Moche Culture Moche
Culture
←   ← 100–700 →
A map of Moche cultural influence.
Capital	Huacas del Sol y de la Luna[1]
Language(s)	Muchik
Religion	Polytheist
Political structure	Culture
Historical era	P-Columbian
- Established	100
- Disestablished	700

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The Moche civilization (alternatively, the Mochica culture, Early Chimu, Pre-Chimu, Proto-Chimu, etc.) flourished in northern Peru with its capital Huacas del Sol y de la Luna^[1] near present-day Trujillo from about 100 AD to 800 AD, during the Regional Development Epoch. While this issue is the subject of some debate, many scholars contend that the Moche were not politically organized as a monolithic empire or state. Rather, they were likely a group of autonomous polities that shared a common elite culture, as seen in the rich iconography and monumental architecture that survive today. They are particularly noted for their elaborately painted ceramics, gold work, monumental constructions (huacas) and irrigation systems.^[2] Moche history may be broadly divided into three periods – the emergence of the Moche culture in Early Moche (AD 100–300), its expansion and florescence during Middle Moche (AD 300–600), and the urban nucleation and subsequent collapse in Late Moche (AD 500–750).^[3] Moche society was agriculturally based, with a significant level of investment in the construction of a network of irrigation canals for the diversion of river water to supply their crops. Their culture was sophisticated; and their artifacts express their lives, with detailed scenes of hunting, fishing, fighting, sacrifice, sexual encounters and elaborate ceremonies.

The Moche cultural sphere is centered around several valleys on the north coast of Peru in regions La Libertad, Lambayeque, Jequetepeque, Chicama, Moche, Virú, Chao, Santa, and Nepena. The Huaca del Sol, a pyramidal adobe structure on the Rio Moche, had been the largest pre-Columbian structure in Peru. However, it was partly destroyed when Spanish Conquistadores mined its graves for gold. Fortunately the nearby Huaca de la Luna has remained largely intact; it contains many colorful murals with complex iconography. It has been under archeological excavation since the early 1990s. Other major Moche sites include Sipan, Pampa Grande, Loma Negra, Dos Cabezas, Pacatnamu, San Jose de Moro, the El Brujo complex, Mocollope, Cerro Mayal, Galindo, Huanchaco, and Panamarca.

Material culture[link]

Tourist attractions[link]

Moche pottery is some of the most varied in the world. The use of mold technology is evident. This would have enabled the mass production of certain forms. But Moche ceramics vary widely in shape and theme, with most important social activities documented in pottery, including war, sex, metalwork, and weaving.

Traditional North-coast Peruvian ceramic art uses a limited palette, relying primarily on red and white; fineline painting, fully modeled clay, veristic figures, and stirrup spouts. Moche ceramics created between 150-800 AD epitomize this style. These realistic pots have been found not just at major North coast archeological sites, such as Huaca de la luna, Huaca del sol, and Sipan, but at small villages and unrecorded burial sites as well.

Because irrigation was the source of wealth and foundation of the empire, the Moche culture emphasized the importance of circulation and flow. Expanding upon this, the Moche focused on the passage of fluids in their artwork, particularly life fluids through vulnerable human orifices. There are countless images of defeated warriors losing life fluids through their nose, or helpless victims getting their eyes torn out by birds or captors. Images of captive sex-slaves with gaping orifices and leaking fluids portray extreme exposure, humiliation, and a loss of power.

The coloration of Moche pottery is often simple, with yellowish cream and rich red used almost exclusively on elite pieces, with white and black used in only a few pieces. Their adobe buildings have been mostly destroyed by looters and natural forces over the last 1300 years, but the huacas that remain show that the coloring of their murals was very vibrant.

Huaca del Sol (Temple of the sun), Mochica political capital, 4km south of actual Trujillo city

The realistic detail in Moche ceramics may have helped them serve as didactic models. Older generations could pass down general knowledge about reciprocity and embodiment to younger generations through such portrayals. The sex pots could teach about procreation, sexual pleasure, cultural and social norms, a sort of immortality, and transfer of life and souls, transformation, and the relationship between the two cyclical views of nature and life.

Moche wove textiles - mostly from wool from vicuña and alpaca. Although there are few surviving examples of this, descendants of the Moche people have strong weaving traditions.

