Platinum Blonde Reunite at Canadian Music Fest

Just for arguments sake here fairly recent youtube video of Mr Steffler playing. Looks like a pretty good drummer to me, good performance, stage presence and the band sounds good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=370B8oRMVCc&feature=related

I searched for Mr Dekels videos on youtube and came up empty handed.

Actually I am not a superfan. I am a regular reader of Spinner and other music publications, and came across this review while looking for press about CMW. I was very surprised to see just how strident this article was. I have no real beef with the review as it now stands as it reflects Mr. Dekel's opinion about the event, whether I and other readers agree with it or not. I do not however believe it is a reviewer's RESPONSIBILITY to make smart ass comments and pass it off as insightful.
Finally, the last remarks (which Drako pointed out remained unchanged), did render the new version a positive review, or at least more balanced. Previously, however, it was rather like a school kid saying "sorry, only kidding" after putting down a classmate in front of everyone. I think Spinner deserves some credit for revising this piece and perhaps that is an apology to us.

A public apology for what?!
The idea of a review (humourous or not) is for the reviewer to give their opinion on a show they saw. If people disagree with it, that is for the public discourse, but it is the reviewer's RESPONSIBILITY to give his opinion and clearly that was what Mr. Dekel did. The fact that people on this site took such great offence shows you two things: a) they are not regular readers of Spinner and b) They are Platinum Blonde fans who couldn't give an objective review to either the show or Mr Steffler's sub-par performance (I was there and I was embarrassed for him and the rest of the band who were clearly better prepared).
to the last point I'll point you to Mr. Dekel's final remarks which remain unchanged:
'For a brief moment, both band and audience were transported back to the their '80s heyday and surely that was worth the price of admission alone.'
So, in essence, it was a POSITIVE review(!!!) which makes this whole forum so ridiculous.
As fans of bands we should be demanding higher standards of playing from THEM not damning people who are doing their jobs.
If anything, I'd demand an apology from Spinner for buckling to 9 super-fans, that's just bad journalism practice.

Nice to see that Mr. Dekel cleaned up some of his more inflammatory comments. They added nothing to the review. I do think a public apology or retraction would have been the more honourable thing to do, rather than rewriting history with a delete key.

NewWaver are you drunk? there was definetly no snare drum parts in the backing tracks. You seem upset they took your cell phone video down.

I think you are all being a little hard on the reviewer. C'mon people. I know it's hard to hear shit about a band that you enjoyed in your youth, but it is a reviewer's job to be honest. I also enjoyed Platinum Blonde as a young person, and I was also at this show on March 10th. But, the reviewer is correct here. The band was not ready. I've worked with bands for several years, and these guys were not ready. Holmes was drunk. He nearly fell a couple of times. And, yes, he did wrap the mic cord around his head and then realized that it was his cue to sing and then could not get the thing off. So he drunkenly lifted it up a little so he could sing into the mic. Steffler was not ready. He could not keep up with the backing track. You know there is a problem when you hear a snare drum sound and the drummer has both sticks in the air (and then he shruggs with a 'darn it' look on his face). Galli, however, was excellent. He stepped on that stage and performed as if he had never stopped. But, yes, you are all correct in saying that the crowd was happy to see them - I was happy to see them too. We all danced and partied and had fun. And, as fans we don't bother to notice the negative parts of the show. We were just so happy to see them together again. (RIP Kenny - we miss you.) But, as a reviewer, you have to judge the show also, and the reviewer is correct in his review. One more thing, I was watching this great clip of It Doesn't Really Matter on youtube and now when I look for it, it says it has been removed because "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Sony Music / Platinum Blonde"! WTF. I can't believe they are 'that' band. Jeez, can u imagine how that fan must feel.

Having reviewed the videos shot on the night in question I sincerely have to ask if the reviewer was even at the show. I find it interesting that Spinner has a policy to remove inappropriate comments from readers, but will publish such obvious cheap shots which in no way resemble a balanced and accurate review.

I agree the fans loved the show. I had some friends there and everyone thought the show went really well.
I think this writer Jonathan Dekel was still in diapers when platinum blonde was selling out areas with their multi platinum albums. Dude I know you need to pick on someone for the review to make your self feel important, you know nothing about music or how to write a review. Fire this douche bag.

Loved the prelude Building to their opening they Rocked and I did not see one unhappy face in the crowd. Including the shithead who wrote that Dribble. P.B United Rocks.

I think this review is BULLSHIT!! Especially the cut down on Chris. If you think the set was short it's not because of Chris. Chris is a tall guy and its been his style for years to hunch over when he is playing the drums.
You obviously need to go on youtube and look at some old Platinum Blonde videos and see how he plays.
If you were listening properly, nobody had a perfect show. So don't pick on only one member.

Jonathan Dekel, you're obviously not a very good concert reviewer and need to learn a little about the band before you do an honest review. This is not a very professional review and you should go over your old university notes on how to do research.