motley crue
NIKKI SIXX: ‘MÖTLEY CRÜE Is Not Getting Back Together’
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Nikki Sixx Abandons Social Media
Social media has fueled more than just a handful of rock...
STONE SOUR’s Cover Versions Of SLAYER, MÖTLEY CRÜE Classics Posted Online
STONE SOUR's cover versions of SLAYER's "Seasons In The Abyss" and...
MÖTLEY CRÜE Taps Producer JAMES MICHAEL For ‘Final Song’
MÖTLEY CRÜE held a press conference on January 28 at Hotel Roosevelt in Los Angeles where they announced that the band will launch its "Final Tour" later this year, with the group planning to play 72 shows in North America in 2014 and more overseas in 2015. Making it official, the four members of the band had their lawyer draw up a formal "cessation of touring" agreement that goes into effect at the end of 2015 and prohibits the members of the group from going on the road again under the MÖTLEY CRÜE banner.
No mention was made of whether the CRÜE will record a new album to go along with the tour, although the group hinted at the possibility.
Speaking to Artisan News at yesterday's (Wednesday, April 23) Revolver Golden Gods event at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, producer James Michael — who sings for MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx's SIXX: A.M. project — revealed that he has been tapped to helm what may very well turn out to be the CRÜE's final song.
"As we know, the CRÜE is getting ready to hang it up. And we discussed for a while doing a final song," James said (see video below). "And that's a tall order. There was a lot of pressure on us to make sure that we did it right and that we celebrated everything that they were known for. So I think we've done it. I'm actually tracking drums with Tommy [Lee] tomorrow. And it's an outstanding song. I think it's gonna be an absolutely amazing way to go out swinging."
During an appearance on the March 3 edition of Eddie Trunk's show "Trunk Nation" on SiriusXM's Hair Nation, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars revealed: "I just wrote a new song with Nikki, and we're gonna be finishing it up, like, within the next couple of months. There'll be a new single [released in time for the upcoming tour]."
Sixx in January said that that it's unlikely that the band will release another full-length album of new material and will instead make select tracks available via special projects in order to maximize their impact.
"My take on it right now and the way that things work is very much reverted back to the '60s where people buy singles," Mars told Trunk. "I don't want an album full of fillers. And that's why I said I would release [a solo] EP or singles."
Sixx told the Rapid City, South Dakota radio station 95.1 KSKY: "We have music written, [but] it's not put together yet." He added: "It's hard, to be honest with you, to spend six [or] nine months to write eleven songs — all those lyrics… everything… the vocals, the guitars, the bass, the sonics, the mixing, the mastering, the artwork… You put it out and nothing [happens], because now people cherry-pick songs. So we go, 'Why don't we write songs and find vehicles to get one, two or four songs to ten million people rather than eleven songs to a hundred thousand people. That's how we're thinking. I don't know if it's right or wrong, but that's how we're thinking."
MÖTLEY CRÜE in 2012 released a brand new song called "Sex" to coincide with the launch of the band's North American co-headlining tour with KISS.
Written when the group was together during their residency in Las Vegas in February 2012, "Sex" was the first studio track from the CRÜE since their June 2008 release of "Saints Of Los Angeles". The song was recorded at MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's studio called The Atrium in Calabasas, California.
MÖTLEY CRÜE Announces ‘The Final Tour’ Details
After more than three decades together, MÖTLEY CRÜE announced today their Final Tour and the band's ultimate retirement. The announcement was solidified when the band signed a formal Cessation Of Touring Agreement, effective at the end of 2015, in front of global media in Los Angeles today. Celebrating the announcement of this Final Tour, the band will perform on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" tonight and will appear on "CBS This Morning" tomorrow, January 29.
With over 80 million albums sold, MÖTLEY CRÜE has sold out countless tours across the globe and spawned more than 2,500 MÖTLEY CRÜE branded items sold in over 30 countries. MÖTLEY CRÜE has proven they know how to make a lasting impression and this tour will be no different; Fans can expect to hear all the band's hits and look forward to mind-blowing, unparalleled live production.
"When it comes to putting together a new show we always push the envelope and that's part of MÖTLEY CRÜE's legacy," explains Nikki Sixx (bass). "As far as letting on to what we're doing, that would be like finding out what you're getting for Christmas before you open the presents. We think in an age of too much information, we'd like to keep some surprises close to our chest until we launch The Final Tour."
The Final Tour presented by Dodge and produced by Live Nation will kick off in North America on July 2 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and reach 72 markets before hitting international territories in 2015. To Live Nation, MÖTLEY CRÜE tours are not only box office successes but artistically their shows have set the bar for production and entertainment value.
