W♥M

We♥KC- July 18-25, 2022 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence KS)

Read More Mötley Crüe Vince Neil, all the original members of glam "hair" metal band Mötley Crüe are back with an all-original studio album, Saints of Los Angeles. The album is out today …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

“Do ya wanna get rocked?!”

The big show of the week is the four-act arena rock show headlined by Def Leppard and Motley Crue taking place outdoors at the home of the KC Royals (with VIP tix topping at almost $1K!). Temps look to be in the triple-digits for most of the week, so stay hydrated out there.

Covid concerns continue as both the Earth Wind and Fire and Kansas/.38 Special shows were scuttled last week due to band/crew infections, so take precautions and check those band and venue social channels for any last-minute schedule changes.

Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro July 18^th\ – 25^th

(Several artists still require precautions for entry- check with the venue for specific details regarding vaxx proof/masks)

Monday July 18

Tuesday July 19

Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe with Poison and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Kauffman Stadium. $49.50-$945

Back in the late ‘80s, each of these acts respectively could have filled an arena on their own, flash-forward a few decades and they’ve combined forces for an entertaining day at the ballpark.

We’ve seen each separately but not all together, and have to admit, are still a little put out by Mötley Crüe returning after a signed and so-called “final tour” last time out, when we saw them last in 2015. Seeing singer Vince Neil open in 2019 left us a little cold as well, so fingers crossed for better things.

Def Leppard, on the other hand, have a solid new album out, Diamond Star Halos, their twelfth full length and first since 2015. Despite a few recent health scares, Poison continues on as does Joan Jett, a recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member who finally unplugged on 2022’s Acoustics album.

An early 4:30p start time and parking costs start in advance at $30, so plan accordingly.

Motion City Soundtrack, Granada. $34.50

Minneapolis still claims them as hometown heroes and after a pandemic delay, Motion City Soundtrack is currently on their Commit This To Memory 17 Year Anniversary Tour.

Charleston, SC indie band All Get Out has new album, Kodak out, and Long Island musician /vocalist Neil Rubenstein both are scheduled to open.

Dave Mason, Liberty Hall, $45-$124

Decades later, there’s still “only you and me and we just disagree”. The longtime musician best known as a member of Traffic will undoubtedly have you “Feelin’ Alright”.

Wednesday July 20

Thursday July 21

Maren Morris, Starlight, $29.75-$99.75

The GRAMMY-winning country singer-songwriter headlines in support of her newest album, Humble Quest. She began writing the new album songs at the beginning of the pandemic as a series of life changes unfolded—new motherhood, an upended career, the death of her friend and collaborator Michael Busbee, and more.

Live, she of course plays dance hit, “The Middle” and has also been working in a Fiona Apple cover.

Sheryl Crow, GrindersKC. $75-$99

The Missouri native was just recently in town for the Big Slick charity weekend, and this is a chance to see her full set and outdoors. New song “Forever” is one of her best, and is from Sheryl, her recent documentary and accompanying soundtrack album. She’s also working in a Rolling Stones cover into her live show.

Animal Collective, The Truman, $33-$38

Covid postponed this show previously, with all previous tickets being honored- The Baltimore experimental pop art band is back on the road on their Time Skiffs Tour, named after their Feb-released new album, which featured the return of member Deakin, who had sat out the previous release. We last saw them at the Desert Daze Fest in 2019.

Opening on this solid double-bill is Philadelphia’s Spirit of the Beehive, supporting fourth album, Entertainment, Death, which came out last summer and they play somewhat similar psychedelic, experimental pop rock.

Jeff Rosenstock, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $20

The busy Long Island multi-instrumentalist is out in support of last year’s Ska Dream album, and also released one with the Bruce Lee Band, and runs his own label as well. You may have caught him recently on Late Night with Seth Myers performing with buddies in PUP.

Nnamdi, Catbite listed as support.

Chase Rice w Travis Denning, Power & Light District, $20

The former college linebacker and pit crew member is out in support of last year’s appropriately titled The Album, which was a combination of two previous EPs and features the single, “Drinkin Beer, Talkin’ God, Amen”

Friday July 22

Josh Groban, Starlight. $35-$199.50

The Harmony Tour is the first opportunity Groban has had to play songs for a live audience from his 2020 album, Harmony (on Warner Brothers), as a result of the pandemic delay. Groban is a Tony®, EMMY®, and four-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer and songwriter, who can still lift you up with one of the most instantly recognizable voices in music. Live, he’s been singing his own songs, as well as those from Frank Sinatra, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Williams, Kenny Loggins and more.

We last saw him back in 2013 (he even recorded an album in Minneapolis), so we’re overdue to catch him live again.

Support acts include Preservation Hall Jazz Band to insure an entertaining and full night of music.

Scarface, The Truman CANCELED

Saturday July 23

John Mulaney (comedian), Starlight. $39.50-$149.50

The two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer and comedian has had an eventful last few years, including a divorce, intervention, stint in rehab, and new baby, all of which he happily and humorously details in his live set.

(note: this is a No-Phone show- secure pouches will be provided)

Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring The Hillbenders,  Knuckleheads. $27.50-$47.50, two shows early and late.

Loose interpretations of Grateful Dead songs in a Bluegrass manner by this talented assemblage.

Crystal Method, Aura Nightclub, $35

The Las Vegas electronic hit makers are back on the road in support of new album The Trip Out, and it was a bit odd to see them on recent NBC reality show American Song Contest.

Molly Hatchet Sac and Fox Casino-Powhatten, Free

Are they still “flirtin’ with disaster” if there are no original members left? I guess the answer is “Yes” as they do feature a guitarist and keyboardist that were members in the mid-80s, and with a new vocalist, will be playing all the favorites.

FYI, they return to the area over Labor Day weekend, for a bike rally near Lake Perry as well.

Sunday July 24

Monday July 25

King Princess w Dora Jar,Arvest Theatre at The Midland, $25-$49.50

The only bummer of catching them live back in January on the Kacey Musgraves tour, was that technical difficulties cut their set drastically short. Aka Mikaela Straus did apologize, and the crowd did get to hear single “Little Bother”, a collaboration with NY soul singer Fousheé, and “For My Friends”, both a preview of the upcoming record Hold On Baby, due out July 29.

