Joe Steel is hard-rockin’ band with deep roots and expert chops, made up of three seasoned pros who forge a sound that pays tribute to metal’s rich past while keeping pace with the energy of the modern scene. When Joe Steel hit Paladino’s stage in Tarzana on Saturday, October 24, the trio’s stellar midnight set amply demonstrated why they like to say, “Joe Steel is back – and bigger than ever!” Seeing Joe Steel at an intimate nightspot like Paladino's means that music fans get an arena-quality performance up close and personal, full of hot licks, good times, and great value.
At the core of Joe Steel’s potent sound is the decades-old partnership between guitarist Spyder Williams and bassist Doc Phillips, who made music together back east in an earlier version of the band before relocating to the West Coast. They rounded out the revived Joe Steel with the addition of drummer Mike Zwaaf, after answering an ad he placed for “musicians who can keep up”! Because he was born in Amsterdam, Mike is known affectionately as “The Frying Dutchman” but as a longtime Studio City resident, the dynamic percussionist also adds some mellow So-Cal style to Doc’s manic Manhattan vibe and Spyder’s well-traveled expertise.
The always-colorful Doc handled most of the lead vocals through the all-original set, which opened strong with “Naked At Noon,” a frisky ditty that demonstrated the solid synergy that resonates among the bandmates. In a chat before the show, Doc stated that he wouldn’t mind someday seeing a charismatic frontman come onboard with Joe Steel, to interface more effectively with the audience while the band could fully concentrate on delivering the musical goods. But until that time might come, Doc is quite up to the task, as he proved in the good-time charge of “Red Light 1-2-3,” with both Spyder and Mike helping out on back-up vocals. Then came what Doc said was a less-played tune, “The Earth Shall Move,” which featured Spyder’s busy hands tackling a riff that echoed old Robin Trower. Spyder says he has many influences, beginning with the Elvis and the Beatles and continuing up through the best of today’s metal, which combine into a distinctive fluidity in his personal guitar technique. Similarly, Mike, who hits the stage with a double-bass drum kit, doesn’t just rely on the thrashy pummeling favored by many metalheads, but tailors his approach with intuitive precision and feeling. Plus, the drummer can sing a quite capable lead, as he showed in “Lights Out,” a new addition to the setlist. The song – 
no relation to the UFO tune of the same name – was also highlighted by superb backup harmonies from Doc and Spyder. (No doubt the drummer had good reason for his fine form and good cheer, since Mike revealed to All Access Magazine that he recently got engaged to “the best woman in the world,” Gayle Walker. Mike explained that Gayle sings in another band he’s involved with, The Bulldogz, so now their collaboration will be matrimonial as well as musical. Blessings, Mike!)
From the beginning, Doc’s “Rock Hard Or Die” T-shirt was hard to ignore, and the message came through loud and clear when the band kicked into that song, which is becoming their signature shout-out affirmation. Doc’s nimble thumb-and-fingers bass technique was on display, accompanied by a metallic, phase-shifted lead from Spyder. But if “Rock Hard Or Die” is Joe Steel’s signature song, then another standout tune, “California’s Burning,” could be seen as the band’s period-piece tribute, as the lyrics list 16 Eighties-era outfits that used to play the Sunset Strip back in the glam days, from BulletBoys to Mötörhead and more – all of whom, says Doc, are still playing in some form, just like Joe Steel. Next, 
Doc, Spyder, and Mike musically urged everyone to “Take the Power” and then to “Stand Up for Rock,” beginning with a tight drum intro which led to anthemic chords from both bass and guitar, plus a taste of focused feedback. Then came a new addition to the setlist, “Breakdown,” which featured a high-end shred from Spyder and hypnotic, driving bass lines by Doc. Finally, a rifle-like guitar intro led into the set-closer, “Apocalypse Now.” With that conclusion, the rockers who came to see Joe Steel got full benefit from the heart, soul, and energy these guys put into their music. Working with their new manager, Martin Rodriguez, the members of Joe Steel look forward to further Southland gigs, and a video-shoot possibility in January. They’re not going to burn out, rust, or fade away, as they keep on pounding the pavement and making the scene, urging everyone along the way to “Rock Hard Or Die!”