• Moche Pottery and Textiles
• 

  Moche portrait vessel, Musée du Quai Branly, Paris

• 

  Resting Deer, Moche Culture, at the Larco Museum Collection

• 

  tapestry, Lombards Museum

• 

  Condor, 300 AD Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru.

• 

  Moche ceramic depicting fellatio. 300 AD Larco Museum Collection

• 

  Mochica erotic art

Religion[link]

Moche Nariguera depicting the Decapitator (Ayapec, Ai Apaec ), gold with turquoise and chrysocolla inlays. Museo Oro del Peru, Lima

Moche "Decapitator" (Ayapec, Ai Apaec) mural at Huaca de la Luna

Both iconography and the finds of human skeletons in ritual contexts seem to indicate that human sacrifice played a significant part in Moche religious practices. These rites appear to have involved the elite as key actors in a spectacle of costumed participants, monumental settings and possibly the ritual consumption of blood. While some scholars, such as Christopher B. Donnan and Izumi Shimada, argue that the sacrificial victims were the losers of ritual battles among local elites, others, such as John Verano and Richard Sutter, suggest that the sacrificial victims were warriors captured in territorial battles between the Moche and other nearby societies. Excavations in plazas near Moche huacas have found groups of people sacrificed together and the skeletons of young men deliberately excarnated, perhaps for temple displays.^[4]

The Moche may have also held and tortured the victims for several weeks before sacrificing them, with the intent of deliberately drawing blood. Verano believes that some parts of the victim may have been eaten as well in ritual cannibalism.^[4] The sacrifices may have been associated with rites of ancestral renewal and agricultural fertility. Moche iconography features a figure which scholars have nicknamed the "Decapitator" or Ai Apaec; it is frequently depicted as a spider, but sometimes as a winged creature or a sea monster: together all three features symbolize land, water and air. When the body is included, the figure is usually shown with one arm holding a knife and another holding a severed head by the hair; it has also been depicted as "a human figure with a tiger's mouth and snarling fangs".^[5] The "Decapitator" is thought to have figured prominently in the beliefs surrounding the practice of sacrifice.

Collapse[link]

There are several theories as to what caused the demise of the Moche political structure. Some scholars have emphasised the role of environmental change. Studies of ice cores drilled from glaciers in the Andes reveal climatic events between 536 to 594 AD, possibly a super El Niño, that resulted in 30 years of intense rain and flooding followed by 30 years of drought, part of the aftermath of the climate changes of 535–536.^[6] These weather events could have disrupted the Moche way of life and shattered their faith in their religion, which had promised stable weather through sacrifices.

But more recently discovered evidence demonstrates that these events did not cause the final Moche demise. Moche polities survived beyond 650 AD in the Jequetepeque Valley and the Moche Valleys. For instance, in the Jequetepeque Valley, later settlements are characterized by fortifications and defensive works. While there is no evidence of a foreign invasion, as many scholars have suggested in the past (i.e. a Huari invasion), the defensive works suggest social unrest, possibly the result of climatic changes, as factions fought for control over increasingly scarce resources.^[7]

Links with other cultures[link]

Chronologically, the Moche was an Early Intermediate Period culture, which was preceded by the Chavín horizon and succeeded by the Huari and Chimú. The Moche co-existed with the Ica-Nazca culture in the south. They are thought to have had some limited contact with the Ica-Nazca because they latter mined guano for fertilizer and may have traded with northerners. Moche pottery has been found near Ica, but no Ica-Nazca pottery has been found in Moche territory. The coastal Moche culture also co-existed (or overlapped in time) with the slightly earlier Recuay culture in the highlands. Some Moche iconographic motifs can be traced to Recuay design elements.

21st century discoveries[link]

El Señor de Sipán, Royal Tombs of Sipán museum, Lambayeque, Peru

In 2005, a mummified Moche woman was discovered at the Huaca Cao Viejo, part of the El Brujo archeological site on the outskirts of present-day Trujillo, Peru. It is the best preserved Moche mummy found to date and the elaborate tomb that housed her had unprecedented decoration. The archaeologists on the site believe that the tomb had been undisturbed since approximately 450 AD. The tomb also contained various military and ornamental artifacts, including war clubs and spear throwers. A garroted young girl, probably a servant, was found in the tomb with the mummy of a probably elite woman. News of the discovery was announced by Peruvian and U.S. archaeologists in collaboration with National Geographic in May 2006.^[8]

