The Distortion Den: Motley Crue albums of the 80’s

I had the pleasure of joining Deke to talk about the Motley Crue albums of the 80’s and our favorite memories of the band during that time. And along for the ride was the famous TeeBone!! It was a lot of fun as we walked through Too Fast For Love, Shout at the Devil, Theater of Pain, Girls Girls Girls and Dr. Feelgood. What tours did we catch? What songs did we like? Or not like? What albums were good? Which ones weren’t? We answer all that and more.

Go check it out as it is live now on YouTube. Don’t forget to like and Subscribe to The Distortion Den!!

What to Expect in Music in 2025?

2025 is upon us and it is always fun anticipating what new albums will come out in the year. Since today would normally be a Friday New Release post, let’s look at the new releases coming our way in 2025. There are quite a few we already know about, but some haven’t been officially announced or even a date set yet.

Last year, there were a few artist I was hoping would release an album that might have or might not have released one.  It is always fun to hope for new music from these bands, but sometimes there are disappointments.  Here are the ones I was hoping to get new albums from last year and what actually happened…

  • Def Leppard – It is time for The Collection Vol. 4!! Come on boys, give it to us!! Or a new album…whichever you want. Well – we didn’t get a new album, but we got a new live album ‘One Night Only: Live at the Leadmill’ which was pretty great.  
  • Kiss – I will keep this on the list until I die!!  Time to start up more Soundboard LPs or another box set…give us something! Still nothing!! No new album, no more Soundboards LPs and not even a release of The Final Show from MSG…come on guys (or label) and hurry it up. Give us something other than Anniversary Editions with nothing new.
  • Guns ‘N Roses – Rumors, Rumors, Rumors!!  Will we ever get a new album! – Still nothing…no new albums…more tour announcements. Honestly, I don’t really care anymore so what.
  • Aldo Nova – He keeps talking about a 2CD set for over 3 years and still nothing much, but will he get around to releasing the full Life & Times of Eddie Gage? I hope so. – Nothing at all from him in 2024 but live shows.  Dude!! Where is the new music???
  • Bon Jovi – A new album WITH RICHIE SAMBORA!!! – No, no Richie album, but we got a new album with ‘Forever’ and it wasn’t half bad.  Still waiting on that 40th Anniversary Box Set!!
  • Robbie Williams – Hey Robbie, time for a new pop album…no more Trance please!! – No new album but at the end of the year he released a Biopic with his character as a monkey. Movie will get a wide release in 2025 and a soundtrack…which is on order.

Okay, are there albums I want to see this year from some of my favorite bands that haven’t been announced or in some cases even rumored?  Of course there are.  These are the bands I want new albums from this year…but it might not happen.

  • Def Leppard – It is time for The Collection Vol. 4!! Come on boys, give it to us!! Or a new album…whichever you want.
  • Kiss – I will keep this on the list until I die!!  Time to start up more Soundboard LPs or another box set…give us something! Even give us the Blu Ray of the final Kiss show that I was at, that would be awesome too!!
  • Guns ‘N Roses – Rumors, Rumors, Rumors!!  Will we ever get a new album! Do we even care anymore? Not really, but I’ll keep on the list.
  • Aldo Nova – He keeps talking about a 2CD set for over 3 years and still nothing much, but will he get around to releasing the full Life & Times of Eddie Gage? I hope so.
  • Billy Idol – There are rumors of a new album and even Steve Stevens showed a test pressing..could it be??!!
  • Paul Laine – In 2024, there were rumors of a solo album and a full Jet City Junkies release…please…please…Give us both!!!
  • Creed – They had a massively successful tour in 2024 and it will continue in 2025…will there be new music? Oh, please say it will be so!

From what I have gathered around the internet, here are the bands that should have new albums out in 2025 or are rumored, but no dates announced yet. The ones I would give a try will be highlighted in Blue. The ones with Dates Announced are at the bottom of this post. The list is building up nicely!!

Continue reading “What to Expect in Music in 2025?”

Motley Crue – ‘Supersonic And Demonic Relics’ (RSD 2024 Picture Disc) – Album Review

For the first time on vinyl, Motley Crue released ‘Supersonic And Demonic Relics’ for the 2024 Record Store Day. And since this was the first time on vinyl, I had to grab a copy. There were only 2,500 copies available, so I guess I am lucky to have grabbed one of them. I am sure they will release this album on vinyl eventually, but hopefully this will be the only picture disc. Now, with the track record of RSD albums, I’m not holding my breath.

The album originally came out on June 29, 1999 and Wikipedia says this is the band’s fourth compilation, but I don’t know what their three are before it as I only know of Decade of Decadance 81-91 in 1991 and the Greatest Hits in 1998. Yes, this is compilation but it not a greatest hits album. Instead it is a collection of tracks from soundtracks, songs that were new on a greatest hits album, remixes and even a handful of unreleased tracks. I really like these type of releases even if the songs aren’t always great. I’ll take this over a greatest hits record any day. My only complaint about this RSD release is the quality of the pictures on the cover and even the choice for the vinyl pictures. The cover looks grainy and not very professionally done. And the side of the vinyl with the picture of the speakers from the album cover are a little dull and not very crisp. I know, I’m picky.

