Many artists have stated in the press before that Rock N Roll should be about fun and letting lose and not taking everything so seriously. There will always be one band that rises to the occasion and does just that. Steel Panther is a band that thrives on humor and fun but at the same time, they do not use humor or a gimmick at the expense of their talent. Even with lyrics and an image that is hilarious to say the least, they are able to deliver music and a performance that connects with the audience and creates a sonic realm of joy.

On November 26^th and 27^th of 2019, Steel Panther hit the Gramercy Theater, selling out the venue twice for the ultimate Thanksgiving Pregame. As soon as their bus rolled through the area, they turned 23^rd street in NYC into the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.

Night One came, and opening we get Stitched up Heart. This was an interesting opener. Having a band that has toured with artists such as Lacuna Coil, Lacey Sturm and Sick Puppies, it was interesting to see how the Steel Panther crowd was going to react to a band that does indeed have fun, but also has a very emotional side behind their music that contrasts a little bit with the headliner. Opening instantly The Skin, they wasted no time as Mixi’s voice combined with the mesmerizing stage presence of head-banging and crowd interaction while Merritt and Randy stood by her side and carried the same momentum, all while James Decker pounded the drums delivering rhythm that echoed across the entire theater. Many of Stitched up Heart’s dedicated fans were also present at the venue and were getting their first taste of some newer material with songs such as Warrior and Problems.

Mixi also brought out the guitar and played their classic, Catch me when I Fall. This was the first time many Stitched up Heart fans were seeing them as a 4-piece as well. It was incredible seeing Mixi also deliver great riffs with her singing and still executing songs from the Never Alone record to a T. After playing their hit single, Finally Free, we get to hear Lost, which features Sully Erna of Godsmack. While he was not present, we got to see their merch person Cody hit the stage and sing along with Mixi.

Executing his part with perfection. Ending with Monster, spirits were high and the night was off to a great start.

Stitched up Heart would come back night 2 to play the same setlist and just like night 1, it was perfect, or Mixi even thought that it was better!!!! That’s how we do it in New York, gets better every time.

At last, we get the headliner of the night, Steel Panther. People eagerly awaited a night of vulgar jokes, kick ass solos and fun songs. Instantly opening with their classic Eyes of a Panther, they did just that. Michael Starr wasted no time delivering his signature voice, Satchel wasted no time bringing in the riffs and the solos, Lexxi may have wasted a lot of hairspray, but wasted no time hitting us square in the face with the bass and Stix banged on the drums that nearly made the roof collapse. After hitting us with another oldie but goodie, Let me Cum In off the balls out record, we get our first taste of new material live with All I Wanna Do is Fuck (Myself Tonight). The audience chanting FUCK FUCK along with the band instantly brought everyone in that venue together. Hell, even the security chanted along in the venue.

Up next we return to the Feel the Steel record with their classic Asian Hooker. When they played this song on the second night, they actually brought up a fan do dance on stage with them that made this performance more interactive than ever.

In between every single song, the jokes that we would get from these guys made it just as much of a comedy performance as a musical performance, which is to be expected from Steel Panther. Even if you believe that the band should “shut up and play”, it is impossible not to enjoy the way Steel Panther interacts with the crowd and with each other. From telling some of the most vulgar sex jokes, to busting each others balls on stage, or taking about busting nuts in general, their stage banter in between songs is just as essential as their execution of the songs.

We eventually hit Party Like Tomorrow is the End of the World of the All you Can Eat record. The party vibe was elevated to eleven at this point. Being that most people had off from work this week for Thanksgiving, there is no denying that everyone in the show was getting ready to do just that. After we lower the bar and hear Poontang Boomerang, we have Satchel deliver some tender and intense guitar soloing, all while shredding on his signature pedal, the legendary Pussy Melter. With this intense guitar soloing along with the sex jokes on stage that made for the ultimate moment of G-Strings.

We further dive into some more new material off Heavy Metal Rules with Fuck Everybody and I Ain’t Buying what your Selling and then we dive into the past for the rest of the night with classic tracks such Weenie Ride, Party all Day (Fuck all Night) and 17 Girls in a Row.

Now being that this is glam metal, whether Steel Panther makes fun of it or not, no glam metal show would be complete without a nice slow ballad. Bringing up the bagpipe players, we get the classic track of Tenderness, Community Property. With its lyrical content of love and sensitivity, Michael Starr was able to serenade the audience and bring out the lighters and phone lights and brought many tears and other unidentified bodily fluids.

After this heart warming and mesmerizing ballad, all the BS was cut when they kicked into Death to All But Metal. No Steel Panther show would be complete without everyone singing along flipping the bird to all those modern day pop stars. Ending with their classic track, Glory Hole, Steel Panther created two nights of relaxing, hilarious and an all out good time, creating the ultimate pre party for thanksgiving. Before everyone stuffed themselves with Turkey, we were stuffed with beer and laughs, among other things.

The last thing to be said is that being that this was two nights in a row, how can the second time be as good as the first? Sometimes a band is like a dollar pizza slice. You go to the same place two days in a row, you can have the first slice being great, but the next day it can be all greasy or burnt. Both Steel Panther and Stitched up Heart were more like the dry cleaners than the dollar pizza place, gets better every time for the same service. Both bands executed their material perfectly and made sure everyone in the audience was having a great time.

As stated before, some can argue that Steel Panther may be a gimmick or a joke. While they mock all of those 80s hair metal bands (and do it very well) they are a band that should be appreciated one way or another, either for the phenomenal sense of humor, quality songwriting, or just how good they are to their fans. Sure, they’ll make sex and fart jokes on stage, but instantly hit you with great vocal range, intense guitar soloing or great stage presence right afterwards. Being that they have had the same lineup since formation, I guess all the humor worked well for them. They are able to make us laugh our ass off and impress our ass off at the same time. Whether you take them seriously or not, they are a force to be rekon with one way or another.

They turned 23^rd Street in NYC into the Sunset Strip. Gramercy Theater was easily the Whisky A’ Go Go, The Globe was easily the Rainbow Bar & Grill, the college dorm at Baruch was easily the Sunset Marquis, and Shake Shack was easily the Hustler Store.

Heavy Metal Rules out everywhere NOW \m/ \m/