Boy Harsher, recordBar. $20

The Georgia darkwave duo of Jae Matthews and producer Augustus Muller is touring in support of new album The Runner (Original Soundtrack) which accompanies their own conceptual film (on their own Nude Club/City Slang label).

Opener Hiro Kone is aka Nicky Mao, a New York based experimental electronic / techno producer, out in support of last year’s Silvercoat the throng

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R.I.P. Sylvain Sylvain of the New York Dolls

Read More New York Dolls Sylvain Sylvain, the punk icon and guitarist for New York Dolls whose riffs bridged the gap between punk and glam, died Wednesday. He was 69. His wife, Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi, confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone. …

It’s 2021, and as usual, there are already a ton of Musicians deaths. I will be compiling them when I have time here.

While there are a lot of famous and known deaths, the one that I’m most familiar with is for Sylvain Sylvain of the New York Dolls on January 13, 2021.

To be fair, I’ve only heard of the New York Dolls because they were Morrissey’s favorite band. He covered their song, “Trash” in an early 90s tour, and was very outspoken about what a great band they were. In fact, Morrissey wrote a few books before he joined The Smiths, one of which is the New York Dolls book. I bought a re-issue of the book a few years ago, obsessed with everything Morrissey.

I found a rare New York Dolls live album in Japan, and quickly realized that the band’s music was not really my cup of tea. I’ve never understood what Morrissey saw in the ‘Dolls, I just knew he was very in love with the band. Perhaps it’s the theatrics of their appearance… perhaps it’s that whole glam thing.

If you remember, in 2004, when Morrissey was curating the Meltdown music festival in London, he personally asked the ‘Dolls to reform. Of course, the three original members, including Sylvain, agreed. The result was a positive one, giving the band new life, as they released new music and played alongside Mötley Crüe and Poison in the 2011 Glam-A-Geddon tour.

January (42)

[16 Jan 2021] Pave Maijanen (Finnish musician for Hurriganes), 70, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Musician Pave Maijanen is dead. The matter was confirmed to Iltalehti from Maijanen's close circle. At the time of his death, he was 70 years old. Maijanen's first symptoms of ALS in the fall of 2018. ... via iltalehti.fi

[16 Jan 2021] Muammer Sun (Turkish composer), 88, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome Mumammer Sun, a master composer and instructor who has been struggling with multiple organ failure for a long time, died in the hospital where he was taken. ... via hurriyet.com.tr

[15 Jan 2021] Lệ Thu (Vietnamese-American singer), 77, COVID-19 Le Thu, the "golden voice" of Vietnamese new musician, died at the age of 78 after nearly two months of treatment with Covid-19 at Orange Coast Memorial Hospital, California. ... via vnexpress.net

[14 Jan 2021] Antún Castro (Colombian musician and actor), 74 At dawn today the composer, educator and actor Antún Efrén Castro Urrutia, author of the renowned songs Por qué me lo das y Maquerule, died in Bogotá. Antún was born in Riosucio in 1946, he studied part of the baccalaureate at the Carrasquilla School and finished in Bogotá. There, at the Free University, he studied Philology and Languages, specializing in English. ... via choco7dias.com

[14 Jan 2021] Duranice Pace (American gospel singer for The Anointed Pace Sisters), 62 Evangelist Duranice Pace, a member of family gospel group, The Anointed Pace Sisters, passed away from health complications on January 14, 2021. She was 62 years old. ... via essence.com

[14 Jan 2021] Joanne Rogers (American pianist and puppeteer), 92, heart disease Joanne Rogers, an accomplished concert pianist and wife of iconic kids TV host Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers) who provided an invaluable assist to the filmmakers behind the 2019 feature A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, died Thursday. She was 92. ... via hollywoodreporter.com

[14 Jan 2021] Larry Willoughby (American country singer-songwriter and music executive), 73, COVID-19 Larry Willoughby, the A&R executive who helped the now-superstar get his deal with Capitol Records, died on Thursday (Jan. 14) of COVID-19, Bryan reports. ... via tasteofcountry.com

[13 Jan 2021] Tim Bogert (American rock bassist for Bogert & Appice), 76, cancer Tim Bogert, who was part of such major acts as Vanilla Fudge and Cactus and later in the super-group Beck, Bogert & Appice, died today of cancer. He was 76. His death was confirmed by his former bandmate Carmine Appice. ... via deadline.com

[13 Jan 2021] Duke Bootee (American rapper and songwriter), 69, heart failure Duke Bootee, the pioneering rapper who co-wrote and appeared on Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s classic “The Message” — Number One on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time — died Wednesday at the age of 69. ... via rollingstone.com

[13 Jan 2021] Sylvain Sylvain (American guitarist for New York Dolls), 69, cancer Sylvain Sylvain, the punk icon and guitarist for New York Dolls whose riffs bridged the gap between punk and glam, died Wednesday. He was 69. His wife, Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi, confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone. ... via rollingstone.com

[12 Jan 2021] Shingoose (Canadian folk musician), 74, COVID-19 Longtime folk musician and activist Curtis (Shingoose) Jonnie died Tuesday morning at the age of 74 after testing positive for COVID-19, his daughter says. ... via cbc.ca

[11 Jan 2021] Howard Johnson (American jazz musician), 79 Howard Johnson, arguably the best-known tuba player in contemporary jazz for the past several decades, died this morning, January 11, following a long, unspecified illness. His death, at age 79, was confirmed on Facebook by Nancy Olewine, who described herself as Johnson’s “beloved partner of many years.” A location was not noted. ... via udiscovermusic.com

[11 Jan 2021] Mark Keds (English punk singer for Senseless Things), 50 Senseless Things singer Mark Keds has died at the age of 50. He was best known as the frontman of the 90s pop punk band and for co-writing The Libertines' 2004 hit Can't Stand Me Now. ... via mirror.co.uk

[11 Jan 2021] Rada Lysenko (Рада Лисенко) (Ukrainian pianist and pedagogue for People's Artist of Ukraine), 99 Ariadna (Rada) Ostapivna Lysenko was born on July 10, 1921, in the town of Khorol, now Poltava. reg. - pianist, teacher. Daughter of Ostap, granddaughter of Mykola Lysenko, wife of A. Shtogarenko. 1st prize of the All-Ukrainian competition of musicians-performers (Kyiv, 1945). ... via kyiv.ua