In 2006 perhaps the most lavish (certainly the most valuable, pound-for-pound) Moche artifact ever discovered turned up in a Londoner's office; it was a magnificent gold mask depicting a sea goddess, with beautiful spirals radiating from her stone-inlaid face. Experts thought that the artifact, nicknamed La Mina, may have been looted from a nobleman's tomb in the late 1980s ; it has now been returned to Peru.^[9][10]

See also[link]

• Chimu Empire, heavily influenced inheritors of the Moche
• Cultural periods of Peru
• El Señor de Sipán (the Lord of Sipán)
• Moche Crawling Feline
• Trujillo, Peru
• Huanchaco

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Schmid, Martin, Die Mochica an der Norküste Perus. Religion und Kunst einer vorinkaischen andinen Hochkultur. Hamburg, 2008

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Moche

• "A Peruvian Woman Warrior of A.D. 450" New York Times, 17 May 2006, by John Noble Wilford
• BBC:"The Lost Civilization of Peru" Includes bibliography.
• Gallery of Moche erotic pottery at the Larco Museum
• Grim rites of the Moche
• Linked National University of Trujillo, IBM, National Geographic & press reports on El Brujo Archaeological project
• Sun and Moon Huacas Official Project information
• Temples Of Doom - human sacrifice, Discover, March 1999 by Heather Pringle
• "Sacrificial Practices and Blood Rituals Among the Moche People of Ancient Peru" by Francesco Sammarco
• Moche pottery and the practice of war Horniman Museum video on YouTube channel
• The Moche of Ancient Peru: Media and Messages by Jeffrey Quilter. Peabody Museum Press 2011.

A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Please discuss further on the talk page. (March 2012)

Steel Panther
Michael Starr (left) and Lexxi Foxxx (center) performing with Steel Panther in San Diego.
Background information
Also known as	Danger Kitty Metal Shop Metal Skool
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock, comedy rock[1]
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Universal Republic
Associated acts	L.A. Guns, Fight
Website	www.steelpantherrocks.com
Members
Michael Starr Satchel Lexxi Foxxx Stix Zadinia

Steel Panther is a band from Los Angeles, California mostly known for their profane and humorous lyrics as well as their exaggerated on-stage personas that reimagine and parody the glam metal music and lifestyle of the 1980s. Formed in 2000, the band has formerly been known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop and Metal Skool. Steel Panther is one of the most popular bands out of Hollywood since Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses and Poison were the main focus the Sunset Strip in the mid to late 1980's. Arriving in 2009 with debut album Feel The Steel, hailed by Kerrang! magazine as “close to perfect”, Steel Panther has won a legion of fans across the world. And now the band is aiming even higher with second album Balls Out.

The band broke through the mainstream success with their 2009 album Feel the Steel, especially with the single "Death to All but Metal". "The Aldo Nova song "Fantasy" was remade by the band into a faster paced song for the MTV original series Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. The remake was released on iTunes on December 8, 2009 and their album Feel the Steel was released in June 2009.

Biography[link]

Metal Skool[link]

The quartet began to gain popularity in the Sunset Strip during the early 2000's under the name Metal Shop (soon changed into Metal Skool, then into Steel Panther). Their lineup consists of vocalist Ralph Saenz ("Michael Starr"), drummer Darren Leader ("Stix Zadinia"), bassist Travis Haley ("Lexxi Foxxx"), and guitarist Russ Parrish ("Satchel").^[1] The band did weekly shows on Monday nights at the Viper Room, playing covers of 1980s hair metal hits while parodying the bands that made the songs famous. Despite presenting themselves under different stage names, two members of the band were already in other heavy metal acts. Frontman Michael Starr, using his name Ralph Saenz, had been in glam metal band L.A. Guns^[2] between 1997 and 1998, publishing the 6 tracks EP Wasted. Before this, Saenz was the frontman of a Van Halen tribute band called Atomic Punks.^[3] Guitarist Satchel was part of War & Peace, founded by ex Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson^[4] and the band Fight, founded by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford.^[5][6] He was also a member of Atomic Punks together with Saenz. Years before, he played in the band Electric Fence with Racer X members Paul Gilbert and Jeff Martin.^[2]

