Rock | Hair Metal | United States
Lexxi Foxx
Steel Panther's former bass player, Lexxi Foxx (Travis Haley), has left the band. What is he doing now?
The answer? Hollywood Gods N' Monsters.
Lexxi Foxx was the stagename of the bassist in the satirical-turned-legit(?) rock band, Steel Panther. Formerly known as Metal Shop, then Metal Skool, Steel Panther was a group that focused on playing some of the best hair metal tunes ever written at local clubs on the Sunset Strip and in Las Vegas, NV. Over time, the band began writing more about more songs that skirted the line between lampoon and actualized throwback, songs such as, "Death to All But Metal", "Stripper Girl", and "17 Girls in a Row".
Lexxi Foxx, known for an array tattoos and duck-face-style looks, had the perfect amount of smolder to pull off Guns N' Roses covers night after night. His Aquanet-teased locks were always under constant fluffing from a localized fan, one of the better site gags of the band, along with the constant mirror checking. Lexxi spoke far less at live shows, leaving the banter for lead singer, Michael Starr, and lead guitarist, Satchel, almost exclusively.
That didn't mean bassist Lexxi Foxx was immobile or uninvolved, far from it. He owned the stage. He looked every bit the part of a Los Angeles glam metal bass player and would have been a MTV darling just 20 years prior. He, along with drummer, Stix Zadinia, locked down the rhythm section nightly on Van Halen and Motley Crue covers. And, he was a solid backing vocalist.
Lexxi even got his name all over their recorded material. On February 26th, 2016, Steel Panther released Live From Lexxi's Mom's Garage, a stripped down performance that includes songs like Party Like Tomorrow is the End of the World and That's When You Came In.
Why did Lexxi Foxx leave Steel Panther?
Did Lexxi Foxx really quit? In a nutshell, yes. The hair metal band has come out and said as much. Here are the words straight from the source, his bandmates.
Steel Panther announces, "The End of an Era… The great pandemic of 2020-2037 has affected all of us. For some though, it has opened doors of opportunity and been a catalyst to seek out one’s true calling in life. This is Lexxi’s story. He started his side business, “Sexy Lexxi’s Prettiest Pets,” to bring in money for Botox during the lockdown. But something miraculous happened. He realized that his love for making pets pretty was greater than his love for being pretty himself. Lexxi discovered a greater love. Possibly, the greatest love of all.
Lexxi has chosen to hang up his mirror and focus on his newfound passion. Making ugly dogs pretty. Anyway, after nearly 40 years of rocking together and taking Steel Panther from the Viper Room to headlining Wembley Arena, it is with heavy hearts – but great heavy metal memories – that we bid Lexxi Foxx farewell. We love you and we wish you a wonderful future putting eyeliner on chihuahuas.
Steel Panther will continue to rock the world. And though we may not ever find a bassist quite as beautiful as Lexxi, it shouldn’t be hard to find one to match his towering intellect.
Good Luck… And goodbye Lexxi Foxx!!"
In other interviews, it seems like it wasn't just a casual change in musical style and direction, but a little bit of friction, the kind that comes with years of touring and operating as a band.
"We haven't talked. I still talk to the singer [Michael Starr] a little bit; I have in the past. But I think that those scars and I think that the departure, the way that it went down, I think there's some sore spots. But that's tough for me to talk about,”
Apparently it wasn't "sex rehab" as some have speculated.
An interview with Guitarist Satchel
Rock 'n' roll guitar player Satchel, whose studio and live solos are ripping, discusses the search for a new bassist in the video below. He let the interviewers know that auditions were ongoing to replace their longtime friend. Presumably any new bass player will be featured on all tour dates (clearly), new songs, music videos and any new albums that the band produces.
Travis Haley's New Band: Hollywood Gods N' Monsters
Playing their first show as a band at Boondocks Patio & Grill in Scottsdale, Arizona on December 10th is Travis Haley's new project, Hollywood Gods N' Monsters. News of Hollywood Gods N' Monsters was shared via Diggity Dave, a MTV personality.
Their music is an interesting mix of, well, everything. Given that Haley is 36 years old, that makes a ton of sense. He's lived through an amazing assortment of genres and fusion-bent styles. In the 80s, when the concepts of what would create Steel Panther's image was born, a Metal Pop Rap collab wouldn't have really held up. Sure, there was Aerosmith & Run DMC's Walk This Way. But to hear Gods N' Monsters, you just feel like you won't know what you're gonna get next. And that's what makes it exciting.
Steel Panther Albums Lexxi Foxx Played On
- Hole Patrol E.P. (2003)
- Feel the Steel (2009)
- Balls Out (2011)
- All You Can Eat (2014)
- Live From Lexxi's Mom's Garage (2016)
- Lower the Bar (2017)
- Heavy Metal Rules (2019
Lexxi Foxx's Signature Rules for Sexy Bass Playing
- Make sure you look good
- Grow your hair
- Get botox
- Practice (if you have to)
- Make sure you give the first three tips more attention
Lexxi Foxx also had a signature bass from Kramer.
Lexxi Foxx FAQs
What is Lexxi Foxx's real name?
Travis Haley.
What happened to the Steel Panther bass player?
Lexxi Foxx, aka Travis Haley, left Steel Panther to form Hollywood Gods N' Monsters.
Who is the new Steel Panther bassist?
Rikki Dazzle and/or Rikki Thrash. So far. Michael Starr, Stix Zadinia and Satchel set up a competition to help find the next Steel Panther bass player.