Mick Mars left the group a few years back now and even sued them! He also stated in interviews that the band were increasingly using pre-recorded tapes in their live shows. Some time in the last few months it came out in the court case that Mick was exaggerating and that the band (especially Nikki who has become something of a pariah among online Rock fans. It's generally stated that he does not play bass live) doesn't use pre-recorded music to the extent that Mick suggested. He even has to pay the band back for libel!
Motley do use a background of pre-recorded music. You can hear perfect vocal lines on the choruses especially. But, it's obvious that Vince Neil is singing live, and very poorly. Tommy Lee plays live. Mick played live as well with some rhythm guitar tapes. So you heard a live Motley on top of pre-recorded tape which is surprising, hearing how poorly they perform. Does Nikki play live? It barely matters, you can't really hear bass lines at these type of shows.
John 5 joined the band after Mick's exit and John is a very accurate, technically-competent player and faithfully replicates Mick's original album parts.
They have announced a 2026 tour, a return to the 2000s Carnival of Sins theme that was so successful for them after the phenomenon of The Dirt autobiography book.
They are still a dysfunctional crew and only could be. That they stay afloat and tour into the year 2026 is impressive / unimpressive. They just don't sound good enough for it to mean anything.
John Corabi recently did a 3 hour plus interview and of course much of it was about his Motley years. That is a great record.
But the REAL Motley Crue, the actual flavour and excitement this band had to offer is a 1980s thing.
TOO FAST FOR LOVE and SHOUT AT THE DEVIL are their obvious home-runs. This is a band alive and burning and strange and expressing at breakneck speed. THEATRE, GIRLS, DR. FEELGOOD are flawed, compelling period music when this style topped out and became codified and popularized and defanged. It's still compelling stuff even if it's less essential.
