On Your Instagram

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "On Your Instagram" by Steel Panther from their album On the Prowl, and the Zoo Freaks are totally vibing. This track is a hilarious yet biting take on the fake realities of social media, specifically calling out Instagram’s filtered facades. The song’s music video, released on October 10, 2023, as announced in a post on X, dives into this theme with a story of two influencers’ assistants rebelling against the curated lies they help create. Directed by J.T. Arbogast, the video features the band—Michael Starr, Satchel, Spyder, and Stix Zadinia—performing in an arcade while Starr laments, “Such a beautiful filter. Like God himself had built her.” The lyrics, like “I fell in love with an angel / Staring at me through my phone,” capture the band’s signature mix of raunchy humor and social commentary, poking fun at how heavily edited photos distort reality.

One juicy piece of trivia comes from the song’s place on On the Prowl, which dropped on February 24, 2023, and snagged Steel Panther their most recent #1 Billboard comedy album. The track’s lyrics, including gems like “The girl that I want to screw is on your Instagram,” lean into the band’s over-the-top style, but they also reflect a broader message about authenticity in the digital age. In a review from Seth’s Rock Report, the song’s humor and 80s hair metal vibe were praised for bringing the lyrics to life, with the video emphasizing the absurdity of chasing a “catfish” persona. The band themselves described the song as a “public service announcement” about how Instagram’s fake setups and AI-enhanced images are “ruining society,” a sentiment echoed across multiple outlets like Screamer Magazine and HELLPRESS.

Steel Panther got their start in Los Angeles, California, originally under the name Metal Skool (and briefly Metal Shop) before rebranding in 2008. Founded by lead vocalist Ralph Saenz, who goes by Michael Starr, the band set out to both celebrate and parody the 80s glam metal scene. With Satchel on guitar, Stix Zadinia on drums, and later Spyder on bass (joining officially in 2022 after Lexxi Foxx’s departure), they built a reputation for their wild live shows on the Sunset Strip. Their performances blend shredding guitar solos, operatic vocals, and crude, comedic banter about sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, drawing comparisons to Van Halen and Mötley Crüe with a Wayne’s World twist. The band’s early days as Metal Skool saw them become a staple of LA’s metal scene, known for their improvisational humor and ability to pack venues with fans craving a nostalgic yet tongue-in-cheek take on hair metal.

You can keep up with Steel Panther on their official website, where they sell merch like vinyls, guitar pedals, and autographed goodies. They’re also active on social media, sharing tour updates and cheeky posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans, or “Fanthers” as they’re sometimes called, gather on sites like Last.fm to discuss the band’s music and shows. There’s also a dedicated Steel Panther Fans Facebook group where supporters share concert pics, memes, and love for the band’s outrageous antics. Whether you’re a Zoo Freak or a die-hard Fanther, Steel Panther’s blend of satire and shredding keeps the party going.