Ever had to eat your hat about a sucky band or artist?
I am a professional Motley Crue hater of many years, but recently someone sent me this footage shot of one of their 1981 promo tapes, and I was stunned by how much I like it and how good the band once were. Don't get me wrong, here; Crue still sound sloppy and amateur, but it's interesting to know that starting out they actually did play raw knarly METAL that had some authenticity. Vince's vocals are clear, he has some moves, and he holds a couple of notes for several seconds like a more evil sexy Roth-cum-Malibu Barbie. Tommy's drums sound like Thor, and Mick Mars' tone is hypnotically dark. They actually look alive -- even electric, like Van Halen struck by dark lightning. I didn't think they ever had this in them, and hearing it now I get why they were given their big shot. It's such a pity that they sold out and lost their spark so quickly, and after their first few years never played this well or sounded this killer again. I might have been a fan if they kept their look and sound this way.