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Conversation with Tommy Lee
A few years ago, the original lineup of Motley Crue got back together and have since been selling out concerts all over the world. It's been a decade since they recorded a new CD with Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee as the lineup. The title track from Saints Of Los Angeles has done very well, and the rest of the album has been much anticipated. In addition, Motley Crue is launching Cruefest this summer, a traveling festival they are headlining along with support bands Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Trapt and Sixx A.M. (Nikki Sixx's band). I interviewed drummer Tommy Lee about the new album and tour and the many other projects he's involved with, including a reality show with Ludacris and an animated series.
Chad Bowar: Give us a preview of your new CD Saints Of Los Angeles.
Tommy Lee: It's the first studio record we've made in nine and a half years, or whatever it is. That's exciting. There's nothing better than new music. We love going out and playing the older hits, but we're musicians and we've got to have some new stuff to keep us in the game. We're really pumped. The record's dope. We hope you dig it.
Your single has been available to download via the Rock Band video game. How has that been going?
I guess there are a ton of downloads for it. I have two kids that are 10 and 11, and they rarely listen to the radio. They are on iTunes and playing video games. That's where the kids are at. They're not driving around in a car listening to the radio. Kids love music and hit their parents up for money to buy it. Those days of driving to the record store and looking around are over. It's a double-edged sword.
Since you guys have been around so long, are you noticing a second generation of fans at your shows?
I've seen that the last few years. It's been a real eye-opener. For a long time we were playing for people in our age group. All of a sudden we look out and see a guy my age with his seven year old on top of his shoulders throwing up the horns singing "Shout At The Devil." When I look out now I see all ages, colors, it's pretty wild. It's a sign of longevity. When little kids are coming to check you out, you know you're doing something right. We're still going.
Why did you decide to put together a traveling festival tour like Cruefest?
We talked about this since the first time Ozzfest came out. You know you've nailed it when you have your own festival. Finally it is here.
Did you guys have input on the other bands on the bill?
They are all friends of ours and they are bands that we are fans of as well. I think we put together a pretty cool package. It's going to be an awesome summer.
Is it going to be strange seeing Nikki play with a different band (Sixx AM)?
Yes, that's a little crazy to me. I'm not sure why he decided to do double duty, but he's had some success with the music on his record, so why not? If he wants to, let him go rock it.
Will your setlist at Cruefest incorporate some of your new songs along with the classic hits?
Yes. We obviously have the banner hits, but we're smashing in four new tracks off the record. That's what keeps us pumped. We love playing the older stuff, but you've gotta put some new stuff in there to keep it alive.
Do you have some crazy things lined up for the stage set?
Of course. Wait until you see the production. It's retarded. I don't want to give away too much, but if you've been to a Motley Crue show before, you can pretty much imagine we overdo it as usual. We've overdone it again.
With your kids getting older, do they come out on the road with you when they can?
It's always tough leaving them home, but the beauty of the summer is they're out of school. The boys like to come out and rock with me. It's funny, because for them, it's the camping trip from hell. They love the tour bus and the video games and all the people and golf carts and all the backstage stuff. They think it's cool. During the summer they'll come and spend a lot of time with me. Unfortunately, when they're in school, Dad can't yank them out to come play. We're conscious of our families and try to schedule as much time to come back and catch up.
Have your kids shown any musical aptitude yet?
Totally. My youngest, Dylan, is taking guitar lessons and thrashing on the drums. Brandon plays trumpet and bass. Dylan plays piano every day as well. It's crazy. They're totally into it. I think at this point in their life they are experimenting with a lot like I did when I was a kid. I did tap dancing, ballet, accordion lessons, piano lessons, drums, I didn't know what the hell I wanted, but eventually you find out whatever you're attracted to and gravitate towards it. They're still experimenting and tasting all the different musical flavors along with sports and all the other stuff that kids do.
You're the same way with the Crue, your electronic music, the DJing you do and stuff like that.
It's so funny, because my son's birthday is coming up. He wants a mixer and two turntables. They are following in Dad's footsteps. It's awesome.
You're also doing a reality show called Battleground Earth. What's it about?
Discovery Channel just launched a new channel called Planet Green. The Battleground Earth show that I did with Ludacris is scheduled to air in August. It's a really cool show, not so much reality, but more of a documentary and a bit of a competition here and there. It was a big time learning experience for the two of us. Between Ludacris and I, the only thing green we knew about was either money or weed. Basically, we are trying to get the message out during the episodes about the little things people can do to make the earth a better place for our kids and grandkids. It's crazy. It's not about the giant things you do. If everybody does a little bit, it would make your neck snap off. If you change to the new light bulbs, it can cut down your electric bill by a third. We went to the greenest house in Atlanta. This guy had all solar energy, and his electric bill was $8.48. I'm changing my lifestyle. I'm ordering solar panels and changing light bulbs. They have this grass that you can put in your yard. It looks and feels like real grass. It's recyclable and doesn't require water, fertilizer or maintenance. Ludacris and I put a football field of it down in an abandoned park in Oakland. It's a place where kids used to go, but they don't anymore because it's so beat up. I can't even tell you the look on their faces when we put the field down and the kids were out there playing. It was amazing. It's a feel-good show, it's informative, educational, and when they approached us, they wanted a rock icon and a hip-hop icon. We went around the United States spreading the word one episode at a time.
Did you know Ludacris before the show?
We had met before, but as far as knowing him, no. Now we're the best of friends. We spent five weeks together.
Did you guys talk about a possible musical collaboration?
We have mentioned that. As a matter of fact, we got to jam together. You'll see that on the finale. We did a benefit concert here at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Luda and I got up and jammed, I played with the guys from Velvet Revolver, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, I played drums with the Blue Man Group, Ziggy Marley, it goes on an on. Rock Star Supernova went up and played a couple of songs. It was a great evening.
Will there be another Rock Star Supernova album?
We haven't all played together in a while, and it was such a blast. We were all saying we have to do this again. Maybe we will, who knows? Right now it's Camp Motley. On my tour bus, I have a recording studio and I'll be writing some music. Maybe we'll do some Supernova stuff. I'm also doing some voiceover work for a new animated series on Fox called The Life And Times Of Jimmy Jaxx. It's loosely based on me. They wanted me for my voice and some content to make it a fun show. I'm excited about it. I've never done that. I'm mostly inspired to do it for my kids. They'll get a kick out of it.
Chad Bowar, About.com
2008 About.com