“Well, I would say so, I mean, Jesus, we’ve been together 30 years,” Vince tells Ultimate Classic Rock.“If that’s not classic, then I don’t know what is. You know, do you have to wait till you’ve been together 40 or 50 years? But, yeah, we definitely are pretty classic, I guess. It’s great to still be viable in today’s market, with songs and live performances; the crowds are getting younger, which is really, really cool.”
Vince has been impressed with the diversity of the audiences at this summer’s tour, as the Crue are currently roaming North America atop a triple-bill with Poison and the New York Dolls.
“What’s incredible with these crowds,” says Neil, “it’s not just the people that grew up with us, obviously, or there would be a crowd of 40, 45 and 50 year-olds out there. But it’s their kids, 12-year-olds with ‘Shout at the Devil’ shirts on, and parents bringing their kids to their first concert at 5, 6, 7 years old. Also, the different types of people that are our fans — you have attorneys standing next to bikers, and everything in between.”
Given Crue’s status as the elder statesmen of hard rock, what are Vince’s thoughts on the next generation of up and coming rockers?
“I’m the wrong guy to ask that,” he says. “I don’t really listen, I don’t know anything about new music or new bands that are out there. When I listen to music, I listen to stuff I grew up with. Hopefully, there will be a band that breaks through with the rock ‘n’ roll thing, but there just doesn’t seem to be one. Most bands forget that this is entertainment, and you’ve got to put a show on. Most of these bands are content to wear jeans and a t-shirt, and just stand there and play their music. Which, is kind of missing the point.”
“That’s why all those ’90s bands disappeared,” adds Neil. “They were f***ing depressing people.”
Tommy Lee recently said he wasn't interested in putting out full albums anymore as the public’s attention span gets tougher to grab in the digital age.
“I like putting out new music. I don’t think we’d ever not put out new music,” Vince replied. “There will definitely be a new Motley record in the next year or so. Right now, we’re just focused on touring. Once this tour starts slowing down, then we’ll start putting some stuff together and put a record out. We’re also planning on doing Crue Fest 3 next summer.”
Check out the full Vince session at Ultimate Classic Rock here.
Mötley Crüe Motley Crue – Dr. Feelgood
St. Pete Times Forum - Tampa, FL – July 6, 2011
See also:
Motley Crue: Vince Neil to receive lifetime achievement award
VIDEO: Cee Lo Green joins Motley Crue at the Hollywood Bowl
VIDEO: Inside Tommy Lee’s 360 vertical drum roller coaster
Tommy Lee on Motley Crue and the end of making albums
VIDEO: Motley Crue/Poison tour opens, Tommy Lee plays 360 drum roller coaster
VIDEO: Motley Crue rock Chile
Motley Crue: Vince Neil battery trail set for August
Motley Crue: Vince Neil completes DUI sentence
Motley Crue: fan setlist voting now open
Motley Crue to let fans choose setlist
