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Rarely does one witness Bam Margera cherry Steel Panther at Hollywood’s Rainbow Bar & Grill. The former Jackass star somehow managed to steal some glimmer of light in an otherwise dark and chaotic setting by sharing a brief clip from his meeting, in which he is smiling and happy.
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The chaos that Bam posted is full of spirit and fury; definitely the very energy of a glam metal act on its way to rave. A quick, loud, and high-energy clip captured within the walls of the esteemed Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip-the audio is heavy riffage of guitar and shouted barely intelligible lyrics that could just be another track by Steel Panther-loud, joyful, and unapologetic. Bam is having fun; he really does seem to be enjoying the sessions. Just for those who have tracked the disturbing saga of this skateboarder, seeing him out on the town, smiling, and swaying along has to be an uplifting sight. Even though in its simplicity it speaks softly of a possibly better chapter.
The venue could hold the topic by itself. The Rainbow is an outdoor monument celebrating old-school rock ‘n’ roll-a sign in the spirit of that unpinched newfound hedonism supported by bands such as Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses. Bam hanging with Steel Panther, a band he supports for the same wild and wild aesthetic, must seem like an old-school comeback to some corner of his soul. It is miles apart from everything about legal wrangling and rehab that have graced the late-night gossip papers for years. This doesn’t look like a totally staged comeback; it’s just a guy letting loose with friends on a wild night.
His opening was quite a bang; social media flooded up with positive feedback from followers who could not contain their exuberance upon seeing him actually happy. A user anthem the nostalgia backtrack by saying, “My bro I bought cky dvd on the West Coast 20 years ago. Love you Bam.” The comment, of course, almost immediately resurrects the longstanding connection the world has shared with Bam; far beyond the dullness since those CKY videos launched his career. It’s more about the undying loyalty of a fan base that’s been rooting for him for decades than today’s event.
Another user chimed in, laughing genuinely, “Legit thought that was Kirk Hammett for a second.” This comment is funny because it is so out of the blue, comparing the Steel Panther guitarist and the Metallica legend simply based on such a superficial thing as a similar hairstyle. This is the kind of lighthearted side comment that makes social media discussions feel human and unscripted; it will probably redirect attention away from the Bam post even further because the uncontrollably big hair of the ’80s never gets old.
Here is another fan bringing the conversation back home with just one quick moment: “Hella rad! Glad you’re still here homie.” Short as it is, that little comment packs a punch. It slices through the noise and gets straight to the heart of what many people are actually feeling-these are words speaking from some serious relief. After all of the public struggle, after all of the questions about his health, comments like this are almost becoming an empowering acknowledgment of surviving with hope for continued recovery. It’s a supportive fist bump from miles away.
Clearly, a night fueled many rounds of rock wit: “This doesn’t look like a die hard Ricky Martin fan.” This joke is a subtle reference to Bam and his famous comedic hatred of the pop star back in the ‘Jackass’ days. It’s a timely reminder of that particularly peculiar brand of humor that first gave Bam his fame and also shows that the ilk is still hanging around to appreciate those classic moments.
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Bam Margera’s night out with Steel Panther was more than just another social media post. For his supporters, this was a stabilizing and anchoring moment that hinted at a promise to return to the kind of carefree, rock-and-roll adventures that so unduly define his persona. In the new, uproarious chapter of his life story, with all that uproar, an evening at the Rainbow represents a little, yet significant, step forward. Recently, Bam debuted a custom Baltimore suit after a four-year wait. Fans have also enjoyed seeing him showcase his insane skate skills at a private indoor park with friends. On a more personal note, Bam celebrated his son Phoenix’s first day of school with a heartwarming photo. And in another classic moment, he delivered a classic Rocky wake-up call at a convention.
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