MC: “Hi Jeb! Great to see you again! Well, there’s ‘Mini Sixx’ on bass, ‘Tami Lee’ on drums, ‘ “BL’’ Mars’ on guitar and ‘Shani Neal’ on pipes.”

CCR: “Ok I get ‘Tami’, ‘Shani’ and of course ‘Mini’, being that you are about 5” tall at best, but “BL” Mars? ‘Splain Lucy!”

BL: “Hmmm… well　it was the other gals that　named me...guess it’s an inside joke.”

Tami: “Bud Light?”

Mini: “Beer Lady.”

Tami: “Brew-Lene.”

Shani: “Yeah, BL should be sponsored by Bud Light!”

CCR: “Why a Motley Crue Tribute?”

BL: “Why not?! Not too many girl Crue tributes…definitely something different!”

Tami: “Are there others?” Hehe!

Shani: “None like us!”

Mini: “Truth is; Tami and I were in Germany, and after the show we were tossin’ back a few when a good friend of mine said "you guys may play like AC/DC but you party like Motley Crue"! We laughed so hard it kind of stopped us in our tracks, or "wheels"! As we kept drinking we said how fun it would be to do an all girl Motley project. Later that week…”

Tami: “…when we sobered up…”

Mini: “…we talked about it and thought how fun and interesting it would be. We decided we'd ask two of our good, talented awesome friends if they wanted to be a part. And apparently I also demanded we do the Shout at the Devil era too!”

Tami: Laughing, “And that was that!”

Shani: “Hell Yeah! I was so excited that they thought of BL and me! This band is a frickin’ blast!”

Mini: “Party on Wheels!” Mini starts in again.

Right on cue the band all take a drink from their beers. 　

CCR: “As a female musician in a tribute band has there ever been a problem with being taken seriously?”

Tami: “Well, it really boils down to who you are as a musician. I’ve been in bands my whole adult life and have played with some respectable players, so fortunately I’ve been treated pretty well. However as a female musician you really had to bust your ass to be taken seriously back in the day. Anyway, as far as being a tribute band, I think the tribute scene actually opened the door to allow any and all types of musicians to ‘play and have fun’ paying tribute to their favorite band. Honestly there’s nothing wrong with that, but in order to get respect and get taken seriously you have to earn it.”

BL: “For me it’s never been a problem.　 I just go out there and do my thing. If they like me that’s awesome, and if not there are plenty of other bands and musicians for them to like”.

Shani: “I never really had an issue either. I think you are expected to perform even better, and often have to prove yourself, but as long as you have the chops you’re in”!

Mini: I’ve had issues in the past. But then we’d play…all of a sudden it’s a different vibe. When you’re in a tribute band you just gotta back it up with some pro playing.”

CCR: “Being female, what are the challenges of being an authentic tribute to a male rock band, not to mention to Motley Crue?”

BL: “I think the　foremost challenge and　focus　is on the bands' music and the attitude. Once you get that down the rest just falls into place. Motleys Crew is　not just a great band, but also a fun band made up of　girl musicians who can totally pull off the Crue!”

Mini: “Really, there are challenges being a tribute to ANY band, but its all fun! I guess for me playing the parts just as Nikki does is a challenge. I usually prefer playing bass without a pick, but some of Nikki’s sound comes from his style of picking, so that's been fun and different for me. As far as being a tribute to a MALE band like Motley Crue… you couldn't get any “girlier”! I don’t think I've ever worn this much makeup and hairspray!”

Shani: “Yeah Mini how about those Nikki rolls and stage moves. Motley is a very interactive group so it’s been fun studying the video’s and working on our moves. The wardrobe is a total blast too! We all get our Motley Garb together in a pile and start trying on stuff. It’s hilarious…it’s like; ‘OMG those boots’, and ‘more fishnets please’!”

Tami: “Too funny! That’s actually true! As for challenges, as Mini said, being a tribute to any great band in itself is a challenge…much less Motley Crue! Getting their parts down is noooot as easy as it may sound! Especially Tommy! Holy crap! Talk about a challenge! That’s some serious hard stompin’ stick twirlin’ shit right there! You know, Motley Crue definitely have their own 80’s style of music. Between the feel of their songs and the vibe of the show it takes time and effort to get that down. It’s not just learning a song, but it’s ingesting it… making it feel like your own. Then like Shani said, add in the elements of their wardrobe along with all the crazy stage interaction going on…and Woo-Hoo!”

The band once again all toast as they drink in unison. Maybe this really is more then their band slogan?