"There's no arguing that MÖTLEY CRÜE have been and always will be the definitive bad boys of rock and roll," says Rick Franks, Live Nation's regional president of North America Concerts. "But behind all those notorious stories is a legendary rock band that has revolutionized heavy metal and created some of the biggest hits in music history. They are a hugely successful global brand and a touring powerhouse. Everyone at Live Nation has a tremendous amount of respect for these hard-working and extremely talented gentlemen. The music industry will never have another MÖTLEY CRÜE."
The Dodge brothers were a notorious duo, so it seemed only natural to partner with the World's Most Notorious Rock Band.
"Whenever I talk to people about MÖTLEY CRÜE, the common thread is how cool and relevant the band remains even after 33 years," said Tim Kuniskis, president and CEO, Dodge brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "This irreverent 'staying power' resonates deeply with the Dodge brand as we turn the corner on our 100 year anniversary. What better way to celebrate the band's final tour and the 25th anniversary of 'Kickstart My Heart' than to do it together?"
Fans can look forward to very special guest ALICE COOPER joining MÖTLEY CRÜE for an incredible package — Alice invented the genre and MÖTLEY CRÜE put steroids in it!
"Real hard rock bands are hard to find these days," said Alice, "MÖTLEY has always gone on stage with one attitude and that's to blow the audience away. That's exactly how we do it. Putting MÖTLEY CRÜE and Alice Cooper together is going to be just what this summer really NEEDS. We're going to go out there and tear it up, and I can't wait to see MÖTLEY on stage. MÖTLEY CRÜE and Alice Cooper — A match made in... Armageddon?"
As documented in the Cessation Of Touring Agreement the band signed at the press conference today, the band will not tour after this Final Tour. Band attorney Doug Mark of Mark Music & Media Law explains: "Other bands have split up over rancor or the inability of people to get along, but this is mutual among all four original members and a peaceful decision to move on to other endeavors and to confirm it with a binding agreement."
Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and Mick Mars will go their separate ways after the lengthy two-year touring cycle. Tommy Lee (drums) explains: "Everything must come to an end!! We always had a vision of going out with a big fucking bang and not playing county fairs and clubs with 1 or 2 original band members! Our job here is done!!!" Of the band's tumultuous history, Mick Mars (guitar) adds: "(It has been) more drama than 'General Hospital' — it keeps 'em watchin' and they keep comin' back." Vocalist Vince Neil says of the finality of the tour: "I'll miss playing with the guys but I won't quit playing rock and roll!! I feel there are a lot of great opportunities and exciting projects after MÖTLEY."
The Final Tour will coincide with the film made from MÖTLEY CRÜE's New York Times best-selling book "The Dirt". Jeff Tremaine ("Bad Grandpa") has signed on to direct the opus that is set to debut in theaters globally in 2015, coinciding with The Final Tour. "The Dirt" is not only one of the best selling rock books of all time but also one of the greatest rock books of all time because of its brutal honesty, its unique voice, its multiple perspectives on the same events and its first-person inclusion of all members of the same band. Most rock memoirs are salacious mud-slinging accounts of a single person and MÖTLEY CRÜE was adamant to include the perspectives of all four of its members. Tremaine's intention is to make, not just a great movie about a band, but a great movie about four misfits who, despite themselves and everyone else, band together to overcome the odds and change the history of rock and roll.
"'The Dirt' is a movie I've wanted to make ever since I read the book in 2002," says Tremaine. "I relate to the story on so many levels; my whole professional career has been about boys behaving badly, so I have a real connection to the material. It's awesome to be working with the band at such an exciting time in MÖTLEY CRÜE's history." The film will be produced by the members of MÖTLEY CRÜE, Rick Yorn, Julie Yorn, Erik Olsen and 10th Street Entertainment.
Big Machine Records, home to country superstars such as Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw has teamed up in a joint venture with Mötley Records and Eleven Seven Music for the summer 2014 release of a country music tribute to MÖTLEY CRÜE. Big Machine founder and CEO, Scott Borchetta, is among the legion of country music fans who love MÖTLEY CRÜE. The country tribute album will show off the band's quality songwriting with these fresh takes on their classic hit songs. Among the artists already confirmed to be featured on the country tribute album is Florida Georgia Line. Borchetta says of the collaboration, "I have been a not-so-secret CRÜE fan from the beginning. When manager Chris Nilsson called with the idea for a tribute album on Big Machine Records, it was an immediate 'yes' from me! Our album will highlight just how great the MÖTLEY CRÜE song catalog is. At the end of the day, that's what will stand the test of time."