[10 Jan 2021] Thorleif Torstensson (Swedish singer for Thorleifs), 71, COVID-19 Thorleif's singer Thorleif Torstensson has passed away in the suites of covid-19. The dance band icon died surrounded by his family after being cared for in hospital for a week. ... via expressen.se

[10 Jan 2021] David Stypka (Czech singer-songwriter and guitarist), 41, COVID-19 Singer, guitarist and lyricist David Stypka, winner of the Anděl Music Award in the Solo Artist of the Year 2017 category, died today. He was 41 years old. ... via ceskenoviny.cz

[08 Jan 2021] Ed Bruce (American singer-songwriter and actor), 81 Ed Bruce, the singer and songwriter who got his start during the Sun Records rockabilly era and went on to write or record a long string of country chart-makers, died of natural causes today in Clarksville, Tennessee. Bruce, who sidelined as an actor on such TV series as James Garner’s 1981 Maverick sequel and 1980’s The Chisholms, was 81. ... via deadline.com

[08 Jan 2021] David Darling (American cellist and composer), 79 It is with great sadness that we share the news of David Darling’s passing. David leaves us with a rich legacy through his music, his teaching and his spirit. He touched all of us deeply and impacted the lives of so many around the world, inspiring us to find and express the creative spark within. ... via daviddarling.com

[08 Jan 2021] Michael Fonfara (Canadian keyboardist for The Electric Flag), 74, cancer Internationally renowned Canadian keyboard player Michael Fonfara died in a Toronto hospital on Friday. He was 74. The sad news came in an emailed statement from publicist Eric Alper, who said Fonfara had been battling cancer for two years. ... via thepeterboroughexaminer.com

[08 Jan 2021] Antonín Linhart (Czech folk singer-songwriter and guitarist for Pacifik), 80 Tony Linhart, a folk and tramp guitarist, singer and songwriter, founder of the group Pacifik, has died at the age of 80. His passing on Friday was announced by Country Radio, where Linhart had worked as a radio presenter. ... via radio.cz

[07 Jan 2021] Genival Lacerda (Brazilian forró singer), 89, COVID-19 Singer Genival Lacerda died on Thursday (7), aged 89, after fighting a tough fight with Covid-19. Paraiba was hospitalized since November 30 in a hospital in Recife due to pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. The death was confirmed by the singer's son, João Lacerda, through social networks. ... via verdesmares.com.br

[07 Jan 2021] Biserka Cvejić (Serbian opera singer), 97 Biserka Cvejić has died. The sad news was announced by her former student Nikola Kitanovski, with the message "Eternal glory to you, my dear Professor". ... via novosti.rs

[07 Jan 2021] Deezer D (American rapper and actor), 55 Deezer D, best known for his role as nurse Malik McGrath on "ER" has died ... TMZ has learned. The actor, whose real name was Dearon Thompson, was found unresponsive at home Thursday morning in Los Angeles. His brother, Marshawn, tells us the family believes he died of a heart attack, but there is not yet an official cause of death. ... via tmz.com

[07 Jan 2021] Jamie O'Hara (American country musician and songwriter), 70, cancer Nashville singer-songwriter Jamie O'Hara, who wrote hit for the Judds and many more, has died. According to his wife, Lola White, O'Hara died on Thursday (Jan. 7) after a battle with a very aggressive cancer. He was 70 years old. ... via tasteofcountry.com

[06 Jan 2021] Osian Ellis (Welsh harpist and composer), 92 Tributes have been paid to a globally-renowned Welsh harpist who has died at the age of 92. Dr Osian Ellis, who started playing again as he approached his 90th birthday, collaborated with leading British composer Benjamin Britten and performed at the world’s finest concert venues. ... via nation.cymru

[06 Jan 2021] Bobby Few (American jazz pianist), 85 He was one of the greatest jazz pianists. Bobby Few died on January 6 at the age of 85. ... via en24news.com

[06 Jan 2021] Yamandú Palacios (Uruguayan singer, songwriter and guitarist), 80 The musician Yamandú Palacios died this Wednesday at the age of 80. Author of songs like Los boliches and Coplas al compadre Juan Miguel, inspired by the life of the "cañeros" of Bella Unión, he was one of the key figures of the first layer of popular song, along with Alfredo Zitarrosa and Osiris Rodríguez Castillos, along with to whom he shared the stage ... via elobservador.com

[05 Jan 2021] John Georgiadis (British violinist for London Symphony Orchestra and conductor for Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra), 81 John was born in Southend on Sea and began playing the violin at the age of six. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and before joining the LSO spent two years as Leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In 1965, at the age of just 26, he became the LSO’s Leader. ... via lso.co.uk

[05 Jan 2021] Chacha Sherly (Indonesian singer), 29, traffic collision The sad news came from the dangdut singer Yuselly Agus Stevy aka Chacha Sherly. The accident he experienced on Monday, January 4, 2021 yesterday, killed the former Trio Macan personnel. ... via okezone.com

[04 Jan 2021] Alexi Laiho (Finnish death metal singer-songwriter and guitarist for Children of Bodom), 41 Former Children Of Bodom singer and guitarist Alexi Laiho has died. According to his label, Naplam, the Finnish musician passed away at home in Heklsinki last week. Although no cause of death was specified, the 41-year-old had reportedly been suffering from what were described as “long term health issues”. ... via loudersound.com

[04 Jan 2021] Elias Rahbani (Lebanese lyricist and composer), 82, COVID-19 Elias Rahbani, a Lebanese composer and lyricist who wrote the music for some of the Arab world’s top performers, including Lebanon’s diva Fairouz, has died after battling COVID-19, his family said. He was 82. ... via pollstar.com

[03 Jan 2021] Tasso Adamopoulos (French violist), 76, COVID-19 The violist and tutor Tasso Adamopoulos died on 3 January as a result of contracting Covid-19. He was 76. Among his students were Mathieu Herzog, Aurérelie Deschamps, Pierre Vallet, Alain Celo, Françoise Renard and Chara Sira among many others. ... via thestrad.com

