MÖTLEY CRÜE's John 5 Reflects on Epic 'Carnival Of Sins' Tour
During a recent sit-down on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", MÖTLEY CRÜE's axe-slinger John 5 pulled back the curtain on the band's electrifying "The Return Of Carnival Of Sins" tour, a monumental trek that not only marked the 20th anniversary of their legendary 2005-2006 run but also celebrated the band's 45-year reign over the metal kingdom. Spanning 33 cities and backed by heavyweights EXTREME and TESLA, the tour was nothing short of a heavy metal renaissance, as John 5 described it as a 'heavy metal summer camp' where every night was a riot of good vibes and killer riffs.
John 5 shared tales of camaraderie and chaos, reminiscing about the final days of the tour on the West Coast. With their private planes buzzing around like rock star bees, he and drummer Tommy Lee found themselves in the air while bassist Nikki Sixx and frontman Vince Neil jetted off to their respective destinations. The sight of the four iconic figures taking off in different planes was described as hilariously surreal — a quintessential moment of rock and roll absurdity that encapsulated the fun atmosphere of the tour.
As the tour wound down, John 5 recalled a memorable moment during the last show when the crowd lit up for EXTREME's classic, 'More Than Words'. In a stroke of comedic timing, he and Tommy casually strolled across the stage mid-performance as if engaged in their own conversation, which sent the audience into a frenzy. 'It was just hilarious,' John laughed, reflecting on the joy shared among the bands. 'We were all just having so much fun together.' The essence of rock and roll camaraderie was alive and well, echoing through the arena.
When asked about his approach to the CRÜE catalog since stepping into the role of guitarist in late 2022, John 5 emphasized his commitment to authenticity. 'I just play the songs how they were written and recorded. That's my mantra,' he stated. He mentioned the thrill of introducing classic tracks like 'Take Me To The Top' and 'Red Hot' back into the setlist, breathing fresh life into beloved anthems while honoring the legacy of the band.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's return to the stage was also marked by a memorable headlining performance at the Rockin' Thunder festival, where they unleashed a treasure trove of rarities, including the long-awaited 'Take Me To The Top'. With a setlist that celebrated their storied past, the band proved they still have the fire and fury to dominate the stage.
As they gear up for their Las Vegas residency, originally pushed back due to Vince Neil's health struggles, the CRÜE remains a titan of the metal world. With John 5 firmly at the helm, the future looks brighter than ever for this legendary band. The rock and roll saga continues, and as always, the metal faithful stand ready to witness the spectacle unfold.