Retro Spins: Mötley Crüe - Too Fast For Love

Sex, drugs, rock 'n roll, and excess. Those words sum up Mötley Crüe in a nutshell.

Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee first joined together with guitarist/lead vocalist Greg Leon came together in Hollywood, California, in 1981, but Leon would rather quickly be replaced by Mick Mars, and new vocalist, Michael White. However, White's time would also be short, being replace by Vince Neil. With the classic lineup in place, Mötley Crüe was officially formed.

After meeting manager, Allan Coffman, the band would release their first single under Leathür Records, Stick to Your Guns / Toast of the Town. Their self produced debut album, Too Fast For Love, would follow in 1981, and we immediately pause here to jump into today's Retro Spin.

The first edition of their album was limited to 900 copies, and featured not only a different track listing, but different mixes and recordings of the songs which remained, and would be used for later pressings under Elektra Records. Critics praised the album and band, but stated they came across as a bar band shingling more in their enthusiasm than for their technical skills. Despite this, the album would go gold, and grab the attention of Elektra, who signed them to their label.

As I played Too Fast For Love, what I immediately picked up on was the garage band feel it had. The sound wasn't crisp like one would expect. Rather, it sounded almost dampened, muffled even. This was odd, because one would have expected from a re-recorded and mixed Elektra first print that this would have produced a better sound quality.

Still, perhaps where it also shines is in this arena where it does come across as raw. Though the album was lead by the single, Live Wire, I personally favored Merry-Go-Round, and Take Me To The Top, the latter which was not included in the original Leathür release. Further, the guitar work of Mick Mars on Piece Of The Action, really drew me in, even if Neil's screaming tried as best as possible to deflect my ears.

I also want to pause a moment, and focus on the album cover. It borrows quite liberally from the Rolling Stones 1971 album, Sticky Fingers. Homage, or rip off?

Overall, it was the work of Mars which kept drawing me into tracks, and I dare say he may have been the driving force for why the Crüe's debut was so successful. Of course, unless you were living under a rock in the 80's, or (gasp) born too late to have been part of it, Mötley Crüe went on to only get bigger and bigger throughout the decade.

1983's Shout At The Devil, 1985's Theatre Of Pain, 1987's Girls, Girls, Girls, and 1989's Dr. Feelgood, all went platinum, with the latter being their biggest album to date. But, a career of excess certainly took its toll, and none of the members were without problems.

Neil was charged with manslaughter in 1984 when he killed the passenger of his car, and left two passengers of the vehicle he struck with brain damage. Mick Mars has openly talked about drug abuse, and his suffering from ankylosing spondylitis, a debilitating form of arthritis. Tommy Lee was the dictionary definition of excess, constantly in the spotlight for over the top behavior, not helped at all when his personal videotape was stolen from his home and distributed across the world. However, perhaps even that couldn't top Nikki Six literally dying, and being pronounced dead from overdose before being miraculously resuscitated.

Turmoil within the band eventually came to a head, and Neil was ultimately left in 1992, replaced by John Corabi for their 1994 self titled album. Fans were not amused.

While the original members would reunite and release 1997's Generation Swine, increasing tensions between Neil and Lee would lead to the drummer quitting in 1999. He was replaced by former Ozzy Osborne drummer, Randy Castillo for 2000's New Tattoo. Unfortunately, the album failed to chart, or reach any level of certifications. It remains their worst selling to date.

The original lineup would eventually reconcile, well, long enough to release 2008's Sons Of Los Angeles. In 2023, Mick Mars filed a suite against his former band mates stating they were gaslighting him, and cutting him out of future profits after saying he was retiring from touring.

Sadly, it seems the Crüe will never be the same, bowing out from the spotlight together as a unified band, but rather opting to go down fighting amongst themselves. Perhaps things should have simply been neatly tied up in a bow in 1989 at their peak with Dr. Feelgood. Things honestly haven't been the same for them since.

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