[03 Jan 2021] Gerry Marsden (English musician for Gerry and the Pacemakers), 78, heart infection Gerry Marsden, singer of the Liverpool band Gerry And The Pacemakers, has died, it has been confirmed. The musician was 78 years old and died today (January 3) from an infection in his heart, friend and broadcaster Pete Price wrote on social media. ... via nme.com

[03 Jan 2021] Warren McLean (Australian rock drummer for Divinyls), cancer Warren was the drummer on Divinyls Temperamental album. He also did time with The Party Boys, I’m Talking and Machinations. ... via noise11.com

[03 Jan 2021] Anil Panachooran (Indian lyricist and poet), 55, heart attack Thiruvananthapuram; Famous poet and lyricist Anil Panachooran has passed away. He died at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The cause of death was a heart attack. ... via news18.com

[02 Jan 2021] Steve Brown (British music producer for Manic Street Preachers), 62 Famed record producer Steve Brown has died aged 65, it has been revealed. Brown worked with the likes of Manic Street Preachers, The Cult, Elton John, Wham! and more across his lengthy career. The beloved producer died after a short illness related to a fall he had at his home in early December. A statement from his family said that ” apart from his prowess behind the mixing desk, he was an incredibly popular man. He had a wonderful sense of humour and bags of charm in equal measure.” ... via nme.com

[01 Jan 2021] Carlos do Carmo (Portuguese fado singer), 81, ruptured aneurysm Carlos do Carmo is one of the most recognized, awarded and acclaimed fadistas ever. The "Encyclopedia of Music in Portugal in the 20th Century" describes him as a "remarkable figure in the establishment of changes in the fadista tradition", being one of "his greatest references, with national and international recognition". ... via sapo.pt

[01 Jan 2021] Zoran Džorlev (Зоран Џорлев) (Macedonian violinist), 53, COVID-19 Violinist and professor maestro Zoran Dzorlev died today in Skopje at the age of 53 after complications from covid-19, his nephew Ognen Zdravkovski announced on Facebook. Dzorchev died at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Skopje, after a short illness. ... via 24.mk

[01 Jan 2021] George Gerdes (American singer, songwriter and actor), 72, brain aneurysm George Gerdes, the quirky singer-songwriter turned character actor whose career included turns in A Few Good Men, Single White Female, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The X-Files and Bosch, has died. He was 72. Gerdes died in a Glendale hospital on New Year's Day after suffering a brain aneurysm on New Year's Eve, his life partner, Judy Johns, told The Hollywood Reporter. ... via hollywoodreporter.com

[01 Jan 2021] Misty Morgan (American country music singer for Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan), 75, cancer Country singer Misty Morgan, best known for the 1970 hit ‘Tennessee Bird Walk’ with her husband Jack Blanchard, has died after a battle with cancer at the age of 75. ‘Tennessee Bird Walk’ was a number 23 hit in America but reached number three in Australia. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 13th Grammy Awards but lost to Johnny Cash and June Carter for ‘If I Were A Carpenter’. ... via noise11.com

[01 Jan 2021] Liam Reilly (Irish singer and songwriter for Bagatelle), 65 Liam Reilly, the lead singer of Irish band Bagatelle, has died aged 65. The family of the pianist, singer and songwriter confirmed his passing in a statement today. ... via rte.ie

[01 Jan 2021] Jan Vering (German gospel singer and playwright), 66 Jan Vering, once a music dramaturge and deputy director of the Siegen Apollo Theater, is dead. He died on New Year's Eve in a nursing home in Wilnsdorf. Born in Münster, who had made a name for himself in the local cultural scene as a musician, journalist and dramaturge for decades and who was recently waiting for his trial before the Siegen district court because of serious allegations of child abuse, was 66 years old. ... via siegener-zeitung.de

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Sammy Hagar and the Circle w/ Vince Neil at Mystic Lake Amph, Prior Lake (17 May 2019)

Sammy Hagar at Prior Lake Mystic Lake poster Sammy Hagar And The Circle Setlist Trust Fund Baby There's Only One Way to Rock Three Lock Box Poundcake (Van Halen song) I Can't Drive 55 Can't Hang Finish What Ya Started (Van Halen song) Right Now (Van Halen song) Devil Came to Philly Full Circle Jam (Chump Change) Rock Candy (Montrose song) Why Can't This Be Love (Van Halen song) Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin cover) Heavy Metal Mas Tequila Affirmation Vince Neil Setlist Dr. Feelgood Shout at the Devil Looks That Kill Home Sweet Home Kickstart My Heart Girls, Girls, Girls Wild Side Sammy Hagar And The Circle Tour Dates 28 May 2019 Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, Boston, MA 30 May 2019 Grand Theater at Foxwoods, Mashantucket, CT 31 May 2019 Filene Center, Vienna, VA 04 June 2019 Artpark, Lewiston, NY 05 June 2019 Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA 07 June 2019 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL 23 August 2019 The Tulalip Amphitheatre, Tulalip, WA Read More Passion Pit It is cool to explore musicians and songwriters from when they were first starting out or not too far along in their career, It was a trip down memory lane for me. I am convinced that Sammy is a one of a kind vocalist … Mötley Crüe Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil, all the original members of glam "hair" metal band Mötley Crüe are back with an all original studio album, Saints of Los Angeles. The album is out today …

“At your service!… Are we having any fun yet?!”

Rock super group Sammy Hagar and the Circle brought his Space Between Tour to the Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Prior Lake outside the casino grounds, to open their outdoor concert season, as rumbling and darker skies threatened above.

The venue itself is an amphitheater in only the loosest way, as the grounds consist of a stage at the base of a grassy hill, with white folding chairs representing the front section of seats, a black section of folding chairs on the grass representing the remainder of the reserved seating area, and an open general admission grass area at the rear. 

A VIP/handicapped section seems to be a raised section along the left side, with some scattered food/beverage options, and there are no permanent fixtures to this location. The entry process seemed long and cumbersome as well.

The opener was Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil who despite being on a solo tour, played forty-five minutes of nothing but Crue hits, which was probably for the best, given the crowd and his short opening slot. If nothing else, the fifty-eight year-old Neil has always surrounded himself with solid musicians, his solo band still anchored by half of Slaughter (bassist Dana Strum and guitarist Jeff Blando) and antsy drummer Zoltan Chaney.

