Michael Starr, lead singer of Steel Panther, sat down with us for a Screw Your Ferns interview.
SYF: What Disney prince did you want to be when you were little?
MS: I never wanted to be a prince. In fact, I only watched Mutal of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. I loved that show. When I was a boy I wanted to a Lion but I ended up being a Panther.
I did dream of having my own Castle on the ocean with a pool on the roof.
SYF: I know you’re going out on the road soon. Who are you touring with next?
MS: We had 3 tours offered to us, 2 fell thru, and now we are hoping this next one will happen. I don’t want to say who it’s with because I’m afraid I will jinx it.
SYF: Do you feel a responsibility to your fanbase to support and promote male-fronted bands?
MS: Not at all. There have been and is many great female Heavy Metal singers that were and are great.
SYF: I understand sometimes you guys will use the same designer for a tour. Who are you wearing on stage for your next tour? Anything really juicy?
MS: I’ve been wearing clothing from a designer out of Australia. Her company is called Metal Threads. She designs one of a kind pants for me that no else has.
On our next festival tour in June I am designing my own costume with the help of Metal Threads.
SYF: What’s your morning beauty regimen?
MS: I like to wash my face right when I get up and brush my teeth. If I don’t do that I feel dirty and greasy. A clean shirt, some army shorts and new socks finishes up my morning beauty prep.
SYF: How do you keep your look fresh so you can stay relevant?
MS: The key to being relevant for me is to wear what I like and feel good in. I think that people can sense when someone is not being themselves. I happen to love spandex and cut up shirts.
SYF: Do you feel like you’re competing with Lexxi Foxxx for hottest band member?
MS: No, he is much taller then me and he gets all the tall chicks. I get the shorter ones and that’s what I like.
SYF: Are you worried that acting too slutty is going to cost you fans?
MS: Maybe some, but that’s life. Everybody has their own tastes and we appeal to people who enjoy what we do.
SYF: Do you ever feel like less of a man for not having kids?
MS: I have kids and I’m very proud of all four of them. I’m hoping when I retire they will take over for me in rotation.
SYF: Do you worry about getting too old to be on stage?
MS:All the time. Satchel tells me that it will be funny when I’m out on the stage with a walker.
SYF: What’s it like to be a male musician in a genre dominated by amazing stars like Lzzy Hale and Dorothy?
MS: Well Lzzy is a very intimidating performer. We have a lot in common and we both like the same music so that helps.
SYF:Why don’t more male singers really go for it when they sing?
MS:If you don’t Rock you don’t Rock.
However, everyone has their own style and influences. That’s what makes music so appealing to so many people. Something for everybody.
SYF: It just seems like everyone these days has to either be doing that growly thing where you can’t understand them, like their voices are too low, or they just seem to be trying to hard. What’s your secret?
MS:That kind of singing is not easy to do. It’s more about a feeling. That’s why they put the lyrics on the CD.
I like to sing so you can understand what it is I am saying. I loved LED Zeppelin but I had no idea what he was singing about. They never had the lyrics on the albums.
SYF: Who are your female influences?
MS: Carol King, Janis Joplin and Pink.
SYF: Who really inspires you?
MS: Robin Zander, David Lee Roth and Ian Gillian.