Live Concert Review- Cruefest featuring Trapt, Sixx AM, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and Motley Crue- Blossom Music Center 8.20.08 By Lois Elswick Published: August 21, 2008 PrintEmail
When Cruefest rolled into town this year, the lineup was tight, the performances were on point and the crowd loved every raunchy minute of it.
Trapt opened the show and was the only band on the bill that did not mesh well with the sound of the other bands. Trapt was too neat, clean cut and their sound was just not heavy enough to share the stage with Motley Crue. Not to mention they F^*%ing suck donkey schlong!
Sixx A.M. was up next and they eased the crowd into what was to be a long night of flashy and loud rock and roll. Arguably the most sentimental band on the bill, Sixx A.M. played up the drama by performing tracks they composed to serve as the sound track to Nikki Sixx’s book ‘The Heroin Diaries,’ about Sixx’s heroin addiction and his eventual recovery. The pure vulnerability and perseverance of Sixx through the years was showcased through the moving lyrics. The sound was still heavy enough and D.J. Ashba was bombastic with his guitar solos to even out the tone. Vocalist James Michael’s strong and clear vocal stylings made for an unexpected treat. There was nary a dry eye in the house when the band played their hit, “Life is Beautiful” to close their set.
Papa Roach kept the Cruefest crowd going strong when they hit the stage. What vocalist Jacoby Shaddix lacks in solid vocal chops, he certainly made up for with flash and enthusiasm. His over the top antics and sweaty showmanship pumped up the crowd and the band’s delivery was solid musically and aurally. Papa Roach played all the radio favorites that have made them famous, including the anthem “Last Resort,” which got everyone on their feet and ready for Buckcherry.
Buckcherry took the sleaze over the top and onto the next planet. Veterans of raunchy balls to the wall rock and roll, the band did not disappoint. Rolling through the hits, most notably, “Lit Up,” vocalist Josh Todd’s sinewy moves and strong vocals did not miss a note. Gyrating like a teenage schoolgirl through most of the set, Todd never gave the crowd a dull moment to sip their *$11* beers and seemed to enjoy pushing the sleaze envelope as far as it would go. When the band launched into their smash hit “Crazy Bitch,” Todd drew out the song as long as he could with long interludes of crowd sing-a-longs and a very X-rated speech about the “crazy bitch” that inspired the song. After Buckcherry, the crowd was half naked and just horny enough for Motley Crue to hit the stage.
After a brief intermission, the inebriated hedonistic Cruefest fans got what they wanted– a hefty dose of Motley Crue. “Kickstart My Heart,” from the legendary album ‘Dr. Feelgood,’ started the show, and the crowd went wild. It’s rare to see 20,000 people all grooving to the same beat, but this crowd really was into the show. Motley Crue did a great job of pulling out all the crowd pleasers for the set, especially such oldies as “Live Wire” and “Shout at the Devil.” Unfortunately, either frontman Vince Neil was having an off night, or his voice really is shot from years of abuse. Ever the consummate showman, he kept up the theatrics and the pomp and circumstance, but his voice was showing serious signs of wear and tear. The high notes seemed to be his strong suit but the low notes got completely dropped, making some of the lyrics unintelligible at times. It was disappointing to wait an entire year to see a band play live, only to hear the vocalist unable to deliver. The Crue introduced some new material off of their album ‘Saints of Los Angeles,’ and it surprisingly sounded good. It had a lot of the old punch with an updated feel to it. To add to their already over the top show, Motley brought out Josh Todd of Buckcherry and Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach to perform backup vocals. The set design was great as well, with “LOS ANGELES” written backwards and all lit up behind the band. Lots of pyrotechnics and stadium style showmanship were the order of the evening as well. The band closed the night with old school favorite “Home Sweet Home,” complete with Tommy Lee on the piano. The crowd left satiated for the time being. At least, that is, until Cruefest returns next year. (Or the Jonas Brothers concert on Friday)
chops, he certainly made up for with flash and enthusiasm. His over the top antics and sweaty showmanship pumped up the crowd and the band’s delivery was solid musically and aurally. Papa Roach played all the radio favorites that have made them famous, including the anthem “Last Resort,” which got everyone on their feet and ready for Buckcherry. 
for Motley Crue to hit the stage. 
of the lyrics unintelligible at times. It was disappointing to wait an entire year to see a band play live, only to hear the vocalist unable to deliver. The Crue introduced some new material off of their album ‘Saints of Los Angeles,’ and it surprisingly sounded good. It had a lot of the old punch with an updated feel to it. To add to their already over the top show, Motley brought out Josh Todd of Buckcherry and Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach to perform backup vocals. The set design was great as well, with “LOS ANGELES” written backwards and all lit up behind the band. Lots of pyrotechnics and stadium style showmanship were the order of the evening as well. The band closed the night with old school favorite “Home Sweet Home,” complete with Tommy Lee on the piano. The crowd left satiated for the time being. At least, that is, until Cruefest returns next year. (Or the Jonas Brothers concert on Friday) 
