aldo Nova was used as the opening musical theme for the MTV program Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. On November 27, 2007 Metal Skool played original songs as well as covers of KISS songs at the Gene Simmons roast, they can be seen in the background of Gene Simmons' reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels. That year, they also appeared as themselves on Las Vegas in the episode "The High Price of Gas".[8]
Steel Panther
In April 2008 the band decided to change their name from Metal Skool to Steel Panther, making a new debut at The Rockin' Saddle Club in Redlands, California.[2] In May 2008, the band signed a contract with Republic Records (owned by record label Universal Records) announcing plans for a new studio album.[1] The first single, an updated version of "Death to All but Metal", first appeared on iTunes on 27 January 2009, whereas the album, entitled Feel the Steel and produced by Jay Ruston, was published on 9 June, during the same year.[2] A promotional video, directed by actor Dean Cameron, was shot for the song "Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)".
Thanks to their increased popularity their live performances began to be attended by a growing number of fans.[1] Some celebrities also appeared on stage during their concerts, including Criss Angel, Kenny Loggins, Paul Stanley, Kip Winger, Corey Taylor, David Draiman, Hal Sparks, David Bryan, Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, Tony Romo, Dane Cook, Chris Jericho, Corey Feldman, Evan Seinfeld, Tera Patrick, Sully Erna, Drew Carey, Mike Starr, Chad Kroeger, Ryan Cabrera, Jerry Cantrell, Justin Hawkins, Kelly Clarkson, Ryan Key, Phil Anselmo, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom Morello, P!nk, Scott Ian, Justin Parks, M Shadows and Avril Lavigne in February 2009.[2] Steel Panther succeeded in becoming one of the most popular cover bands in California, winning the contest of "Best Tribute Band in the Universe".[2] After a several month run at the House of Blues Sunset Strip, Steel Panther returned to its weekly Monday night shows at the Key Club in Hollywood.
According to a recent interview with RockSource360, the band is currently recording songs for their next album. They performed their new song "Critter" at the UK Ozzfest 2010 and have posted footage of rehearsals in the studio for a new song, under the working title of "If You Really, Really, Really Love Me." In December 2010 their website offered a free download of their new Christmas song "Sexy Santa". In January 2011 Michael Starr confirmed the songs, "Tigerwoods", "Tongue Punch in the Fart Box", "Summertime", "I Like Drugs", "Supersonic Sex Machine", "Do You Wanna Do Me" and "17 Girls in a Row" for the new album in 2011.
Lexxi Foxxx mentioned that guests on the new Steel Panther record would be Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Gene Simmons (KISS), Stephen Pearcy (Ratt), and Scott Ian (Anthrax).
In July, 2011, Steel Panther wrote on their Facebook page "IT'S CUMMING! ROCKTOBER 18TH!", and their YouTube page "COCKTOBER 18TH" which implied that the new album would be released on October 18, 2011. The release date was later pushed back to October 31. Soon after, Michael Starr wrote on the Steel Panther app that the new album would be called Balls Out.
On August 22, 2011, they released a single from Balls Out titled "If You Really Really Love Me".
On August 27, 2011, Freddie Wong released a YouTube video homage to the Crossfire board game which featured Steel Panther covering the Crossfire theme.
Sometime collaborator Dean Cameron, also credited with co-writing "Supersonic Sex Machine" on "Balls Out", directed and co-wrote a pilot presentation in an attempt to land Steel Panther their own television program.
On December 6, 2011, Steel Panther announced their second solo UK tour in support of their newest album Balls Out. The band are set to play at the O2 Academy Birmingham (March 27, 2012), O2 Academy Glasgow (March 28, 2012), Manchester Academy (March 30, 2012), O2 Academy Brixton (March 31, 2012). Tickets for the shows went on sale on December 9, 2011, with many ticket providers selling out their allocations within a month.
Steel Panther will be playing on the main stage at the legendary Download Festival in 2012.[9]
History
Feel The Steel (2009)–(2010)
Steel Panther released their major record label debut (Universal Republic), Feel the Steel on June 8, 2009 in the UK and on October 6, 2009 in North America. Feel the Steel debuted at #1 on the Billboard Comedy chart, #123 on the Billboard 200 chart and would eventually peak at #98 on the Billboard 200 chart. The record features hit singles, Community Property and Death To All But Metal as well as notable guest performances from Corey Taylor (vocals), Justin Hawkins (vocals), and M. Shadows (vocals).
The record's success also caught the attention of the Grammys, making it onto the "Best Comedy Album" ballot in October of 2010, yet failing to reach a nomination.
The track Eyes of a Panther from Feel the Steel is featured on the sound track for the video game Skate 3.
Balls Out (2011)–(present)
Steel Panther continued their revival of the 80's heavy metal genre with their sophomore effort titled Balls Out released through major record label, Universal Republic on October 31st, 2011 in the UK and on November 1st, 2011 in North America. Balls Out debuted at #1 on the UK iTunes Rock chart surpassing Megadeth's TH1RT3EN and Lou Reed's and Metallica's Lulu. Balls Out also debuted at #4 on the US iTunes Rock chart, #40 on the Billboard 200 chart and at #1 on the Billboard Comedy chart with first-week sales of 12,000 copies in the US.
