Steel Panther and John 5 @ AEC Theater 10/21/24

Stepping into the Steel Panther time machine, I felt like I was about to embark on a wild ride—destination 1987. I had no idea what was waiting on the other side, but once the controls were set, a few buttons were pressed and in the blink of an eye – boom – we were transported straight to the Adelaide Entertainment Center Theater on a warm spring Monday evening. Buckle up, because what awaits us next is an unforgettable night of metal madness and glam rock glory.

Warming up the crowd was none other than guitar virtuoso John 5, who is currently working part-time between Motley Crue tours. We were lucky enough to catch him on this run and what a treat it was! John 5 performed a short but stunning set of mind-blowing metal guitar tunes with his killer drummer Alejandro Mercado. As if that wasn’t enough to set the mood, John unleashed a medley of classic Motley Crue songs, turning the volume up to 11. It was the perfect appetizer for an evening steeped in 80’s glam metal.

The stage was set, the lights dimmed, and anticipation filled the crowd. Steel Panther was about to take the stage, ready to present a show filled with debauchery, glamor and unapologetic fun. And boy did they deliver. They opened with the fiery “Eyes of a Panther” followed by the powerful “Let Me Cum In”, setting the tone for the chaos that was about to unfold. This was not just a concert – it was a time travel back to the era of spandex, big hair and rock gods.

From the get-go, frontman Michael Starr and guitar master Satchel traded hilarious (and completely inappropriate) banter. Let’s just say some of them can’t be repeated in this review – but that’s what makes the Steel Panther show so exciting! They push boundaries, make you laugh and remind you that rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t have to be serious. With tracks like the outrageous “Asian Hooker” and “Fat Girl,” the band kept us on our toes before releasing fresh material from their latest album. On the huntincluding the cheeky “Friends with Benefits.”

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Satchel delivered a guitar solo that was simply amazing. He embodied the spirit of Eddie Van Halen combined with Mick Mars and a bit of Yngwie Malmsteen, showcasing his mind-blowing technique and flair. But calling him a mash-up of ’80s guitar legends doesn’t quite do it justice: Satchel’s skill and precision were something else entirely, a real highlight of the evening.

By this point in the show, everyone was well aware that Steel Panther was far from just a novelty. Beneath the laughter and antics lies a serious group and a confidence so palpable you can feel it. As they belted out the anthem “Death To All But Metal”, phones flew into the air to capture every second. For me, the highlight was their new single “1987” – a nostalgic power ballad that took us on a trip down memory lane with lyrics that were pure ’80s gold: “Ozzy was on a crazy train / biting the heads off bats / it’s been a long time ” to trolls on YouTube and all this nonsense in chat rooms.”

A diehard fan named Jamie took to the stage for a fun serenade, with each band member trying their best to outdo each other with their own offbeat ballad. Jamie’s confidence momentarily confused the group, creating a fun, unscripted part of the show. With Jamie still the center of attention, they launched into “Girl from Oklahoma” and then sang “17 Girls in a Row” as (approximately) 17 girls from the audience joined the band on stage.

The main set ended with “Community Property” and the infectious singalong “Party All Day” had the crowd buzzing. But “Steel Panther” didn’t end there. The Adelaide crowd chanted enthusiastically for an encore and the band returned, ending the night with an outrageous ‘Gloryhole’.

After 13 songs spanning five albums and countless moments of hilarious and outrageous banter, the house lights went up and we were reluctantly transported back to 2024. But for those glorious 90 minutes, it felt like the ’80s were alive (perhaps a little exaggerated). and legs.

If you’ve never been to a Steel Panther concert, it’s like the most over-the-top, ridiculous love letter to 80s metal, narrated by that wild uncle who only wears the band’s T-shirts to family gatherings. The irony is that Steel Panther are more talented and have better stage presence than half the bands they pay tribute to. For an hour and a half, political correctness was thrown out the window, and “Steel Panther” reminded us not to take life too seriously.

Of course, they are not for everyone, but believe me, they would not have done it differently.