Sometimes you can just feel it. Like when the note leaves its master and floats across the molecules and atoms that make up our existence and comes to rest just under your skin. The chain reaction causes the tingles to shoot through the blood system and nerves; finally settling in a part of your brain where it sizzles. And the body cannot help but react. On a Friday not unlike any other Friday in the hot month of a Southern July, a petite guitar player with slim arms and long black hair covering his face, has stepped forward in a blood-red tapestry and given a part of his soul to the thousands standing in this covered oval. His name is Mick Mars and his band is Motley Crue.
On a tour celebrating thirtyears of sexed-up rock & roll, the Crue are cruising from town to town and giving their loyal fans exactly what they want. “You voted who we were going to tour with and you voted what songs we were going to play,” bassist Nikki Sixx announced to the crowd. “This tour is actually all about you guys”. And so it was. Putting all their past differences and discrepancies aside for a couple of hours, Mars and Sixx, Tommy Lee and Vince Neil stepped onto the lighted stage and threw down almost two hours of rock solid riffs and traumatic drumming to please you, the fan.
It was a little disappointing to see the New York Dolls play to a half-empty house. Most people were still filing in, stopping to buy t-shirts and beer, and sadly missing one of the most influential bands in punk rock history. Ever heard of the Ramones? How about Blondie? You know, if it wasn’t for The Dolls, many bands today, including the headlining Motley Crue, may not be as vitriol and spasmodic without having heard David Johansen and his crew first. Like a little glitter on your rock star to go with the satin pants and spit and fire vocals? Thank The Dolls. With a new album out called Dancing Backward in High Heels, Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain have recruited Earl Slick, Kenny Aaronson and Jason Sutter to help them put on a rock & roll show that unfortunately not many people took the time to attend.
Yes, t-shirts and beer are important, but get them later during intermissions so you don’t miss out on a band like the New York Dolls. They are better than you think. Although they never really had a big hit, enough young future musicians discovered them and thought they were cool and powerful enough to influence them to pick up their own musical instruments and start rocking out. Playing songs like “Pills” and “Personality Crisis” and “Cuz I Sez So”, as well as the newbie “Kids Like You”, was exciting. Johansen still has his sneer and his slithery snake-like moves. For the song “Trash”, Sylvain joked that it was “a lovely little tune but you must stand up” and then hopped into the bouncy rock number that the Ramones surely heard a time or two in their early songwriting days before their band’s official birth. Hopefully, though, those that were in attendance and paying attention, had their ears perked up and will definitely check them out.
After a brief intermission, it was party time. Running out on the stage in a mask and spray painting “Biloxi” across his drums, Rikki Rockett set the tone for our next musical adventure. With guitarist CC DeVille and bassist Bobby Dall hitting the opening chords of long-time set-starter “Look What The Cat Dragged In”, Bret Michaels rose from the pyro above the drums and brought his brand of playful sexy fun to an audience so ready for them, it was unbelievable. This band could sit on the stage and make faces at each other and the fans would still cheer and take ten thousand pictures.
Michaels not only wore a tan and his trade-mark cowboy hat, but a smile bright enough to light the heavens above. “It is good to be alive and well and standing on this stage in Biloxi, Mississippi,” he said with sincerity after explaining how much his family and friends gave him the strength to get well and get back to music after his medical emergency in 2010. He told of loving this town, the site of his comeback concert, and being glad to once again be here. “So help me sing this one”, which turned out to be the ginormous hit “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”.
Following a Michaels-induced chant of “welcome back, CC”, the guitarist went absolutely wild, finger-tapping some evil licks that led into “Fallen Angel”. Rockett’s drum solo highlighted his penchant for drumstick acrobatics and “Unkinny Bop” had Michaels shaking his maracas, literally. But it was the perky rockers “Talk Dirty To Me” and “Nothin’ But A Good Time” that proves what Poison are all about. They make no excuses for being the party band of choice. They, in fact, run like hell with it.
