Don’t Stop Believin’ in Steel Panther (and Joey Belladonna)

Can we all please agree that Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” is this generation’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”? Shared annoying use of apostrophes to demonstrate regional parlance aside, it’s become the de facto drunk dudebro frat guy shout-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs bar song, even though it actually pre-dates the Jonbon classic. I was as into the song as anyone after that final Sopranos episode, but shit really went downhill quickly from there; it’d be OK if I never heard this song ever again in my life.

OK fine, I’m not gonna be a total fun-hater. Steel Panther performed the song in Newcastle, England with special guest Joey Bellardini earlier this week, and hey, I can get down. Joey’s consistently a bit sharp but otherwise does a pretty good job of nailing Steve Perry, with SP mainman Michael Starr filling in the cracks admirably with harmonies.

And in case anyone’s wondering, yup, they even provided the Anthrax singer with his trademark microphone half-stand. No word as to whether the concert’s promoters stocked his backstage room with hair-dye or spray-on tan.