Self-described as “Metal, Metal, and comedy,” Steel Panther mocks near-every legendary ’80s hair band to carry a hair curler in their overnight bag. To describe the Steel Panther’s level of obscenity, one needs to look no further than their most popular songs. In “Community Service,” a mock monster ballad, lead singer Michael Starr attempts to explain his love for his steady woman. “My heart belongs to you, but my dong is community property,” he croons to his woman.
But don’t think that Steel Panther is a ballad-only band. Their riff-heavy “Turn Out the Lights” shows the heavier side of Steel Panther’s sexuality. The theme of the song, turning out the lights when having sex so he doesn’t have to see your face, really highlights the lyrical depth of Steel Panther: “Looks like someone beat you with an ugly stick. Turn out the lights…” Steel Panther’s overt sexuality pervades almost every line of every song. It is so over-the-top that many of the situations Starr sings of cause fits of fraternal laughter when their music is played at a pregame.
Beyond their comedic sexuality, in an ode to the ’80s, their instrumentation is actually quite impressive. While definitely employing the musical motifs of the hair metal era: the pump-up song, the monster ballad and the party-time drinking melody, their in-your-face metal shows true musicianship. Their fame has spread because of their live performance; again, a nod back to the coked-out skid row bars of the ’80s. Bringing more energy than the bunny with a drum, Steel Panther head bangs and fist pumps the hell out of the audience. While they are a self-professed mock-’80s band, Steel Panther genuinely attempts to bring back the party culture that was the ’80s, something sorely missed in today’s T-Pain, Britney Spears pop world.