The three and a half years since Motley’s last-ever show in LA on New Years Eve 2015, haven’t done too many favors for Neil, as he visually still seems out of shape and vocally, would often hit an ear-cleaning shriek, that was wildly off-key.

Blando showed off his considerable chops, soloing before ‘Kickstart My Heart’ and things ended explosively with drummer Chaney climbing high to almost the top of the stage structure, before leaping down several stories on cue, to end things.

In complete contrast, the fan-friendly and always excitable Sammy Hagar and the Circle (a super group of sorts including Michael Anthony on bass; Vic Johnson on guitar; Jason Bonham on drums) played with the energy and vigor of men half their age (Hagar is 71), in support of new record Space Between (on BMG Records).

Hagar and friends dipped into all parts of his long career, from the early 70s forward, with Johnson sidelined into a corner chair as a result of a recent fall on stage (though his playing was completely unaffected). The band is justifiably proud of the new record, playing half the album live including lead single, ‘Trust Fund Baby’ to open, as its music video played on the large screen behind them.

Hagar seemed to have fun yelling out the years of each song before playing them (some before many in the crowd were even born) and the early ‘80s solo work of ‘There’s Only One Way to Rock’ and ‘Three Lock Box’ still sounded crisp, with the band having as much playing them, as the crowd did hearing the songs.

For Van Halen songs such as ‘Poundcake’ and ‘Finish What Ya Started’, we were all reminded how much bassist Anthony’s harmonies added to those songs’ vocals (he even taking lead on several verses), and with Hagar known as one of the most fan-friendly artists, over a dozen items were thrown forward or presented to him on stage (from hats and t-shirts, to a full guitar), in hopes of getting a signature before being returned, which he obliged.

‘Right Now’ became a social message (as it also had in the VH days) with images flashing on the video screen of the homeless, less fortunate, and a call to action to help in your local community. “This is where it all started for me- 1973!” Hagar yelled as the band revved up the Montrose classic, ‘Rock Candy’, followed by the 1986 song that started the Van Hagar era, ‘Why Can’t This Be Love’.

“This is like Great Britain weather” Hagar said to drummer Bonham following, and eyeing the gray skies above, “...oh, we’re in Minnesota” as the son of the greatest drummer of all-time introduced the Led Zeppelin classic ‘Rock and Roll”, “One for your pop!” Hagar yelled.

The band went into another gear with 1981’s ‘Heavy Metal’, from the movie of the same name, and ended the main set with the Sammy and the Waboritas drinking anthem from 1999, ‘Mas Tequila’ (mostly re-titled ‘Mas Mezquila’ acting as a partial commercial for Hagar’s new Santo brand, as images of the bottle flashed on-screen).

With rain sprinkling and clouds moving in, the encore was unfortunately cut by two songs as Hagar caught a jacket thrown on stage by a fan, “I’m ok now”, throwing it on for new single ‘Affirmation’ to close things out.

“It’s not about the left or the right, it’s about the space between” Hagar said intro-ing the new melodic song, alluding both to current politics, and (always the business man) managing in a plug for the new record in the process.

“Wake up, slow down, reach out, look around” Hagar sang on the night’s final number, an ending note of positivity as the crowd dissipated into the parking lot and back to the casino. Sammy Hagar and the Circle are still filling venues, still visibly having fun playing on stage, and are still filling in the space between with old classics and fresh new music.

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

Vince Neil

Vince Neil

Vince Neil

Vince Neil

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar and the Circle at Mystic Lake Amph, Prior Lake (17 May 2019)

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Alice Cooper at the State Theatre, Minneapolis (06 Dec 2015)

Alice Cooper Setlist     Vincent Price Intro The Black Widow House of Fire No More Mr. Nice Guy Under My Wheels I'll Bite Your Face Off Billion Dollar Babies Be My Lover Lost in America Hey Stoopid Dirty Diamonds Go to Hell Wicked Young Man Feed My Frankenstein Ballad of Dwight Fry Killer I Love the Dead Hollywood Vampires covers set Five to One / Break On Through (to the Other Side) (The Doors cover) Cold Turkey (Plastic Ono Band cover) Manic Depression (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) My Generation (The Who cover) I'm Eighteen Poison -- Encore -- School's Out/Another Brick in the Wall with Vince Neil Tour Dates 12/15/15 Portland, OR Moda Center* 12/17/15 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center * 12/19/15 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort* 12/20/15 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena* 12/22/15 Anaheim, CA Honda Center* 05/08/16 Concord, NC "Carolina Rebellion" 06/18/16 London O2 "Stone Free Festival" * with Mötley Crüe Read More Alice Cooper A classic Vincent Price introduction led to the curtain fall and a canvas backdrop of a close-up of Alice Cooper’s eyes as the shock rocker and band launched into the opening ‘Black Widow’ of its too-short 50 minute set. …

Halloween may have been a month and a half ago…

… but for ninety minutes at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, the spirit of that night had come alive again.  The master of shock rock, Alice Cooper had come to town again, not only to open once more for Mötley Crüe on their final tour (on its third time through locally), but also to perform a full headlining show, a couple nights before.

Alice Cooper

For the faithful, the curious, and the diehards, it was a chance to see Alice at his finest- a full theater show, bringing all the hit songs over forty-plus years, as well as all of the props, drama, and excitement that comes with his now legendary stage show.

Lights dimmed as a Vincent Price spoken word intro echoed about the stage, which was hidden by a large curtain emblazoned with Cooper’s trademark eyes.

The curtain then dropped to reveal the five piece band (Ryan Roxie – guitar; Chuck Garric – bass; Glen Sobel – drums, percussion; Tommy Henriksen – guitar; and Nita Strauss – guitar) and Cooper creeping forward in a black cape for ‘The Black Widow’.

The cape was thrown off for 1989’s ‘House of Fire’, revealing Cooper in a red and black striped tailed suit with massive belt buckle and black leather gloves.

The show pacing was relentless, with songs going rapidly from one into another, the trio of guitarists posing at center stage to show off their licks, and the healthy frontman keeping up with the stamina of a man half his (almost 68 yr.old) age.

For 1973’s ‘Billion Dollar Babies’, Cooper swished a fencing sword speared with wads of “Alice Dollars”, which he dislodged and threw out into the mostly baby boomer crowd, with everyone straining to grab one out of the air.

