With the European leg of the “Feel The Steel 15th Anniversary Tour” kicking off in Dublin on 18th June and concluding in Geiselwind on 6th July, how does it feel to bring this milestone celebration to your international fans?
Michael Starr: Yeah, man, it’s totally surreal. Some of the songs we actually recorded eighteen years ago. We first recorded an EP back in 2004 called Hole Patrol, and then we got signed in 2008 and took some songs off that EP and re-recorded them, so it’s been a while.
It’s been a lot of fun to play songs we haven’t performed in a long time. When we started dusting them off, it really reminded us of our journey… and all the chicks that we f***ed along the way [laughs]. It’s like a marker in our lives, and it made us look back on how hard we were partying back then—trust me, we were partying very hard during that period.
The other side of it is a real feeling of accomplishment, and we’re very proud of our legacy.
Given that “Feel The Steel” was certified Gold in the UK in October 2024, surpassing 100,000 copies sold, how does that recognition influence your perspective on the album’s enduring impact?
Michael Starr: That’s a lot for us, especially considering the lack of airplay we get. In the beginning, our live experience was mostly confined to the south-west of America, and a few shows in the Midwest. When we eventually made our way to England, one of our first big shows was Download Festival.
Exposing Shadows Photography for www.overdrive.ie 2026
I remember we took the golf cart from the dressing room to the stage, and when we got there, the place was packed—loads of people holding signs, singing, screaming… Stix and I nearly had a panic attack, it was just so surreal.
I remember Bam Margera introduced us, and we started playing Community Property. At that moment, it really felt like we had accomplished something. Before that, we’d just been playing the club circuit for years, that was our main source of income. So, when our label told us they’d booked us in the UK and then some European shows, our first question was: “Cool, how much are they paying us?” And they said, “They’re not paying you anything, you have to pay to get there.”
So, that was a bit of a shock. We had to take time off our usual gigs and invest some of our own savings into funding the tour. We basically just had to go for it.
The president of the label, Monte Lipman (Republic Records), said to us: “You have to play the UK and Europe, or they won’t respect you.” And he was right. We’ve been coming back to the UK and EU almost every year—sometimes twice a year.
We quickly discovered a whole new market, and everywhere we went, people really got what we were doing. They were so welcoming. Ireland was a big surprise for us, we felt very at home the first time we played there, and we’ve been back numerous times since. We’re really looking forward to playing there again. Plus, the chicks are very hot!
The anniversary edition of “Feel The Steel” includes two tracks previously exclusive to the Japanese release: “You Don’t Make Me Feel Dumb” and “I Want Your Tits.” What motivated the decision to include these tracks in the re-release, and how have fans responded?
Michael Starr: There was a tie between Turn Out the Lights and You Don’t Make Me Feel Dumb. They’re both similar in tempo and tuning, and we had to make a choice. Matt Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold told us he loved that track and ended up putting his vocals on it, so we included that one on the record. Years down the line, we finally had the chance to get these other tracks out on the anniversary release.
How old are those songs?
Michael Starr: Oh man, they go back as far as 2006. I Want Your Tits wasn’t the best track initially—I was still learning my craft as a songwriter, so Satchel had to step in and clean it all up and make it what it is today. Yeah, those tracks go way back. Even though they made it onto the Japanese release, there wasn’t much global exposure. So, it’s great to finally get them out to the entire world on this anniversary edition.
Over the years, Steel Panther has become known for its outrageous stage antics. What’s one of the most unexpected or bizarre moments you’ve experienced during a live performance?
Exposing Shadows Photography for www.overdrive.ie 2026
Michael Starr: Oh man, this happened during the Feel The Steel 15th Anniversary Tour, either in America or Canada, I can’t remember exactly. We had a mum and daughter come up on stage. Let’s just say… the mum was more of a whore than the daughter was [laughs]. But hey, it’s all part of the fun. Everyone had a blast and the crowd went wild. It turned out to be a great time.
Let’s talk about the setlist for this tour. Can you shed some light on what songs will feature?
Michael Starr: Yeah, we’re doing at least one song from each record. We tried to do the full Feel The Steel album live in London at Shepherd’s Bush, and we discovered that the album’s running order isn’t really made for a live show—it’s meant for an album listen, if you know what I mean.
So, we realised it wasn’t as cool as we thought it would be. That’s why we’ve built a setlist that’s Feel The Steel-heavy but includes bangers from our other albums too, including a few songs we’ve rarely played live before.
Looking ahead, you’ve mentioned plans for a new studio album targeted for release in 2026. Can you share any insight into the direction or themes you’re exploring in this upcoming project?
Michael Starr: I think all the guys are getting some hernia and facelift surgery in 2026 [laughs]. But in terms of music, yeah—we’ve already started writing for the next record. One of the challenges of touring and playing shows is finding time to write and record new material.
We’ve got to carve out that space, and we’re starting to record the new album in July and August. So, expect a brand-new Steel Panther album in 2026.
Finally, as you celebrate this significant milestone, what message would you like to share with the fans who’ve supported you along the way?
Michael Starr: The only thing I’d like to say is, if you’re old like me, thank you for still coming to the shows. And for all the younger fans, thank you for discovering us, supporting us, and showing up. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to do this. We can’t wait to kick off this tour and celebrate with you all.
Steel Panther will play Dublin’s Vicar Street on Wednesday, 18th June. Tickets are on sale now via this link.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie