Mötley Crüe rocked the Tacoma Dome on August 12, 2011
“When we started this band all we needed, needed was a laugh. Years gone by, I’d say we’ve kicked some ass.” – Kickstart My Heart, Mötley Crüe.
On August 12 I attended the Mötley Crüe/ Poison/ New York Dolls concert at the Tacoma Dome (my least favorite venue to see a show). Being as I had never seen any of the bands live, I was anxious to see if any, or all of, the three old school rock bands still has what it takes to bring the house down.
The New York Dolls opened with lead singer David Johansen (some of you may remember him as Buster Poindexter) and his scrawny lollipop body screaming lyrics that were barely understandable. The sound for the Dolls was terribly disappointing and even though I was really hoping to like them, I’ve heard better bands in dive bars. Not so “Hot, Hot, Hot.” But in all honesty I have to believe that it was mostly due to the band’s equipment because the sound wasn’t distorted for Poison or Crüe. I’d much prefer to catch the Dolls at a small venue.
Next up was Poison, and I have to admit, the 14-year-old girl inside me was a little excited to see Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett take the stage. First onstage was Rikki who had a hood over his face as he spray painted “Jani Lane” on his drums, a tribute to the recently passed singer of the 80s hair band, Warrant.
Poison was pretty damn fun to watch. They were energetic, colorful and really got the crowd, who was practically napping through the Dolls performance. Roaring, C.C. DeVille’s guitar solo and Rikki Rockett’s drum solo were definite highlights in Poison’s set.
The band had as much energy as one twenty-years their junior, and even though Bret was recovering from an illness and probably not as strong as he could have been vocally, he was good. What he lacked in vocals he made up with enthusiasm. Poison are performers, no doubt, and they still know how to get their fans fired up.
Poison’s setlist:
Look What the Cat Dragged In
Ride The Wind
We’re An American Band
Your Mama Don’t Dance
Guitar Solo
Fallen Angel
Unskinny Bop
Drum Solo
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Talk Dirty To Me
Nothin’ But a Good Time
Tennis ball in the pants or is Bret just happy to see us?
Poison had an awesome stage presence, were great at catering to the crowd and were obviously having a ball onstage. (Ok, that was an unintentional reference to the pic above.) Their lighting was colorful and fun, and I can say that Poison certainly exceeded my expectations.
Mötley Crüe opened with a bang – multiple bangs actually – shocking the audience and exploding onstage with ‘Wild Side.’ BAM! Instantly they had everyone’s attention and the energy was ferocious.
Crüe’s lighting was spectacular, menacing and sinister, and their pyrotechnic production was quite elaborate. Just what you would expect from one of the wildest bunch of rockers to ever walk the earth.
Mötley Crüe’s setlist:
Wild Side
Saints of Los Angeles
Live Wire
Shout at the Devil
Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
Primal Scream
Home Sweet Home
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Drum Solo
Guitar Solo
Looks That Kill
Dr. Feelgood
Too Young to Fall in Love
Girls, Girls, Girls
Smokin’ In The Boys Room
Kickstart My Heart
There were two HUGE highlights to the Mötley Crüe show and both involved Tommy Lee. The first being one of the band’s best songs ever, Home Sweet Home. Tommy came out from behind the drumset (which seemed like a mile away) twice during the song, once in the beginning and once at the end, to bang on the mirrored piano.
During the song Girls, Girls, Girls, a projected video played behind the band, showing retro hotties in black & white in cheeky poses. Kim Kardashian’s face was added to the mix, but she had a BIG RED “X” through her face. Justin Bieber’s popped up briefly too, as one of the “girls”. Heh, one thing’s for sure, Mötley Crüe sure have a sense of humor.
I’ve heard mixed reviews about Vince Neil‘s voice recently, but I thought he sounded pretty good. Sure, he’s older, a little heavier, and years of hitting the juice probably haven’t helped, but he sounded like good ol’ Vince. He rocked it. Another thing I’d heard about Vince is that he doesn’t connect with the crowd very well, but in Tacoma he seemed like he wanted to please the crowd and was enthusiastic and energetic onstage.
Mick Mars‘ guitar solo was staggering. The old dude’s still got fast fingers. He’s got that same old mysterious aura about him which makes him such a bad ass rock and roller.
Nikki Sixx was amazing on bass, as per usual, and his theatrics were still hardcore Crüe. He was beastly and intense as he spit “blood” on the crowd. At the end of the show he literally threw buckets of blood on the people in the front rows. Suddenly I was glad I was 9 rows back.
The man who stole the show though, was none other than Mötley Crüe’s drummer, Tommy Lee. First, with his piano playing on Home Sweet Home, but really during his “360 drum coaster” drum solo while accompanied by a random fan in the crowd. The thing is sweet. Tommy has one person from the crowd strap into the contraption as it spins around like a rollercoaster. See the thing in action here. It’s fricking UNREAL.
See “Bob” the fan strapped in as Tommy Lee jams upside down? Now that’s rock n’ roll, man.
“…and I’d say we’re still kickin’ ass .” – Kickstart My Heart, Mötley Crüe.
