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November 2024 • Volume 51 , Number 1 • www . illinoisentertainer . com
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COVER STORY : STEEL PANTHER
When it comes to Steel Panther , no subject matter is off-limits . The Los Angeles “ hair metal ” revivalists don ’ t hold back — or sugarcoat anything — when creating the band ’ s humorous , tongue-in-cheek lyrics . Tracks such as “ Asian Hooker ,” “ Fat Girl ( Thar She Blows ),” “ Big Boobs ,” “ Weenie Ride ,” “ Glory Hole ,” and many more prove that the band has no filter when it comes to their song lyrics .
Featuring vocalist Michael Starr , guitarist Satchel , drummer Stix Zadinia , and new bassist Spyder , Steel Panther ’ s parody of the ’ 80s metal style has gloriously entertained fans for almost a quarter of a century . The band has won over a massive International fan base and is on the path to becoming one of the “ Biggest rock ’ n ’ roll bands in the World ” ( to quote the band itself ). The band members themselves are moronic-yet-lovable lunkheads … and that ’ s precisely what their fans expect from them .
Steel Panther ’ s overt raunchiness displays no fear of saying anything , while also not conforming or curtailing their lyrics to get radio air play — not that they need it anyway . In light of the # MeToo movement and this current “ cancel culture ” scene , Steel Panther doesn ’ t censor their behavior for people who don ’ t get their humor . That ’ s the beauty of Steel Panther ’ s shtick . “ I seriously believe that because we started doing what we do before the silly “ Karen ” BS , I feel like we ’ re sort of grandfathered in ,” Stix says with a chuckle during a recent phone interview while playing a round of golf . “ We have a pass from most of the rock world , and maybe we fly under the radar just enough not to hit popular culture . But it ’ s pretty great because we don ’ t have to play within any boundaries .”
BLACK FRIDAY RECORD STORE DAY SECTION
Record Store Day Black Friday ( this year on Black Friday , November 29 ) is the younger , not quite as talented sibling of April ’ s Record Store Day . The vinyl title list isn ’ t as long , but it ’ s worth waking up after Thanksgiving to check out some valued vinyl . Our annual RSD section gives you a good selection of title previews , participating local stores , the complete list of RSD titles , and our supporting advertisers . Read up !
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File
Anniversary Albums : Weezer ’ s Blue Album .
CinemaScopes
Wicked leads November ’ s films .
Spins
Pulsar ’ s Reissue , Avernus is back , The Cure is back .
Media
Danny Mac tackles the ‘ 85 Bears .
Calendar
1450 shows and 3600 bands , it ’ s IE ’ s live music calendar .
Classifieds
Music services , musicians and more .
RSD Black Friday
Complete RSD title lists , Local store list , Previews , Reviews & more .
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Publisher John Vernon
Publisher Emeritis
David Roberts Publisher John Vernon illinoisentertainer . com april 2019 Contributing Editors Curt Baran T h illinoisentertainer . com november 2024
Contributing Editors Curt Baran Tom Lanham Lori Vernon
Design Team Notion Pool Dragon Design Teknigram Graphics
Calendar Editor Aubrey Vernon
Classified Advertising David Gedge
Founder Kenneth L . Voss
Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel
Advertising Director John Vernon
Website Direction Notion Pool
Senior Columnists
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
- Sweet Home Rick Kaempfer - Media
Kelley Simms - Caught In A Mosh
David C . Eldredge - East Coast
Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel
Contributors : Andy Argyrakis , Guy Arnston , Penelope Biver , Patrick Conlan , Deena Dasein , Jaime de ' Medici , Andy Derer , Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm , Steve Forstneger Michael Gallucci , Michael C . Harris , Max Herman , Tom Lanham , Aubrey Vernon Carter Moss , Michael Obrecki , Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza , Rodney Pawlak , Steven Kikoen Bruce Pilato , Matthew Pollock , Jason Scales , Kelley Simms , Ed Spinelli , Riley Vernon , Tim Shockley , James Turano
SUBSCRIPTIONS : $ 35 per year ( first class ). Material for insertion must reach our office by the First Of The Month preceding publication . We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs .
Follow us online at : facebook . com / ieentertainer instagram : illinoisentertainermagazine Contributors twitter :. com / ie _ entertainer Andy Argyrakis , Guy Arnston , Penelope Biver , Patrick Conlan , Deena Dasein , Jaime de ' Medici , Andy Derer , Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm Steve Forstneger
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