Interview with Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil - we talk Banded, The World Tour and new music

Mötley Crüe is currently on The World Tour with fellow rockers Def Leppard. They will wrap the European leg in July before heading to North America. Singer Vince Neil took some time from his busy schedule to chat with Stairway to 11 about the tour, the series Banded and new music.

Neil is a judge on the first season of Banded, a unique "build a band" reality series that airs on AXS TV and began airing on May 2023. This is a reality series in which 25 musicians compete in multiple genres for the change at a record contract. Viewers go behind the scenes to see what it takes to build a band. Once "Banded," the contestants contribute their style together with the other band members to evolve into a style all their own.

Stairway to 11: How did you become involved in Banded?

Vince Neil: My banker told me about the show and asked if I wanted to go to Nashville and be a judge on the Banded show. At the time I didn't know anything about it but when it told me about it, I was like real intrigued with it. It's the first show that people go, and they really write songs with a mentor and produce and stuff. I thought that was pretty cool. I thought it was a neat concept, and while listening, I heard some good songs.

Stairway: You are a judge on the series, so what does that entail?

VN: I just looked out for something catchy, a catchy riff, a big chorus, or something like that in the song writing.

Stairway: What has been the most fun about being a "build a band" series?

VN: I had fun meeting the people and listening to what they wrote, which were sometimes some really good songs. I mean, some really good songs. The winner, because I don't know who won yet, they get a record deal, and hopefully, I will hear some of those songs later on.

He was very complimentary about the songs created by the contestants stating they were so good it would be hard to say who comes out as the winner. He is very excited to see who wins. His role as a judge came during the finale episode of Banded, which will air on July 1 on AXS TV.

When asked if he had a memorable moment to share from the series, Neil shared that performing Mötley Crüe's "Smokin' In The Boys Room" was fun.

Stairway: What is up with the Dogs of War at The Underworld tomorrow night (June 30), a show which sold out in seconds, according to social media? 

VN: It's a song we wrote not too long ago, and we put the club gig under Dogs of War, which is really
Mötley Crüe. But we didn't let that be known and it sold out in less than a minute. Which was pretty cool.

Stairway: So, this is a new song and you will be doing a small set as well?

VN: We will play for an hour which will include our new song "Fight For Your Right," the Beastie Boys song; we redid that song. And we will be playing that there and filming its video. So it will be fun.

Stairway: What do you believe is the go-to Mötley Crüe track that you feel truly captures the essence of the band? (I tried to stump him with this one, and it worked).

VN: WOW! That's a tough one...I don't know, maybe "Home Sweet Home." I don't know, every song means something different to everybody.

When asked his thoughts on adding John 5 to the lineup for this tour, Neil stated, "He hasn't made a mistake yet." He also complimented the guitarist, saying he is a brilliant guitar player and fits right in with the band.

In his younger years, he didn't aspire to be in a band but was asked to be a singer because he "had the longest hair in high school." His musical inspiration includes AC/DC, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and all the old classics.

For the final question "If you could collaborate with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and why?" I had a name in my head and was pleased when he answered Elvis, as this is who I thought it would be. He stated that he is the King of Rock n Roll.

It was a pleasure talking to Vince Neil, singer of Mötley Crüe, and my sincerest appreciation to him for taking time away from his very busy schedule.

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