Motley Crue – ‘On With The Show’ (1988) – Bootleg Review
In my pursuit of unique and lesser-known albums by my favorite bands, I stumbled across this intriguing bootleg of a Motley Crue concert recorded in 1986. Titled ‘On With The Show,’ it was put out by Toasted Records in Australia in 1988 and I managed to find a copy right here in the U.S. The recording claims to feature performances from Fresno and Boston, but there’s a bit of a timeline conundrum. Each of the two LPs features a copyright date of 1985, which would suggest a different timeframe than what the concert’s label asserts. Upon closer examination, the Fresno segments from November 25, 1985, and portions from a Boston show in 1984 likely explain the discrepancies. However, bootlegs are notoriously inconsistent, and the visuals on the cover seem to draw from at least the ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ era, which makes the whole situation even murkier.
The first LP is entirely composed of recordings from the Fresno show. It opens with “Looks That Kill,” where the loud guitars and heavy drums set an energetic tone, though Vince Neil’s vocals leave something to be desired—often mumbled and hard to decipher. The second track, “Too Young To Fall in Love,” bursts forth with intensity, although Vince’s voice does hit some shrill notes. The lack of low-end presence in the mix is noticeable, but the crowd ambiance is prominent.
As the set progresses, “Shout at the Devil” disappoints, as Vince struggles vocally. The energy dissipates further in “City Boy Blues,” where the performance feels lifeless, lacking heart. Side Two fortunately finds redemption with “Louder Than Hell,” though it still feels somewhat mechanical. “Knock ‘Em Dead Kid” showcases a killer solo from Mick Mars, yet Vince’s vocals take center stage, which some fans might not prefer. However, “Home Sweet Home” rejuvenates the show with powerful vocals from Vince, and the closing track “Live Wire” injects a burst of energy, redeeming the slightly flat mid-section.
The second LP opens with two songs from the US Festival in 1983, followed by Boston shows from 1984. “Take Me To The Top” is a spirited start, driven by a haunting organ intro and energetic drums, but it lacks the crispness of the Fresno recordings. The Beatles cover, “Helter Skelter,” stands out as particularly vibrant, thanks to its strong guitar riffs and Vince’s improved vocal performance.
Transitioning to the Boston show, “Bastard” brings a noticeable uptick in sound quality, which continues with “10 Seconds to Love.” The crowd’s engagement boosts the performance, and moments of audience participation enliven the atmosphere. The record unexpectedly presents “Merry Go Round” but flips to Side Four, starting with “Piece Of Your Action,” a spirited track that rocks the house. Tommy Lee’s drumming, especially with his double bass kicks, shines brilliantly.
From there, “Red Hot” cranks the tempo to eleven, sending the crowd into a frenzy before launching into an exciting drum solo from Tommy, which is a highlight. Mick Mars delivers a fiery guitar solo afterward, showcasing his signature style. The overall energy culminates in the final song, “Smokin’ in the Boys Room.” Here, the sound quality dips back to the Fresno recordings’ previous highs, but the band manages to make it their own, with an intro that unfortunately drags a bit too long.
In summary, while this bootleg isn’t the cream of the crop, there’s still something to appreciate in hearing early Motley Crue. I found myself enjoying the Boston show immensely, and it warrants a polished release, especially as there are numerous bootlegs featuring that performance. The Fresno recordings lag in quality but offer fun moments throughout. My final rating lands at 3.5 out of 5 stars. Despite their antics that might push some fans away, I find myself holding a nostalgic affection for them, and this bootleg is a nice addition to my collection of rare finds.
