It’s the end of the week and a rather warm one too. The sun is still shining as it lights up the two mega-long queues outside of the infamous O2 Academy in Bristol, on this warm and sunny Sunday evening.
So, who’s pulled in such a large crowd on a Sunday night, you ask? Well, on tonight’s menu, we have none other than the legendary American rock band, Winger; and that’s just for starters. This will be followed by a big portion of Spandex and big hair, topped with sprinkles of glitter; namely, Steel Panther, who are on their latest ‘On The Prowl’ Tour – and don’t we know it!
At 7 pm on the dot, the crowd are filtered into the venue after passing the usual security checks. There’s a little bit of a difference in tonight’s punters though; especially of the male species. Whilst many would normally be sporting the latest tour t-shirt, there are a whole lot of big wigs being worn and some rather fetching trousers that leave little to the imagination. But it’s all in the best possible taste of course.
The venue slowly fills up once fans grab their merch and hit the bar; it’s going to be a hot one tonight, that’s for sure. As 8 pm approaches, Winger makes their way onto the stage. The crowd are already lively and itching to party hard, whilst security stack up cups of water behind the barriers ready for the carnage.
Heading to centre stage is bass guitarist and vocalist Kip Winger, who’s joined by the band’s original line-up, with Reb Beach on guitar (also from Whitesnake), Rod Morganstein on drums, Paul Taylor on keys/guitar and John Roth, who joined the band a few years later on guitar; all looking bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, furnished in black and ready to rock.
With seven albums under the band’s belt, there’s plenty to choose from for tonight’s set list. And of course, no Winger set list would be complete without one of their biggest hits ‘Miles Away’; a gargantuan ballad that saw Beach performing an almighty guitar solo with notes so high, the hair on the back of your neck stood up on end. A tremendous track that had the crowd in awe.
As the band pummelled through their set, they were later joined by Steel Panther’s frontman Michael Starr to provide vocals for ‘Headed for a Heartbreak’, who’d been sat in the wings watching Winger’s set (that’s a bit of a tongue twister). Taken from their first album in 1988, Starr’s glam-rock vocals fit the bill perfectly. But before he left the stage, he couldn’t resist grabbing a towel and patting the sweat from Beach’s brow as he played his guitar. What a gent.
Time was moving fast and the band wasted little time in between tracks with much of the crowd interaction coming from Kip. Their sound was tight, with crisp, clean vocals; not forgetting the musicianship that was absolutely on point. After a tight schedule, there was the obligatory ‘jam’ with all four guitarists making their mark as the drum roll finished their set.
Winger Seven Album Review
It’s now approaching 9pm and the O2 is much akin to a pack of sardines with the night being a complete sell-out. But despite the lack of space, the crowd was buzzing as more hot and sweaty bodies made their way to the barriers for the finale. Those wigs were still clinging on to fans heads and the heat wasn’t phasing anyone whatsoever; even those who’d braved wearing some of the most eccentric Spandex you’d ever set your eyes on. All fun and games and the best was yet to come (snigger, snigger).
But whilst the crowd waited patiently, they were treated to some classic rock tunes via the PA to set the mood. You could feel the anticipation building as time went on; then the lights went dark, followed by an almighty cheer.
Steel Panther last played at the O2 Academy in Bristol just over three years ago with their predominate line-up. But tonight, there was a new swinger in town known by the name of Spyder aka Joe Lester; with Spyder now replacing the band’s former bass guitarist, Lexxi Foxx.
Launching straight into ‘Eyes of a Panther’, the band were greeted with the loudest screams from the crowd and in typical Steel Panther style, it wasn’t long before the profanities commenced; mainly from Satchel who joked about the fact that Kip Winger could actually be his dad, much to everyone’s amusement.
