Steel Panther, the Los Angeles-based masters of the party all the time, rock (till you drop) music, brought a sold-out rip-roaring rock rendezvous to New York’s Irving Plaza on 3/16, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin day. I arrived in the city with ample time for an early dinner at my favorite East Village eatery, Paul’s Da Burger Joint, to revel in a beast of an Eastsider Burger. My side order of their savory lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad was also filling.
I then strolled to the always-vibrant Generation Records, one of the last record stores in New York City. It’s always a good time to look through their punk and metal selections and t-shirts. If you ever visit New York, check out both spots. Having an hour to spare before doors opened at 7:00 PM, I arrived at a lively line full of gentlemen, babes, sinners, and saints all gussied up to expect the unexpected. The doors finally opened, and we went inside to watch the first band, Tragedy, set up.
Tragedy is a New York-based tribute band paying homage to the Bee Gees and more. They got the dance floor going with seven beloved anthems like I’m So Excited, by the Pointer Sisters, and a King Diamond in nature rendition of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. The original is a favorite of my mother’s. While reminding the audience of the joy of being alive, no well-attended show kick-off would be complete without a couple of those hokey-looking vintage blow-up dolls getting passed around during It’s Raining Men.
Steel Panther’s direct support Crobot took the stage next. These Pennsylvanian hard-rock animals were another major highlight of the night. Crobot put on a stellar performance. I was watching from the floor as the air remained charged. Something is mesmerizing about watching Crobot’s lead vocalist Brandon Yeagley trouncing around on stage like a power-mad Joel O’Keeffe. Manhattan got treated to one of many unique moments of the evening with Anthrax’s Frank Bello joining Crobot on stage to perform Mountain Song, which Frank co-wrote with Crobot. That said, what we saw was excellent. Crobot did it up big time.
Last but not least was Steel Panther starting their set with Eyes of a Panther. Like pogo sticks, the entire floor went wild when Steel Panther lunged into Let Me Come In. They then went on to play a string of new songs and Panther classics, another highlight being Asian Hooker having the inclusion of two Asian women joining Steel Panther on stage for good measure.
Although the band members have some stage banter engrained in their set list before transitioning into the next song, the improvisational form of comedy between Michael, Satchel, Spyder, and Stix for the New York event was even more exciting to watch. Steel Panther’s sense of edgy, quick-thinking humor got everyone laughing.
The in-between-song risqué jokes got the audience even more jolted for the next high point of their set. You never know what might happen at a Steel Panther show! Aside from Satchel’s brilliant guitar solo, Steel Panther also jammed on Whitesnake’s Slide it In with Frank Bello alongside Holy Mother’s singer, Mike Tirelli. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Steel Panther show without a few ballads like Ain’t Dead Yet, inviting a mamasota on stage to get serenaded by Michael Starr for Girl from Oklahoma, followed up with – a LOT – more ladies having a blast with Steel Panther for Party All Day (Fuck All Night).
Steel Panther encored their set with Community Property and Glory Hole. After witnessing one of the best shows of 2023, 1,200 Fanthers exited Irving Plaza. My point is that you can’t kill Steel Panther, and you can’t cancel Steel Panther.
