STEEL PANTHER - Live from the O2 Academy Brixton

In the wake of a world where we live everyday in the shadow of World War 3, coronavirus and Brexit, an evening with Steel Panther is the perfect dose of escapism, a natural high that you’ll never want to come down from. Brixton’s O2 Academy saw celebrations of all things sex, drugs, and heavy metal being masked in double entendres, vulgar displays of erotic suggestions, and tongue in cheek (and other places) antics. The 80’s glam comedy band put on a paramount performance of humorous entertainment with more energy and ferocity than the artists they parody.

The bar was set high with a hyperactive performance from British rock openers Wayward

Sons, their experienced history in previous local rock outfits aiding them in captivating the crowd. Performing a collection of tracks from their debut album ‘Ghosts of Yet to Come,’ and their current political protest concept record ‘The Truth Ain’t What It Used to Be,’ makes for a contrasting starting point compared to their successors.

The thunderous jungle beat build up of Van Halen’s ‘Everybody Wants Some’ glides seamlessly into the roaring riffs of ‘Eyes of a Panther’ as Satchel, Michael, Stix, and Lexxi leap about onstage with the vitality of men half their age. The first single off their latest album Heavy Metal Rules, ‘All I Wanna Do Is Fuck (Myself Tonight,)’ is met with adoration as fans shout ‘fuck’ in unison to the track dedicated to the foxxy appearance of bassist Lexxi Foxx. Instead of showing off his musical skills with a bass solo, Michael and Satchel whipped out their leaf blowers so that Lexxi could exhibit his lustrous hair and pouting skills.

The mood was taken down a notch for ‘I Ain’t Buying What You’re Selling,’ an amusing commentary on today’s political climate sprinkled with distinctive Panther humour that brings their 5th album to a poignant close. Another thing that makes a Steel Panther gig essential to your yearly calendar compared to other bands, is the unique chance of getting onstage with half the female audience members to dance to ‘17 Girls In A Row,’ playing up to the hyper-sexualised atmosphere and being rewarded for doing so with the opportunity of attending the Steel Panther after party. Who said chivalry was dead ey?

Rapturous riffs of the bands statement track 'Death to All But Metal' threw the fans into a frenzy, realising the night was coming to an end. Steel Panther are perhaps the only band with the ability to get an entire audience to sing about and wave their arms in the air to a song titled ‘Gloryhole’ as if it were an emotional ballad, as the encore brought their show to a close.