LOS ANGELES (Hip-O/UMe) - They may have been clean and sober but
Motley Crue proved themselves to still be the baddest boys in rock with 1989's DR. FEELGOOD, the band's No 1 best-seller. That album in its entirety kicks off the second four-CD box set installment of the complete history of Motley Crue, 'Music To
Crash Your Car To, Volume II' (Hip-O/UMe), released June 29, 2004.
Following the four-CD box set MUSIC TO CRASH YOUR CAR TO, VOLUME I issued in late 2003, VOLUME II continues the tale through 1994. Along with three complete previously released albums, the collection adds the rare QUATERNARY EP, demos, alternate mixes and even a previously unreleased track - "Black Widow," from the sessions for 1983's SHOUT AT THE DEVIL. Co-produced by the band's Nikki Sixx, and with each track digitally remastered, MUSIC TO CRASH YOUR CAR TO, VOLUME II also boasts a package augmented by a comic book, poster and booklet with essay.
With singer Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee out of rehab, Motley Crue returned in 1989 with their fifth album. The six times platinum DR. FEELGOOD spun off their first pop Top 10s - "Dr. Feelgood" and "Without You" - the pop Top 20 "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)" and Top 40 Album Rockers "Kickstart My Heart" and "Same Ol' Situation."
In addition, Disc One of 'Music To Crash Your Car To, Volume II' adds "Get It For Free" and the demos for "Dr. Feelgood," "Without You" and "Kickstart My Heart" from the 1999 expanded reissue and the "Time For Change" demo from its Japanese edition.
Disc Two gathers the loose end recordings that portend the end of Motley Crue Mk I. The core of the disc are the recordings that first appeared on 1991's DECADE OF DECADENCE '81-'91 including "Home Sweet Home ['91 Remix]" (which went pop Top 40); "Live Wire [Kick Ass '91 remix]"; "Piece Of Your Action [Screamin' '91 Remix]"; a live "Kickstart My Heart"; "Teaser" from the benefit album STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, HIGHWAY TO HELL; "Rock 'n' Roll Junkie" from the soundtrack album to THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE, and new cuts "Primal Scream" and a staggering cover of the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy In The U.K."
To them are added recordings of the era that debuted on 1999's SUPERSONIC & DEMONIC RELICS: "Say Yeah," "Mood Ring," "Monsterous," a demo take of "Knock 'Em Dead, Kid," "Sinners & Saints" and a live version of "Dr. Feelgood." The cherry on top is the long-sought-after unreleased recording "Black Widow."
Disc Three marks a major change in the band with the exit of Neil and the introduction of John Corabi for 1994's heavier, more introspective MOTLEY CRUE, which went gold and peaked in the Top 10. The 1999 reissue's "Hypnotized" is also included.
Disc Four is highlighted by the five-track 1994 QUATERNARY EP previously available only through a limited mail order release. Four other tracks, including demos of "Hammered" and "Livin' In The No" and the Skinny Puppy remix of "Hooligan's Holiday," were on the Japanese edition.
Four alternate versions from promo-only CD singles that year are also heard, two each for "Misunderstood" and "Hooligan's Holiday." The final four-CD box set MUSIC TO CRASH YOUR CAR TO VOLUME III will be issued later this year.
