Review: Steel Panther @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre
For an hour and a half political correctness was thrown out the window as Steel Panther reminded us not to take life too seriously.
Words and images by Justin White
Steel Panther & John 5 @ AEC Theatre 21/10/24
Stepping into the Steel Panther time machine felt like I was strapping in for a wild ride – destination 1987. I had no idea what was waiting on the other side, but as 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 Centre Theatre on a warm spring Monday night. Buckle up, because what came next was an unforgettable night of metal madness and glam rock glory.
Warming up the crowd was none other than guitar virtuoso John 5 – currently moonlighting between Motley Crue tours. We were lucky enough to catch him on this run and what a treat it was! John 5 ripped through a short but blistering set of mind-melting metal guitar tunes alongside his killer drummer, Alejandro Mercado. As if that wasn’t enough to set the mood, John unleashed a medley of Motley Crue classics that turned the volume up to 11. It was the perfect appetiser to a night drenched in '80s glam metal.
The stage was set as the lights dropped and anticipation buzzed through the crowd. Steel Panther was about to hit the stage, ready to deliver a show that oozed debauchery, glam, and unapologetic fun. And boy, did they deliver. They kicked things off with the fiery ‘Eyes of a Panther’ followed by the hard-hitting ‘Let Me Cum In’, setting the tone for the mayhem that was about to unfold. This wasn’t just a concert – it was a time warp back to an era of spandex, big hair, and rock gods.
From the get-go, frontman Michael Starr and guitar wizard Satchel were trading hilarious (and completely inappropriate) banter. Let’s just say some of it can’t be repeated in this review – but that’s what makes a Steel Panther show so electrifying! They push the limits, make you laugh and remind you that rock ‘n’ roll isn’t supposed to be serious. With tracks like the outrageous ‘Asian Hooker’ and ‘Fat Girl’ the band kept us on our toes before rolling out fresh material from their latest album On The Prowl, including the cheeky 'Friends With Benefits'.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Satchel shredded a guitar solo that was nothing short of jaw-dropping. He channelled the spirit of Eddie Van Halen with a side of Mick Mars and a sprinkle of Yngwie Malmsteen, showcasing his mind-blowing technique and flair. But calling him a mashup of 80s guitar legends doesn’t quite do him justice – Satchel’s skill and precision were something else entirely, a true highlight of the night.
By this point in the show everyone was well aware Steel Panther was far from just a novelty act. Beneath the laughs and the antics is a band with serious chops and confidence so tactile you can feel it. When they launched into the anthem ‘Death To All But Metal’, phones shot up in the air to capture every second. My personal highlight came with 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 the Crazy Train / biting heads off bats / it was long before the YouTube trolls and this bullshit snappy-chats.”
A die-hard fan named Jamie was pulled on stage for a hilarious on-the-spot serenade, with each band member trying their best to outdo each other with their own off-the-cuff ballad. Jamie’s confidence threw the band for a moment, creating a fun, unscripted part of the show. With Jamie still the centre of attention they kicked into ‘Girl from Oklahoma’ and followed with ‘17 Girls in a Row’ as (roughly) 17 girls from the audience joined the band on stage.
The main set closed with ‘Community Property’ and the infectious singalong ‘Party All Day’, leaving the crowd buzzing. But Steel Panther wasn’t done. The Adelaide crowd enthusiastically chanted for an encore, and the band returned, ending the night with the outrageous ‘Gloryhole’.
After 13 songs spanning five albums and countless moments of hilarious and outrageous banter, the house lights came up and we were reluctantly dragged back to 2024. But for those glorious 90 minutes, it felt like the ‘80s were alive (maybe a little exaggerated) and kicking.
If you’ve never experienced a Steel Panther show, it’s like the most over-the-top, ridiculous love letter to ‘80s metal – told by that wild uncle who only wears band tees to your family gatherings. The ironic part is Steel Panther are more talented and command the stage better than half the bands they’re paying homage 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.
Sure, they’re not for everyone – but trust me, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Check out the full gallery of images here.
