This three-ring ala Ringling Bros themed tour seems appropriate when you consider the history of this bad boy band. Coming out of the LA Metal Scene in the '80s, with the likes of (Ratt and LA Guns, etc…) Motley Cure took their queue from '70s metal bands like Kiss and Alice Cooper in that they add a theatrical element to there performances.With each member of the band on the upside of extensive rehab, the band poked fun at themselves by showing a short Claymation featurette that depicts them hanging out watching the news; clean and sober. But when a meteor threatens to destroy the earth they all start back up in doing their previous activities. But it's Claymation Tommy Lee to the rescue when he suggests that they should have one last gig right under where the meteor will hit. This unites them and they are off on a one-day tour. Needless to say, or is that needles to say, the real band then hits the stage and starts to put on a Carnival of Sins show as if it were their last.
Getting clean and getting back on the road only seems to have strengthened this band. Their propensity for partying made them legendary and kept them in the headlines while their songs of decadence kept them on the charts. It was a homecoming in which fans were true to their Crüe.
There are spectacular moments during the show which is divided into two parts, or rings to further the carnival analogy. The first half of the show pays homage to their initial rough and tumble days by showcasing songs from “Shout at the Devil” and “To Fast for Love”; which ironically were the two opening songs. I'm not going to tell you what happens in the second half of the show, but let's just say that when it starts you better hold on for the ride. It gets loud!
The band was accompanied by a motley crew of characters including a mad capped ring leader midget or is that little person and a Mötley Crüe show would not be the same without at least 3 scantily clad carnal kittens. The latter prance around the stage and scaffolding periodically during strategic moments in the show to keep our eyes or erections at attention….not sure which?! Let me tell ya, Cirque du Solei has nothing on these gals! Look for their shining moment as grinder girls in the latter part of the show. With out revealing too much, let's just say that you don't want to take a bathroom break during, “Home Sweet Home.” Besides Tommy Lee's double duty on both keyboards and drums is also worth hanging around…okay mostly for the girls, girls girls!
Vince Neil humbly thanked the crowd several times for coming back to see them, (the Crue were just in Chicago a couple of months ago) and for supporting fucking rock and roll. Looking at the almost if not completely sold-out show they could have probably easily have gotten away with two nights in Chicago.
Vince was not the only one that showed his affection for the crowd. Tommy Lee bated the crowd from time to time to 'bring it' and make their ears hurt. Upon the climax of his trademarked drum solo, which of all things had more of a Cure-like vibe than anything the Crüe ever put out on vinyl; he had only three words for the audience, “I Love You.” After the climax (so to speak) he stated that he was having great difficulty in getting his pants off but said that playing drums for the fans is what he fuckin lives for.
On the other hand Mick Mars looked like death's undertaker in his tall black hat and duster jacket. He had a dark but expressive face, (which was mostly hidden by eye makeup and tussles of his black hair) he played methodically and moved around quite a bit more than I had anticipated. He is, in my humble opinion, one of the best underrated guitarists still rocking out there and the MVP of the evening if not the entire tour. Not bad for a stoic undertaker, welcome back from Hell Mick.
Nikki Sixx was on the war path and provided the primal tones of bass and a performance that engulfs him in a shower of sparks coming from dark and naughty places. Hey that's nifty Nikki. It also seemed very unfair that he seemed to be getting a lot of attention from the on-stage carnies and not once ever sharing.
With all of this activity going on band members took brief interludes between songs that included of all things a 10 minute intermission. I know they are from the '80s but an intermission? Come on you're not that old even Beatle Paul doesn't take an intermission. Don't worry people will still take time to buy your merch and they obvious found time to buy beer. Regardless of pacing themselves the Crüe gave the crowd a hard rocking time. Shows like these don't come around too often, so if you're a fan, do yourself a favor and see them. Of course you can always wait for reunion No. 3, the Relapse Tour!
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