A couple of ‘90s numbers, 1994’s ‘Lost in America’ and 1991’s ‘Hey Stoopid’ were given new life by the triple-axe band, with relative newcomer Strauss (from The Iron Maidens) more than holding her own, and other guitarist Henriksen making a triumphant return to his hometown.

For 2005’s ‘Dirty Diamonds’, Cooper stalked the stage with a handful of silver trinket necklaces, tossing them into the reaching crowd during the verses, which then led into a brief Sobel drum solo.  ‘Feed my Frankenstein’ was full-on horror theater with Cooper being strapped to a table, smoke and sparks rising, then a larger-than-life Frankenstein monster emerging to shamble about the stage.

Cooper in straightjacket

‘The Ballad of Dwight Fry’ found Cooper in his familiar straitjacket, ducking an enlarged needle stabbed about by a demented nurse (played by his daughter Calico) and the skit would eventually end with the trademark guillotine making its inevitable appearance.

Alice Cooper

Cooper and friends Johnny Depp and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry have recently released an album under the name Hollywood Vampires (UMe Records), the name taken from the celebrity drinking club he helped form in the 1970’s, and his covers portion late in the show is a tribute to those club members now lost.

A hooded masked mute brought out and propped up gravestones in homage to each of the fallen as Cooper and band covered songs by The Doors (Jim Morrison), John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who(Keith Moon).

Following that, Cooper ended the main set with his own ‘I’m Eighteen’ from 1971 and 1989’s ‘Poison’, which was one of his biggest hits of the music video era,  though its lyrics and meaning were controversial , as perhaps relating to the AIDS epidemic of the day.

Cooper and Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe)

For the encore, bubbles were everywhere in the air as Cooper emerged in a white shirt and black  gravedigger top hat for ‘School’s Out’, with surprise guest Vince Neil in tow.  Soon, white confetti and red streamers were everywhere, resulting in an outright party to end the show on the highest note possible.

“Minneapolis Rrrrocksssss!” Cooper exclaimed before taking a final bow, his only reference on this night as to where he was playing, but an effective end statement nonetheless.

After this year, we may not be able to see Mötley Crüe perform again, but thankfully Alice Cooper shows no signs of slowing down, and the spirit of Halloween will again swoop in, the next time he plays here.

Alice Cooper at the State Theatre, Minneapolis (06 December 2015)

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Mötley Crüe w/ Alice Cooper at Xcel Center, St Paul (05 Aug 2015)

Mötley Crüe Setlist     Intro: So Long, Farewell (Rodgers & Hammerstein) Girls, Girls, Girls Wild Side Primal Scream Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) Smokin' in the Boys' Room (Brownsville Station cover) Looks That Kill Mutherf***er of the Year Anarchy in the U.K. (Sex Pistols cover) In the Beginning / Shout at the Devil Louder Than Hell O Fortuna (Carl Orff song) / Drum Solo Guitar Solo Saints of Los Angeles Live Wire / T.N.T. (Terror 'n Tinseltown) Dr. Feelgood Kickstart My Heart -- Encore -- Home Sweet Home (from the B-stage) Outro: My Way (Frank Sinatra song) Alice Cooper Setlist   Intro: Vincent Price spoken word The Black Widow No More Mr. Nice Guy Under My Wheels I'm Eighteen Billion Dollar Babies Poison Dirty Diamonds Go to Hell Feed My Frankenstein Ballad of Dwight Fry Killer I Love the Dead School's Out / Another Brick in the Wall The Cringe Setlist Anything You Say Don't Know Where I Belong On and On Big Trouble In God We Trust / Paranoid (Black Sabbath cover) Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy cover) Tour Dates 08/19/15 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena 08/20/15 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse 08/22/15 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre 08/23/15 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre 08/24/15 Montreal, QC Bell Centre 08/26/15 Baltimore, MD Royal Farms Arena 08/28/15 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena 08/29/15 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena 08/30/15 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena 09/02/15 Miami, FL AmericanAirlines Arena 09/04/15 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center 09/05/15 Houston, TX Toyota Center 09/06/15 San Antonio, TX Alamodome 09/08/15 Monterrey, Mexico Arena Monterrey 09/10/15 Mexico City, Mexico Arena Ciudad 09/19/15 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Rock In Rio 10/05/15 Hidalgo, TX State Farm Arena 10/07/15 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center 10/08/15 North Little Rock, AR Verizon Arena 10/10/15 Evansville, IN Ford Center 10/11/15 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena 10/13/15 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena 10/14/15 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center 10/16/15 Bridgeport, CT Webster Bank Arena 10/17/15 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Arena 10/18/15 Bangor, ME Cross Insurance Center 11/02/15 Newcastle upon Tyne Metro Radio Arena 11/03/15 Manchester Manchester Arena 11/04/15 Birmingham Genting Arena 11/06/15 London The SSE Arena, Wembley 11/08/15 Stuttgart Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle 11/09/15 Basel, Switzerland St. Jakobshalle 11/10/15 Assago, Italy Mediolanum Forum 11/12/15 Monte Carlo, Monaco Sporting Club 11/13/15 Munich, Germany Zenith 11/14/15 Dusseldorf, Germany ISS Dome 11/16/15 Stockholm, Sweden Ericsson Globe 11/18/15 Helsinki, Finland Hartwall Arena 11/20/15 Abu Dhabi Emirates du Arena 12/04/15 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena 12/07/15 Sioux Falls, SD Denny Sanford 12/08/15 Grand Forks, ND Alerus Center 12/10/15 Saskatoon, SK SaskTel Centre 12/12/15 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place 12/13/15 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome 12/15/15 Portland, OR Moda Center 12/17/15 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center 12/19/15 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Arena 12/20/15 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena 12/22/15 Anaheim, CA Honda Center 12/27/15 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena 12/28-12/31 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Read More Mötley Crüe Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil, all the original members of glam "hair" metal band Mötley Crüe are back with an all original studio album, Saints of Los Angeles. The album is out today …

This time they really mean it – “All Bad Things Must Come to an End”

When Mötley Crüe and Alice Cooper came through last November as part of the Crüe’s Final Tour, many thought it was the last local farewell, with people paying in the thousands on the secondary market, for prime seats to their heroes’ last ride into the sunset.