Tami: “We just play and have a good time. We know we’re basically limited to the band authenticity by being females paying tribute to a male band, but we have the parts down, and the band is a blast, so as long as we have a fun kick ass show then the fact that we’re female is really kind of a novelty…and a good one! The cool novelty brings ‘em in, and the fact that we kick ass keeps ‘em coming back for more!” J

CCR: “Let’s face it, Motley Crue is noted for being sexist, so aren’t you concerned with any controversy or a certain message that you might be sending while paying tribute to this type of band?”

Mini: “Nope, ‘cause we're not them. I think only the die hard fans know about how they were back in the day. I don't think there are any concerns…get back to you on that one though!”

Tami: “Remember Jeb, we’re the ‘party on wheels’ band, not the ‘politically correct’ band! You know that we love Motley Crue, but we are totally tongue in cheek.”

BL: “Shhheeet…we’re just paying homage to a great all American　rock band!”

Shani: “Who cares! Its fun! Cheers!”

Everyone laughs, as once again, the girls raise their beers in unison.

CCR: “At what point in your life did you know that you were a Motley Crue fan?”

Shani: “My friend introduced me to them back in Jr high. She gave me the ‘Shout at the Devil’ album and tons of posters so I made wall paper. My Mom didn’t really go for the new room décor, but I’ve followed them ever since!”

Mini: “I’ve LOVED Motley Crue since the beginning! That’s funny ‘cause my first memory of them is when my friend’s older brother had the ‘Shout at the Devil’ album too. We got caught playing it really loud and jumping and flipping from his dresser to the bed. I guess that was our version of moshing! I've been in love with Motley ever since.”

BL: “Actually I knew about Motley Crue since their beginning days. They were the local　band and they were huge! Everybody loved ‘em! I had the shirt too… Damn…where’d that go? Hehe! They ruled Hollywood…that was the scene back then. Once “Too Fast for Love” was released they still played the scene, but I think that they got signed with Electra and they re-released their debut. That’s when they disappeared from the local scene and ‘made it’. Well deserved though!”

Tami: Laughing; “I can’t remember when I became a fan...that’s how great Motley Crue is! But BL is right on…I heard their debut album ‘Live Wire’ and it kicked my ass!”

CCR: “What are some of the issues that a tribute band faces that original bands don't?”

BL: “Well, I guess one issue would be that you have to know and play the music as close to the original as possible. People know the music and really want to hear a replica.”

Tami: “That’s so true! With an original band you pour your heart and soul into the song that you are creating. However with a tribute, you are learning someone else’s song…trying to capture their feel, and their vibe. At the same time you have to include a stage persona that is fitting for the person you are paying homage to. Really it’s not just a musical performance, but a theatrical type show as well!”

Shani: “Totally! You feel like you’re on the spot to perform exact so there’s an added pressure. But being a female performing the part of a male I can get kind of ‘cheeky’ and have a little more fun with it verses trying to take it so seriously.”

CCR: “Do you aspire to be an original band at some point?”

Tami: “Well, Motleys Crew will always be a tribute band but we’re totally looking forward to writing a few originals in the near future. Maybe a ‘Motleyesque’ type song. That would be fun! Bring back the ‘80’s! Hehe!”

Shani: “I’m definitely looking forward to writing some tunes with the girls. I think putting some Motley fare on some new tunes would sound great!”

Shani: “Yeah our other project ‘Full House’ has 2 self produced CD’s out, all originals. We also do covers and stuff when we play live to mix it up”.

BL: “It’s a fun band. Hopefully Motleys Crew can get in the studio next month and record though. We have a few cool song ideas that are coming together, so who knows.”

CCR: “Motley Crue obviously has female groupies by the thousands….how about Motleys Crew? Any groupies?”

BL: “Yes, I tell them to get in line…my soon to be ex-husband line!” Hehe!

Mini: “We have all kinds of wild groupies!”

Tami: “Yeah, we signed all kinds of body parts at our last show! What’s so funny Jeb?”

Shani: “That was a blast! The Redwood Run kicked ass! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a piercing quite like that one chicks…”

Tami: “NO DOUBT! That had to hurt! Straight through the...well, OUCH! That’s all I gotta say!”

Mini: “Look…Jeb’s still laughing!”

CCR: “So what’s next for Motleys Crew?”

BL: “More shows, more rockin!”

Tami: “More parties!”

Shani: “Party on Wheels Tour???

Mini: “All of that and more!”

CCR: “Any final thoughts comments or plugs?”

Shani: “Party on!”

And once again Motleys Crew does just that, as they toast another round.