Rock train keeps a-rollin’
Calgary Sun, Canada
December 12, 2006
They may have been billed as co-headliners, but the main attraction at the Dec. 11 Route of All Evil show was definitely Aerosmith, not Motley Crue.
Aerosmith’s frontman Steven Tyler belts out a song to the sold-out crowd at the ’Dome Dec. 11. The group was in Calgary for the Route of All Evil tour with ’80s hair metal legends Motley Crue.
(Photo: Jack Cusano, Calgary Sun)
While both bands brought their A-Game to the ’Dome, the Crue came off as a bunch of junior high boys, throwing a rockin’ party for their equally immature pals, compared to Aerosmith’s much more professional and toned-down set.
Motley Crue showcased its usual bag of rock show cliches — massive explosions, showers of sparks, tons of smoke and a couple voluptuous women in cages suspended above the stage.
Video screens glowing with disturbing images of more of the same ol’ situation — scantily clad ladies in bondage gear, fire and an array of devils including George Bush — added to the locker room feel of the 75-minute gig.
Fad? In a way, but it was no surprise that these boys, who celebrated Nikki Sixx’s 48th birthday Dec. 11, still haven’t grown up.
Even less shocking was the band’s set list, which ran much like it did in the ’80s, the ’90s, when they were here twice in the summer of 2005, when Vince Neil played Cowboys during Stampede and so on.
Dr. Feelgood, Don’t Go Away Mad and Kickstart My Heart and their anthem Girls, Girls, Girls were the obvious crowd favourites.
But in terms of performance, the highlight was definitely Home Sweet Home, which featured an acrobat hanging from silk panels twisting and turning.
The band was tight — Tommy Lee ripped on drums, Sixx was even more impressive on bass and the walking corpse that is Mick Mars looked — dare we say it? — lively.
The power of singer Vince Neil’s vocal delivery was a far cry from what it used to be, and at times he seemed to forget the words.
Not that it mattered much to the sold-out crowd, which savoured every cheesy moment the masters of ’80s hair metal threw at them, including smashing a guitar.
Considering all of this, it was odd the Crue went out of its way not to be seen.
Between the constant smoke and lights pointing at the crowd, it may well have been impersonators onstage.
We know all too well what you look like, Tommy Lee.
Aerosmith didn’t rely on the special effects and side shows, opting instead to focus on Steven Tyler’s voice and charisma.
The opener, Toys in the Attic, was hard and powerful, setting the tone for the rest of the set, which included a range of monster hits.
Wailing into his scarf-adorned mic, Tyler belted out Love in an Elevator, Sweet Emotion and Cryin’, his showmanship keeping all eyes on him.
No easy feat considering the talent sharing the stage with him.
While the volume wasn’t as deafening as it was for the Crue, the quality of Tyler’s voice far outshone Neil’s.
In fact, the Boston boys’ recent health issues had little impact on the show.
You would’ve never known Tyler recently underwent throat surgery, or that guitarist Joe Perry suffered a concussion.
As for the hole left by bassist Tom Hamilton, who is receiving treatment for throat cancer, it was adequately filled by David Hull.
Aerosmith let the music shine, proving you don’t have to bring out all the toys to give your fans a gift.
December 12, 2006
They may have been billed as co-headliners, but the main attraction at the Dec. 11 Route of All Evil show was definitely Aerosmith, not Motley Crue.
Aerosmith’s frontman Steven Tyler belts out a song to the sold-out crowd at the ’Dome Dec. 11. The group was in Calgary for the Route of All Evil tour with ’80s hair metal legends Motley Crue.
(Photo: Jack Cusano, Calgary Sun)
While both bands brought their A-Game to the ’Dome, the Crue came off as a bunch of junior high boys, throwing a rockin’ party for their equally immature pals, compared to Aerosmith’s much more professional and toned-down set.
Motley Crue showcased its usual bag of rock show cliches — massive explosions, showers of sparks, tons of smoke and a couple voluptuous women in cages suspended above the stage.
Video screens glowing with disturbing images of more of the same ol’ situation — scantily clad ladies in bondage gear, fire and an array of devils including George Bush — added to the locker room feel of the 75-minute gig.
Fad? In a way, but it was no surprise that these boys, who celebrated Nikki Sixx’s 48th birthday Dec. 11, still haven’t grown up.
Even less shocking was the band’s set list, which ran much like it did in the ’80s, the ’90s, when they were here twice in the summer of 2005, when Vince Neil played Cowboys during Stampede and so on.
Dr. Feelgood, Don’t Go Away Mad and Kickstart My Heart and their anthem Girls, Girls, Girls were the obvious crowd favourites.
But in terms of performance, the highlight was definitely Home Sweet Home, which featured an acrobat hanging from silk panels twisting and turning.
The band was tight — Tommy Lee ripped on drums, Sixx was even more impressive on bass and the walking corpse that is Mick Mars looked — dare we say it? — lively.
The power of singer Vince Neil’s vocal delivery was a far cry from what it used to be, and at times he seemed to forget the words.
Not that it mattered much to the sold-out crowd, which savoured every cheesy moment the masters of ’80s hair metal threw at them, including smashing a guitar.
Considering all of this, it was odd the Crue went out of its way not to be seen.
Between the constant smoke and lights pointing at the crowd, it may well have been impersonators onstage.
We know all too well what you look like, Tommy Lee.
Aerosmith didn’t rely on the special effects and side shows, opting instead to focus on Steven Tyler’s voice and charisma.
The opener, Toys in the Attic, was hard and powerful, setting the tone for the rest of the set, which included a range of monster hits.
Wailing into his scarf-adorned mic, Tyler belted out Love in an Elevator, Sweet Emotion and Cryin’, his showmanship keeping all eyes on him.
No easy feat considering the talent sharing the stage with him.
While the volume wasn’t as deafening as it was for the Crue, the quality of Tyler’s voice far outshone Neil’s.
In fact, the Boston boys’ recent health issues had little impact on the show.
You would’ve never known Tyler recently underwent throat surgery, or that guitarist Joe Perry suffered a concussion.
As for the hole left by bassist Tom Hamilton, who is receiving treatment for throat cancer, it was adequately filled by David Hull.
Aerosmith let the music shine, proving you don’t have to bring out all the toys to give your fans a gift.
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