Starr’s reference to the band Loudness is brilliant. This is a great example of the lyrical maturity of which I’m speaking of. Sure, the lead-off single was the predictable and hilarious cut ‘Never Too Late (To Get Some Pussy Tonight)’ but look at the follow up single called ‘1987’. The band has grown and ON THE PROWL is a fine example. So, what were the options? Go and live or stay and die. This is revealing that even back in 2017 they were acutely aware of their own limitations, or at very least recognized that ‘serious’ music critics have levelled accusations at the band of stagnation. But the band had dates in Germany, for just another week.” Now I couldn’t hit the high notes, sometimes I couldn’t even speak. “After all the critics said, our debut record was our peak. Even back on the album LOWER THE BAR in the song, ‘That’s When You Came In’ Michael Starr sings, Their self-awareness of what they do runs deep. There will always be a core of fans who love the same old sex songs and that is fine but do the band want to deliver that over and over? The band of wily veterans acknowledges this paradox and gave struck a really nice balance. There are only so many songs you can sing/write about anal sex and blowjobs and hookers before it gets tired. It is as if Steel Panther have hit a bit of a lyrical wall. In way of compensation, again, intended or not, the lyrics have actually improved. They are as good as any of the band they used to parody. Fortunately, the musicianship is still world class.

One of the band greatest assets were those incredibly clever sonic caricatures and now those are gone. You could listen to the older songs and say, “That’s the Bon Jovi parody, that’s the Whitesnake parody, that’s the Mr. In the first few albums they were much more of a parody band. In terms of evolution, the band by design or default have actually developed a sonic signature style. The band is still on Universal records and everything is in order great production, nice big 80’s Metal sound and a neon album cover, with a slight nod to the ‘Eyes of A Panther ‘song and the bands sort of mascot. The latest offering ON THE PROWL is the first with new bassist Spyder. They have not necessarily matured, but evolved. Over time and the course of six more albums, a strange thing has happened. In that review of FEEL THE STEEL I said I admired their very clever musical parodies. I did however review the sophomore album here back in 2010. I had heard about them but never bought the indie debut.

Steel Panther have a quite rare debut album called HOLE PATROL.

Production Music Panther Prowl