Yes, Steel Panther Will 'Clean Up' Lyrics For 'America's Got Talent'

In a recent interview with Metal Edge magazine, Steel Panther drummer Stix Zadinia spoke about the band's appearance on America's Got Talent and their process in working through choosing a song for the next round. Apparently, they have the song narrowed down to three choices and recognize they have to modify their lyrics for network television.

The interview also revealed that producers of AGT reached out to Steel Panther about being on the show - so there was no pre-show audition. Scheduling meant the band couldn't compete the first time they were asked. When producers called again, they accepted and admitted they didn't know the show as open to professionals. (I didn't know this either).

I am not sure when round two of America's Got Talent begins, but I'm sure the Panther will tell us in advance via social media!

Comments

[Him]

When a show is asking, literally asking, a band like SP to be on their show, that says something. What untapped market does AGT think SP will help lure into their orbit? Did one of the bean-counters suddenly look up from his graphs and go: "We have a seriously problem. Without the metal segment of the population, this show is toast!" I mean, I get why SP is doing it. Barnum apocryphally popularized the notion to which I am nodding. And good for them.

In the interview, Stix says some interesting things. I don't really think their performing on AGT is going to 'change perceptions' about metal/glam/whatever. Besides, shows like this love to have an audience that barks like seals for whatever confection or magician is on stage, save when they want to them to boo and hiss like the ghost of a snake. I also don't think SP--who many of you know, I enjoy quite a bit--is 'bring the genre back'. They are sharing their love of it, sure. But they aren't the 'tip of the spear' that Stix suggests, as evidenced by how polarizing they are within even the communities that like metal/glam/whatever. And Cowell didn't know who you were? Well, maybe. I mean, if the show's producers asked you to show up, I have to assume Mr. Fuller Brush Head at least had some glancing knowledge of you. So, if you think you won him over, Stix, cool. As if that is something. Then again, publicity. So you talk nice about AGT and AGT give you a stage upon which to do your thing.

Again, good PR for SP. And if it does bring some into their orbit, and then some of those into the larger orbit, not a bad thing at all. But I seriously doubt SP wants to win. Then again, people who probably didn't expect to win have done so in other spheres. So, who knows?

[Metalboy!]

As I’ve said, Steel Panther should write songs deploying the art of double entendre.

Had they been doing that for the last ten years, not only could they have become more successful, but done even more to bring the genre back.

Perhaps this opportunity will push the genre further to a wider audience but I contend it is already somewhat back as it’s not American Idols first flirtation with “Hair Metal types as contestants, though I believe it is the first time a contestant has competed as a band.

And then there’s the whole throwback trend going on with the youngsters these days.

Let’s BBG!

[Metalboy!]

Correction: “America’s Got Talent”, not “American Idol”.