In June we took a look at some of the bands who would help create the prototype of one of the defining subgenres in all of metal, and one in which many future groups would take to make their own. For this month, I’m doing something a bit different. Instead of looking into the past, I’ll be looking into the present, and examining a band that somehow & someway feel like something ripped right out of the 80s! A band that has the look, vibe, and talent of some of the best Hair Metal bands, but with a massive dose of raunchy comedy & self awareness to boot. That’s right, I’m of course talking about Steel Panther!
It is baffling that these 4 guys have managed to create a career for themselves by being a tribute/parody group, but Ralph Saenz ("Michael Starr"), Darren Leader ("Stix Zadinia"), Travis Haley ("Lexxi Foxx"), and Russ Parrish ("Satchel") somehow managed to form a surprisingly successful band. Though they only have released 4 albums, said releases are equal parts headbang & side-splitting laughter, and have a surprising amount of charm to them as well. Today we’re taking a look at their first record, Feel The Steel, and see what’s so special about it.
Background
Our story begins in the early 2000s, when a little band called Metal Shop (Soon changes to Metal Skool) was getting some popularity. Composed of vocalist Ralph Saenz, drummer Darren Leader, bassist Travis Haley, and guitarist Russ Parrish, they did weekly shows on Monday at the Viper Room (subsequently at the Key Club as well), playing covers of hair metal hits while sharing their love for the bands that made the songs famous. By 2003 they had gain some success, and released their self produced extended play, Hole Patrol. By April of 2008, after a few years showing up in a variety of commercials & tv shows that further increased their popularity, they decided to change their name once again Steel Panther, and a month later signed a deal with Republic Records (Owned by Universal Records), then on October 6th, Feel The Steel was released to the public.
Reception for Feel The Steel, at least initially, was rather mixed. Jason Lymangrover of Allmusic wrote that "Steel Panther's ability to create songs that sound like they came from 1987 is commendable. That's about as close to clever as it gets, though. As David St. Hubbins said, "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever," and Saenz's locker-room humor wears thin quickly." Sophie Bruce of the BBC, on the other hand, stated "Quite simply, Feel the Steel is an utter feelgood masterpiece." Finally, The Independent wrote that "it's essentially Spinal Tap/Bad News brought forward five years to the coked-up cock-rock era, complete with titles such as "Eatin' Ain't Cheatin'" and dangerous levels of dumb-ass homophobia, sexism, racism and sizeism. The songs are at times terrifyingly authentic. Is it new? Don't be stupid. Is it funny? Hell yeah."
Feel The Steel would go on to peak at no. 98 on the Billboard 200 (Despite it’s initial placing at no. 123), and it would also be placed at no. 1 on Billboard Comedy chart. Not bad for what is essentially a parody/tribute record!
Basic Description
Funny & Raunchy!
In a strange way I didn’t know what to expect from Feel The Steel. I had heard a couple songs from Steel Panther here & there, but never actually sat down and listened to a album of theirs. Upon having the first few moments of the opening track (Death To All But Metal) enter my brain, I knew I found something bizarrely special. Steel Panther are two things: a raunchy comedy band, and a surprisingly heartfelt tribute to 80s Hair Metal. They definitely know how to manipulate nostalgia, but they also know how to make people laugh. Feel The Steel is definitely a great launching path to a weird yet fun career, and it’s a great gateway record for anyone who might want to get into Hair Metal.......provided they aren’t easily offended by everything.
Best Track
Party All Day to be comes across like a lost Bon Jovi song that’s just drenched is silly/crude humor. From the opening instrumentation & keyboarding, it would be easy to mistake this track for Bon Jovi.......then the actual singing kicks in, and the vibe changes completely. You know exactly what kind of ride you’re in for, where the opening lyrics are as follows:
“When I was only three/My mama said to me/Don't go screwin' a skanky ho/Or you're gonna get VD”
Despite how basic yet hilarious the lyrics are, the actual singing & instrumentation is actually pretty awesome! Ralph Saenz has a surprising amount of power with his voice, Darren Leader knows how to work the drums, & Travis Haley and Russ Parrish are impressive on the bass & guitar respectively. You might not see the talent this band has with how over-the-top the lyrics are.....but it’s there!
Party All Day
Worst Track
If you are of the Politically Correct/Bullshit Justice Warrior mentality, then stay the hell away from this band & this album (Although why anyone from that thought pattern would read this blog confuses me)! Steel Panther are offensive, crude, rude, and completely unapologetic. They know this, and just roll with it. This will become evident in a future review......and not necessarily for the better. Suffice it to say, Feel The Steel is filthy......but in all the right ways.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below
Feel The Steel
Overall Impression & Rating
Feel The Steel a load of fun. If you can put any sensibilities behind you in a shelf and turn off your brain, then you’ll find this album to be incredibly worth your time. Sure, it’s humor is incredibly basic (Bordering on politically incorrect if I’m being honest), and would definitely rub some people the wrong way, but Heavy Metal has always done this regardless of the sub-genre. It might be an acquired taste, but Steel Panther’s first release is definitely one of the best.
Feel The Steel gets a 9 out of 10. I’d give it a 10 out of 10, but I gotta be at least a little objective.
So that was Feel The Steel, and over-the-top record from the equally over-the-top Steel Panther. I had a blast listening to this, and I laughed throughout the whole thing. So from this sleazy release, the band would spread their wild love all over everyone, but would they be able to stay strong. Tune in to over a week from now, when I examine their most recent album to date. See you then!
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