The VERY first time I'd ever seen Steel Panther, they were called Metal Skool and were on the 2nd dvd of the music doco HEAVY METAL:Louder than Life....and since then, and being a BIG fan of phenomenal piss takes, I think it a very safe bet that I'm a dedicated Steel Fanther
....to the boys and the history thereof..TOTALLY BITCHIN DUDES.
The Panthers bioys satirically pretend to be a hair metal band that missed its big break in the '80s, singer Ralph Saenz ("Michael Starr"), drummer Darren Leader ("Stix Zadinia"), bassist Travis Haley ("Lexxi Foxxx"), and guitarist Russ Parrish ("Satchel") hit the club circuit on the Sunset Strip around the turn of the millennium under the name Metal Shop (later changed to Metal Skool, and then Steel Panther). With big spiky wigs, leather jackets, zebra-striped spandex, chops earned from playing in a Van Halen tribute band, and lots and lots of machismo, their comic take on sex, drugs, and rock & roll to the extreme caught on quickly, leading to sold-out shows and some unexpected brushes with mainstream success.
This led to some opportunities: the band fittingly played the role of a metal band as "Danger Kitty" in a Discover Card commercial; they appeared on The Drew Carey Show as themselves; and their song "FF" was used as the theme for MTV's Fantasy Factory. In May of 2008 the band signed to Universal Republic. After releasing the singles "Death for All But Metal" and "Community Property," Steel Panther's full-length Feel the Steel was released in October of 2009. The album broke the band onto the Billboard chart, netting them a spot at 98 on the U.S. charts (and 48 on the rock chart). Not wanting the fun to stop, the band got back to it quickly and in 2011 followed up with Balls Out, which featured guest appearances from comedian Dane Cook and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, among others
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The quartet began to gain popularity in the Sunset Strip during the early 2000s under the name Metal Shop. The band did weekly shows on Monday nights at the Viper Room, playing covers of 1980s hair metal hits while parodying the bands that made the songs famous. Despite the name changes, some members putting in time in a Van Halen tribute band, they finally managed to gain some success In 2003 Steel Panther published Hole Patrol, their self-produced debut. The band appeared in a Discover Card advertisement as Danger Kitty and in the sitcom Drew Carey Show as themselves.
Also in 2003, their song "Death to All But Metal" was included in a compilation CD called Hey, That's What I Call Sludge! Vol. 1 put out by the Metal Sludge web site. Their cover of the song "Fantasy" by Aldo Nova was used as the opening musical theme for the MTV program Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. 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' reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels. That year, they also appeared as themselves on Las Vegas in the episode "The High Price of Gas".
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. In an interview with Michael Starr, he states that the band's name wasn't inspired by Steel Dragon, the band with Zakk Wylde and Mark Wahlberg in the movie Rock Star. In May 2008, the band signed a contract with Republic Records (owned by record label Universal Records) announcing plans for a new studio album.
The first single, an updated version of "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. A promotional video, directed by actor Dean Cameron, was shot for the song "Fat Girl (Thar She Blows.)"...Sometime collaborator Dean Cameron, also credited with co-writing "Supersonic Sex Machine" on "Balls Out", directed and co-wrote a pilot presentation in an attempt to land Steel Panther their own television program.
On December 6, 2011, Steel Panther announced their second solo UK tour in support of their newest album Balls Out. Tickets for the shows went on sale on December 9, 2011, with many ticket providers selling out their allocations within a month. This Prompted another headline UK tour taking place in November 2012
Steel Panther played on the main stage at Download Festival in June 2012, during which they were joined on stage by Corey Taylor of Slipknot to play Death to All But Metal. They played in front of a crowd of over 100,000 people....Steel Panther are managed by Satchel's brother, Glenn Parrish.
The band released their major record label debut (Universal Republic), Feel the Steel on June 8, 2009 in the UK and on October 6, 2009 in North America. Feel the Steel debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy chart, No. 123 on the Billboard 200 chart and would eventually peak at No. 98 on the Billboard 200 chart. The record features hit singles, "Community Property" and "Death to All but Metal" as well as notable guest vocal performances from Corey Taylor, Justin Hawkins, and M. Shadows.....The record's success also caught the attention of the Grammys, making it onto the "Best Comedy Album" ballot in October 2010, yet failing to reach a nomination.
The track "Eyes of a Panther" from Feel the Steel is featured on the sound track for the video game Skate 3.
The boys continued their revival of the 80's heavy metal genre with their sophomore effort titled Balls Out released through major record label, Universal Republic on October 31, 2011 in the UK and on November 1, 2011 in North America. Balls Out debuted at No. 1 on the UK iTunes Rock chart surpassing Megadeth's TH1RT3EN and Lou Reed's and Metallica's Lulu. Balls Out also debuted at No. 4 on the US iTunes Rock chart, No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart and at No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy chart with first-week sales of 12,000 copies in the US.
Steel Panther released their first Live DVD British Invasion in September 2012. The DVD was released worldwide on October 22, 2012. The DVD was filmed at Brixton Academy in London and features a two-hour concert/documentary based on the band's sold-out British tour.
Steel Panther released their new video "Party Like Tomorrow Is the End of the World" on October 28, 2013 via their YouTube VEVO channel. It is the first single for their upcoming album All You Can Eat, due for release in 2014. The band played a new song called "Glory Hole" from their upcoming album for the first time in Brisbane Australia on December 6, 2013
Due to their growing popularity, Steel Panther were invited by Def Leppard to join them and co-headliners Mötley Crüe as "Special Guests" on the Mirrorball Tour tour in December 2011.
Exactly one week after ending the UK arena tour in London with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, Steel Panther opened for Guns N' Roses at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA on December 21, 2011.
