Straight from LA to Greece, Steel Panther came to Thessaloniki, Moni Lazariston, on the 12th of July, for their tour, On The Prowl, and showed us how to party like it’s the ‘80s. The world renowned glam rockers joined forces with Gus G. and former Rainbow singer Ronnie Romero, for a show sure to leave your blood pumping.
by Christina X
photos by Christina X
It was a hot summer Friday, when the doors of Moni Lazariston opened up to the hundreds of people queuing to watch their favorite bands perform and everyone was cheerful and full of glee, waiting for the set to start. The evening began with Greek guitar god Gus G. and former Rainbow singer Ronnie Romero immediately getting the crowd worked up with their unmatched instrumental as well as vocal skills. Their gorgeous dynamics and musicianship stole the show and had everyone watching in awe. Gus G. was flawless, as he has always proven to be and gave every last bit he had to the crowd, who in response chanted his name and the lyrics to songs. Gus’ setlist consisted of numerous of his own tracks, some of his band, Firewind, and Rainbow covers. As the show went on and people got rowdy, none other than Steel Panther frontman Michael Starr joined Romero on vocals and wowed everyone. We were slowly approaching the end of Gus’ set and the band said their thank you’s and were on their way, leaving everyone in a haze.
There was a brief pause in between and that gave us a bit of time to prepare for the glam opera that was soon to be among us. Steel Panther took the stage, each one of the members getting cheered as they walked up the ramp. Their glitz and glamour was on show right from the get go and had people mesmerized. Steel Panther, who came to Greece for the first time, made Moni Lazariston fill up with deafening chants, I love you’s and countless signs in the crowd. The band’s banter in between tracks added to their glam and sleazy vibe and made it all more authentic. Tracks like “Asian Hooker”, “Gloryhole” and “Death To All But Metal” were immediate hits, having people jumping up and down to their nostalgic tune. Satchel even greeted the crowd with some newly learned greek of his and just as he joked, the band started playing a cover of “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, with Gus G. coming out to join and unleash his pure power with that ever so catchy riff we all know and love. With scenes straight out of an ‘80s rock star movie, this show definitely took you back in time and served you with a side of glitter and hairspray. As the night slowly came to an end, Steel Panther called for the women in the crowd to come up on stage and dance with them, even having called one up to “write her a song” earlier.
With the vibes in the air still electric and hearts thudding, the band thanked us and left the stage, as a beautifully ominous feeling took over. The words in my head were repeating: this was a night I’d surely never forget!
