The show titled ‘1981’ was a throwback to the band’s early club days
After kicking off their 2024 tour over the weekend with back-to-back shows at the Hard Rock Atlantic City, Mötley Crüe rolled up to New York City for a special club gig at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City. The sold out show saw the band crank out some hits like “Primal Scream,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Looks That Kill,” and more in a very stripped down, intimate setting. The concert was titled “1981,” and tickets for the show were priced at just $19.81.
Check out the fan-filmed footage below.
This weekend, the Crüe are headlining Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida and Louder Than Live in Louisville, Kentucky. Also topping the bill are Foo Fighters, Slipknot, and Limp Bizkit. Other feature performers are Judas Priest, Disturbed, Queens of the Stone Age, Greta Van Fleet, Falling In Reverse, Breaking Benjamin, and more. In June, the band is headlining Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From there, they head to Canada for an appearance at the Ottawa Bluesfest in July, plus a headlining concert at Scotiabank Arena in Calgary. Additionally, Mötley Crüe are headlining Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky. The lineup also features Slipknot, Korn, and the return of Slayer.
On the heels of their latest release, the band is reportedly working on more new music. The newest single was produced by Bob Rock, and also features special guest appearances by The Offspring’s Dexter Holland and Classless Act’s Derek Day on background vocals. Classless Act toured in support of Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard on their massive North American stadium tour back in 2022.
“It’s always great getting back in the studio with the guys in the band,” Nikki Sixx said. “We know you’re gonna like this one.”
Rock, who also helmed the band’s famed 1989 album, Dr. Feelgood, adds, “Working with the band on the new song was the easiest session I have ever had with them. The Crüe is the best they have ever been! And they have plenty of new stuff in store.”
While this marks John 5’s recording debut with the band, this is not he and Mötley’s first collaboration. Back in 2019, John 5 co-wrote the songs “The Dirt,” “Crash and Burn,” and “Ride with the Devil” for the soundtrack to Netflix’s Mötley Crüe biopic, The Dirt. On social media and in various interviews, the band has promised that more new music is on the way.
The all-new “Dogs of War” is also Mötley Crüe’s first release on their new label, Big Machine Records.
Big Machine Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta says of the signing, “Mötley Crüe on Big Machine! Growing up in Southern California, I was in Hollywood when these new sheriffs showed up and took over the city. It was loud. It was powerful. It was game changing. Vince, Nikki, and Tommy, along with new guitarist John 5, have reignited the flame with ferocious new Crüe music. Fans will unite – SHOUT!”
“We are thrilled to announce the forthcoming release of our new music through Big Machine Records,” Mötley Crüe said. “Scott’s been a friend and supporter of the band for a long time, and we loved collaborating on the Nashville Outlaws album in 2014. We’re very happy to know our new music will be in the best of hands with Scott and his exceptional team at Big Machine.”
Borchetta and Big Machine Records were behind the 2014 Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe album that featured classic Crüe tracks covered by some of country music’s biggest stars, including Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, and Darius Rucker, among others. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200, No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and featured the Top 30 hit, “Home Sweet Home,” performed by Justin Moore and Vince Neil. Big Machine also partnered with Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 for the release of his 2021 album, Sinner.
Mötley Crüe join fellow rockers Daughtry, Badflower, and The Struts on the Big Machine roster.
Mötley Crüe has accumulated worldwide album sales exceeding 100 million, seven platinum and multi-platinum albums, 22 Top 40 mainstream rock hits, six Top 20 pop singles, three GRAMMY® Award nominations, four New York Times best-sellers, and even landed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mötley Crüe’s last studio album was 2008’s Saints of Los Angeles.