LP 1:

Continue reading “Motley Crue – ‘Supersonic And Demonic Relics’ (RSD 2024 Picture Disc) – Album Review”

Motley Crue – ‘On With The Show’ (1988) – Bootleg

In my quest for interesting, unique and rare albums for bands I like, I found this bootleg of an old Motley Crue concert from 1986. It says it was recorded at Fresno & Boston in 1986. It was released on Toasted Records in 1988 out of Australia, so pretty cool I found a copy here in the States. The show, as I said, states it is 1986. The label on each of the 2 LPs included in this set have a copyright of 1985 which is impossible if the show didn’t take place until 1986. Actually, the 1985 is probably correct as the Fresno, California pieces of this disc are from November 25, 1985 and the Boston, Massachusetts parts of this show are from a 1984 show.

But Bootlegs are never known to be very accurate. Just take a look at the cover above. That picture is from at the very least the ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ era which was 1987. And the picture on the back looks more like ‘Shout at the Devil’ which is probably where the Boston piece of this show was recorded. A 1985 show (Fresno) would’ve been ‘Theatre of Pain’ era. Based on all this we have two eras in one with this bootleg. And from what else I can find on this album, two of the songs are from the US Festival in 1983. Sound quality of the release isn’t bad. It doesn’t sound like a soundboard, but I’ve read it is and an FM broadcast, but the quality isn’t a normal soundboard if it is. There is a little hollowness to it, but still very listenable.

LP 1:

Continue reading “Motley Crue – ‘On With The Show’ (1988) – Bootleg”

The Collection: EP. 29 – Motley Crue’s ‘The End’ Box Set

This week on The Collection, we are talking the Motley Crue Box Set called ‘The End’. This was supposed to be THE END of Motley Crue, the did a Final Tour, signed a contract and everything, yet as we now know, it wasn’t the end. We are going to put that aside (okay not really) and talk about the Box Set. We will look at the albums included and all the little goodies in the set. I even say the name wrong of the Saints of Los Angeles album EVERY SINGLE TIME!! UGH!! See what city I actually call it. Come join the fun and see what is the Good and the BAD of this box set.

So go check it out as it is live now on August 19, 2024 at 8 p.m! Thanks for stopping by and please click “Like” and hit “Subscribe” as it helps out the site when you do.

Friday New Releases – February 23, 2024

Can you believe we are already through 2 months of 2024? It is insane how time flies. This week we have a bunch more releases for you to help enjoy some of that fast flying time. There are two I’m really interested in. One I’ve already bought (Ace Frehley) and one I want to stream first (Mick Mars). Both great rock records I’m sure. My friend Down Under (Harrison, you know I’m talking about you) will want to grab hold of the new Blaze Bayley. All the rest of you let me know what you want to hear this week or what we may have missed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend. Note: There are too many releases for videos this week, but I will do at least the the albums that made the picture above…

  • Ace Frehley – 10,000 Volts – (MNRK Records)
  • Mick Mars – The Other Side of Mars – (1313 LLC)
  •  Blaze Bayley – Circle of Stone – (Blaze Bayley Recording)
Continue reading “Friday New Releases – February 23, 2024”

What to Expect in New Music for 2024?

2024 is upon us and it is always fun anticipating what new albums will come out in the year. Since today would normaly be a Friday New Release post, let’s look at the new releases coming our way in 2024. There are quite a few we already know about, but some haven’t been officially announced or even a date set yet.

Last year, there were a few artist I was hoping would release an album that might have or might not have released one.  It is always fun to hope for new music from these bands, but sometimes there are disappointments.  Here are the ones I was hoping to get new albums from last year and what actually happened…

  • Def Leppard – Too soon for a new album, but give us The Collection Vol. 4!!  We still didn’t get The Collection Vol. 4, but we got a new album…sort of. We got ‘Drastic Symphonies’ which was a compilation with a symphony orchestra added and no, not good.
  • Kiss – I will keep this on the list until I die!!  At least give us another Soundboard LP.  We did get a new Soundboard LP, but only one this year and for the Poughkeepsie show in 1984 with Mark St. John and that is really cool!!
  • Guns ‘N Roses – Rumors, Rumors, Rumors!!  Will we ever get a new album!  Nope, but some singles…nothing yet.
  • Aldo Nova – He keeps talking about a 2CD set for over 3 years and still nothing much, but will he get around to releasing the full Life & Times of Eddie Gage? I hope so.  And again, more talk but no 2 CD album for The Life & Times of Eddie Gage…when Aldo?  When?  But he did start touring again.
  • Ace Frehley – It is time for a new album…no Origins, Vol 3…a new album!!  No new album, but one was announced and will be here in early 2024!! YEAH!!
  • Bon Jovi – A new album WITH RICHIE SAMBORA!!!  Nope, still nothing. A lot of talk about a Reunion, but no new album. Something’s brewing though as their 40th Anniversary gets ready to roll around.