But, time and the allure of additional money earned, was too hard to pass up, so the band has made another leg around the country, stopping again at major markets and hitting secondary cities as well, so that as many as possible can get their last glimpse before it all winds up in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve.

The Cringe

New York City-based band, The Cringe opened the evening’s festivities with a set of straight-ahead classic rock, wearing their influences on their sleeve.  The band, led by guitarist/vocalist John Cusimano (who happens to be married to chef Rachael Ray) has completed their fifth album, Blind Spot  (Listen Records) for an October 16 release and opened with new song, ‘Anything You Say’.

Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ was tacked on the end of the band’s own, ‘In God We Trust’ and Thin Lizzy’s ‘Jailbreak’ finished their 30 min. set, with Cusimano leaving the stage for a run through the floor to high-five fans along the way.

Alice Cooper

A classic Vincent Price introduction led to the curtain fall and a canvas backdrop of a close-up of Alice Cooper’s eyes as the shock rocker and band launched into the opening ‘Black Widow’ of its too-short 50 minute set.  Alice, at a spry 67 years young (thanks to sobering up and a regular golf game), brought most of his theatrics to the set, including a giant walking Frankenstein; top hat, tails, and cane to throw out funny money and necklaces; and the classic guillotine (but where was the snake?).

The band was generally tight, led by triple guitarists Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henriksen, and Nita Strauss (she recently of Iron Maidens tribute band) with Strauss ably replacing the departed Orianthi, though maybe playing with slightly less flash.

Alice was entertaining as always, and in reasonably good voice, though somewhat on auto-pilot, as he didn’t say much between songs, perhaps eager to get as much music in, as the 50 min. set time allowed.

As a reflection of the audience’s age, later Cooper hits like ‘Poison’ got as much or more applause than some of the ‘70s numbers.

Alice Cooper

Instead of a full Hollywood Vampires medley from his upcoming covers record, we only got a portion of Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick in the Wall part 2’, added inside an entertaining ‘School’s Out’, so we’ll take his set as an sampler plate to whet the appetite of everyone to experience a full Alice Cooper show.

Mötley Crüe decided to soften everyone up with a family-friendly ‘Sound of Music’ intro track before things turned dark, a beating heart could be heard, and the band entered to dive in head first into their 105 min. set with the motorcycle intro roars of ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’.

The foursome was all dressed in black- guitarist Mick Mars more mobile and playing stronger than expected, drummer Tommy Lee shirtless and still clearly having fun, and bassist Nikki Sixx in spiked hair and warpaint, singing into a flaming and dangling pentagram mic.

Pyro was plentiful, with explosions happening numerous times during just the opening track and the band continued in high gear with ‘Wild Side’. Singer Vince Neil, while still entertaining, has lost some of the range he had during the band’s glam days, often holding the mic to the crowd, instead of trying to reach some of the high notes he once did (especially on the early songs).

Spoken profanities were as plentiful as the pyro (always expected at a Crüe show), though Sixx, clearly the heart of the band, did make a heartfelt speech mid-way through about the band’s history, using a knife analogy and telling of their perseverance and overcoming all odds.

Nikki Sixx's flame-throwing guitar

Momentum slowed midway through as Neil strapped on a guitar for ‘Same Ol’ Situation’ and ‘Don’t Go Away Mad’ and a handful of newer songs that were less familiar to the crowd.  Each musician had their individual time in the spotlight as bassist Sixx strapped on a flame-throwing guitar, Mars laid down a solid solo, and drummer Lee, (always one to top himself with his drum solo) spun and rode a mobile drum kit on a rollercoaster set up near the venue’s ceiling, playing ruthlessly along to classic rock and hip-hop beats while in transit.

After an arena-raising ‘Dr. Feelgood’ and ‘Kickstart my Heart’ (two of Mars’ greatest intro riffs) ended the main set, the band re-emerged on a smaller b-stage, located behind the soundboard, that raised and lowered 25 feet with a dozen diehard fans who paid an additional $745 for the privilege, in tow.

Nikki Sixx

A sing-a-long ‘Home Sweet Home’ was accompanied by the photo retrospective video on the screens and lit cellphones and lighters were in the air everywhere.  The band made their way back to the main stage to take the final bows we would see locally, to the outro tune of Sinatra’s ‘My Way’, which seemed a more than appropriate song to end it all.

After thirty-four years of addictions, internal squabbles, record company woes, scandals, deaths, near-deaths, and so much more, Mötley Crüe has earned the right to go out on their own terms… which is just what they are doing.

Mötley Crüe at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN (05 Aug 2015)

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Trapt - Only Through the Pain

Trapt - Who's Going Home With You Tonight Trapt Tour Dates 08/06/08 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre 08/08/08 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre 08/09/08 Portland, OR Rose Garden 08/11/08 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place 08/13/08 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place 08/14/08 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome 08/15/08 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre 08/17/08 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre 08/19/08 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Amphitheatre 08/20/08 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center 08/22/08 Boston, MA Tweeter Center 08/23/08 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center 08/24/08 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena 08/28/08 Toronto, ONT Molson Amphitheatre 08/29/08 Albany, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center 08/30/08 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mtn 08/31/08 Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette Pavilion Discography [2002] Trapt [2005] Someone in Control [2007] Trapt Live! [2008] Only Through the Pain

At some point in a band's career, they've gotten so huge that they can write their own ticket. I think Trapt have gotten to this point.

Since 2002, this Californian band have been tearing up the charts with their hard alternative rock sound. In some ways, they were ahead of their time by targeting to have their music on video games such as Project Gotham Racing and allowing fans to download exclusive tracks directly from them.

It's 2008, and the band have just released Only Through The Pain yesterday, August 5^th on Eleven Seven Records. They are going to also release music on Rock Band (let's face it, Rock Band and Guitar Hero probably sells more music than radio these days) and ditched myspace. They created their own social network via onlythroughthepain.com instead. I suppose, in some ways, there is a lack of control on myspace and Trapt, looks to me, as a band that must have absolute control of their product.

You know, my perception of this band have always been hard-rock, almost metal, because of their association with Nickelback and Chevelle, but surprisingly it sounds more alternative rock (at least with this album, Only Through The Pain) than I thought.

