Motley Crue – Poison – New York Dolls – at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA

Summer is certainly here, and if there’s any band worthy of throwing a rock and roll party to kick things off the right way, it’s definitely Motley Crue! With a little help from Poison and The New York Dolls, Tuesday night’s sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl ended up being a party for 18,000 fans celebrating decadence, black leather, hair spray and songs that after decades of continuous play never seem to get old.The New York Dolls had the job of opening the night away to a few thousand early bird fans who managed to avoid traffic jams near Highland Ave and the backed up 101 freeway. The boys in drag as they’ve come to be known over the last 35 years played a few new tracks off their 2011’ release “Dancing Backward in High Heels” and of course the hits that made them the influential band that inspired tons of copy cat acts of the 80’s (especially in Hollywood). Vocalist David Johansen often talked to the crowd in between songs in a playful way that would lead you to believe that despite most of the ticket holders still not yet at the concert, he was thoroughly enjoying his time on stage at the half filled bowl. The 45 minute set ended with an amped up version of Jet Boy, the New York City anthem from their first album released back in 1973.

As the sun went to sleep and the full moon rose in the sky above, pop metal poster boys Poison took the stage to a near full amphitheater. Brett Michaels who may be best known for his reality TV work received deafening howls from thousands of middle aged women as he skipped along onstage. Guitarist C.C. Deville quickly made it clear that all up front were in for a face melting guitarmageddon. The response from the crowd was astonishing and quite surprising to me as I was always under the impression that people were either Poison or Crue fans, not both. Though it seems that all were way into the Poisonous offerings and with all feuds aside it was the hugest party in town with no need for petty rivalry to spoil the fun. Behind Poisons drummer lay a bunch of pyrotechnic devices that shot out flames and green smoke through out their performance which added to the spectacle put forth by the band. The highlight of their set though was assuredly their last three songs which were all radio chart toppers back in their day. Every Rose has its Thorn was the first ballad of the night and brought out a sea of illuminated cell phones, but not for long as Talk Dirty To Me and Nothin’ But A Good Time closed out their set in an more up beat kind of way.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With both openers’ sets long over it was now time for hometown heroes Motley Crue to rock the very pumped and sold out venue. Their monstrous stage production had been hidden behind curtains for all of the night until now, and for good reason. Their large stage was now exposed and was very much a sight for all eyes. For starters Tommy Lee’s drums lay at the bottom of a circular track, something that had never been seen before in the world of rock and roll. Stripper poles adorned both corners of the huge platforms that stood behind the amplifiers; there was also a shadow box where go go dancers dazzled while fireworks erupted from what seemed like every inch of the stage at carefully planned moments. Vince, Nikki and Mick rocked straight into Wild Side and never stopped once things got off the ground, literally! Their set had been chosen online by fans, and it’s the fans that got exactly what they wanted as the show was hit after hit after hit with no room at all for any filler.

Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars often strategically weaved between each other around the stage exchanging backup vocals while Vince came down to the crowd and held the mic to the front row choir, this was especially cool during their big choruses. Surprisingly the piano ballad Home Sweet Home found its way early into the set, which brought out the more bic lighters than I have ever seen before in my life (this song is usually reserved towards the end of the set). A rendition of Don’t Go Away Mad (just go away) with guest Cee Lo Brown proved to be a hit as classic song mashed with new radio hit “Fuck You” drove the crowd absolutely wild.

Photo by Marisa Kat

Though the night’s main spectacle was indeed Tommy’s drum solo, which took place as his drums rose some 20 feet above the stage on a track and hung upside down as he banged away to an industrial like beat that sent goose bumps up and down everyone’s spine. Half of his drum solo took place with a fan chosen from the audience strapped in with him as they spun upside down, it was a rock n roll rollercoaster of sorts straight from the mind of Tommy Lee. The night also included a mash up of Gary Glitters Rock N Roll part 2 and Brownsville Stations Smoking in the Boys Room, which has not been played by the band since the 80’s!

As the band continued to treat the audience with hits, go go dancers thrust fire and dazzle into the eyes of all with pyro canons making the show one hell of a freak show set to 666. Nikki then took a moment alone to sit down at the edge of the stage and tell the audience how thankful he was for everyone coming out and celebrating 30 years of Crue with the band in their hometown. The band then closed the night out with a huge bang with help from fireworks galore and a turbo charged version of Kick start My Heart which couldn’t have been a better way to end the night.

Of the many Motley Crue concerts I had been to over the years this was easily the best Vince had sounded, and the most mobile Tommy, Nikki and Mick had been. On the way out of the venue I had overheard some older fans describing to each other that this show was the best Motley had sounded and looked and even played since 1989’s Dr. Feelgood tour back at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood. Indeed it was a special night for the rock and roll history books. If you missed the Hollywood Bowl show, fear not for there is still a San Diego date this summer!

 

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Music Staff Reporter

 

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