Sunday's Best: Week 51, 2022

Last week felt long but I was busy with work so at least things kept moving forward on that front. Plus a project that felt like it was never advancing finally got some momentum! We are a week out from Christmas and Hanukkah starts tonight, so merry everything to everyone. I hope you can avoid your local mall - going to the hardware store, I noticed parking lots and crazy drivers everywhere.

I've been spending my morning decluttering, which is one of my favorite hobbies. I love giving things away to my local buy nothing group - and Goodwill, of course! If cleaning up your closets is a New Year's resolution, go ahead and get started. Once you start, you probably won't want to stop. It's addictive!

On the music front, we have a special clip from Steel Panther. I actually saw it on YouTube a couple days ago, but our friend Crued messaged it to me so I thought I might as well share. Crued said "This is why rock isn't dead" and I think he's right. Steel Panther welcomed a 17 year old on stage to play a cover of Van Halen's "Panama" and it's pretty epic. The kid's name is Jake Hunzi from New York state. His social bios note that he's a guitarist who practices for hours at a time. Jake's smile made me smile. Good times!

Steel Panther, '1987' - New Video

So this song made me literally laugh out loud. Steel Panther has a video for their track "1987" from the upcoming album On The Prowl, which is also just a badass title for a glam album with a cat theme.

Honestly, this is the best Steel Panther song in years. Great guitar solo around the 2:50 mark too.

"1987, you're always gonna be the best!"

Steel Panther announced a tour this morning too... and Tragedy will provide support! You might recall I've mentioned Tragedy before - it's an all metal tribute to the Bee Gees, so hell yes! Tickets on sale Friday.

Steel Panther, 'Never Too Late' -- New Video

Steel Panther is back with a new song and video. They released "Never Too Late" Thursday. The song is on the upcoming album On The Prowl. The lyrics certainly are not Hemingway. I suppose that doesn't matter - you know you are getting a joke with Steel Panther. The fact that the band is made up of really talented musicians is just the cherry on top.

I wonder how long Steel Panther can keep it up? Clearly the band is making money or they wouldn't bother.

Steel Panther Announce New Bass Player, Holiday Tour

In what felt like forever, Steel Panther has finally announced a new bass player to fill the spot vacated by Lexxi Foxx.

The new player is a guy named Sypder. He first performed with the band in 2018. A full announcement from the band's website is below:

"THE WAIT IS OVER!!!STEEL PANTHER CROWN EIGHT FINGERED (AND DOUBLE THUMBED) FREAKAZOID SPYDER AS THEIR NEW FULL-TIME BASSIST

Just as England recently announced a new King, California rock legends Steel Panther have crowned Spyder as the new R.O.L.E…Ruler Of Low End.

The story of Spyder and Steel Panther is like one pulled from any great American love story. If you have seen The Notebook or Jaws, then you know exactly what we mean. Spyder and the guys have known each other for decades. But it was in 2018 that Spyder did his first live show with the band. Little did they know that those shows would be a foreshadowing of what destiny had in store for their collective futures. In 2021, the band found themselves in a pickle, they needed a bass player. An exhaustive search brought many submissions and fans were treated to a variety of bassists on different tours. The band had even considered a few well-known bassists to fill the void. Throughout the five-week European tour in summer of 2022, it became quite evident to all four guys that this lineup was unstoppable. A few more months of touring together perfected the new lineup and now anyone that has seen the band recently knows that Spyder is the perfect addition for Steel Panther. In other words, Spyder is the chocolate to Steel Panther’s peanut butter.

“We wanted it to be you. We wanted it to be you so badly. So, it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but we want to do that because we want you. We want all of you, forever, you and us, every day. To us, you are perfect. You had us at hello. You complete us. We’re gonna need a bigger boat,” explains Steel Panther.

To coincide with the new bassist announcement, the newly whole Steel Panther are announcing a new US tour, Claus & Paws Holiday Party. The eight-city tour will kick off In late November after the band wraps up their recently announced Canadian leg of the Res-Erections tour 2022. The holiday shows will be sure to bring out the ho-ho-hoes to Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Connecticut."

TITS THE SEASON!! Excited to announce "A Claus & Paws Holiday Party" comin' your way this November/December!!! @FanthersCOM pre-sale kicks off TOMORROW, tickets on sale FRIDAY!! Christmas comes butt once a year...let's make this year one to remember. pic.twitter.com/82CaJIxhPT

— Steel Panther (@Steel_Panther) September 20, 2022

Crashdiet Release New Song and Video

Crashdiet just released a video for their new song "Powerline" and it features Michael Starr of Steel Panther. Honestly, the track is better than anything Steel Panther has done in the past couple of years.

"Powerline" is on the upcoming Crashdiet album Automation. This is the first time Crashdiet has welcomed an outside singer on vocal duties.

That new album is available for pre-order now.

Favorite Hair Metal Deep Cuts

This is a fun little article. Metal Edge interviewed Satchel from Steel Panther on his favorite hair metal deep-cuts. The list includes Dokken, Dio, EZO, Hurricane and Judas Priest. I can't say any of the choices on the list would make my own cut, but this is an interesting and varying selection, so I give mad props. The inclusion of EZO is really interesting. Click the link to see the list and give the article a read. It's a short one and it is fun.

ICYMI: Steel Panther guitarist Satchel schools us on five '80s rock deep cuts we should absolutely know! https://t.co/oGK2wWsi6z pic.twitter.com/1VqTlIflKx

— Metal Edge (@MetalEdge85) April 16, 2022

Sunday's Best: Week 10, 2022

The time change happened overnight and we made it! It's one of my favorite days of the year: a time of renewed hope for longer and warmer days full of sunshine. Spring officially starts next Sunday and we've got St. Patrick's Day this week, too!

To me, it's time for happy or inspiring metal songs - and that's our Sunday's Best for this week. Some of my choices are below:

Ozzy Osbourne - Flying High Again
Saxon - Denim and Leather
Poison - Nothin' But A Good Time
Steel Panther - Party All Day
Judas Priest - Living After Midnight
I See Stars - Electric Forest
RATT - Best Of Me
Dio - Stand Up And Shout

Also I suppose we could just listen to any power metal and call it a day. (I kid, sort of). What are some of your go-to uplifting tracks?