Their sound is well-polished, even when they try to sound grungy... epic fail, as all their notes comes across very clean and controlled. However, I do get the impression that these guys are pretty hardcore playing live too - without the aid of a professional controller/mixer.

Some of the highlight from their new album includes the bass-y intro of "Cover Up", the energetic "Wasteland" song that set the tone of the album, and my favorite, "Contagious", a love song that could easily be mistaken for a Zombie song ("I let you in and you infected me, Can't get enough of you, I breathed you in and now I'm in too deep/And I am burning in your fire... There is no cure")

 

 

Motley Crue - Guitar Center Press Conference

To be on the safe side, since everyone seems to be enjoying their latest single, "Who's Going Home With You Tonight", I have decided to go with this song. Look for this song on Rock Band.

Trapt is currently touring with Motley Crue on their Cruefest. Trapt singer, Chris Taylor Brown, recently appeared on MakeRockHistory.com talking about what an honor and opportunity it was to play with the Crue.

Only Through The Pain is out now, at all major CD stores. Be sure to check out their social network onlythroughthepain.com.

Links: www.trapt.com myspace.com/trapt onlythroughthepain.com

Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe - Face Down in the Dirt Mötley Crüe Tour Dates 07/01/08 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre 07/03/08 Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre 07/05/08 Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte 07/06/08 Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon WirelessVirginia Beach Amphitheater 07/08/08 Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater 07/09/08 Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center 07/10/08 Sarnia, ONT - Bayfest 07/12/08 Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center 07/13/08 Washington, DC - Nissan Pavilion 07/15/08 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre 07/16/08 Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre 07/18/08 Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center 07/19/08 Milwaukee, WI - Marcus Amphitheater 07/20/08 St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis 07/22/08 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 07/23/08 San Antonio, TX - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 07/24/08 Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center 07/26/08 Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion 07/27/08 Denver, CO - Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre 07/29/08 Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre 07/31/08 Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Wireless Pavilion 08/01/08 Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Events Center 08/02/08 Los Angeles, CA - Glen Helen Pavilion 08/05/08 Sacramento, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion 08/06/08 Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre 08/08/08 Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheatre 08/09/08 Portland, OR - Rose Garden 08/11/08 Vancouver, BC - General Motors Place 08/13/08 Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place 08/14/08 Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledome 08/15/08 Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre 08/17/08 Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre 08/19/08 Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Amphitheatre 08/20/08 Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center 08/22/08 Boston, MA - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts 08/23/08 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center 08/24/08 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena 08/28/08 Toronto, ONT - Molson Amphitheatre 08/29/08 Albany, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center 08/30/08 Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain 08/31/08 Pittsburgh, PA - Post-Gazette Pavilion Discography [1981] Too Fast for Love [1983] Shout at the Devil [1985] Theatre of Pain [1987] Girls, Girls, Girls [1989] Dr. Feelgood [1994] Mötley Crüe [1997] Generation Swine [2000] New Tattoo [2008] Saints of Los Angeles

Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil, all the original members of glam "hair" metal band Mötley Crüe are back with an all original studio album, Saints of Los Angeles. The album is out today, Tuesday, June 24^th, but I've been listening to it all day, yesterday.

Originally formed in Los Angeles, California, they rose to fame for their drug/alcohol rock n roll lifestyle in the eighties. Stories such as Lee throwing a television from a high rise hotel, "banned for life" in certain cities, group orgies, all the drug/sex scandals you can think of... they all seem like commonplace to the Crüe. One of the craziest story involved a drunk Vince Neil in a car accident that killed Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley. All of these stories and more surfaced on their best-selling autobiography The Dirt (2001).

Their hard-hitting lifestyle as a band almost ended in 1987 when main music writer, Sixx, almost died of a heroin overdose (in fact, he was legally declared dead on the hospital arrive). Sixx would later write about his experience in one of the band's biggest mainstream hit song, "Kickstart My Heart".

Dr Feelgood came out at the height of their popularity, shooting up to #1 in the charts from October to December of 1989.

Neil left the band in the 90s (Sixx said that he quit, but Neil said he was fired). John Corabi replaced Neil as the new singer, and initially their all-new-self-titled album Mötley Crüe did pretty well, but "failed to meet commercial expectations", Sixx fired everyone that worked on this 1994 album.

Three years later, the original four members reunited and produced Generation Swine, which was the last album to have been released on the Elektra label. I think many things lead to the band leaving the label, mostly because there was dispute on ownership of their songs. With control over their music, including the original masters, they were now able to re-release their previous albums on Elektra all digitally remastered and extra unreleased tracks.

In 1999, Tommy Lee decided to go solo, but he was probably best remembered for his sex tapes with his then-wife Pamela Anderson. After several drummers (Randy Castillo - died in 2002, Samantha Maloney - left the band to support Hole in 2004), the band quietly faded with other band members pursuing solo careers.

Mötley Crüe reunited once again in 2005, and by 2006, they were co-headling with Aerosmith on their Route of All Evil Tour. I will bet that seeing the resurgence of interest by their aging fans, the band decided to go back into the studio to record brand new songs.

Originally called The Dirt, the album's name was changed to Saints Of Los Angeles. With a first listen pass, I immediately loved "Face Down in the Dirt". This is a no-excuse, in-your-face rock song, guarantee to make you headbang: "I rather be dead, I rather be face down in the dirt with a bullet in my head".

Many of the songs they seem to reflect on their crazy life style, like on "Chicks=Trouble", warning us about gold-digging women. Yeah it's hard to feel sorry for these guys, but you don't care because the music is so rocking.

We never made a dime, but god we had a good time

That quote above is a lyric from their song "Down at the Whisky", which seems like it a biography in a song. I especially liked the part about the days where they slept all day in their clothes and playing all night long at the Whisky A-Go-Go venue in LA.

Saints of Los Angeles is out today, at all major CD stores. Fans might want to get the Limited Edition version that comes with a bonus DVD. Be sure to stay up late with David Letterman to see Motley Crue (they might be doing their rockin' song "Saints of Los Angeles"), as well as their Ozzfest-inspired tour, Crue Fest, with Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt! This is the first Crue Fest, and if successful (which I'm almost certain it will be since people love these traveling festivals), then I'm sure there'll be more Crue Fest to follow. If not, Crue fans would be happy to know that there will be a movie version of their biography, The Dirt.

Links: www.motley.com myspace.com/motleycrue