By Deb Rao

Saratoga, NY- The final week of Crue Fest 2 wrapped up on Labor Day weekend at Darien Lake in Buffalo, NY on September 5th. John Allen of Charm City Devils and Stevie Benton of Drowning Pool have checked in us at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

Also in attendance at Crue Fest 2 in Saratoga Springs, New York was producer and singer James Michael of SIXX A.M. James Michael. I was able to speak to James regarding an update on SIXX A.M.  James Michael commented to me,"SIXX A.M. has been in the studio writing new material for the next SIXX A.M. release. We are really excited about the upcoming SIXX A.M. release. The sound will be very different from the Heroin Diaries. We will be going down an unexpected route for the band with a never before heard sound that I think will take a lot of fans by surprise. We are aiming for a 2010 release."

Charm City Devils, who hail from Baltimore, kicked off the night's festivities with an enthusiastic performance. Highlights of the set included their first single title track. 'Let's Rock - N - Roll', and 'True Love - Hell Yeah'. In concert, Charm City Devils really showcase their bluesy AC/DC style with singer John Allen's vocal style.

Charm City Devils singer John Allen comments,"Crue Fest 2 winds down this week. We wish it would go on for another month. It has been great performing to the fans. We come from Baltimore and we are a working class band just trying to make a living. I think that working class vibe really reflects on the album. We want to thank all of the fans and readers who have bought our album and have supported us on this tour."  

Drowning Pool performed a strong set with highlights that included '37 Stitches', and 'Bodies'.  This tour was make it or break it for Drowning Pool. By the looks of the line that formed around the F.YE. Tent and also special V.I.P Drowning Pool Experience I attended, I think it is safe to say that Drowning Pool have made a huge comeback.

 I had the opportunity to speak with Drowning Pool bassist Stevie Benton on the Drowning Pool tour bus at the V.I.P. Drowning Pool Tour Experience. Bassist Stevie Benton comments,"We have been on the road for the past 3 months. Highlight of the tour would have to be performing with Motley Crue and seeing all of the different drummers on this tour. We started the band in 1996. We want to thank all of the fans that have stuck with us over the years. It is finally good to see a lot of years paying off. It is unfortunate that we had to have three singers. We basically had to start over and rebuild every time. It is not something that we ever anticipated. It is not something that we ever wanted to do. It is just kind of the way it is played out. We hope that now have things have turned around for us that we will be able to go on for a long time. Hopefully having Ryan in the band will remain an established cohesive unit for a long time and we will do a lot of records together.

Getting an opportunity to get in from of those people every night that is the payoff for all the hard work and traveling and all the other BS that you have to deal with being on the road. That 30 minutes or an hour whatever it is in front of a crowd is what makes it all worth it.

It has been awesome.  It is a dream come true for us to be out there on a tour. As a kid, I had pictures of Motley Crue all over the place. I worshiped NIKKI SIXX. I still do actually. To be able to spend the summer with those guys is unbelievable. We are honored."   
 
One of the first metal bands that started it all, Veteran rockers Motley Crue proved they still are at the top of their game. Motley Crue hit the stage at 9:15 P.M. performing the Dr. Feelgood set in its entirety. The Motley Crue stage set resembled the cover of the album complete with the members of Motley Crue in a padded cell, dancing nurses, and pyro. Drummer Tommy Lee is back performing with the band. Tommy commented,” September 1, 1989 marks the actual release date of the Dr. Feelgood album and here we are celebrating here tonight in Saratoga 20 years later on the actual release date." 

Highlights of the Dr. Feelgood set featured hits 'Kickstart My Heart", 'Without You', and 'Don't Go Away Mad.' Bassist NIKKI SIXX took center stage with his bass intro on 'Rattlesnake Shake', and 'Kickstart My Heart.' After 20 years, Motley Crue proved the theory,"The band that plays together stays together to the hilt." It was great watching the respect and brotherly vibe that the band unleashed onstage. Motley Crue bassist NIKKI SIXX recently commented to me about Crue Fest being compared to Ozzfest,"We love how Ozzfest supported and introduced new bands as well as bands fans know and love. It's a high bar to reach and we hope to be able to fill such huge shoes."  

After the band performed the Dr. Feelgood set there was a short intermission to get the stage set for a performance of the Motley Crue hits. Guitarist Mick Mars took center stage amidst the fog lights and delivered a 10 - minute guitar Stevie Ray Vaughn Voodoo Child solo that ranged from acoustic to electric. Following the rest of the band to hit the stage with Part 2 of the set launching into the song 'Wildside' followed by current hit 'Saints of Los Angeles.'  

The encore featured 'Home Sweet Home' and Tommy on piano with lighted candles painted as the bands backdrop. What would a Motley Crue concert be without 'Girls, Girls, Girls?" The band saved the best for last as the dancing girls appeared for the last time with the audience fists in the air and on their feet dancing in the aisles.

For 90 - minutes, Motley Crue dazzled the capacity crowd performing songs that have survived the test of time making rock history once again celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the classic hit album, Dr. Feelgood on it's actual release date performing at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center. 

Special Thanks to NIKKI SIXX, Eleven Seven Music, Tenth Street, Charm City Devils and Drowning Pool for making this review and CF2 interviews possible.      

Motley Crue Set List

Dr. Feelgood
Slice Of Your Pie  
Rattlesnake Shake 
Kickstart My Heart
Without You  
Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)  
Sticky Sweet  
She Goes Down  
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Time For A Change  

Wildside

 Saints Of Los Angeles

Shout At The Devil

 Home Sweet Home

Girls Girls Girls