motley crue

(8/10) I grew up with bands like Mötley Crüe and "Shout at the Devil" is still one of the best Glam metal songs that has ever been written. And I must admit that there was a kind of felt sadness when the band announced their final world tour. They might have passed their peak, but especially the last record showed the guys revitalized. But let's see if this 'goodbye' is one that lasts forever.

Anyhow, Mötley Crüe musicians are, at least partly, busy in other bands. Bass player Nikki Sixx started Sixx:A.M. already in 2007 and the first track was done for the soundtrack for "The Heroin Diaries". Next to Sixx, it has been James Michael and DJ Ashba that signed being responsible for this first release. These three guys are still together under this header, something that makes sense, since it has been the names of the musicians that led to the band's name.

In the meantime we arrived in 2016 and Sixx:A.M. has worked on their next longplayer called "Prayers for the Damned (Vol. 1)". Not that this record can compensate for 'loosing' Mötley Crüe. Too different are the musical approaches. But the new album of this trio provides us with excellent modern rock music that is highly entertaining and covers a wide range of sounds. Each of the eleven tracks shows a bit of another angle of view on Sixx:A.M., with one song that sticks out. The opener "Rise", also chosen to be the first single, is an ultra cool rocker with a heavy guitar riff and a murderous groove. Together with catchy vocal lines this number is an 'all done right track'. This track stick to your mind as a wet spaghetti sticks to the wall. Next to these qualities the song also describes the power of standing together, for, like Sixx said, "rising up against some oppressive forces". A song with a message that is very well done.

The other ten chapters on the tracklist are good ones too. The title song is a mid pace one, a tune with a kind of a sad vibe, but on the other side also kept highly melodic. The more silent sounds are represented on "Prayers of the Damned (Vol.1)" as well. "Better Man" isn't really the ballad you might expect. But Sixx:A.M. builds this number on acoustic guitars, with a structure that builds up towards the chorus to just fall back into a reflecting verse afterwards.

"Belly of the Beast" has nothing to do with the Anthrax song, having the same title. Instead of, Sixx:A.M. did a song that belongs to the craziest ones on this longplayer. It is a more creepy number, that creates pure joy the first time you listen to it. But it also needs a few more rounds in your player to explore the real pleasure of this song. It's build on a dominant beat and it's the rhythm section that pushes especially this track to its best.

For keeping the flow exciting, the band placed with "Everything Went to Hell" a mighty riff rocker as the next song on the tracklist. This tone has the right punch and is a 4 minutes energizer that is far more to the point than the interlayer "Belly of the Beast".

Sixx:A.M. releases with "Prayers for the Damned (Vol.1)" their strongest album since they started almost a decade ago. This record has the potential to brings the guys even more on the agenda of rock fans since it combines a true heaviness, demanded by metal heads, with a melodic and dark rock expression, that is strong enough to get some radio airplay.

Good musicians, good band, good album, good times.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Rise
2. You Have Come To The Right Place
3. I'm Sick
4. Prayers For The Damned
5. Better Man
6. Can't Stop
7. When We Were Gods
8. Belly Of The Beast
9. Everything Went To Hell
10. The Last Time (My Heart Will Ever Hit The Ground)
11. Rise of the Melancholy Empire

Label: Eleven Seven Music / Warner ADA)

Genre: Modern Rock

Release Date EU: April 29th, 2016

Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx has some time available these days to focus on his solo project Sixx:AM. The band, that includes next to the bass player also James Michael on lead vocals and DJ Ashba on guitar, will release "Prayers For the Damned" on April 29th and the longplayer will include the following songs:

1. Rise
2. You Have Come To The Right place
3. I’m Sick
4. Prayers For The Damned
5. Better Man
6. Can't Stop
7. When We Were Gods
8. Belly Of The Beast
9. Everything Went To Hell
10. The Last Time (My Heart Will Hit The Ground)
11. Rise of the Melancholy Empire

Mötley Crüe announced the European tour dates for autumn this year. It will be their Final European Tour and the shows are part of the 'Final Tour' cycle.

