Live Reviews : Steel Panther, Buckcherry & Fozzy @ Riverstage, Brisbane 06/12/2013
Images: Amanda Brenchley
Words: Andrew Kapper
Click here to view full gallery.
With the sun still lingering in the skies, Fozzy arrive on the Riverstage. Fronted by WWE hero Chris Jericho, the five piece band’s Disturbed/Drowning Pool style sound makes them a bit of an odd opening act for the other two groups on the bill, but they do pull a small, but passionate, crowd. At times it feels like Jericho and the band have taken their live act from the “rock band 101” manual, and honestly Fozzy’s sound is basically as generic as it comes. Musically, they are painfully average, but at the very least the get the audiences blood flowing and the show off to a start.
More akin to Steel Panther’s sound is second act Buckcherry. The LA hard rock quartet peak instantly with their opening (and arguably best) track “Lit Up” – which features basically all the hallmarks of a great rock song – tasty riffs, quiet breakdown section, big solos and an even bigger chorus. It’s basically pretty standard material after that, with the sleaze merchants other noteworthy track “Crazy Bitch” closing off their half an hour performance. If Buckcherry were formed in 1985 instead of ’95 they really could have been up there with the tougher glam-metal acts like Guns N Roses, but nevertheless they pull a more than respectable response from the ever growing (and ever drunkening) attendees.
Spinal Tap’s David St. Hubbins famously once quipped; “there is a fine line between stupid and clever”, and that bit of dialogue could easily be applied to another comedy act of sorts, Steel Panther. It’s hard not to think that the allure of this band for some people is simply the ridiculous (and hilarious) lyrics and between song banter, rather than the brilliantly crafted and executed tracks. With their over the top appearance and various other silly tendencies, it’s easy to forget that the Los Angeles group are certainly no slouches in the instrument and vocal departments, with Satchel seriously one of the premier guitarists in the way of playing and tone, whilst Stix Zadina delivers classic monster drum fills with utter ease. The catalogue of great tracks the band has is impressive too, with “Asian Hooker”, “Just Like Tiger Woods” and mega ballad “Community Property” all eliciting deafening crowd sing alongs, plus the band are seriously tight, no doubt honed from years regularly playing in various LA clubs. Two new songs are thrown into the setlist, “Party Like Tomorrow Is The End of the World” and the world premier of snarling riff-beast “Gloryhole” shows that the band are firmly heading in the right track for their up coming album “All You Can Eat”. One thing that must be pointed out is the huge video screen backdrop (and several man camera team) being used tonight – it’s a world class piece of equipment and it’s nice to see the Australian fans being treated with the American or European standard of show.
It’s obvious that the band knows that a big part of their draw is the live comedic element, with at least 15 minutes of the set spent with band members (mostly Michael Starr and Satchel) talking to one another or trying to coerce girls into revealing themselves. A part of this reviewer enjoyed the genuinely comedy coming the group, but another part would have honestly preferred if an extra track or two was performed – especially seeing as the Riverstage’s tight curfew of 10pm means that the awesome “17 Girls In A Row” is cut from the set. With a bevy of attractive young women pulled from the crowd joining them on stage, the show is wrapped up all too soon with “Death To All But Metal”. With a nice large turnout at The Riverstage, it’s only a matter of time before Steel Panther come once again to plunder our shores.
Catch Steel Panther, Buckcherry and Fozzy on their remaining Australian tour. Tickets available from Soundwave and usual outlets!
Saturday, 7th December
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
www.ticketek.com.au
Sunday, 8th December
Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (Licensed All Ages)
www.ticketmaster.com.au
Tuesday, 10th December
Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
www.ticketek.com.au
Thursday, 12th December
Metro City, Perth (18+)
www.oztix.com.au
For more information go to: www.soundwavetouring.com
About Andrew Kapper
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