All my expectations were met and then some. Well, no, that's not exactly true. To say my expectations were met implies that I had any expectations to begin with and I didn't. I'll re-frame. I was extremely, pleasantly surprised by how great this show was.

My friend Brian and I got to Rapids Theatre just as the first act, the Jim Crean Band, was closing out their set. Sorry Jim. After a bit of milling around accompanied by the occassional shot, we were privey to witness Brand New Sin. I had only heard a few songs by this band but I liked what I heard. They had a modern rock sound, with 80's flair and enough blues boogie to warrant the coveted "unique" branding. They were also good at engaging the crowd and made you feel like you were at a real rock show. They call this stage presence. I just call it fun.

At this point in time, the crowd was really starting to fill out. The show was a lot busier than I thought it was going to be, which pleased me to no end. One of my big pet peeves is when touring bands come to Buffalo and no one comes out. I like when our city is represented by large numbers en masse.

After some downtime (and a few more shots), the epicness that is Steel Panther took to the stage. For those that have not seen Steel Panther or know what they are about, youtube them. Picture Motley Crue or Poison in the eighties with BETTER songs (I said it) and a sense of humor. Dressed to the nines in spandex, teased hair, and epic solo's abound, it's hard to ignore em. Which say's alot considering the whole "eighties thing" has been played out for quite some time now. The nineties are all the rage currently and you really have to work hard and dig deep to get people excited about this time period.

All the hits were played off their two most excellent albums, the highlight of course being the closer, "Death to All but Metal". The eighties experience was full-on, with shouts of "dude!" aplenty and girls dancing on the stage like it was a Jovi concert. All in all it was a blast and I'm looking forward to the next time the Panther comes around these parts.

As I sit here listening to Neil Young, I am thinking two things:  1. Goddamn, Harvest is a great record and 2. I can't believe how serious this music is. I mean, if you aren't moved by Neil Young, there's seriously something wrong with you. This is pull-at-your-heartstrings music. These are songs about life, love, farms(?). But I don't feel like laughing. Which isn't to say that Neil is an unfunny man. I'm sure he has a sense of humor...probably sarcastic and ironic and I'm sure some of his lyrics throw inside joke jabs at the industry and "the man". Nevertheless, I am not smiling...and every now and then I need to smile.

Steel Panther makes me smile much in the way that old John Candy films make me smile. Goofy, harmless fun. The soundtrack to Caddyshack, or whazzuuuuuuuuuuuuup jokes in the nineties. It's the kind of humor serious people think is stupid and hipsters can't appreciate. It is pogs. It is Geico commercials. It is Kurt Russell in Big Trouble Little China.

If you haven't heard Steel Panther, all you need to know can be heard in the track below, "Death to All but Metal." Fashioned after 80's glam rockers and appealing to all the over-the-top theatrics of that era, Steel Panther exercise their right to rock with insult humor, profanity and lots of it. Frankly put, it's balls to the wall fun.

Tonight, the Panthers will be visiting WNY via Niagara Falls venue, Rapids Theatre (7:30pm). Also on the bill are Syracuse's Brand New Sin, a great hard rock band on Century Media, as well as the Jim Crean Band. It's Wednesday...mid-week. Your life needs some humor. Get some.