On May 11, 2011 Steel Panther announced that they would be playing the main stage (same stage as Van Halen) at Soundwave Revolution, however, the spin-off festival would be cancelled due to poor ticket sales. In fact, drummer Stix Zadinia was responsible for breaking the story via his Twitter account on August 9: "Soundwave revolution is cancelled. I am bummed." The news shocked Soundwave fans and caused a huge debacle resulting in Steel Panther trending on Twitter and fans accusing Steel Panther as the reason for the cancellation.
Though Steel Panther were disappointed by the news knowing that they wouldn't be sharing the main stage with Van Halen, the Soundwave Revolution cancellation ended up being a blessing in disguise for it allowed the band to finish recording their second major release, [Balls Out].
The band then proceeded to play the 2012 edition of the main festival, sharing a stage with System of a Down, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit.
Brazzers sponsored the Australian tour of Steel Panther in early October 2012, which sold out in Brisbane, Sydney (two shows), Melbourne, and Adelaide.
In late 2012, Steel Panther's European tour was crowned a huge success. They played sold out shows, particularly in Germany:
Steel Panther toured Australia in December 2013. Shows were sold out in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth between 6 and 12 December.
It has been mentioned that parts of the Australian live shows were recorded for a DVD for a deluxe release of their next CD, "All You Can Eat". At this time, it's unknown if this will be an Australia-only release.
Best Debut: Feel the Steel - Metal Hammer Germany
2012 Live Act of the Year - Loudwire Music Awards
2003 Hole Patrol
2009 Feel the Steel
2011 Balls Out
2014 All You Can Eat
Singles
2002 "Love Rocket" (as Danger Kitty)
2003 "Death to All but Metal"
2009 "Death to All but Metal"
"Community Property"
"Eyes of a Panther"
"Don't Stop Believin'"
"Fantasy"
"Sexy Santa"
2010 "I Want It That Way"
2011 "If You Really, Really Love Me"
"17 Girls in a Row"
"Just Like Tiger Woods"
2013 "Party Like Tomorrow Is the End of the World"
Videography
Fat Girl (Thar She Blows) – The Video (2005) – home DVD featuring the music video for the title track and behind-the-scenes footage.
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, Jani Lane, Dee Snider and Dave Navarro)
British Invasion (Steel Panther DVD) (2012) first live release
Music Videos
"Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)" (2009)
"Death To All But Metal" (2009)
"Community Property" (2009)
"If You Really Really Love Me" (2011)
"Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World" (2013)
"The Burden Of Being Wonderful" (2014)
"Glory Hole" (2014)
Ralph Saenz (born May 17, 1965) is most known by his stage name Michael Starr, although he has also been nicknamed Michael Diamond. Starr is the lead singer for the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther.[1] Steel Panther was formerly known as Metal Shop, or Metal Skool and were once featured in a Discover Card commercial as "Danger Kitty."
Saenz was the lead singer for the David Lee Roth-era Van Halen tribute band Atomic Punks from May 1994 through December 2008, where he had the nickname "David Lee Ralph."
Saenz was briefly the lead singer for L.A. Guns singing on the Wasted EP. He also has sung for the bands 7% Solution, First Cause, Longgone, and Nightfall. The latter were featured on the KNAC radio sponsored Pure Rock compilation (1987), with Ralph going under the name Michael Saenz.
Saenz appeared briefly in the 2001 film, Rock Star. Ralph can be seen in the glass booth auditioning, when Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston walk into the audition. Ralph struts, glaring at the two before Wahlberg takes his turn to audition.
Although he has led various groups as the primary vocalist, Saenz also provided background vocals for rock band AFI on the albums Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground.
Russ Parrish (born November 24, 1970 in Redwood City, California)
He has worked extensively with Paul Gilbert and has writing credits on several Paul Gilbert tracks.....Russ also is the leader of his own band called The Thornbirds with Darren Leader who is also a member of Steel Panther, Guitarist, Jeff Duncan, is a former member of rock-metal bands Odin, Armored Saint, The Atomic Punks, and DC4. Rounding out the group is bassist Dean Cameron.
In the early 1990s Russ was an instructor at The Guitar Institute of Technology (G.I.T.) at Hollywood's Musician's Institute. Russ played guitar for Jeff Pilson's post- Dokken band War & Peace and released one CD, before leaving to join Rob Halford's band Fight. In 1995, Parrish played guitar in Kevin Gilbert's touring band (dubbed "Thud") in support of Gilbert's Thud album. Parrish can be seen performing with Gilbert on Welcome to Joytown - Thud Live at the Troubadour, a DVD/CD combo released in 2009 documenting the band's June 1, 1995 concert at The Troubador in Los Angeles. In 1996, he played guitar with vocalist Sebastian Bach in the song, "Rock Bottom"[disambiguation needed] for an Ace Frehley tribute album named Spacewalk (A Salute To Ace Frehley)
Stix Zadinia is the stage name of Darren Leader, an American-born drummer. He is best known as the drummer for the glam metal band Steel Panther (formerly known as Metal Skool). He is influenced by Bon Jovi and many other rock bands from the 1970's and 80's. Stix was a member of a band called The Thornbirds with Russ Parrish, the guitarist for Steel Panther, Jeff Duncan, a former member of rock-metal supergroups Odin, Armored Saint, and DC4, and bassist Dean Cameron.
and there f**k all about Travis Healy aka Lexxi Foxx ...so instead of guessing about Travis stuff, I will say that Lexxi does an awesome hair solo and is never EVER without a mirror while on stage (and probably off stage as well) and his a helluva bass player just quietly.
SO..there you go...I highly recommend you become a Steel Fanther...if nothing else you will end up with a smile...and that cant be a bad thing
right on Dude! Thanx for all the info !
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