Posted on Sun, Jul. 06, 2008

"This is the best tour I've ever been a part of," stated Papa Roach singer Jacoby Shaddix midway through Motley Crue's five-band Crue Fest Saturday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The tour featured an impressive hard-rock lineup that included early sets by Trapt and Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx's side project Sixx A.M. Both drew huge crowds to the amphitheater long before sunset. Sixx A.M.'s hit "Life is Beautiful" had fists pumping and fans singing from the pit to the lawn.

Shaddix, who may be the most underrated frontman in rock n' roll, led the crowd through favorites like "Wanna Be Loved" (which wrestling fans hear each week as the theme to WWE's "Raw"), "Broken Home," and "Last Resort." Buckcherry, led by the pale, lanky and usually shirtless Josh Todd, strutted its way through sleazy, boogieing party-rock glorifying sex, drugs, and alcohol with hits like "Crazy B***h." Both bands revealed new tracks from upcoming albums, which are set for release in August and September, respectively.

It may be the best tour Shaddix has been a part of, but Charlotte was just the third stop on the current tour and Crue Fest wasn't void of kinks during the headlining set. Motley Crue took the stage with the rip-roaring "Kickstart My Heart" shortly after 9:15. Towers of pyrotechnics exploded, even drowning out a few notes here and there. The headbanging, horn-throwing fans were ecstatic with Vince Neil's caterwaul soaring high above the rest of the group. "Wild Side," "Shout at the Devil," and their latest hit "Saints of Los Angeles" followed. Singers from all the Crue Fest bands re-created their "Jimmy Kimmel Live" performance last spring, joining the Crue on the fading choruses of the latter.

"I feel like the Saints of Charlotte," Neil said.

The band's resident celebrity Tommy Lee, wearing plaid shorts and Chuck Taylors, emerged from behind his enormous bass drum for a short "Girls Gone Wild"-style segment during which he aimed a portable video camera at bare breasts in the audience. Many female fans obliged like it was 1985. Sex was a recurring theme. During "Same Ol' Situation," screens flashed images of politicians, world affairs, and lesbians in lingerie. It was unclear what one had to do with the others.

Motley's hit-filled set was strong, yet they hit a few sour notes. For a moment during the opener, they seemed to fall out of time with each other following the "still kicking *ss" bridge. They quickly pulled it together and -- considering the level of inebriation in the crowd -- few fans even noticed. The sound was the only other issue, ranging from harsh to muddy at times. It was best during the poppier, less distortion-heavy "Don't Go Away Mad." And while the execution and sound wasn't as spot-on as it was during the Crue's Carnival of Chaos show three years ago, the band and its crew has only had three days, not eight months, to tweak its set.

Instead of the Cirque du Soliel-esque production complete with dancers and backup singers as they've done before, Crue Fest seemed to be more about creating an event and placing almost as much emphasis on the opening bands as it does the legendary headliners. The Crue, for instance, played only an hour and 20 minutes hitting on "Looks That Kill," "Girls Girls Girls," and "Dr. Feelgood," which all showcased the often overlooked Mick Mars as the most musically vital member, curling his fingers around the neck of his beat-up Stratocaster. An abbreviated set time also seemed to allow Neil, who is constantly reaching for the higher end of his register, a chance to keep from pushing his vocals too hard. That may be why the group, who could have easily cranked out hits and new tracks from "Saints" for another hour, ended its set with the nostalgic "Home Sweet Home" at 10:40.

Sixx asked the crowd earlier if they would like to see Crue Fest every year. Despite a few glitches, I imagine the answer would be a resounding yes.