1987

The Zoo Crew is spinning "1987" by Steel Panther from their album On the Prowl, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this nostalgic glam metal anthem. This track is a love letter to the iconic year of 1987, a time the band considers the peak of rock debauchery. According to an interview with The Aquarian, lead singer Michael Starr described 1987 as "our Woodstock," highlighting the era’s wild partying, lack of cell phones, and vibrant metal scene with bands like Guns N’ Roses and Whitesnake dominating. The song’s lyrics name-drop these bands, with lines like “Coverdale banging Tawny Kitaen and the world just felt alright,” capturing the hedonistic spirit. The music video, directed by J.T. Arbogast, adds a fun twist: a kid discovers a magical "1987 pedal" in an abandoned studio, transporting him back to relive the year’s glory in his own way, as shared on Steel Panther’s official site.

Another tidbit from Sonic Perspectives emphasizes the song’s standout guitar work by Satchel, with a solo reminiscent of Ratt’s Warren DeMartini, which has inspired countless YouTube covers. The band also released a real "1987 pedal," a distortion and delay effect retailing for $198.70, playfully described on their Facebook as the “ultimate badass accessory…next to eyeliner.” Social media posts on X from December 2022 hyped the song’s release, inviting fans to “take a trip back in time” with its infectious hooks and fretboard fireworks. The track’s social commentary, noted in a Rockpit review, reflects on a pre-cancel culture era when “no one once got canceled for the things that they might say,” resonating with fans longing for simpler times.

Steel Panther started in Los Angeles in 2000 as Metal Shop, later becoming Metal Skool before adopting their current name in 2008. Fronted by Ralph Saenz (Michael Starr), with Russ Parrish (Satchel) on guitar, Travis Haley (Lexxi Foxx) on bass, and Darren Leader (Stix Zadinia) on drums, the band built a following on the Sunset Strip, as detailed on their Wikipedia page. They played weekly cover shows at venues like the Viper Room, parodying the 1980s glam metal lifestyle with humor and spot-on musicianship. Their big break came with their 2009 debut album Feel the Steel, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy chart. The band’s comedic approach, blending raunchy lyrics with technical skill, has kept them a cult favorite, with tours alongside Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe cementing their status.

Fans can connect with Steel Panther on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, merch like the 1987 pedal, and their “Who’s Your Daddy(‘s Jokes)” YouTube series. The band’s official site, steelpantherrocks.com, offers music, merch, and tour details. For fan communities, check out the Steel Panther Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees discuss shows and share memes. Another fan hub is Metal Storm, a heavy metal webzine with a dedicated Steel Panther section for news and forums.