MÖTLEY CRÜE’s ‘Final Tour’ To Feature Support From ALICE COOPER
Eddie Trunk — co-host of the VH1 Classic television program "That Metal Show" who has a long-running radio show, "Eddie Trunk Rocks" (formerly "Friday Night Rocks"), on New York's Q104.3 FM — has tweeted what appears to be the official ad for MÖTLEY CRÜE's farewell tour, apparently dubbed "The Final Tour", which will feature support from ALICE COOPER.
MÖTLEY CRÜE is expected to hold a press conference in Los Angeles on January 28 during which they will announce the first details of the farewell tour, which will reportedly kick off in May and last for a couple of years. Later that night, MÖTLEY CRÜE will be the musical guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The band will perform several songs on the show's outdoor stage in front of a standing-room-only crowd.
MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil told Billboard.com back in August that the band's final tour would begin during the spring of this year and wrap up sometime in 2015.
"It's just kind of that time," Neil explained. "We'll do one more time and then kinda call it quits. We're going out on top. We don't want to be some band that people are like, 'Oh, they're playing a club now.' We still sell out arenas, have stadium stuff and things like that."
Neil and MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee previously made comments suggesting that guitarist Mick Mars' health issues were partly to blame for the band's decision to call it quits — something that Mars, who suffers from the spinal disease ankylosing spondilytus, has repeatedly denied.
"Any rumors regarding a farewell tour due to 'my poor health' are BS. I am doing fine, my AS has never kept me from touring and never will," Mars wrote on Twitter in August.
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped up its second Las Vegas residency at the Hard Rock Hotel's Joint last October.
MÖTLEY CRÜE: ‘RIP: All Bad Things Must Come To An End’
MÖTLEY CRÜE will hold a special event in Los Angeles on January 28 under the banner "RIP: All Bad Things Must Come To An End". The band is expected to announce the first details of its farewell tour, which will likely last for a couple of years.
MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx was asked in an October 2013 interview with RollingStone.com about the time table for the band's eventual farewell tour, which singer Vince Neil said could begin as early as May 2014.
"We haven't decided when that is, we're talking about that," Sixx said. "It'll happen, but we don't know when it will happen.
"The most important thing about a farewell tour is that the band doesn't lie to the fans, and the band doesn't tour and then come back years later. That's what's important for us, planning what's the right time to go out.
"We have a great fan base, we have original fans all the way down to teenagers, and we really feel grateful to that and we continue to reinvent ourselves over the years.
"People always tried to make us an unimportant part of rock history and that doesn't really affect us because it's always been that way. Critics have always snubbed us.
"The thing about MÖTLEY CRÜE is we are a people's band, we don't kiss ass to the industry. We believe artists should be in control of their own destiny and that destiny also includes when it should be done so that their fans can forever be proud. It's not one or two band members up there dragging the band name around. It's a band for a reason, it works for a reason. We're really proud of that. I think that's why, when the day does come, we want to be proud of our band and what we've achieved."
He continued: "Someone said to me the other day, 'Won't you be sad?' I go, 'No, I'd be sad if we were playing half-full theaters and only two band members were in the band.' That would be sad. Sad is not taking your final bow in Los Angeles all together as four brothers.
"I talked to a friend the other day and they were talking about a friend of theirs who passed away. And after the funeral, they had this huge party and everybody was celebrating, drinking and telling stories about this guy and how fun he was and how much joy he gave everybody in life. That's how I feel about MÖTLEY CRÜE.
"When that day comes, that's what I want: one big fucking huge party to celebrate what we've done, all the good, all the bad, all the in-between. There it is, one big party, one final bow. It's gonna be fucking rad, but we're not there yet. Right now, we got three shows left in Vegas and then we're gonna start looking forward to when we tour next."
Asked if there there could be multiple tours, or if the next one will be the finale, Sixx said: "We don't know right now. We said as brothers and a band, that's something we plan on doing sometime in the future, but we're not there yet, so we don't have any idea when. We're not sitting down right now planning on that."
In an interview with Billboard.com, Neil said about MÖTLEY CRÜE's upcoming farewell tour, "I think we'll start the tour around May — I'm just kind of guessing on that, but in the spring of '14 — and we'll do one more time around the world and kinda call it quits. It's just that time. We're going out on top. We don't want to be some band that people are like, 'Oh, they're playing a club now,' that kind of band. We still sell out arenas, have stadium stuff and things like that, so let's go out when it's a big deal."
Vince also insisted that MÖTLEY CRÜE's retirement will be for "real" and that they won't hold multiple farewell tours like certain other acts.
"There are some bands that are on their fifth and sixth farewell tour," Vince told KVVU Fox 5. "Nah, we're not gonna do that. I'm not gonna say we would never get back together and do some concerts or something — we wanna keep that open — but we're not gonna do a farewell tour and then a couple of years later go, 'Ah, never mind.'"
