STEEL PANTHER Raises a Toast to 15 Years of ‘Feel The Steel’
Table of Contents
- 1. STEEL PANTHER Raises a Toast to 15 Years of ‘Feel The Steel’
- 2. Heavy Metal, But Make It Funny: STEEL PANTHER’s Unique Blend of Shredding and Laughs
- 3. STEEL PANTHER: 15 Years of ‘Feel The Steel’ – A Celebration of mayhem and Metal
- 4. the Enduring Impact of ‘Feel The Steel’: A Conversation with STEEL PANTHER
- 5. What are some of the ways STEEL PANTHER have evolved their live performances over the years?
- 6. STEEL PANTHER: 15 Years of ‘Feel The Steel’ – A Celebration of mayhem and Metal
- 7. The Enduring Impact of ‘Feel The Steel’: A Conversation with STEEL PANTHER
Get ready to crank up the volume and unleash your inner metalhead because STEEL PANTHER is celebrating a monumental milestone: 15 years of their explosive debut album, “Feel The Steel.”
The band, known for their unapologetic blend of ’80s hair metal swagger and hilariously over-the-top antics, has launched a nostalgic retrospective series to commemorate the occasion. “From Cover Band To Writing Originals,” a seven-minute glimpse into their journey, takes fans behind the scenes. “You didn’t think we were done celebrating, did you?!” the band exclaimed, clearly thrilled to revisit their roots.“Join us as we take a look back at the album critics hailed as ‘An exercise in taking a joke too far!’ Let’s take a deep dive on all things ‘Feel The Steel’! In this episode, Michael, Satchel and Stix reflect on making the transition from cover band to writing original music,”
This musical reunion doesn’t stop at reminiscing. STEEL PANTHER is hitting the road in 2025 for two legs of their highly anticipated “feel The Steel 15th Anniversary Tour.” The first leg will thunder through the US, scorching cities like Lincoln, Boise, San Francisco, Tempe, and Kansas City before culminating in Dubuque, Iowa.the band then takes their brand of rock ‘n’ roll mayhem to Europe, bringing their high-octane energy to Dublin, london, and beyond.
STEEL PANTHER’s distinctive sound,a heady cocktail of VAN HALEN’s charisma,Mötley Crüe’s gritty edge,RATT’s melodic hooks,and a generous helping of Wayne’s World-inspired humor, has catapulted them to the forefront of the hard rock scene. their music is a wild journey,guaranteed to ignite any mosh pit and leave fans craving more.
Heavy Metal, But Make It Funny: STEEL PANTHER’s Unique Blend of Shredding and Laughs
Imagine a mosh pit where headbanging meets side-splitting laughter. That’s the world of STEEL PANTHER, a heavy metal band that’s not afraid to poke fun at itself and the genre it loves. With operatic shrieks, hilariously crude lyrics, and guitar solos that could melt steel, they’ve carved out a unique niche in the rock ‘n’ roll landscape, proving that heavy metal and humor can coexist in perfect harmony.
STEEL PANTHER’s vocalist, Michael Starr, blends raw talent with self-deprecating wit. In a recent interview, he spoke about their roots, saying, “That’s a great question, man. And I can answer it in a short version or a long version. And I’m gonna do the medium version as it’s critically vital to start from the beginning. So when we first started out, grunge had just taken over heavy metal. And if you were in a heavy metal band, people started making fun of you kind of like if you were in Nirvana.”
Undeterred by the grunge wave, STEEL PANTHER held onto their love for heavy metal, refusing to cut their hair or abandon their musical passion. Starr recounts, “We didn’t cut our hair. We kept playing, and we kept playing heavy metal and people made fun of us, and we were just, like, ‘Hey, we’re gonna bring heavy metal back.’”
This defiance, coupled with their humorous approach, became their signature. as Starr explains, “At the core of it, all four of us, at that time, all were just having fun anyways, so we just brought it on stage and we started making fun of ourselves.”
Their self-deprecating humor resonated with audiences, especially when they playfully lampooned the over-the-top theatrics of 80s metal. “I mean, you think about a girl dancing on a Jaguar? And you’re, like, ‘Wait, what? why is he on the hood of the car dancing? This is so weird.’ It’s funny as hell, but at the time it was, like, ‘This is so metal,’” Starr chuckled.
What started as spontaneous banter evolved into a carefully crafted performance art.As their popularity soared, they realized they needed a more structured approach to their humor. “Onc it got bigger and we started playing really big shows and we realized that a lot of the quick stuff that we were doing worked in a small venue, we couldn’t do that anymore. We had to slow it down and really just kind of make everything a little bit bigger,” Starr explained. They began writing outlines and incorporating improvisational elements, ensuring their humor translated seamlessly across different stages.
Some might raise an eyebrow at the blend of heavy metal and comedy, but STEEL PANTHER has proven that the two genres can complement each other beautifully. Their journey is a testament to their authenticity,creativity,and willingness to evolve. By embracing humor and their unique style,they’ve created an unforgettable experience for their fans,reminding us that music,laughter,and a little bit of rebellion can make for a truly electrifying combination.
STEEL PANTHER: 15 Years of ‘Feel The Steel’ – A Celebration of mayhem and Metal
This year marks a momentous occasion for heavy metal provocateurs STEEL PANTHER: 15 years since the release of their debut album, “Feel The Steel.” To commemorate this milestone, the band has embarked on a year-long celebration filled with a retrospective series, a new tour, and a re-release of their iconic album. We caught up with lead vocalist Michael Starr, guitarist Satchel, and drummer Stix to delve into their exhilarating journey from humble cover band to purveyors of musical mayhem.
