Close your eyes and imagine youre taking a high-speed drive down LAs Sunset Strip, it's 1987, and bands like Motley Crue, LA Guns, W.A.S.P, Dokken, and Van Halen ruled the 80s glam metal scene. Tight neon pants, flamboyant stage personas, and enough hair spray to warrant their own personal holes in the ozone. These bands were the high flying, hard hitting, pure essence of the sex, drug, and rock and roll lifestyle, only this isn't the 1980s, it's 2024 in Reno Nevada, and this is Steel Panther…

A fun fusion of comedy and catchy 80s styled rock anthems, Steel panther has earned their spot both as a highly refined comedy act as well as some top tier musicians who write some bad ass tunes. I had the pleasure of watching their first show of 2024 that kicked off at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno and needless to say I was not disappointed. They totally nail not only the musical style, but the trademark 80s glam band look equipped with long glorious hair sprayed hair, and colorful pants so tight that even under all the makeup their gender was not in question at all.

Right out the gate Panther delivered a high energy, loud, and powerful performance accented by bright lights and a giant panther backdrop featuring the artwork for their current "On the Prowl" tour. Being a satirical band, they took their time ripping jokes and playing off each other with some well-rehearsed stage banter between songs that in no way distracted from the performance. Lead Singer Michael Starr and guitar player Satchel have a great chemistry and comedic timing that could rival that of a professional comedian. Each member has a very specific personality and vibe that when paired with each other gives each of the 4-piece quartet an important role in delivering the music and the comedy that people have come to expect from Steel Panther. Drummer Stix Zadinia (get it?) even came down to play piano for a while so each member had a chance to sing a few lines of an improvised song where they poked fun at an unsuspecting female fan they brought on stage to serenade with their 1980s styled silliness. They played some of their popular hits like "Death to All but Metal" and "Gloryhole", and even invited dozens of women on stage to dance with them while singing "17 girls in a row" which doesn’t take much guessing as to what that song is about.

Another cool and welcome addition to the project is their new bass player/Starbucks barista Spyder. Spyder did a great job finding his place in a band of strong personalities assuming the part of the shy and slightly uncomfortable new guy which added a fun and comedic layer to the performance and made for great material for Satchel to rip on him which was a nice dynamic from former bassist the pretty boy Lexxi Foxx. He even passed out some of his grandma’s secret recipe cocaine infused strawberry booby candies to some people in the front row for some extra sweet and jaw clenching fun.

If you haven't seen them do yourself a favor by catching one of their shows on their current "On the Prowl" tour for a fun night of metal, mayhem, and weenie rides.