Steel Panther
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| Steel Panther | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Danger Kitty, Metal Shop, and Metal Skool |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Hard rock Glam metal Comedy metal |
| Years active | 2000 - Present |
| Label(s) | Universal Republic |
| Associated acts | Atomic Punks L.A. Guns Thornbirds Fight Moving Pictures |
| Website | myspace.com/steelpantherkicksass |
| Members | |
| Michael Starr - Vocals Satchel - Guitar Lexxi Foxxx - Bass Stix Zadinia - Drums |
|
Steel Panther, formerly known as Metal Skool, is a Los Angeles, California based glam metal parody band. Originally formed as Metal Shop they're known for their energetic live show, the longest running metal show on the Sunset Strip [1]. Onstage, the band both pays tribute to and lampoons the heyday of 80's glam metal. The band's between-song comedy includes jests at conflict between band members, discussions of drugs, sex, and improvised humor with the crowd.
Contents |
[edit] Pseudonyms
The band members have all adopted pseudonyms in the spirit of the bands they imitate. Their line up is billed as: drummer "Stix Zadinia" (real name Darren Leader), guitarist "Satchel" (real name Russ Parrish), singer "Michael Starr," (real name Ralph Saenz) and bassist "Lexxi Foxxx (real name Travis Haley)."
[edit] Other Projects
Saenz is the current lead singer for the Van Halen tribute band the "Atomic Punks", and was lead singer for L.A. Guns for a short period of time. Parrish is also the guitarist for Rush Tribute band Moving Pictures and was formerly the guitar player for the Atomic Punks and for the Rob Halford-fronted band, Fight. Leader and Parrish have another band of their own called the Thornbirds[2] with Jeff Duncan of Armored Saint on guitar and bassist Dean Cameron, who also directed Metal Skool's "Fat Girl" video.
[edit] Venues
Recently the band moved to the Key Club on the Sunset Strip where their shows have been selling out regularly. They continue to play other regular gigs in the Southern California area including a weekly show in San Diego, California; one in Cabazon, California; and a weekly show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They've been featured on the cover of All Access Magazine [3], and won their award for "Best Tribute Band in the Universe." [4] The San Diego Union-Tribune has called them "the ultimate '80s heavy metal tribute." [5] Dave Swanson has called them "my favorite band I have never seen."
[edit] Onstage Guests
Steel Panther frequently invites high-profile guests at their shows (celebrities and musicians) onstage to "crowd participate," and a number of these incidents have been caught on film. They are usually invited to join the band onstage for a song, sometimes temporarily replacing band members. Joined by Nuno Bettencourt and Sully Erna, singer Michael Starr quipped, "Hey, I finally get to play with real musicians!"
Notable onstage guests and songs include:
- Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals joined the band on stage in San Diego to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.
- Jeremy Piven, who plays Ari on the hit HBO show Entourage played the drums onstage. [6]
- David Bryan, keyboard player of Bon Jovi joined the band after being spotted in the audience. [7]
- April Margera sang Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" [8]
- Kelly Clarkson and Ryan Key of Yellowcard sang "Sweet Child o' Mine" and "Don't Stop Believing". [9]
- Tony Romo and Dennis Haskins (the actor who played Mr. Belding on Saved by the Bell) appeared onstage together and sang Journey's "Don't Stop Believing". [10] Romo also appeared onstage with girlfriend Jessica Simpson in late January 2008. [11]
- David Draiman, lead singer of Disturbed, and former NBA star Dennis Rodman appeared onstage together. [12]
- Jerry Cantrell, guitarist for Alice in Chains, played guitar onstage during the same show Draiman appeared onstage. [13]
- Billy Ray Cyrus sang "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol. [14]
- Kip Winger of Winger sang Journey's "Don't Stop Believing". [15]
- Constantine Maroulis, former American Idol finalist, appeared onstage. [16]
- Justin Guarini sang "Don't Stop Believing". [17]
- The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold and Phil Anselmo appeared onstage together. [18]
- Pink sang Skid Row's "18 and Life" [19]
- Brian Posehn sings "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" by Judas Priest on his 40th birthday. [20]
- Michael Strahan, Gavin DeGraw, Ryan Cabrera and Pauly Shore sang Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me [21]
- Juliette Lewis sang "Ain't Talking Bout Love" [22]
- Rza and Shavo Odadjian [23]
- Tom Morello played bass and Breckin Meyer played drums on Alice in Chains' Man in the Box on August 27th, 2007. [24]
- Lil Jon singing "Jump" by Van Halen [25]
- Shavo Odadjian bass player for System of a Down [26]
- Incubus bassist Ben Kenney sang Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" [27]
- Hal Sparks sang Skid Row's "18 and Life" with the band [28]
- Tom Morello played guitar while Perry Farrell sang the Jane's Addiction classic "Mountain Song". [29]
[edit] Recent Events
On November 13, 2007, the band announced on their MySpace blog that they have begun recording new material and posted the lyrics to one of their new songs (called Turn Out the Lights).
On February 8, 2008, they launched their new official website.
On April 13, 2008, the band appeared at The Rockin' Saddle night club and restaurant in Redlands, California billed as Steel Panther formerly known as Metal Skool. Steel Panther became their official new name.
In May of 2008, Steel Panther were finally signed to a record label called Universal Republic.
[edit] Discography
- Love Rocket (2001) - Promotional one-track single released as Danger Kitty.
- Hole Patrol (2003)
- TBA (2008)
[edit] Other appearances
Tracks 1, 11, 17, 23, and 24 on Hey That's What I Call Sludge! 1 (2004)
When the band was still known as Metal Shop they appeared on a Discover Card commercial as the band "Danger Kitty".
During the final season of The Drew Carey Show Metal Skool performed the show's theme song "Cleveland Rocks" (originally by Ian Hunter). This version of the song was later released on the re-release of the album "Hole Patrol" in 2005. Drew Carey has been known to make appearances at their live shows as well.
