All was going to plan until the clerk couldn't find our reservation...well, she had a note of it alright, but for some reason couldn't check us in. Help was called for and it was pointed out to her that it had been booked for July, not June (oops! - Scroll mice + drop down menu = almost disaster) but, the very, very nice manager let us stay for the cheap rate anyway. Had to re-book etc, but still, £30 for the night was a small price to pay compared to what it would have cost us else-where.
After a freshen-up and a check of camera-hiding place (behind the sporran), we jumped in a taxi to the station and caught the train into town. After a quick bite to eat we went on a quest to find where the Apollo was so we knew where we would be going. A couple of police told us it would be about a 20 minute walk, and it was a nice night, so we set off in the right direction, and less than 10 minutes after that, we were there. There was a bit of a queue already and we didn't really like the look of the nearby boozers, so we just joined in.
Highlights of the queue were meeting Bekki (from Bored and MySpace) and the whole line being asked if we wanted some Pringles by the Tommy Lee of the potato-snack world.
About 6:45 they opened the doors and started to let us in. No searches - baah, I could have got my big camera in after all. And we settled by a barrier, Nikki's side, just at the mixing desk. Soon we were joined by Shaun and Jimi who had travelled down by bus for the night.
Somewhere around half seven, Papa Roach came on. I didn't know anything at all that they played, bar their last 2 songs (Last Resort and the one that goes 'Take my money, take my possessions, take my obsessions...) but I really enjoyed their set. They never stopped moving and seemed to be giving their all. Jimi even turned form someone who thought they were 'pish' to liking the set!
Previous reports from http://www.motley.com/ had suggested that Tommy hadn't played the previous night at the Hammersmith Odeon, and the set had been cut (no Sick Love Song) so we weren't too sure what to expect. The kit wasn't Tommy's' usual one (no pink, fluffy and no 'Animal' on the front), so that was a sign at least.
The lights went down around 9 and a drum rhythm started, kind of 'Eat The Rich'ish. The crowd were already soaked in anticipation and chanted and punched the air for all they were worth. Then the unmistakable sound of Mick Mars' guitar shredded the air to be accompanied by a raucous cheer. Dr. Feelgood burst into life and everybody went nuts. The sound was spot on, and the guys sounded like they were firing on all cylinders.
After Feelgood had finished, Vince announced what we all knew already, that it wasn't Tommy behind the kit, but Will Hunt as Tommy's tendonitis had flared up so he couldn't play. Vince then called Tommy out where he apologised and nipped back to a comfy spot, just next to the drum riser.
He appeared again for the piano part on 'Home Sweet Home' - small aside, I think Will was a little late in returning to the kit after the sing-along, but it was no biggie.
Other highlights of the evening... Jozie bringing Vince his guitar (before 'Don't Go Away...) looking like she forgot to get dressed. The intro to 'Girls'...'Everybody put your hands in the air...like this...now make a fist...and do, THIS!' and 3,500 people revved up their Harley's in unison.
'Anarchy' sounded like they meant every word too and the pyro was like an explosion in a fireworks factory.
Then Mick's solo spot. All well and good, showcasing that his fingers have lost none of their nimbleness. Then he started into Voodoo Chile.
'Ba-Dum' went the kit...but wait...who was that baseball capped, naked torso'd, tattooed chap on the stool? It was Tommy! This was a good sign....
They tried to launch into 'Kickstart' but someone, somewhere messed up - it was either T-Bone or Mick...so they started it again....and boy, was it scrappy, but they caught up with each other and turned it into one hell of a finale.
The band took their bows and were gone. Only about an hour and a half of a set, but everything was right. Sure we could have had more songs, we could have had Tommy on the kit all night and we could have had free beer and a holiday in LA thrown in, but we didn't. We had Motley Crue playing one of the best shows I have ever seen. Sweaty, intense, and everyone on form. It was almost perfect. No complaints from me at least.
Full set list was:
01. Dr. Feelgood
02. Shout At The Devil
03. Wild Side
04. Looks That Kill
05. Live Wire
06. Same Ol' Situation
07. Home Sweet Home
08. Don't Go Away Mad
09. Louder Than Hell
10. Primal Scream
11. Girls, Girls, Girls
12. Anarchy In The UK
13. Kickstart My Heart
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