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and, ahem , eccentric lyrical prowess – one that toes the line between getting themselves cancelled and only just being tolerated – but if you’re in the mood for a rollicking good time, and you love all things glammed-up and sleazy, then On the Prowl may just be the perfect record to get your heavy metal juices flowing. Their sixth full-length release sees the four-piece once again showing out as their unabashedly vulgar selves, with Michael Starr championing the band’s ceaseless quest for a good time. Not much has changed since we last left the gang. True to form, any hint at sentimentality is usually quashed by the turn of the next phrase (take for instance, the effortlessly poetic line “I fell in love with an angel,” which is soon followed by “Why can’t you look like you do on your Instagram?”). In saying this, On the Prowl somewhat diverges from the band’s previous releases in this respect, alluding to (dare we say) an undertone of maturity seeping into their songwriting. The irresistibly endearing 1987 presents a moment of real sincerity in the form of a ballad, where the band reminisces about, and immortalises, their favourite year in music. When Starr spiritedly proclaims, “And the music that we worship will live on, even after all our heavy metal heroes are gone”, there is a real sadness and palpable longing in his voice; perhaps for the first time in the band’s career, the facade is momentarily dropped, and they are actually playing from the heart. Similarly on Ain’t Dead Yet , the group confront the (ageing) elephant in the room, seemingly yielding to the realities of time, yet simultaneously fighting back in defiance. And truthfully, we would expect nothing less: “This old rocker has paid his dues.” Touché, Michael Starr. Touché. (Steel Panther, Inc) Alex Burgess

Tex Perkins & the Fat Rubber Band Other World It’s 30 years since Tex Perkins declared the honeymoon was over. And he admits he’s shocked that people are still interested. But it’s not hard when he’s making music this good. In Matt Walker, he’s found a potent songwriting partner, a guy who can make the simple things sound surprising. And The Fat Rubber Band – Steve Hadley on bass, Roger Bergodaz on drums, and Evan Richards on percussion – add life to a laidback, slow-burning set of songs. “This ain’t the blues,” Perkins sings, “but it’s pretty damn close.” Opener Brand New Man sets the scene, with Perkins taking us to a place “I’ve never been, but my car knows where to turn”. Yep, it’s familiar, but Perkins is not repeating himself. “You’ve got to please yourself,” he concludes. And in doing so, he’s delivered some of his finest work. (Source) Jeff Jenkins

FEATURE ARTIST

Steel Panther On the Prowl

If Steel Panther relied solely on acting out a nostalgia trip through the golden age of LA’s Sunset Strip – where hedonism, excess and debauchery were traits of only slightly less importance than actually being able to play an instrument – there is very little chance they

would still be with us today, over two decades since first lacing up their studded-leather boots. No, at the core of this spandex-powered machine is a legitimate musical outfit, comprising both the songwriting chops and instrumental virtuosity to give legitimacy, and perhaps a pass, to their overtly exaggerated stage personas (and ludicrously teased hairdos). Sure, you’ll have to endure the Panther’s exaggerated machismo

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