Word and Live Photos: DJ
Myglobalmind and Screaming Digital Productions
Von Braun Center – Huntsville, AL
As the final show of my year, Steel Panther’s pre-Christmas stop at the Von Braun Center proved to be exactly what 2025 needed—a night of blistering riffs, unfiltered comedy, and pure rock ‘n’ roll escapism.
Carla Harvey & The Violent Hour: A Fresh Start
Former Butcher Babies frontwoman Carla Harvey kicked off the evening with her new project, The Violent Hour, and what a breath of fresh air it was. Trading in her previous band’s groove metal and metalcore foundation for straight-ahead hard rock, Harvey has found a sonic home that lets her magnetic stage presence truly shine.
From the opening notes, Harvey came out firing on all cylinders, delivering enough headbanging intensity to give the front rows whiplash. Her band—featuring Kiana De Leon on lead guitar, Sasha de Leon on drums, Allie Kay on guitar, and Jewel Steele on bass—proved to be a seriously solid unit. The guitar duo of the De Leon and Kay shredded with precision and power, their dual attack cutting through the venue with a potent, modern rock sound that translated beautifully in the live setting.
The six-song set showcased material from their recently released EP, including “Screenagers,” “Hell Or Hollywood,” “Nice Girls,” “Sex and Cigarettes,” the title track “The Violent Hour,” and closing with “Sick Ones”—the latter featuring John 5 on the recorded version. Each track demonstrated that Harvey’s new creative outlet is exactly
where she needs to be, and this lineup has serious chemistry worth watching.
Steel Panther: The Real Deal Behind the Jokes
If you’ve never seen Steel Panther live, you might dismiss them as a comedy act. That would be a mistake. Yes, Michael Starr and company will make you laugh until your sides hurt with their lewd banter and explicit humor, but beneath the ’80s spandex and intentional excess lies a band that can genuinely play.
Kicking off with “Eyes of a Panther,” Starr commanded the stage in full ’80s hard rock regalia, trading barbs and riffs with guitarist Satchel in their signature style—a routine that somehow never gets old. The addition of two dancers onstage only amplified the party atmosphere, getting the crowd fully engaged from the jump.
“The Stocking Song” brought the band’s “feel good” holiday spirit to the forefront, slowing things down just enough to showcase their versatility. But it was “Party Like Tomorrow is The End of the World” that really hit home—Spyder and Satchel delivering the guitar heroics while the entire room sang along like it was the last night on Earth.
It’s been a long year full of stress, triumphs, and everything in between. Spending this final show of 2025 with friends on my birthday no less, fellow photographers, and my significant other, watching Steel Panther do what they do best, felt like the perfect way to close out twelve months of shows. They never fail to deliver exactly what you need: tons of fun, killer musicianship, and a reminder not to take life too seriously.
A Rocking Christmas indeed. Merry Christmas to all, and Happy New Year!
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