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped up its second Las Vegas residency at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Joint last October.
VINCE NEIL: MÖTLEY CRÜE’s Decision To Embark On Farewell Tour Has Nothing To Do With MICK MARS’ Health
Sally Steele, publisher of Vegas Rocks! Magazine, conducted an interview with MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil at the November 5 VIP party for Vince Neil's Tatuado Eat-Drink-Party!, described as "the ultimate definition of Neil's Tatuado brand and outrageous lifestyle," in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can now watch the chat below.
Asked about MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's recent statement that CRÜE guitaristMick Mars' ongoing battle with Ankylosing spondylitis, a painful form of chronic arthritis that causes vertebrae in the spine to fuse together, was one of the primary reasons for CRÜE's revelation that they will call it quits after 2015, Vince said: "I don't know why Tommy would say that. It really had nothing to do with Mick's health. It was just because we all felt — at least me and Nikki [Sixx, bass] and Mick — felt that it was just we didn't wanna go out on the bottom. We didn't wanna be one of those bands that start fading away. We've been on top for 32 years, and it's great. And it's just like, you know what? By the time we finish this tour, it'll be in 35 years of MÖTLEY CRÜE. So… that's really kind of it."
He added: "After this farewell tour, who's to say we won't play again? I could probably see us play way down the road — a concert here or concert there, maybe — but we're not, like, doing the KISS farewell thing, where they have their fifth farewell tour."
On the topic of what he plans on doing after MÖTLEY CRÜE is done, Vince said: "I have my own stuff. I have my solo band, and we have a lot of touring coming up. And actually, it looks like me and Sammy Hagar are gonna go out together for a long tour next year. I'll be carrying the torch for MÖTLEY CRÜE when MÖTLEY CRÜE is done."
Lee told Canadian progressive-house music producer and performer Deadmau5 in a recent video: "Our guitar player, Mick, he has a spinal disease that's slowly fusing his vertebrae together. It's one of those things that's treatable, but not curable. So it's just progressively getting really worse and it's painful for him, so he doesn't wanna tour much longer. I can't say I blame him… The last thing we ever wanna do is go out running on two cylinders with some hired guy playing guitar; that's just wack. So we wanna go out with one big hurrah with the original guys and be done with it."
He added: "That's such a bad look when bands are still playing the fucking fairgrounds — those county-fair shows — and it's just like two of the original guys, or one original guy, and the rest, no one knows who they are. We don't wanna do that."
However, in a posting last month on his Twitter account, Mars painted a different picture, claiming that his medical condition had never affected his playing. "Once again, any rumors regarding a farewell tour due to 'my poor health is BS," he wrote. "I am doing fine, my AS has never kept me from touring." He added: "Thank all of you for knowing the truth… When I'm done touring, you'll hear it from me."
Lee responded to Mars' Twitter posting, writing: "@mrmickmars it's probably not so much about your physical health it's more about our mental health as a band! Haha!"
MÖTLEY CRÜE recently returned to Las Vegas for an exclusive twelve-show engagement September 18 through October 6 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
SIXX Says It’s ‘Absolutely Not True’ MÖTLEY CRÜE Wanted BACH To Replace NEIL
MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx has dismissed as "absolutely not true" Sebastian Bach's claim that the former SKID ROW singer was once asked to replace Vince Neil in MÖTLEY CRÜE.
Neil was fired from MÖTLEY CRÜE in 1992 due to personal differences and was replaced by John Corabi. With Corabi on vocals, MÖTLEY CRÜE released one critically acclaimed full-length CD, which ended up being a commercial failure in the wake of grunge despite a Top-Ten placing on the album chart.
Asked by a fan on Twitter if he was ever considered to replace Vince in MÖTLEY CRÜE, Bach replied that he was not just "considered" but that he was actually "asked" by CRÜE if he wanted to join the band as its new lead singer. He then added that the story of how close he came to becoming a member of MÖTLEY CRÜE might be included in his upcoming autobiography, which he is currently working on and for which he recently revealed that he had "a big offer from a big book company."
When another fan pressed Bach on why the singer turned down the offer to join MÖTLEY CRÜE, Bach replied: "The short answer is that I actually thought at the time this band SKID ROW was better." Sebastian then added, "Gee, I sure know how to pick 'em."
Speaking on a recent edition of his "Sixx Sense" radio show, Sixx addressed Bach's comments, telling his listeners: "I read something online. It's not true, and I wanna talk about it a little bit.
"Sebastian Bach, who was the lead singer from SKID ROW — and I still think he should still be in SKID ROW, and I've talked to all of them about that many times; they just can't along — he says that MÖTLEY CRÜE wanted him to replace Vince Neil. And I'm just gonna say right now that is absolutely not true.