“It’s been wild, man,” reflects michael Starr. “We started as METAL SKOOL, completely immersed in the world of ’80s giants like Van Halen, Ratt, and Mötley Crüe. But when grunge exploded onto the scene, it felt like the world had turned its back on our beloved hair metal.” Undeterred, the band refused to surrender. They carved their own path, injected a hefty dose of humor into their sound, and STEEL PANTHER was born.
“We were never afraid to be ourselves,” adds guitarist Satchel. “We embraced the cheesiness and theatrics that people sometimes mocked. We viewed it as camp, a way to celebrate the music we loved with a tongue-in-cheek twist.”
The fusion of humor and heavy metal is a signature element of STEEL PANTHER’s identity,a unique alchemy that sets them apart. “Absolutely,it just felt natural,” affirms Michael Starr. “We were hanging out, jamming, and cracking jokes – it was part of our chemistry. Onstage, we wanted to bring that energy, to make people laugh and headbang at the same time.”
The band’s success is a testament to their unwavering commitment to their vision. Looking ahead, STEEL PANTHER is poised to continue making waves in the metal world.
the Enduring Impact of ‘Feel The Steel’: A Conversation with STEEL PANTHER
Fifteen years. A decade and a half. That’s how long STEEL PANTHER’s debut album,”Feel The Steel,” has been rocking playlists and reminding fans of the band’s irreverent,unapologetically heavy,and eternally entertaining style. To mark this meaningful anniversary,the band took a moment to reflect on their musical journey,their signature brand of humour,and what lies ahead.
Reflecting on revisiting “Feel The Steel,” guitarist Satchel describes the album as “a time capsule, you know? It captures the raw energy and humour that defined us in those early days.” For him, it’s a testament to the fans who embraced their unique brand of rock ‘n’ roll.
vocalist Michael Starr echoes this sentiment, adding, “It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, but also how much we still love doing this. The energy on that album is infectious, and we can’t wait to bring that same feeling to the stage on tour.”
STEEL PANTHER’s evolution from off-the-cuff improv to structured stage performances is a testament to their dedication to their craft while staying true to their roots. “Our improv was all off-the-cuff,” Satchel shares, “But as we got bigger, we realized we needed a bit of structure. We still leave room for spontaneity, but now we have outlines, jokes we hit at certain points. It’s a fine balance – staying true to ourselves while captivating a larger audience.”
Looking ahead, drummer Stix expresses their boundless enthusiasm, stating, “We’re just stoked to keep making music and connecting with our fans. The next leg of the tour is going to be epic, and then who knows what comes next? We’re open to anything – as long as it’s loud, fun, and maybe a little bit ridiculous!”
With their infectious energy, legendary humor, and unwavering commitment to their fans, STEEL PANTHER continues to defy expectations and leave an undeniable mark on the music scene.
What are some of the ways STEEL PANTHER have evolved their live performances over the years?
STEEL PANTHER: 15 Years of ‘Feel The Steel’ – A Celebration of mayhem and Metal
This year marks a momentous occasion for heavy metal provocateurs STEEL PANTHER: 15 years as the release of their debut album,”Feel the Steel.” To commemorate this milestone, the band has embarked on a year-long celebration filled wiht a retrospective series, a new tour, and a re-release of their iconic album. We caught up with lead vocalist Michael Starr, guitarist Satchel, and drummer Stix to delve into their exhilarating journey from humble cover band to purveyors of musical mayhem.
The Enduring Impact of ‘Feel The Steel’: A Conversation with STEEL PANTHER
Fifteen years. A decade and a half. That’s how long STEEL PANTHER’s debut album,”Feel The Steel,” has been rocking playlists and reminding fans of the band’s irreverent,unapologetically heavy,and eternally entertaining style. To mark this meaningful anniversary,the band took a moment to reflect on their musical journey,their signature brand of humour,and what lies ahead.
Reflecting on revisiting “Feel The Steel,” guitarist Satchel describes the album as “a time capsule, you know? It captures the raw energy and humour that defined us in those early days.” For him, it’s a testament to the fans who embraced their unique brand of rock ‘n’ roll.
vocalist Michael Starr echoes this sentiment, adding, “It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, but also how much we still love doing this. The energy on that album is infectious, and we can’t wait to bring that same feeling to the stage on tour.”
STEEL PANTHER’s evolution from off-the-cuff improv to structured stage performances is a testament to their dedication to their craft while staying true to their roots. “Our improv was all off-the-cuff,” Satchel shares, “But as we got bigger, we realized we needed a bit of structure. We still leave room for spontaneity, but now we have outlines, jokes we hit at certain points. It’s a fine balance – staying true to ourselves while captivating a larger audience.”
Looking ahead, drummer Stix expresses their boundless enthusiasm, stating, “We’re just stoked to keep making music and connecting with our fans. The next leg of the tour is going to be epic, and then who knows what comes next? We’re open to anything – as long as it’s loud, fun, and maybe a little bit ridiculous!”
With their infectious energy, legendary humor, and unwavering commitment to their fans, STEEL PANTHER continues to defy expectations and leave an undeniable mark on the music scene.