Two big stories this week swirling around the metal scene and they both revolve around Judas Priest. First the item on Bruce Dickinson and his comments on Halford and Metallica (see the story in the news section on this site). I don’t agree with Bruce and his criticism of Halford for using a prompter if indeed he does. Honestly who cares? If it doesn’t impact the show what’s the difference? Most artists that use prompters (and many do), rarely use them. They are there as a safety in case they lose their place in the song. Axl, Steven Tyler and many others use them. But I have stood on stage while both of these guys perform and they run all over the place and rarely look at it unless they forget where they are for a second. Not a huge deal. As for Bruce’s feeling that Maiden is better than Metallica that is simply opinion, and what would you expect him to say about his own band? Of course he will think that! But this all speaks to a bigger issue that is a huge problem I think in today’s world. You see Bruce has always been an outspoken guy. In this super PC hyper sensitive world we are in where everyone is looking to pounce over an opinion or wrong choice of words I like people that speak their mind even if I don’t agree with it. I am a fan of Bill O’Reily and Bill Maher. Don’t agree with all that they both say but damn it is nice these days to have at least some people that aren’t afraid to say what they feel and not give answers from some pre prepped PR rep one sheet! It always amazes me when people hammer me non stop for my opinion on an album or band on Twitter and then when I give it honestly they start the hate campaign because it’s not the answer they wanted. Almost impossible to win these days. But honest opinions when asked are refreshing to me, even if I don’t agree with them. Doesn’t mean you hate the person or band or subject. It is just your opinion and if given in a respectful way everyone should be entitled to that. So as a result when anyone says anything remotely opinionated it gets blown up and becomes news, and I think that sucks. It will continue to discourage open dialogue and debate and make the media world we are in even more boring and predictable.
Along these same lines much debate about the announcement that Steel Panther will be opening act for Priest. Contrary to what many think I have no hate for Panther. I know the guys, nice people, talented, good at what they do. But what they do is parody. That can not be argued. Want proof? The bands albums chart on the comedy charts! It is an act that is a spoof on 80’s hard rock. It is stunning to me how many people don’t see that! They have had amazing success, especially in the UK and Europe. Good for them. They have worked hard to build this from their roots as a cover band playing weekly gigs in LA. But I will admit for me I would have much rather seen Priest take a “traditional” metal band. A new or old band with the same real core commitment and values to metal they have had. Think of how many bands are out there that could use the help? Last tour Priest had BLS and Thin Lizzy. When so many bands are out there looking to package up it feels like a bit of a lost opportunity to give an hour slot to a band that for the most part goofs on a scene that Priest was not really a part of, but had a huge amount of success during. I’m going to see Priest regardless of who is opening, and I wish both bands well on the tour, but I do feel that there were so many bands that would have been a better fit and compliment to the metal Gods. It just feels like a disconnect for me to see icons like Priest taking what is basically the modern day Spinal Tap on tour. I mean who knows how many tours they have left in them at this stage of the game? The up side? Maybe Halford comes out and jams a Fight song with Russ AKA Satchel during the Panther set!? “Nailed To The Gun” anyone?
More on this plus Blitz from Overkill and members of Night Ranger in studio tomorrow live on SiriusXM 39 6-10P ET. TrunkNation!
75 Responses
Thank you for saying Priest could (and should) bring another band than Steel Panther. Priest is coming to the Dallas area the same night as King Diamond. I would rather see King Diamond with Priest than at two seperate areas of Dallas. I like Steel Panther BUT it is a modern day version of Spinal Tap. Also, yes, Nailed To The Gun or Immortal Sin……jam to either of those songs.
Shonda, if SP and KD were playing in the same town in same-size venues, I guarantee you SP would sell the place out and KD would be poorly-attended.
It doesn’t really matter that much to me who opens for JP, The Metal Gods have already answered my prayers, JP is coming to Brooklyn! 🙂
Hi, Eddie,
I pretty much agree with everything you said about Bruce’s comments, but regarding Steel Panther opening for Priest, I think it’s simple economics: Priest know that SP will put asses in seats. I love classic JP, but haven’t been impressed by their newer stuff for years, and the last time I saw them (the 2005 reunion with Rob), the setlist was a major disappointment – NOTHING from Defenders, which I think is their best album by far (and lest you think I’m one of these guys who only likes “classic” stuff and doesn’t want to hear new material, let me point out that I think the most recent albums by Van Halen, Iron Maiden & Metallica are all some the best work they’ve EVER done).
I know if Priest comes near me on this tour, I’d be going primarily to see Steel Panther, who I love. Yes, I get that they’re a parody, but they’re an absolutely dead-on one, and actually I think they do it quite lovingly: you can’t satirize something that accurately without having a genuine appreciation for your subject matter. Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam once said that if you love something, you should rip it to pieces. If you still love it after recognizing all its flaws, then it truly has merit. That’s what I think both Spinal Tap and Steel Panther do: they celebrate hard rock by mocking all of its clichés. All the people I know that love both Tap and Panther also love all the same kinds of bands that both groups are parodying (I think to some degree you have to, in order to get all the references). They’re totally in on the joke, and that’s part of the appeal.
Another thing in defense of SP (and Tap, for that matter): they write great songs. Take away the humorous lyrics and you’ve still got awesome tunes – far better than most “serious” newer bands, IMO, which is another reason why I’d rather see them open (and once again, in case you think I have no interest in new bands, that’s not true either – for example, I’m a huge Pretty Reckless fan, and hope you have Taylor on TMS sometime in the future).
You said you like to hear honest opinions, Ed. Well, that’s mine. Thanks to both you and Dana for all you do. Keep Rockin’.
Spinal Tap opening for Priest would be awesome. After the tour, they shan’t work together again.
Eddie, I agree with you 100%. Steel Panther is a parody of all the dumb cliches about 80’s metal bands. It seems it’s become “fashionable” in recent times, especially among other bands, to like Steel Panther. I agree there’s many other more deserving bands that would benefit from the exposure by opening for Priest. Classic bands like Accept and Overkill are getting back into action, so why not one of them? Why not throw a bone to a new band, like Kyng? But I’ll still go see the show even if SP is opening just to show my support for Priest. I’ll just hit the beer stand while Steel Panther is on stage.