The band, under the name Danger Kitty, published in 2002 the promotional single "Love Rocket".^[2] Steel Panther jokingly claims to be a glam metal band which had failed to gain mainstream success during the '80s.^[1] This is why their official biography claims they have been active since 1988.^[7] Thanks to the use of hair-sprayed looks, leather jackets and zebra spandex and to their experience in the Van Halen tribute band, they finally managed to gain some success.^[1] In 2003 Steel Panther published Hole Patrol,^[2] their auto-produced debut. The band appeared in a Discover Card advertisement as Danger Kitty and in the sitcom Drew Carey Show as themselves. Also in 2003, their song "Death to All But Metal" was included in a compilation CD called Hey, That's What I Call Sludge! Vol. 1 put out by the Metal Sludge web site. Their cover of the song "Fantasy" by Aldo Nova was used as the opening musical theme for the MTV program Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. On November 27, 2007 Metal Skool played original songs as well as covers of KISS songs at the Gene Simmons roast, they can be seen in the background of Gene Simmons' reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels. That year, they also appeared as themselves on Las Vegas in the episode "The High Price of Gas".^[8]

Steel Panther[link]

In April 2008 the band decided to change their name from Metal Skool to Steel Panther, making a new debut at The Rockin' Saddle Club in Redlands, California.^[2] In May 2008, the band signed a contract with Republic Records (owned by record label Universal Records) announcing plans for a new studio album.^[1] The first single, an updated version of "Death to All but Metal", first appeared on iTunes on 27 January 2009, whereas the album, entitled Feel the Steel and produced by Jay Ruston, was published on 9 June, during the same year.^[2] A promotional video, directed by actor Dean Cameron, was shot for the song "Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)".

Thanks to their increased popularity their live performances began to be attended by a growing number of fans.^[1] Some celebrities also appeared on stage during their concerts, including Criss Angel, Kenny Loggins, Paul Stanley, Kip Winger, Corey Taylor, David Draiman, Hal Sparks, David Bryan, Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, Tony Romo, Dane Cook, Chris Jericho, Corey Feldman, Evan Seinfeld, Tera Patrick, Sully Erna, Drew Carey, Mike Starr, Chad Kroeger, Ryan Cabrera, Jerry Cantrell, Justin Hawkins, Kelly Clarkson, Ryan Key, Phil Anselmo, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom Morello, P!nk, Scott Ian, Justin Parks, M Shadows and Avril Lavigne in February 2009.^[2] Steel Panther succeeded in becoming one of the most popular cover bands in California, winning the contest of "Best Tribute Band in the Universe".^[2] After a several month run at the House of Blues Sunset Strip, Steel Panther returned to its weekly Monday night shows at the Key Club in Hollywood.

According to a recent interview with RockSource360, the band is currently recording songs for their next album. They performed their new song "Critter" at the UK Ozzfest 2010 and have posted footage of rehearsals in the studio for a new song, under the working title of "If You Really, Really, Really Love Me." In December 2010 their website offered a free download of their new Christmas song "Sexy Santa". In January 2011 Michael Starr confirmed the songs, "Tigerwoods", "Tongue Punch in the Fart Box", "Summertime", "I Like Drugs", "Supersonic Sex Machine", "Do You Wanna Do Me" and "17 Girls in a Row" for the new album in 2011.

Lexxi Foxxx mentioned that guests on the new Steel Panther record would be Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Gene Simmons (KISS), Stephen Pearcy (Ratt), and Scott Ian (Anthrax).

In July, 2011, Steel Panther wrote on their Facebook page "IT'S CUMMING! ROCKTOBER 18TH!", and their YouTube page "COCKTOBER 18TH" which implied that the new album would be released on October 18, 2011. The release date was later pushed back to October 31. Soon after, Michael Starr wrote on the Steel Panther app that the new album would be called Balls Out.

On August 22, 2011, they released a single from Balls Out titled "If You Really Really Love Me".

On August 27, 2011, Freddie Wong released a YouTube video homage to the Crossfire board game which featured Steel Panther covering the Crossfire theme.

On October 14th, 2011, the band played a pre-show for the inaugural 48 Hours Festival in Las Vegas. The show was hosted by David Draiman.

Sometime collaborator Dean Cameron, also credited with co-writing "Supersonic Sex Machine" on "Balls Out", directed and co-wrote a pilot presentation in an attempt to land Steel Panther their own television program.

On December 6, 2011, Steel Panther announced their second solo UK tour in support of their newest album Balls Out. The band are set to play at the O2 Academy Birmingham (March 27, 2012), O2 Academy Glasgow (March 28, 2012), Manchester Academy (March 30, 2012), O2 Academy Brixton (March 31, 2012). Tickets for the shows went on sale on December 9, 2011, with many ticket providers selling out their allocations within a month.

