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Steel Panther

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Steel Panther

Steel Panther is a glam metal band from Los Angeles, California and are mostly known for their profane and humorous lyrics. Formed in 2000, the band has formerly been known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop and Metal Skool.

The Aldo Nova song "Fantasy" was remade by the band into a faster paced song for the MTV original series Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. The remake was released on iTunes on December 8, 2009 and their album Feel the Steel was released in June of 2009.

Biography

The quartet began to gain popularity in the Sunset Strip at the beginning of the new millennium under the name Metal Shop (soon changed into Metal Skool, then into Steel Panther). Their lineup consists of vocalist Ralph Saenz ("Michael Starr"), drummer Darren Leader ("Stix Zadinia"), bassist Travis Haley ("Lexxi Foxxx"), and guitarist Russ Parrish ("Satchel")[1]. Despite presenting themselves under different stage names, two members of the band were already in other heavy metal acts. Frontman Michael Starr, using his name Ralph Saenz, had been in glam metal band L.A. Guns[2] between 1997 and 1998, publishing the 6 tracks EP Wasted. Before this, Saenz was the frontman of a Van Halen tribute band called Atomic Punks[3]. Guitarist Satchel was part of War & Peace, founded by ex Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson [4] and the band Fight, founded by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford.[5][6] He was also a member of Atomic Punks together with Saenz[2].

The band, under the name Danger Kitty, published in 2001 the promotional single "Love Rocket"[2]. Steel Panther ironically declared themselves as a glam metal band which had failed to gain mainstream success during the '80s[1]. This is why their official biography claims they have been active since 1988[7]. Thanks to the use of hair-sprayed looks, leather jackets and zebra spandex and to their experience in the Van Halen tribute band, they finally managed to gain some success.[1]. In 2003 Steel Panther published Hole Patrol[2], their auto-produced debut. A promotional video, directed by actor Dean Cameron, was shot for the song "Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)". The band then began to play in live shows as Danger Kitty, appeared in a Discover Card advertisement and in the sitcom Drew Carey Show as themselves. Their song "FF" was used as musical theme for the MTV program Fantasy Factory.

Thanks to their increased popularity their live performances began to be attended by a growing number of fans.[1]. Some celebrities also appeared on stage during their concerts, including Criss Angel, Kenny Loggins, Paul Stanley, Kip Winger, Corey Taylor, David Draiman, Drew Carey, Ryan Cabrera, Jerry Cantrell, Justin Hawkins, Kelly Clarkson, Phil Anselmo, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom Morello, P!nk, Justin Parks, M Shadows and Avril Lavigne in February 2009[2]. Steel Panther succeeded in becoming one of the most popular cover bands in California, winning the contest of "Best Tribute Band in the Universe"[2]. On November 27, 2007 Metal Skool played original songs as well as covers of KISS songs at the Gene Simmons roast, they can be seen in the background of Gene Simmons tv show Gene Simmons Family Jewels. In April 2008 the band decided to change their name from Metal Skool to Steel Panther, making a new debut at The Rockin' Saddle Club in Redlands, California[2]. In May 2008, the band signed a contract with Republic Records (owned by record label Universal Records) announcing plans for a new studio album[1]. The first single, "Death to All but Metal", first appeared on iTunes on 27 January 2009, whereas the album, entitled Feel the Steel and produced by Jay Ruston, was published on 9 June, during the same year [2].

After a several month run at the House of Blues Sunset Strip, Steel Panther has returned to its weekly Monday night shows at the new-managed Sunset Live Presents Key Club Hollywood.

According to a recent interview with RockSource360, the band is currently recording songs for their next album. They have performed their new song "Critter" at the UK Ozzfest 2010.

Members

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart
positions
US
[8] 		US Rock
[9] 		US Heat
[10]
2003 Hole Patrol — — —
2009 Feel the Steel 98 42 3
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Single Album
2001 "Love Rocket" Non-album song
2009 "Death to All But Metal" Feel the Steel
"Community Property"
2010 "I Want It That Way" Non-album song

Videography

Behind The Music: Steel Panther (2009) - iTunes Podcast Featuring a fake 'Behind The Music' story for Steel Panther. (Features Stars Like Matt Sorum, Kat Von-D and Dave Navarro)

Music videos

  • Fat Girl (Thar She Blows) (2005)
  • Death to All but Metal (2009)
  • Community Property (2009)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e allmusic.com - Steel Panther
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h musicmight.com - Steel Panther
  3. ^ musicmight.com - L.A. Guns bio
  4. ^ musicmight.com - War & Peace bio
  5. ^ musicmight.com - Fight bio
  6. ^ Ranta, Alan (2010-08-05). "Steel Panther / StinkMitt". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  7. ^ steelpantherrocks.com - Bio
  8. ^ "Steel Panther Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  9. ^ "Steel Panther Album & Song Chart History: Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  10. ^ "Steel Panther Album & Song Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
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