Twisted X-Mas with Steel Panther and Aranda

December is that time of year when you feel love, and compassion, for your fellow man; a time for giving, a time for kinship. And if you’re in Kansas City, it’s time for 98.9 The Rock’s low-dough show. This year, Steel Panther came back for Twisted X-Mas, with Aranda opening the show. Though a support is not needed for Steel Panther (over 2,000 people packed into the Midland to see them. The show sold out weeks in advance).

Hailing from Oklahoma City, Aranda played for roughly 45 minutes, covering songs from their three albums, Stop the World, Aranda, and their latest release, Not the Same. The band brings a high energy performance, with very interesting antics onstage, even playing the guitar with a boot. That’s right.

Aranda

Up next were the headliners for the evening, Steel Panther. What is there to say about them that you don’t already know? Bringing back eyeliner, spandex, big hair, and metal. No time was wasted, hitting things off right with the heavy Eye of the Panther, Tomorrow Night, and what comes as close to “sweet” as they do, Fat Girl.

Having covered Steel Panther in 2014, when they opened for Judas Priest (pictures and review from that show are here), I already knew what kind of ride we’d be in for with Steel Panther. The costumes are just as wild, and their antics as hilarious as ever (Satchel even teased us with the opening of Rush’s Spirit of Radio. They didn’t play that one, though). For the uninitiated, Steel Panther are known for such songs as Asian Hooker, I Like Drugs, and, Gangbang at the Old Folks Home. Needless to say, the type of music that should only be played at the highest volume.

One does not simply explain Steel Panther, you have to experience them for yourself…and with dozens of music videos on YouTube (and the hilarious Science Panther), one could spend a lot of time getting drawn into their world. Pretty soon, you’ll be drawn into their world, wearing tattoo sleeves to the office, and getting pulled into a meeting with human resources, being told why leather pants do not fit in with the company dress code.

As always, a good portion of the crowd turned out in their best 80’s costumes, so while Steel Panther wanted us to Party Like it’s the End of the World, we were partying like it was 1989.

Steel Panther