News From The Road

Once More Into The Breeches:

Yikes, First Joey now Steven. Am I getting out of my class here? Steven and Joey are like the Boston Globe and I feel like The Malden Evening News. But anywho here goes…

Photo Amanda Ayre


Chicago was awesome! The place the guys play is massive. Probably the biggest amphitheatre in America. It used to be called The World - and that name fit perfectly. The guys amped it up and it showed. This show was the best show of the tour! There it is I said it. Rattlesnake Shake is enjoying a good run and looks like it will be in the set for a while. I hope I didn’t just jinx it. My favorite song of the set has to be S.O.S Too Bad. First off it rocks like a mother and second it is a hidden gem that has been played more in the last 2 years than the band’s previous 34 years in existence. Things seem to be coming together. Lights, Sound and above all action. Has anyone noticed how Brad is blowing the doors off places? Joe has been logging a lot more miles on his PF Flyers than on recent tours and Steven is hitting notes most singers would need a ladder to reach. My favorite line to people who want to get backstage is “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” but I gotta tell ya our crew and the local crew guys are busting ass trying to get Aerosmith on within a half hour of Motley. It has been right around 35-40 mins now but everyday it gets better. A lot of these outdoor places are kind of small back there so it is like trying to load out in a funnel. Motley puts on a great show but these crew guys are cleaning up pyro residue, drum sticks, fake blood, bras, condoms and high heels every night - so it takes a while.

I got to go out in Chicago and see one of my all time favorite bands The Upper Crust. They played at really cool place called the Abbey Pub. The band that opened up for them was a band called “Supagroup.” These guys are from New Orleans and they were awesome. They were straight ahead rock from the 70’s. Kinda Black Crowes meets ACDC. I went to the merch stand and bought 2 of their CD’s. I looked on the back and found out old friend Kevin Shirley produced it. Kevin as you may know produced Nine Lives and has been involved with Zeppelin, Journey and Silverchair to name a few. Go out and get music from this band and you will not be disappointed. Coincidently The Upper Crust opened for Aerosmith at the tail end of the 90’s in Boston. Go check them out too. If ACDC were alive in the mid 1700’s they would sound and look like these guys. With Lord Bendover, Duc d’Istortion on guitar, Greek Tycoon Jackie Kickassis on drums and Count Bassie on the 4 strings these guys make Classic Rock and I mean classic. Once More into the Breeches is on my ipod right now.

Tommy Lee sits in on Last Child baby!        Photo: Amanda Ayre


Tommy Lee played drums during “Last Child” in Toronto. I guess it was his birthday. Last Child is his favorite song and he nailed it. Joey handed the sticks off to Tommy like Carl Lewis was handing off to Alonzo Babers. He crushed through the rest of the song to the delight of the 15,000 fans.

Steven has had a videographer following him around recording every move he makes. At first you think what the F%&K is this and then after a while you don’t even notice it. I’m not quite sure what he is going to do with it but I’m sure he is going to have some pretty interesting stuff. I’m really looking forward to St. Louis and Nashville. Great cities.

Word has it the Refugee All Stars will be playing in Nashville while we are there. If you are in the area go check them out. It may change how you look at things.

See You on the Road!

John B.

Read John B's previous reports