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When This Is Spinal Tap  came out in 1984, it made fun of several rock and metal bands that took themselves way too seriously.It also opened the door for several other tongue in cheek bands to follow in their footsteps. The Darkness did it with their over-the top classic rock sound and thinly veiled sexual innuendo. With Austrian Death Machine, As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis pokes fun at Arnold Schwarzenegger and his filmography.

And then there’s Steel Panther.

Steel Panther (formerly known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop and Metal Skool) have been rocking along since 2003 and just recently released Feel The Steel (Universal). The band is made up of vocalist Michael Starr, guitarist Satchel, bassist Lexxi Foxxx (“the extra ‘x’ is for extra sex,”he claims on the group’s MySpace), and drummer Stix Zadinia. Each one of the guys is a fantastic musician, and they’ve been involved in other projects. “Starr” sang for L.A. Guns for an EP, and “Satchel” played with Halford (not using their pseudonyms, of course).

The music lampoon ‘80’s glam metal, and no one is spared. Poison, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, no one is spared. Song titles include “Eyes Of A Panther,” “Stripper Girl,” and “Party All Day,” to name a few. The lyrics are a bit more straightforward than The Darkness’s, though, in most cases asking for their various groupies to take care of things for them.

Steel Panther is good for a laugh. They’ll definitely be in heavy rotation at my house for the next month. Here’s the video for “Death To All But Metal.” Check out the special appearance by one of my favorite ladies! Tell me what you think.