SAN BERNADINO, CA — After hearing reviews and colossal stories from friends about this year’s CRUEFEST, I couldn’t help my excitement to see Motley Crue perform again. After all, it has been at least a couple years since I have seen these guys rocking’ together on the same stage.
So off I go, prepared for a two-hour drive in the middle of the desert to see the first-ever Cruefest. Now, why did Crue decide to have a concert out in the middle of nowhere phases me. To be honest, I would rather have seen them at a much convenient venue such as The Forum or even Irvine. The drive alone is a horrendous, not to mention the weirdo’s that go to these types of festivals in the middle of nowhere.
Hey, nothing a cold $11 beer (gasp!) – or two – can’t fix, right?
We arrive as SIXX AM are onstage, which upset me because they were the only band aside from Motley Crue that I wanted to see live. As I huffed and puffed walking up a dirt-filled hill, I ran all the way to the gate and ran my little left to the pit where I got 2nd row. Not bad.
SIXX seemed a little more relaxed performing with his side project than he does when he’s with the Crue. Lead singer James Michael takes the stage and interacts with fans at much ease, as SIXX just sits back and plays his bass overlooking the masses. As “chill” as he may look, his fans seem to be unable to take their eyes off of him and don’t take much interest to the band’s performance until the popular song “Life is Beautiful” is performed at the end of their set.
Seems like Sixx has a way of hypnotizing people, and I was certainly one of them.
Much to my surprise, Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee, accompanied by his two sons and on-and-off love interest Pamela Anderson, stand behind DJ ASHBA’s amp and take pictures and dance along to the songs. They remain side stage until the end of SIXX AM’s set before disappearing backstage.
Papa Roach was next and we left to check out the merchandise table. I would like to ask one favor to fans. I know that you make most money on touring and merchandise, but do you really have to charge $35 for a t-shirt? I remember just a few years ago when all I paid was $10 or $15. Seriously, why in the world would you want to buy a shirt that costs more than the ticket itself? I cannot make sense out of this.
Two beers and several trips to the bathroom later, we figured we weren’t missing much by not going down to the pit to see Papa Roach. They were singing so loud we figured we might as well keep chatting up, drinking booze and mingling with the fans.
Buckcherry came and went with a blink of an eye. I really don’t recall much of the show until “Crazy Bitch” came on and everyone started chanting along.
We move ourselves a little closer to the stage as the crew is setting up for Motley Crue to go onstage. Now we’re 2 rows back in front of Nikki Sixx, perhaps one of the most badass bass players around. The lights dim as the silhouettes form and we see the long neck of Six’s bass parading behind the sheets.
Fans raise their fists in the air and scream in excitement as the 4 bad boys of Hollywood take the stage to perform in their very own home turf. Kicking off with “Kickstart My Heart” everyone applauds and sings along, eyes open wide like a child on Christmas Day.
Motley Crue is back in town, and they are ready to rock you till you drop. Or at least give you a sore throat from screaming the words to every song like a real fan would do.
“Wild Side” and “Shout At the Devil” were other classics that followed, but the cheering got louder as the beginning notes to “Saints of Los Angeles” started out. The band was excited after SIXX announced that they would be back next year, as they hoped to have Cruefest 2.
Now let’s hope this is a recurring event. I will take any chance I get to see Crue perform. Though most fans were excited for the news, others not so much.
Avid Crue fans consider “Cruefest” the original charity event held every summer at the Whisky A Go-Go, where Crue tribute bands perform for a profit and all the money goes to the Skyler Neil foundation.
As far as me, I think they are both great. What is so wrong about the band taking that name for themselves anyways? Seems to be working just fine.
Tommy Lee’s infamous “titty cam” was up next, but to be honest with you, that whole scene of rock n’ roll debauchery has taken its toll. On the first Crue tour, it was funny and amusing and Lee’s reaction made you laugh out loud as he would motivate his “mamas” and “babies” to remove their tops. This time around it seemed a bit forced to me. He no longer got excited over this five minute fest and for fans like me, who have seen this over and over again, this has gotten a little too old. As much as I love the guy, it just seemed forced, like it was part of the “set list” to say the least, which took a little of the enthusiasm away from everything. Just wasn’t fresh anymore I guess.
Another instant hit was “MF of the Yeah” from the new album Saints of Los Angeles, with fans cheering and singing along, filled with adrenaline to finally be hearing new material. Yes, it has been almost 5 years since they release a record with all new material and it was nice to see the band perform them with as much passion as all the other hits.
The one song that hit too close to home, to say the least was “Home Sweet Home,” as the band surrounded the piano as Lee romantically played the introduction notes. Fans took out their lighters and cell phones (new trend?) to illuminate the hundreds of fans that filled up the pavilion. 
Long story short…it’s always amazing to see Motley Crue. My friend wouldn’t stop talking about their lighting, explosions and special effects for days. Crue never gets old (despite the titty cam part) and they still know how to put an amazing show. No wonder fans keep going back for more. It’s like an addiction that you cannot resist.
One song after the next, hit after hit, you find yourself singing along, shaking your fist in the air and head banging like you never have before. At the end of the show, you realize that it has been almost 2 hours since the show began and time flew by. You are left with the remains of guitar picks tossed on the floor, water on the stage floor that Nikki Sixx spat on you, and a few guitar picks scattered over the floor. You look at your friend in disbelief that it’s really over and head home, playing Crue in the stereo as loud as you can, because tonight, was one of the best nights you have had in a while.
All in all, that’s what a Motley Crue show feels like. And you’re left aching for more.
Here’s to the next Cruefest. Please believe I will be there next year.
photo copyright © Erika Remlinger
Leave a Reply