Tours
UK Arena tour w/Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe
Due to their growing popularity, Steel Panther were invited by Def Leppard to join them and co-headliners Mötley Crüe as "Special Guests" on the Mirrorball Tour tour in December of 2011.
Steel Panther opened for Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe on the following dates:
- December 6th, 2011 - Birmingham, UK at LG Arena
- December 8th, 2011 - Nottingham, UK at FM Arena
- December 9th, 2011 - Glasgow, UK at SECC Hall 4
- December 11th, 2011 - Manchester, UK at MEN Arena
- December 13th, 2011 - Sheffield, UK at Arena
- December 14th, 2011 - London, UK at Wembley Arena
The Forum w/Guns N' Roses
Exactly one week after ending the UK arena tour in London with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, Steel Panther opened for Guns N' Roses at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA on Decemember 21st, 2011.
Soundwave/Revolution
On May 11th, 2011 Steel Panther announced that they would be playing the main stage (same stage as Van Halen) at Soundwave Revolution, however, the spin-off festival would be canceled due to poor ticket sales. In fact, drummer Stix Zadinia was responsible for breaking the story via his Twitter account on August 9th: "Soundwave revolution is cancelled. I am bummed." The news shocked Soundwave fans and caused a huge debacle resulting in Steel Panther trending on Twitter and fans accusing Steel Panther as the reason for the cancellation which was entirely inaccurate.
Though Steel Panther were disappointed by the news knowing that they wouldn't be sharing the main stage with Van Halen, the Soundwave Revolution cancellation ended up being a blessing in disguise for it allowed the band to finish recording their second major release, [Balls Out].
The band then proceeded to play the 2012 edition of the main festival, sharing a stage with System of a Down, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit.
Controversy
In January of 2011, a promotional poster featuring album artwork from Balls Out was banned in the UK after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) deemed it to be "overtly sexual" and was likely "to cause serious and widespread offense."
Awards
- Best Debut: Feel the Steel - Metal Hammer Germany
Members
- Michael Starr (Ralph Saenz) – lead vocals, acoustic guitars
- Satchel (Russ Parrish) – rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
- Lexxi Foxxx (Travis Haley) – bass, backing vocals
- Stix Zadinia (Darren Leader) – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [10] |
US Rock [11] |
US Heat [12] |
US Comedy [13] |
UK [14] |
JP [15] |
AUS [16] | |||
| 2003 | Hole Patrol
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2009 | Feel the Steel
|
98 | 42 | 3 | 1 | 52 | 38 | — | |
| 2011 | Balls Out
|
40 | 12 | — | 1 | 37 | 85 | 50 | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Love Rocket" (as Danger Kitty) | Non-album single |
| 2003 | "Death to All but Metal" | Hey, That's What I Call Sludge! Vol. 1 |
| 2009 | "Death to All but Metal" | Feel the Steel |
| "Community Property" | ||
| "Eyes of a Panther"[18] | ||
| 2010 | "I Want It That Way" | Non-album single |
| 2011 | "If You Really, Really Love Me" | Balls Out |
| "17 Girls in a Row" | ||
| "Just Like Tiger Woods" |
Videography
- Fat Girl (Thar She Blows) – The Video (2005) – home DVD featuring the music video for the title track and behind-the-scenes footage.
- Behind the Music: Steel Panther (2009) – iTunes podcast featuring a fake Behind the Music story for Steel Panther. (Features stars like Matt Sorum, Kat Von D, Jani Lane, Dee Snider and Dave Navarro)
Music videos
- "Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)" (2005 and 2009)
- "Death to All but Metal" (2009)
- "Community Property" (2009)
- "If You Really Really Love Me" (2011)
References
- ^ a b c d e f Lymangrover, Jason (2009-02-26). "Steel Panther". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Steel Panther". musicmight.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ "L.A. Guns bio". musicmight.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ "War & Peace bio". musicmight.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ "Fight bio". musicmight.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ Ranta, Alan (2010-08-05). "Steel Panther / StinkMitt". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ "Bio". steelpantherrocks.com. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ "Las Vegas - 'The High Price of Gas' Episode Info - MSN TV". Tv.msn.com. 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ http://amplified.tv/2012/02/01/14-more-bands-announced-for-download/
- ^ "Steel Panther Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Steel Panther Album & Song Chart History: Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Steel Panther Album & Song Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "Steel Panther Album & Song Chart History: Comedy Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ UK Album Charts for Steel Panther officialcharts.com Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ Japan Album Charts for Steel Panther (In Japanese) Oricon. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ "australian-charts.com - Discography Steel Panther". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
- ^ "Interview – Steel Panther's Michael Starr". therockpit.net. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
- ^ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Active & Mainstream Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
External links
