STEEL PANTHER – Balls Out (2011)

Steel Panther are back with the follow-up to their successful album ‘Feel The Steel’.
The kings of the parody of all of the ’80s hair metal cliches will be releasing “Balls Out” at the very end of this month.
Criticized for degrading women with their lyrics and some ‘bad attitude’, the truth is that Steel Panther is inoffensive as a kitty cat.
They do not take themselves seriously and all listeners would take this approach to them as well.

The fact is Steel Panther’s members aren’t a joke at all. All are accomplished musicians with a substantial background.
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). The band did weekly shows on Monday nights at the Viper Room, playing covers of ’80s hair metal hits while parodying the bands that made the songs famous. Despite presenting themselves under different stage names, two members of the band were already in major, important acts.
Frontman Michael Starr, using his name Ralph Saenz, had been in L.A. Guns publishing the 6 tracks EP ‘Wasted’. Guitarist Satchel was part of War & Peace, founded by ex Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, and the band Fight, founded by Judas Priest leader Rob Halford. He has also played in the band Electric Fence with Racer X members Paul Gilbert and Jeff Martin.

So, Steel Panther are not newcomers and they seriously understand the music business.
They offer a very well finished product, and apart if you like it or not, it is perfectly crafted for what it is.
And ‘what’ it is?
“Balls Out” is a debauched compendium of eighties hair metal, featuring hot guitar riffs, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, a blasting rhythm section and really good vocals for this genre, all not exempt of melodies and catchy hooks.
Then, take their lyrics (some of them really no-brainer) as a joke and enjoy the music, because if you like the good golden ’80s Californian hard rock, there’s plenty to enjoy on “Balls Out”.

From the album cover looking as a wasted gatefold vinyl found in a bargain bin, this album exudes eighties culture (with the good and the bad that implies) in all aspects.
You have it all here. Steel Panther sometimes sounds like Warrant, then Mötley Crüe ‘Dr. Feelgood’ era, on places as Dokken. Even the intro track “In The Future” pays tribute to Mötley Crüe’s ‘In the Beginning’ (Shout At The Devil album), with a speech by Dane Cook (yes, the comedian).
On “It Won’t Suck Itself”, one of the hair era icons, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, plays a scorching melodious solo.
A cliched retro-eighties album won’t be complete without a cheesy piano ballad. You have it in all its glory on “Weenie Ride”.

Steel Panther is a joke-band. But their musicianship and ability to write perfect retro commercial songs is not a joke at all.
They seem to execute this genre far better than a lot of ’80s hair metal bands did in their heyday. You have ripping yet melodic guitars, hooky choruses (with remarkable group vocals), catchy arrangements, cowbells, etc.
All sounds big and polished here, masterfully produced and mixed.
If you liked this style back in a day, “Balls Out” is a must have.

01. In The Future 01:27
02. Supersonic Sex Machine 03:09
03. Just Like Tiger Woods 03:40
04. 17 Girls In A Row 03:41
05. If You Really, Really Love Me 02:25
06. It Won’t Suck Itself 02:53
07. Tomorrow Night 02:57
08. Why Can’t You Trust Me 04:00
09. That’s What Girls Are For 03:38
10. Gold-Digging Whore 03:54
11. I Like Drugs 04:18
12. Critter 03:38
13. Let Me Cum In 03:29
14. Weenie Ride 04:19

Michael Starr (Ralph Saenz) – lead vocals, acoustic guitars
Satchel (Russ Parrish) – guitars, backing vocals
Lexxi Foxxx (Travis Haley) – bass, backing vocals
Stix Zadinia (Darren Leader) – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Nuno Bettencourt – Guitar solo on 6
Chad Kroeger – Vocals on 6
Dane Cook – Speech on 1
Joe Lester – Backing Vocals

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