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Is there a doctor in the house???

Cruefest 2009
First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
Tinley Park, IL
July 22, 2009
Godsmack
Godsmack
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Rev Theory
Rev Theory

Review and photos by Rob Grabowski

Cruefest 2 rolled into the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater last week with an onslaught of seven hours of metal and mayhem. With 10 bands gracing two stages - the raucous crowd began filtering into the venue to check out some of the newcomers on the metal scene like Cavo on the second stage and Charm City Devils on the main stage. The party truly started with the energy of Theory of a Deadman followed by the fist clenching intensity of Godsmack. While these bands did a nice job of warming the crowd up, the moment of truth came when the lights went dim to an electric arrival of Motley Crue. With the stage set up like Dr. Frankenstein's evil laboratory, lead singer Vince Neil and the rest of the Crue wasted no time with the undeniable bass line intro to "Dr. Feelgood" which kicked off the entire Dr. Feelgood album being played in it's entirety. Following up were "Slice of Your Pie" and "Rattlesnake Shake." With the crowd all juiced up, "Kickstart My Heart" ripped through the audience like it did twenty five years ago with a renewed and feverish energy.

Vince has never sounded better and Nikki and Tommy really seemed to be enjoying themselves (unlike recent reports that they're just in it for the money and can't stand each other). Perhaps it's because it is early on in the tour with this being their third performance, it will be interesting to see how the tour progresses and if they all can get along. One of the highlights was when they played "Time for Change." This solid song had Vince delivering a very emotional performance. I am sure there are a lot of personal demons that were revisited having to go back into their catalog for this tour, but hopefully this might just be the catharsis the band needs. After finishing up the Dr. Feelgood set the stage was made over into a an intense lighting set up and the pyro show was something that rivaled any 4th of July celebration. It was shocking to see how much of the stage was engulfed in fire.

"Saints of Los Angeles" garnered a warm reception, especially for being a newer song but, the diehard audience sang along as if it were an old favorite. Rounding out the encore is one of my personal favorites, "Home Sweet Home." With Tommy Lee doing the intro on a baby grand piano and having the rest of the Crue gathered around with Vince belting out the first verse and then having the song round out by erupting into an electric version that brought the house down. What would a Motley Crue show be with out girls? With the fellas paying homage to the ladies in the house, they closed down the evening with the motorcycle roaring sounds of "Girls, Girls, Girls."

Nearly 30 years and a lot of headlines later the reason they still draw as well as they do is because when it is all said and done, the music and energy they create is a great reminder of the nihilist rock of the '80s. Tommy Lee is one of the greatest drummers of all time PERIOD. To watch him beat his skins with such raw abandon is awe-inspiring. Mick Mars always pulls something out of his bag of tricks and delivers a rhythm guitar and lead guitar simultaneously that is unique and relevant. Nikki Sixx slaps his bass guitar into submission and still has the energy that would put the Energizer Bunny to shame. Vince Neil has the stage presence that can be mentioned in the same breath as any of his peers. He's a true rock star that makes love to the stage. Individually and side projects, has shown to be entertaining but, Motley Crue is who they truly all are. The next time you are feeling like today's music is a bit stale and you need a pick me up, ask the doctor to make a house call and put on Dr. Feelgood. Motley Crue is sure to deliver just what the doctor ordered.

Related articles:

Motley Crue / Sum 41 / The Exies / Silvertide - Concert review - Milwaukee, WI Aug. 2005
Motley Crue - Concert review - Rosemont, IL Mar. 2005
Vince Neil - Concert review - Milwaukee, WI Jan. 2003
Godsmack / Rob Zombie - Concert review - Milwaukee, WI Jan. 2003
Metallica / Godsmack - Concert review - Rosemont, IL Aug. 2004
Music Midtown (Godsmack) - Festival review - Atlanta, GA May 2003
Godsmack / Deftones - Concert review - East Troy, WI Aug. 2001
Ozzfest 2000 (Godsmack) - Festival review - East Troy, WI Aug. 2000
Ozzfest 2002 (Drowning Pool) - Festival review - East Troy, WI Aug. 2002
3 Doors Down / Theory of a Deadman - Concert review - Milwaukee, WI Sept. 2006

Godsmack
Godsmack
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Rev Theory
Rev Theory
Rev Theory
Rev Theory
Cavo
Cavo
Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool
Theory of a Deadman
Theory of a Deadman
Motley Crue
Motley Crue
Charm City Devils
Charm City Devils

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