August 11, 2010 – Some bands change their formula constantly over time to satisfy fans and musical trends. Others, like Mötley Crüe, just stay the same. Sure they’ve cleaned up the act of overindulgence a bit in order to stay alive, but to quote Larry King from the band’s 2008 interview, “There’s plenty of hard core grime left behind.”
Vince, Nikki, Mick, and Tommy are still relying on over the top lyrics and outlaw personas to please fans both in the recording studio, and in live performances. Fresh off a European tour, the Crüe pulled back into America to play their first domestic concert of the summer at the Buffalo Chip Amphitheater during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The band proved their mastery of loud, hard rock with ease.
Supporting act Stone Sour was also adjusting to the U.S. touring scene, except their absence was a much longer two years. That long break left a band that was absolutely thrilled to be back on stage at home. Singer Corey Taylor talked to the crowd between nearly every song, and couldn’t stop himself from leaping into the air on multiple occasions. Playing material from their forthcoming Audio Secrecy album, the alternative metal group indeed had much to be excited about.
For openers “Wild Side” and “Kickstart My Heart“, the band was cranking guitars, bass and drums out to 10 while the stage was flooded with red lights. Flames erupted from behind a faux background of a ransacked city as singer Vince Neil paced around in a flash doing more screaming than singing. But screaming is what the fans want, and Neil gave them plenty of high-pitch action. There was a hesitancy in his expression as the nearly impossible note during “Looks That Kill” approached, but he nailed it anyway.
In years past, the Crüe has been fond of themed tours. There was the circus styled Carnival of Sins tour, the hospital scene of the Dr. Feelgood redux tour, and the more recent Dead of Winter tour. This show brings no theme to mind, other than pyro, and Mötley Crüe per usual. But the band has plenty to stand on without a theme, so that’s no problem.
Guitarist Mick Mars is perhaps the least “famous” of a cast of musicians who have piloted solo careers (Vince Neil), wrote autobiographies (Nikki Sixx), and engaged in relationships with Pamela Anderson (Tommy Lee). But his playing is magnificent despite some recent health setbacks, and he just may have been the star of the show.
Sixx can’t be left out either, the stellar bassist moves with a unique swagger and makes eye contact with fans as he plays. Drummer Lee was quieter than usual, but did ask the crowd to pose for a photo from his camera phone. By contrast Vince Neil can’t seem to be tamed on stage as he waves his arms in the air and makes a workout of his performance.
The foursome overwhelmingly stuck to safe bets in song choice, but made up for any feelings of safety by unloading a full-scale fireworks show behind them as the show carried on. Even the band was wondering if the explosions would end as the last notes of the biker-charged “Girls, Girls, Girls” rang out.
Beneath all the grime and grit, the musicians in Mötley are stunning, often underrated players. But there’s nothing wrong with bringing dark and raucous energy along with the talent. When you’ve had as much success as Mötley Crüe, there’s no need to change your formula.