Steel Panther will be playing on the main stage at the Download Festival in June 2012.^[9]

History[link]

[edit] Feel The Steel (2009)–(2010)

Steel Panther released their major record label debut (Universal Republic), Feel the Steel on June 8, 2009 in the UK and on October 6, 2009 in North America. Feel the Steel debuted at #1 on the Billboard Comedy chart, #123 on the Billboard 200 chart and would eventually peak at #98 on the Billboard 200 chart. The record features hit singles, Community Property and Death To All But Metal as well as notable guest performances from Corey Taylor (vocals), Justin Hawkins (vocals), and M. Shadows (vocals).

The record's success also caught the attention of the Grammys, making it onto the "Best Comedy Album" ballot in October 2010, yet failing to reach a nomination.

The track Eyes of a Panther from Feel the Steel is featured on the sound track for the video game Skate 3.

[edit] Balls Out (2011)–(present)

Steel Panther continued their revival of the 80's heavy metal genre with their sophomore effort titled Balls Out released through major record label, Universal Republic on October 31, 2011 in the UK and on November 1, 2011 in North America. Balls Out debuted at #1 on the UK iTunes Rock chart surpassing Megadeth's TH1RT3EN and Lou Reed's and Metallica's Lulu. Balls Out also debuted at #4 on the US iTunes Rock chart, #40 on the Billboard 200 chart and at #1 on the Billboard Comedy chart with first-week sales of 12,000 copies in the US.

Tours[link]

UK Arena tour w/Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe[link]

Due to their growing popularity, Steel Panther were invited by Def Leppard to join them and co-headliners Mötley Crüe as "Special Guests" on the Mirrorball Tour tour in December 2011.

Steel Panther opened for Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe on the following dates:

• December 6, 2011 - Birmingham, UK at LG Arena
• December 8, 2011 - Nottingham, UK at FM Arena
• December 9, 2011 - Glasgow, UK at SECC Hall 4
• December 11, 2011 - Manchester, UK at MEN Arena
• December 13, 2011 - Sheffield, UK at Arena
• December 14, 2011 - London, UK at Wembley Arena

The Forum w/Guns N' Roses[link]

Exactly one week after ending the UK arena tour in London with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, Steel Panther opened for Guns N' Roses at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA on December 21, 2011.

Soundwave/Revolution[link]

On May 11, 2011 Steel Panther announced that they would be playing the main stage (same stage as Van Halen) at Soundwave Revolution, however, the spin-off festival would be canceled due to poor ticket sales. In fact, drummer Stix Zadinia was responsible for breaking the story via his Twitter account on August 9: "Soundwave revolution is cancelled. I am bummed." The news shocked Soundwave fans and caused a huge debacle resulting in Steel Panther trending on Twitter and fans accusing Steel Panther as the reason for the cancellation which was entirely inaccurate.

Though Steel Panther were disappointed by the news knowing that they wouldn't be sharing the main stage with Van Halen, the Soundwave Revolution cancellation ended up being a blessing in disguise for it allowed the band to finish recording their second major release, [Balls Out].

The band then proceeded to play the 2012 edition of the main festival, sharing a stage with System of a Down, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit.

Controversy[link]

In January 2012, a promotional poster featuring album artwork from Balls Out was banned in the UK after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) deemed it to be "overtly sexual" and was likely "to cause serious and widespread offense."^[10]

Awards[link]

• Best Debut: Feel the Steel - Metal Hammer Germany

Members[link]

• Michael Starr (Ralph Saenz) – lead vocals, acoustic guitars
• Satchel (Russ Parrish) – rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
• Lexxi Foxxx (Travis Haley) – bass, backing vocals
• Stix Zadinia (Darren Leader) – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Singles[link]

Videography[link]

• Fat Girl (Thar She Blows) – The Video (2005) – home DVD featuring the music video for the title track and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Behind the Music: Steel Panther (2009) – iTunes podcast featuring a fake Behind the Music story for Steel Panther. (Features stars like Matt Sorum, Kat Von D, Jani Lane, Dee Snider and Dave Navarro)

Music videos[link]

• "Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)" (2005 and 2009)
• "Death to All but Metal" (2009)
• "Community Property" (2009)
• "If You Really Really Love Me" (2011)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Steel Panther

• Official website
• Steel Panther's fan site
• Interview with Satchel on Maximum Threshold Radio