Okay, are there albums I want to see this year from some of my favorite bands that haven’t been announced or in some cases even rumored?  Of course there are.  These are the bands I want new albums from this year…but it might not happen.

  • Def Leppard – It is time for The Collection Vol. 4!! Come on boys, give it to us!! Or a new album…whichever you want.
  • Kiss – I will keep this on the list until I die!!  Time to start up more Soundboard LPs or another box set…give us something!
  • Guns ‘N Roses – Rumors, Rumors, Rumors!!  Will we ever get a new album!
  • Aldo Nova – He keeps talking about a 2CD set for over 3 years and still nothing much, but will he get around to releasing the full Life & Times of Eddie Gage? I hope so.
  • Bon Jovi – A new album WITH RICHIE SAMBORA!!!
  • Robbie Williams – Hey Robbie, time for a new pop album…no more Trance please!!

From what I have gathered around the internet, here are the bands that should have new albums out in 2024 or are rumored, but no dates announced yet. The ones I would give a try will be highlighted in Blue. The ones with Dates Announced are at the bottom of this post. The list is building up nicely!!

Continue reading “What to Expect in New Music for 2024?”

Motley Crue – “Wild Side” – 7″ Single

“The Wild Side” by Motley Crue is off the band’s 1987 album ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ which went to #2 on the Billboard charts and saw three singles including this one. It sold well over 4 million albums in the U.S. alone and saw the band reach another level of success.

The song “Wild Side” was written by Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee. It was inspired by a school girl who Nikki had asked to recite the Lord’s Prayer and why he asked her to do it, we have no idea. He thought about what she said and thought, damn that’s cool so he incorporated some of the prayer in to the lyrics like below…

“Our father
Who ain’t in heaven
Be thy name on the wild side”

The song is about the dirty side of the Strip with all the drugs, pimping, and many other abuses going on at that time in their lives.  Heck, even Nikki wrote when he was severely hooked on Heroin so it was a time of debauchery. It is a reflection of the band’s sin on the seedy side of rock & roll and about their life in L.A. These were the bad boys of rock & roll for sure.

The version of the single I have is the standard U.S. Version with the B-Side being “Five Years Dead” also from ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’. Nothing special about it and it is even a promo, just the basic single. I love collecting the picture sleeve singles from the 80’s so that is why I have it as I already have these songs elsewhere.

A-SIDE:

Continue reading “Motley Crue – “Wild Side” – 7″ Single”

My Sunday Song – “Shout at the Devil” by Motley Crue

For My Sunday Song #190, we are ending the 10 song Motley Crue set with the band’s most controversial song “Shout at the Devil” of the album of the same name.  The song and album came out in 1983 and let me tell you, it upset a lot of people.  Not us kids at the time, but the parents.  The controversy only helped the band and the song.  The song didn’t do great on the radio, but the album went onto hit #17 on the Billboard album chart and sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. alone.

The song and album were originally going to be “Shout With The Devil”, but Tom Zutaut who signed the band to Elektra was not having it.  He was having a hard time selling the idea to the label.  The fear of satanism and the uproar it could cause was not going to fly.  However, during a drug filled evening, something freaky happened to Tom and Nikki when a knife and fork rose from the table and they stuck in the ceiling.  I am sure it was the drugs talking and probably Tommy throwing up there, but whatever. They decided that it was not Shout With the Devil, but Shout At the Devil instead as they feared that shouting with the devil was going to get Nikki killed.

The album opens with the a spoken track called “In the Beginning” that was so freaking evil sounding that it was the perfect segue in to the song.  The song is so heavy and bombastic that it oozes evil.  Vince sings at such high notes that only the Devil’s Dogs can hear them.  Mick Mars on guitar is nothing short of evil personified and rips through the strings like the devil’s pitchfork rips through your heart.  As I kid, I was never concerned with it being a satanic song, I thought it was cool and guess what, I didn’t turn out evil and kill a lot of people…some maybe, but not a lot!!!

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My Sunday Song – “Dr. Feelgood” by Motley Crue

For My Sunday Song #189, we are tackling one of the band’s signature songs, “Dr. Feelgood”.  The song is the title track of the 1989 album and the band’s first album sober!!  The band had some radio success as this hit #20 on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs and it did go to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, but their success was really MTV and those videos.  This one was played all the time!

Being newly sober, it was funny how many songs on the album were about drugs and OD’ing, but I guess that was still all Nikki and company knew.  This song is no different. It is about drug dealers…not one drug dealer all of them as Nikki has been quoted as saying that “every good drug addict always has more than one.”  The drug dealers gave Nikki his fix and they also gave him and Motley Crue a song to be remembered.

The song comes slamming in with Tommy’s drum beat that grabs hold and pulls you right in just like a good fix will do.  Mick lays down a nasty guitar riff that is instantly recognizable.  Already the addiction to the song is in full swing.  The lyrics written by Nikki and delivered by Vince who captures the essence of the song and he sounds fantastic hitting notes he only now wishes he could still hit.  Then Mick’s guitar solo comes in slow and dirty before he shreds the strings like the needles shred your arm.  It is junky filled rush of a song.

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