Motley Crue Live!

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March 13, 2009 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer

It has been over two decades since Motley Crue first made their debut on the Sunset Strip metal scene. Four musicians hungry for success, with just a dream and love of music and a bond that has survived the hardest times. Through thick and thin never giving up for what they believed, Motley Crue are once again re-claiming the throne as one of metal’s top band.

In 2009, Motley Crue has once again hit the road in support of their latest release Saints of Los Angeles with a special stop at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Packing a powerful punch and enough pyro and lights to light up Times Square in true Crue style.

Motley Crue bassist NIKKI SIXX comments, “Can you believe we are still standing? From the cradle to the grave. I am seeing a lot of old school Motley Crue fans on this tour plus a lot of new fans which is badass.” When I asked NIKKI the secret of Motley Crue’s longevity, he responds, “I think taking the good with the bad and standing the test of time, simply sometimes by only still standing.”

Well they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, Motley Crue surely proved that theory real tonight in their spectacular 90-Minute set. Mixing the old and the newer hits, Motley Crue kicked off the set at 9:30 P.M. with “Kickstart My Heart” lighting up the Mohegan Sun Arena with a spectacular pyro show.

The first part of the evening set consisted of the older Crue hits such as “Shout At The Devil” with a sold-out arena sporting fists in the air chanting the devilish Crue hit. Every member had the opportunity to be featured as the first solo kicked off with Mick Mars playing a bluesy intro Voodoo Child intro into “Livewire”.

Recently Motley Crue released a new album that chronicles the bands rise to the top of the music industry, Saints Of Los Angeles. It was nice to see that tonight at the Mohegan Sun that Motley Crue featured three songs from their latest release. Kicking off the new material with the hard-hitting “Saints Of Los Angeles”, the audience was really receptive to the new as well as the older hits. The band also performed “Muther Fucker Of The Year”, and performed their latest single and video “White Trash Circus” twice. Once for the airing of Jimmy Kimmel that is slated to appear on the March 20 broadcast. As the video screen played the bands newest video in the background. Fans can see a special live, network premiere performance of the Crüe and the Crüe Fest 2 lead vocalists performing “White Trash Circus” on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday, March 20th on ABC TV at 12:05 am est/11:05c.

Singer Vince Neil was a bundle of energy and in good voice. The rhythm section of Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee was on fire burning up the heavy grooves, as the backbone of Motley Crue prevailed.

Vince also played rhythm guitar on “Don’t Go Away”, and “Same Ol” Situation”. The Connecticut, Rhode Island, and NY area have always been stuck in the ’80’s time warp and a great market for Motley Crue with the response of tonight’s concert, it was clear to see some things never change.

I had the opportunity to talk with some fans that attended the show and came as far as Vermont. They were amazed at that ’80’s vibe in the venue, as they were seeing the band for the first time. They said, “Don’t the people know here tonight it is not 1987?” I responded,” Well I guess Connecticut is still stuck in the ’80s, Crue Style.”

Tonight’s Motley Crue’s concert was all about the music. The stage setting didn’t have any dancing girls or mega sideshow. Just four musicians having the time of their lives onstage, playing music that has survived the test of time.

When I asked NIKKI about his thoughts of a whole new generation seeing the band for the first time and hearing Saints Of Los Angeles NIKKI comments, “We’re not playing the album S.O.L.A. as a whole. I think the music fits in well with our set and seems to get a great response from new and original fans. I’m personally very proud of S.O.L.A. It’s what every band dreams of, being able to pass the torch from generation to generation. I’ve seen it with Aerosmith, U2, and The Rolling Stones. And hopefully now we will be stepping into a new decade of new fans enjoying what we do live and hearing not only our past work, but enjoying the new tunes too.”

Bassist Nikki Sixx was featured on the intro to the flame infused “Primal Scream,” as the energetic bass player worked the stage as if he were running a marathon. Highlights of the evening included “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr Feelgood,” as Motley Crue ended the night with a different twist with their ballad hit “Home Sweet Home.”

Motley Crue Set List:
Kickstart My Heart
Wild Side
Shout at the Devil
Mick Mars Guitar solo
Live Wire
Too Fast for Love
Saints of Los Angeles
Mother Fucker Of The Year
White Trash Circus- twice for Jimmy Kimmel
Don’t Go Away Mad
Same Ol’ Situation
Nikki Sixx Bass solo
Primal Scream
Girls Girls Girls
Dr Feelgood
Encore
Home Sweet Home

Motley Crue filmed White Trash Circus For Jimmy Kimmel at Mohegan To be Aired March 20. Fans can see a special live, network premiere performance of the Crüe and the Crüe Fest 2 lead vocalists performing “White Trash Circus” on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday, March 20th on ABC TV at 12:05 am est/11:05c.

Photos appear courtesy of Deb Rao