Live Review: Steel Panther, The Art

Tonight's choice of opener was always going to be contentious. Do you choose something with comedic spin or do you kick things off with a band that are relatable to the headliners without the parodies? With the latter route taken, we're left with Sydney quartet The Art. Unfortunately tonight, they just seem off. Their presence feels weak, the music doesn't have the expected fire and the whole experience is underwhelming. For a band trying to be dangerous, things seem frighteningly safe.

The sold-out crowd tonight is quick to release an almighty roar when Steel Panther skip out onto stage, pressed tightly against each other with horns raised, ready to go balls out for the next 90 minutes. Winning fans fast with his homemade Australian flag singlet, Michael Starr leads the quartet through Supersonic Sex Machine and Tomorrow Night, the tone quickly set for the evening with a garish light display, smoke guns firing and breasts already on show. Offensively cut for a 41-year-old, guitar virtuoso Satchel is already claiming Steel Panther to be one of the top 50 bands to ever play Brisbane, and when he flexes his playing muscle during a solo medley covering Deep Purple, Metallica, Gunners, Sabbath and more, you almost have to agree with him. Technically, the band are flawless, but it's the banter that really makes the show something else. It's more than just a gig; it's a theatrical performance, and although the guys have the glam parody shtick down to a fine art, some of the spontaneous moments, especially during Asian Hooker, show that they've got their comedic timing on lock. As the ever-androgynous Lexxi Foxxx continues to confuse with his hair flipping and constant make-up application, the band remain unstoppable. Strengthened by the hammering drums of powerhouse Stix Zadinia, the quartet slam home Turn Out The Lights before Party All Night soundtracks a sea of women getting up on stage. We are privy to some heinous dance moves, a magnificent rack and plenty of grinding on those motorboating sons of bitches before the band lead seamlessly into Death To All But Metal, all the while letting the Girls Gone Wild scenes play out around them like it's the most natural thing in the world. It's already been a hell of a show, but there are too many Panther classics left not to come back for an encore. Of course, the band oblige. The twisted sing-along that is Community Property gets the biggest voice of the night, before Eyes Of A Panther and 17 Girls In A Row make the band's intentions clear for the rest of the evening. You've got to love heavy metal.