Here are the dates:

Monday 2 NOV – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, UK*

Tuesday 3 NOV – Manchester Arena, UK*

Wednesday 4 NOV – Birmingham Genting Arena, UK*

Friday 6 NOV – London SSE Arena, Wembley, UK*

Sunday 8 NOV – Stuttgart Schleyerhalle, Germany*

Monday 9 NOV – Basel St. Jakobshalle, Switzerland

Tuesday 10 NOV – Milan Mediolanum Forum, Italy*

Thursday 12 NOV – Monte Carlo, Monaco Sporting Club, Monaco

Friday 13 NOV – Munich Zenith, Germany*

Saturday 14 NOV – Düsseldorf ISS Dome, Germany*

Monday 16 NOV – Stockholm Ericsson Globe, Sweden

Wednesday 18 NOV – Helsinki Hartwall Arena, Finland

Friday 20 NOV – Abu Dhabi Du Arena, United Arab Emirates

*Alice Cooper only appearing on selected dates

(8/10) Crazy Lixx are big fans from bands like Kiss, Mötley Crüe and Aerosmith. At least listening to their music gives you this impression. The band from Malmö, Sweden plays sleaze rock that brings you back to the glorious days in the 80's. Not for nothing one of their tracks is called "Girls of the 80's". Sounds like red lips, short skirts and curly long hair
Founded in 2002 by singer Danny Rexon, Vic Zino and Joel Cicera Crazy Lixx released in total four records. The latest one is called "Crazy Lixx". According to Danny Rexon none of the other proposed names fitted that well as doing a self-titled album. It represents the band and their music best. So why not calling it simply "Crazy Lixx".
The eleven songs on the album are pure hardrock anthems like the opener "Hell raising women". The start into the album couldn't be better. The five-piece band doesn't take any prisoners. The crunchy guitars and a anthemic melodies are a real kickstart for the album. "All looks, no hooks" follows the same pattern. The song might not 'look' but has definitely some hooks. And those stick. The same goes for "Ain't no rest in rock'n'roll" which, I guess, will become a standard part of their live setlists.
But Crazy Lixx also has a more melodic rock side. "Heroes forever" is one of those tracks. The track got a catchy melody and a chorus that is made for sing-a-long.
The album doesn't have the obligatory ballad that you might expect. It's full of rock'n'roll and even "Outlaw", with the more silent parts, rocks pretty well.
And last but not least the already mentioned "Girls of the 80's" that sounds like a merge of Def Leppard, Poison and Kiss (in this time).
I like the album since it has a high entertainment factor. Music that comes over as real and fresh. An energizer in autumn.


(8/10)


Tracklist:

1. Hell raising women
2. Sound of the loud minority
3. Outlaw
4. Girls of the 80's
5. I missed the mark
6. All looks no hooks
7. Ain't no rest in rock'n'roll
8. Call to action
9. Heroes are forever
10. Psycho city
11. Wrecking ball crew

Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Hardrock
 

(8/10) X-Drive is a new project with partly well known musicians. Funny enough it's only the founder of the band who is not known - yet. His name is Jeremy Brunner, a guitarist from Oregon, who found his way to California. Without knowing anybody in LA and just with a bunch of good songs in his backpack Brunner decided to go for the challenge to find his luck along the West Coast.

X-Drive is the result of this big step for the six stringer. The band is of course more than only him. His ideas convinced more known musicians from LA to join in. James Lorenzo is probabaly the most popular one. The bass player was an important factor in the rhythm section of the multi seller White Lion and also worked with guys like David Lee Roth and Ozzy Osbourne. Singer Keith St.John is well known from Monrose while drummer Fred Fischer played in Midline. They all together are responsible for 12 masterpieces of 80's hardrock which are on the debut of the band.  The name of the album? "Get your rock on". And that's what you get.