But in reality, this is Crue’s stage to live or die on. The Dolls may have the old school swagger and Poison may have the good time punctuation marks; but Motley Crue has the balls of rock & roll. Their swagger is more dangerous and cock-sure, and their brand of partying is not sugar-coated. They play hard. Their roar is deafening and their prowl is cut-throat.
Let me say this much: 2011 has certainly stacked up to be the year of the drummer. These children of Bonham have brought their game on and kicked major ass. And now Tommy Lee has gone and taken the drums another notch up the coolness totem pole by placing his kit on a damned roller coaster loop. It was just amazing to watch this skinny long-legged bad boy pummel out drum beats while lapping circles to the 70’s novelty hit “Roller Coaster”; sometimes with a lucky fan strapped on for the joyride of his life. How in the world can you top that? You pretty much can’t; unless you’re Mick Mars.
Sixx may be the heart and soul of Motley Crue but Mars is the blood. Despite pain that has hopefully somehow eased over time, Mars takes his place on the stage, hanging back with his head down, until he feels his moment and he stands in the spotlight to absolutely take your breath away. Having to follow Lee’s theatrics is something I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy, but Mars just goes out there and kills a balls-out solo like it was nothing. I wonder if he even realizes how he makes everyone feel when he plays.
Motley Crue did pull a fast one to start their set when all of a sudden the explosions popped out of nowhere and the Crue stalked themselves out on the stage like they were the coolest cats on the block. With Lee pounding the big sticks in a heart attack frenzy, Neil led the congregation in a “Wild Side” hymnal of life on the streets, followed by another confessional, “Saints Of Los Angeles”. “We’ve been together thirty fucking years and we haven’t killed each other yet”, laughed Neil, who seemed to be having fun.
“I can’t believe that we still get to stand up here and be fucking assholes for a living,” admitted Sixx, introducing “Too Young To Fall In Love” featuring photos that fans have been submitting to the band’s website. “This song is for you”. The band absolutely killed it on “Dr Feelgood” and “Kickstart My Heart”, “Looks That Kill” and “Don’t Go Away Mad”.
For the power ballad “Home Sweet Home”, Lee took center stage to play a silvery piano with mood enhancing lights illuminating his rare tranquility. “I have a feeling you might know this one”. Mars stepped over to do an almost surreal duet, which drew a loud ovation. And then Nikki followed up by wiping the brow of his brother-in-rhythm. It was a simple humorous gesture that said a lot about this band at this time in their career.
Motley Crue have been around a long time, thirty long adventurous lots of times fun sometimes not so fun years. They have enjoyed the highest of highs, in more ways than one, and have had to fight their way back from shenanigans caused by each band member. No one is completely innocent in the rise and almost fall of this superman-sized band. But it is their love for this band that keeps bringing it back to life. And luckily for those who have been following and rocking out for all these thirty-odd years with them, this tour is another notch on their belt loop as well. You can’t kill rock & roll and you sure as hell can’t kill Motley Crue.
New York Dolls Setlist: Looking For A Kiss, Dance Like A Monkey, Cuz I Sez So, Who Are The Mystery Girls, Talk To Me Baby, Kids Like You, Pills, Trash, Personality Crisis.
Poison Setlist: Look What The Cat Dragged In, Ride The Wind, We’re An American Band, Your Mama Don’t Dance, Fallen Angel, Unskinny Bop, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn, Talk Dirty To Me, Nothin’ But A Good Time.
Motley Crue Setlist: Wild Side, Saints Of Los Angeles, Live Wire, Shout At The Devil, Same Ol’ Situation, Primal Scream, Home Sweet Home, Don’t Go Away Mad, Drum Solo, Looks That Kill, Dr Feelgood, Too Young To Fall In Love, Too Fast For Love, Girls Girls Girls, Smokin’ In The Boys Room, Kickstart My Heart.