‘Let me Cum in’ was next on their set list before the band took their first breather of the night, giving them a chance for a bit of banter between them and the crowd. First a fact. “Did you know we’ve been voted one of the top 12 heavy metal bands to play in Bristol this week?”, Satchel states. He also let on that Starr “gets $100 a month for being in the band”, which Starr is apparently going to spend on cocaine to sniff from his car dashboard, and some cryptos.
But Spyder wasn’t going to be left out of the jokes in any way; especially as the new recruit. ‘‘You’ve got some big gay boots to fill”, Satchel remarked. As the jokes continued there were some obvious clues as to what the next track was going to be. “I’m gonna fuck you, I’m gonna fuck you and oh, I’m gonna give you a miss…..” Satchel boasted, as he pointed to the front row of female fans, much to their delight. Now let’s not forget the drummer at the back. Stix Zidinia, according to the rest of the band, scores a 4.1 as an Uber driver and can do a great impression of Rick Allen on the drums (from Def Leppard). That’s not before Spyder interrupts and states that Allen can “finish all his jobs single handedly”. Ouch!! You didn’t think any of their comments were going to be flattering, did you?
A little earlier than expected was ‘Asian Hooker’, taken from the band’s phallically titled album ‘Feel the Steel’, which had the first of many females on the stage for Starr to ogle over; always a feature in the band’s show.
Their monstrous set of 13 songs continued with enough expletives in between to make a whore blush. ‘1987’ is one of their newest tracks to debut tonight and it’s introduction was made by Satchel reminiscing about the 80’s era; a time when you could “fuck a girl all night and all you had to worry about was AIDS!”. Class! As Satchel shouts “everyone make some noise for the 80’s”, he then orders the crowd to all phone their bosses and quit their jobs, so they don’t have to go to work tomorrow. With the partying going on, there’s no doubt that that may well be the case for some people. It is a Sunday night after all.
‘Ain’t Dead Yet’ was another track from their new album ‘On The Prowl’ and a story about the perils of a Rock Star edging towards their sell by date. It’s filled with all the usual innuendos, featuring Starr on the acoustic guitar and Stix on the keys. But it was at this point of the night that a 19 year old lass was plucked from the crowd to sit on the stage whilst the band played ‘Girl from Oklahoma’. And, was she ready to be the centre of some sordid and suggestive attention? Either way she was gonna get it, as each band member took it in turns to sing about her different orifices, fallopian tubes, and what they’d like to do to them. The fact of the matter is, of course she was ready. That’s what the show is all about. No matter what, any girl in the crowd wants to get picked at a Steel Panther show.
During the bands last visit to Bristol, ’17 Girls in a Row’ was the final track of the night in which any girl that had been handed out a pass, was invited up on stage. But this time, girls were picked before the band covered ‘Community Property’ and ‘Party All Day’, whilst the last girl remained on stage to join them all. The criteria to be chosen? Each girl had to ‘do anal’. Getting them all off the stage though was a different matter.
Last but not least was the encore, as the band finished with their notorious track ‘Gloryhole’. And for anyone who’s not had the pleasure of witnessing a Steel Panther show, there’s no prizes for guessing what the song is about.
However many times the gags have been used, the band cannot be faulted on the sheer entertainment they provide. Not only are they incredible musicians; they’re comedians too, and combined they put on one hell of a show.
If you’re easily offended, don’t head to a Steel Panther show. But if you like good rock music, letting your hair down and letting everything else hang out, then get your ass to one of their shows; or you’ll live to regret it.
Set list – Steel Panther
Eyes of a Panther
Let me Cum In
Asian Hooker
All I Wanna Do
Burden
Friends With Benefits
Death to All
1987
Ain’t Dead Yet
Girl From Oklahoma
Community Property
Party All Day (Fuck All Night)
Gloryhole
Steel Panther ” On The Prowl” Album Review
Review & Photography: Emma Painter // Pacific Curd Photography
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Connect with Steel Panther:
Website: www.steelpantherrocks.com
Twitter: @Steel_Panther
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steelpanther
Instagram: @steelpanther
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