What I like with the tunes from X-Drive is the great sense for melodies combined with a really rocking sound. This package is rounded off by a strong production done by Andy Johns, the former Led Zeppelin engineer. Sidenote: It was the last album he was involved before his tragic death in 2013. 

To pick out certain songs would not be fair. They are all good and I couldn't identify a filler. They are all characterized by the great melodies, the rocking guitar, catchy riffs and the well performend vocals from Keith St.John. This guy can really sing and he has the blues in his veins; obvious in tracks like "Turn the noize down".  But also the grooving title track "Get your rock on" and slower "Just can't stay" sound pretty cool. Even the ballad "Baby bye bye", a weak spot on many records with this kind of music, sounds good too. Eventhough the lyrics are cliche the song is well crafted. And now I did it - I picked out a few songs. But again, all the tracks are worth to be listened to. 

X-Drive has brought back the 80's hardrock in a way that it's more than a pure copy. It's a re-vitalisation and partly modernized. Go for this album if you liked bands like White Lion, Mötley Crüe, Skid Row and Kiss in the 80's.  Thumbs up.
 

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Love's a bitch
2. Get your rock
3. Steppin' on the rock
4. Baby bye bye
5. California
6. Lay me down
7. Turn the noize down
8. Beyond the angels
9. Rattlesnake eyes
10. Just can't stay
11. Change of heart
12. Love breaks the fool

Label: Frontier Records
Genre: Hardrock

Sixx AM is releasing a new album beginning of October this year. The name of the new disc is "Modern vintage" and comes with eleven songs.

Here is the track list:

1. Stars
2. Gotta Get It Right
3. Relief
4. Get Ya Some
5. Let’s Go
6. Drive
7. Give Me A Love
8. Hyperventilate
9. High On The Music
10. Miracle
11. Before It’s Over

After more than 30 years in business US hardrockers Mötley Crüe announced their final tour today. The tour will start in July 2014 in North America and will continue in 2015 with more dates world wide in 2015.

Here are the tour dates for North America:

04.07.2014  Milwaukee, WI   Summerfest   

05.07.2014  Noblesville, IN   Klipsch Music Center   

06.07.2014  Cincinnati, OH   Riverbend Music Center   

08.07.2014  Columbus, OH   Schottenstein Center   

09.07.2014  Maryland Heights, MO   Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre   

11.07.2014  Des Moines, IA   Wells Fargo Arena   

12.07.2014  Wichita, KS   INTRUST Bank Arena   

13.07.2014  Tulsa, OK   BOK Center   

15.07.2014  Cedar Park, TX   Cedar Park Center   

16.07.2014  Dallas, TX   Gexa Energy Pavilion   

18.07.2014  Albuquerque, NM   Isleta Amphitheater   

19.07.2014  Phoenix, AZ   Ak-Chin Pavilion   

21.07.2014  Los Angeles, CA   Hollywood Bowl   

22.07.2014  Irvine, CA   Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre   

23.07.2014  Mountain View, CA   Shoreline Amphitheatre   

25.07.2014  Reno, NV   Reno Events Center   

26.07.2014  Ridgefield, WA   Sleep County Amphitheatre   

27.07.2014  Auburn, WA   White River Amphitheatre   

29.07.2014  Wheatland, CA   Sleep Train Amphitheatre   

30.07.2014  Chula Vista, CA   Sleep Train Amphitheatre   

01.08.2014  Salt Lake City, UT   USANA Amphitheatre   

02.08.2014  Denver, CO   Pepsi Center   

03.08.2014  Kansas City, MO   Sprint Center   

05.08.2014  Sturgis, SD   Sturgis Buffalo Chip   

06.08.2014  Sioux City, IA   Tyson Events Center   

08.08.2014  Tinley Park, IL   First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre   

09.08.2014  Clarkston, MI   DTE Energy Music Theatre  

10.08.2014  Toronto, ON   Molson Canadian Amphitheatre  

12.08.2014  Cuyahoga Falls, OH   Blossom Music Center   

13.08.2014  Burgettstown, PA   First Niagara Pavilion   

15.08.2014  Pelham, AL   Oak Mountain Amphitheatre   

16.08.2014  Alpharetta, GA   Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park   

17.08.2014  Tampa, FL   MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre   

19.08.2014  Charlotte, NC   PNC Music Pavilion   

20.08.2014  Virginia Beach, VA   Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach   

22.08.2014  Bristow, VA   Jiffy Lube Live   

23.08.2014  Camden, NJ   Susquehanna Bank Center   

24.08.2014  Mansfield, MA   Xfinity Center   

26.08.2014  Saratoga Springs, NY   Saratoga Perf. Arts Center   

27.08.2014  Allentown, PA   Great Allentown Fair   

29.08.2014  Wantagh, NY   Nikon at Jones Beach Theater   

30.08.2014  Holmdel, NJ   PNC Bank Arts Center   

31.08.2014  Darien Center, NY   Darien Lake Perf. Arts Center   

10.10.2014  Oklahoma City, OK   Chesapeake Arena   

11.10.2014  The Woodlands, TX   Cynthia W. Mitchell Pavilion   

12.10.2014  Bossier City, LA   CenturyLink Center   

14.10.2014  Louisville, KY   KFC Yum! Center   

15.10.2014  Nashville, TN   Bridgestone Arena   

17.10.2014  Hollywood, FL   Seminole Hard Rock Live   

19.10.2014  Jacksonville, FL   Veterans Memorial Arena   

21.10.2014  Greenville, SC   Bon Secours Wellness Arena   

22.10.2014  Greensboro, NC   Greensboro Coliseum   

25.10.2014  Atlantic City, NJ   Borgata Event Center   

26.10.2014  Montville, CT   Mohegan Sun Arena   

29.10.2014  Syracuse, NY   The OnCenter Complex   

05.11.2014  Biloxi, MS   Mississippi Coast Coliseum   

06.11.2014  Southaven, MS   Landers Center   

09.11.2014  Moline, IL   iWireless Center   

11.11.2014  Green Bay, WI   Resch Center   

12.11.2014  Madison, WI   Alliant Energy Center   

13.11.2014  Omaha, NE   CenturyLink Center   

15.11.2014  St. Paul, MN   Xcel Energy Center   

16.11.2014  Fargo, ND   FargoDome   

18.11.2014  Edmonton, AB   Rexall Place   

19.11.2014  Calgary, AB   Scotiabank Saddledome   

21.11.2014  Vancouver, BC   Rogers Arena   

And here comes the more detailed news:

Los Angeles, CA (January 28, 2014) – After more than three decades together, iconic rock ‘n roll band 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 MORNING.

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 the catalogue of their chart- topping 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 Motley Crue’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 2nd in Grand Rapids, MI 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 Motley Crue 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 Motley Crue."  

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 Motley Crue, 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, continuing,"Motley has always gone on stage with one attitude and that's to blow the audience away.  That's exactly how we do it.  Putting Motley Crue 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 Motley on stage.  Motley Crue 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 2-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 Motley.”

The Final Tour will coincide with the film made from MÖTLEY CRÜE’s NY 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 & 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 Motley Crue’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 Crue 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 Motley Crue song catalog is.  At the end of the day, that's what will stand the test of time." 

MÖTLEY CRÜE Fan Club members will get the exclusive first crack at tickets and VIP Packages, via a unique code, beginning on Wednesday, January 29th starting at 10am local time.  VIP ticket packages will be made available to the general public on Thursday, January 30th at 10am local time.  The general public ticket on-sale for most shows is Friday, January 31st.  All tickets and packages can be obtained via Ticketmaster.com  , LiveNation.com, or via MotleyVIP.com."