Review by Lisa Burke
June 18th 2015, House Of Blues Sunset Strip, West Hollywood CA: Sunset Strip legends Steel Panther are in the midst of a ‘threesome’ of gigs at their soon-to-be-closed rock ‘n roll residence, bringing their unique show to loyal Los Angeles fans for just three more times at the House Of Blues this month. Our writer Lisa Burke was in attendance for night #2 on June 18 2015. Enjoy her review of the show below:
OK, so I had the privilege or the mad notion of seeing Steel Panther on night #2 of their House of Blues Threesome. It started with an unfortunately unsold out show with opening act Dig The Kid. Now I have to say that I’m not sure I dug the kid, but I know a few kids who dug the band. If you like modern hipster Weezer-esque rock you might dig a place in your heart for these dudes. Not my thing personally; but they rocked the vibe they were giving. Next up was Stonebreed, a band I’ve heard of in Hollywood for at least five years and I’m sure they’ve been around much longer than that. I missed them at least five times opening other shows, and finally it was time to face the music. I probably should just say I’m going to have to give this review from Satchel’s perspective. Please forgive me when I say no one is banging these guys after the show. Try some wittier lyrics and maybe get a style, and you’ve got yourself a band. Moving on to the one and only band temporarily schooled by metal … Steel Panther.
I’ve seen these guys more times than I can count and they always bring new jokes to the stage. This night was ridiculously entertaining and a very solid set list. They played a couple of their originals that I haven’t heard in a while. Yes, this is a band that mocks all things hair metal but their originals really rock with great sleazy yet creative and catchy lyrics. They call it like they see it, and so do I, so be prepared. Near the beginning of the set they acknowledged an elderly woman who they called out as 61 and then claimed her to be 87 and asked to see her tits. After she politely declined they said she might be David Coverdale and proceeded to play the beginning of Still of The Night, really accurately I might add, but then they cut it off so it became Still Of the … wait, should we play Ratt or Bon Jovi now? They went back and forth and ended up going Round And Round. They had two guest singers and first up was none other than Mr. Belding from ‘Saved By The Bell’. This man is a sweetheart and a huge supporter of metal. I’ve seen him announce bands at the Whisky-A-Go-Go and he’s been at other venues as well. I’m fairly certain he was supposed to be singing back up to Van Halen’s Jump but he got so distracted by all the commotion and tits on stage that he didn’t sing a lick. The running joke of this man during the night was that they kept calling him Mr. Belvedere. That’s another show but he might have ate Mr. Belvedere before the show so I guess it was sort of legit.
Halfway through the set my friend Courtney Cox from The Iron Maidens grabbed me and took me onto the stage during a GNR cover which I’m pretty sure was Sweet Child of My Michelle’s Jungle. Anyway, this was my on-stage debut at House of Blues and after dancing like a rejected shy stripper, her and I got fired from the stage for being too conservative by the stage hand. Next up, Satchel gets handed a new guitar by his techie named “Ace” and oops, it doesn’t play. Technical difficulties ensue and Lexxi does a bass solo and Satchel threatens Ace’s job. Somewhere around this time they played one of their newest hits Glory Hole and they bring more professional dancing girls on stage. Around this time there’s a girl with spikes on the sides of her shorts strangling Satchel during his solo. Yes these guys can play, but they really don’t have to with the amount of precise backing tracks they have readily available to them. Their invisible keyboardist is always a favorite. I hate those antics normally but Steel Panther is allowed to do it because they make a point of calling that guy out on his bullshit.
I love the House Of Blues even though I always end up next to the speakers and half deaf after the shows, but the staff rules and I’m always treated like a celebrity. They are unfortunately closing their doors at the end of July to build some unneeded hotels. The second guest was Dane Cook who is certainly not new to this scene. He did what he always does, I did what I always do and took a bathroom break, and the audience did what they always do….clapped. Following that, of course they ended with my favorite song Death To All But Metal, and it was as it always is, a great time had by all. There was a guy in the audience that I noticed at this point who had eyes tattooed above his own eyes on his forehead. I have no idea what to make of this other than I couldn’t look him in any of his four eyes. That said, I’m really glad they skipped Asian Hooker because that joke gets old quick. Tune in next week for the final chapter of Steel Panther’s last Threesome at House of Blues Sunset.
Because I’ve been failing at set lists lately I’m going to replace them with the note list I made between drinks (not at all in the right order) that I took during the show because it almost explains the experience better:
Mr Belvedere/ Belding
Whitesnake David old woman
Still of the Wait
Ratt or Bon Jovi
Round and Round
87 yr old lady 61
Ace guitar tech
Sweet Child of My Michelle’s Jungle
On stage
Glory Hole
No Asian Hooker
Eyes Tattoo
Speakers Deaf
No one loves Lexxi
Spiked shorts Satchel Strangle
Dane Cook Again?
Ended Death to all But Metal
Asian Camera Guy Mock
Fuck The Cure
Jump… Mr Belding? Didn’t sing a lick?