America’s Got Talent 2023 Preview: Steel Panther channels Spinal Tap and Rock of Ages with an original song “Eyes of a Panther.”
In a new preview clip, Steel Panther, a retro hair band, walks out on to the America’s Got Talent stage to a cheering crowd. “Standing ovation and you haven’t done anything,” Simon Cowell remarks.
Before introducing themselves, on Tuesday’s (May 30) premiere, the band, who looks like they rode the Back to the Future Delorean from 1985 straight into the 21st century, offer Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara tickets and backstage passes to their concerts FOR LIFE! What a thrill.
The colorful quartet has been around for awhile. They have six full length albums out, a band member explains. Not mentioned on stage: At one point, the group had a record deal with Republic Records, but the label dropped them after poor sales.
First things first–the band takes a minute to fluff each other’s hair before launching into an energetic performance of their original song “Eyes of A Panther.” The song has over 25 million streams on Spotify.
Grumpy old dude in the audience isn’t having fun, but he’s in the minority
The camera cuts to an old dude sitting in the audience with his fingers in his ears. As if the folks in the demo who rocked out to Heavy Metal in the 70s and 80s aren’t old dude boomers in 2023. Probably a producer plant.
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However, It becomes clear that the act is more akin to the classic heavy metal docu-parody Spinal Tap with a side of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages thrown in than a homage to any serious bands of the era. In fact, Republic submitted one of their albums to the Grammys in the comedy category. Nevertheless, they are solid musicians. The lead singer can wail.
After the performance, Howie Mandel is on his feet right away, and the rest of the judges panel follow. Will the band advance to the next round? Fans will have to wait until America’s Got Talent season 18 premieres on NBC Tuesday May 30 at 8 pm ET/PT.
