Hamilton’s FirstOntario Concert Hall was the place to be for rock fans this past Monday May 5, as Steel Panther headlined The Northern Exposure Tour, a raucous and unapologetically outrageous evening of music, comedy, and pure rock ‘n’ roll energy. With special guests Buckcherry and Kurt Deimer in tow, the lineup promised an unforgettable night—and it absolutely delivered.
The evening kicked off with Kurt Deimer, whose short but energetic set warmed up the early crowd. Deimer is a multi-talented actor/musician/songwriter whose 2021 breakout EP “Work Hard, Rock Hard” featured Geoff Tate and Phil X. Though relatively new to many in attendance, Deimer’s gritty vocals and heavy rock grooves made a solid impression, setting the tone for what was to come.
Next up was Buckcherry, who took the stage for a full hour of high-octane rock. The band’s dynamic set was a crowd-pleasing mix of old favorites and newer tracks, delivered with the raw energy fans have come to expect. Frontman Josh Todd commanded the stage with swagger, and the band’s tight musicianship was on full display. The highlight of their set came at the end, when they launched into their biggest hit, “Crazy Bitch.” Midway through, they played bits of Sex Machine, Bad Girls, Irresistable Bitch, and Proud Mary, which had the entire hall singing along before kicking back into the chorus to close things out on a high note.
But the night truly went off the rails—in the best way possible—when Steel Panther stormed the stage. They opened with their fan-favorite “Eyes of a Panther,” flanked on either side by pole dancers chosen through an online casting call. Among them was Windsor-based pole fitness instructor and aerialist Alexandra Urbano, who made the trip to Hamilton with this reviewer. Urbano was paid a cheeky $69 for her performance, in true Steel Panther fashion.
Urbano said the experience of dancing on stage with a glam metal band was new to her, but it was a lot of fun. In her application, Urbano was asked what about her look or style she considers heavy metal? Urbano who suffers from alopecia (hair loss), said, “Well, I’m bald.” It was a little nerve-wracking for her to perform without a wig, but she enjoyed the experience and loved that the show promoted the art of pole dancing.
The band, known for their over-the-top, raunchy humor and hair-metal parody style, delivered everything fans could have hoped for and more. Their musicianship was top-tier, with searing guitar solos, tight rhythms, and powerful vocals proving that behind the satire lies some serious talent. Songs like “Never Too Late,” “Community Property” and “Death to All But Metal,” had the crowd headbanging and laughing in equal measure.
One of the most memorable moments came during their infamous track “17 Girls in a Row,” when a flood of enthusiastic female fans were invited on stage to dance alongside the band. It’s this kind of chaotic, participatory fun that makes Steel Panther shows such a unique experience.
While some fans expressed disappointment that the headlining set was only about an hour long with just 11 songs, the sheer intensity and entertainment packed into that time made it hard to complain too much. Steel Panther continues to deliver a wild, irreverent show for fans who know exactly what they’re in for—and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Setlists
Steel Panther
- Eyes of a Panther
- It Won’t Suck Itself
- Asian Hooker
- Never Too Late (to Get Some Pussy Tonight)
- Just Like Tiger Woods
- Girl From Oklahoma
- 17 Girls in a Row
- Party Like Tomorrow Is the End of the World
- Community Property
- Death to All But Metal
- Glory Hole
Buckcherry
- Roar Like Thunder
- Lit Up
- So Hott
- Onset
- Ridin’
- Keep on Fighting
- Let’s Get Wild
- Say Fuck It
- Everything
- Come On
- Gluttony
- Sorry
- Good Time
- Crazy Bitch / Sex Machine / Bad Girls / Irresistible Bitch / Proud Mary / Crazy Bitch
Kurt Deimer
- Look
- Doom
- Dance
- Have a Cigar
- (Pink Floyd cover)
- Naive
- Whatcha Sayin’
- Live or Die
All photos by Dan Boshart
Steel Panther:
Buckcherry:
