John 5 & The Creatures Descend on Whisky A Go Go With Motley Crue, KISS + Anthrax Guest Stars
Rob Zombie (and former Marilyn Manson) shredder John 5 was with his band The Creatures as they hit the iconic Whisky A Go Go last night (April 6) along with some special guests notoriously known on the Sunset Strip.
John 5 kicked the show off with all his special guest performers who were previously announced, but he kept an Ace in his pocket and saved it for the grand finale. At around 10:30, John 5, Motley Crue legend Nikki Sixx, Anthrax's Scott Ian and his wife, Pearl Aday (daughter of Meatloaf), stepped out from behind a black curtain and under a green light, hitting the stage with a walloping opener in Crue's "Shout at the Devil."
With Motley Crue's history on the Sunset Strip, especially the Whisky A Go Go, and the band going on to become one of the biggest rock bands ever, this was a very rare chance to see Sixx on the stage where it all began over 35 years ago. The night also marked Sixx and Ian's second appearance in Hollywood this week with the Bon Scott tribute show at the Fonda taking place just a few days earlier. Also of note, Ian, known for his Jackson guitars, played a Buckethead model Les Paul and it was interesting seeing two guitarists on the song as Crue famously featured the six-string talent of Mick Mars exclusively.
The stage was befitting of John 5's affinity for striking visual aesthetics. Leaning on the spookier side, the painted guitarist and his bandmates were flanked by inflatable Halloween stage props a la Misfits, although on a smaller scale than the towering pumpkins that bookended the horror punk legends' stage at their reunion concerts. The guitarist's bandmates also swapped costumes throughout the night as they ripped through a variety of songs from The Creatures and even tossed in Metallica's "Enter Sandman" in the middle of the set.
Even John 5's guitars played to the visual strengths of the show as he rotated axes, exchanging his gold Telecaster for a light up guitar which he fittingly brought onstage when jamming with the end of set special guest, which we'll get to in a moment. Channeling his inner Jimmy Page, he put a bow to the strings of a lava lamp guitar, adding an element of unpredictability to the show.
To end the night John 5 brought out the man who influenced him the most which was none other than original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. "The number one reason I picked up guitar," he said, introducing the Spaceman. Together, they performed the KISS classics "Parasite," and "Shock Me" with the latter starring two unannounced guests on backing vocals which were Mr. Big / Ace Frehley drummer Matt Starr and King's X bassist and vocalist Dug Pinnick. In addition to performing two songs together, John 5 and Frehley had a guitar battle which included some humorous parts like the themes to James Bond (Frehley) and The Simpsons (John 5), and KISS' disco-leaning hit "I Was Made for Loving You," (John 5).
Putting a cap on the night, one of John 5's crew members made his way onstage, dressed like Captain Spaulding from The Devil's Rejects, and shot confetti everywhere.
See the set list and photos from the show below.
John 5 and the Creatures Set List - April 6, 2018
01. "Shout at the Devil" (Motley Crue cover with Nikki Sixx, Scott Ian and Pearl Aday)
02. "Flight of the Vulcan Kelly"
03. "Here's to the Crazy Ones"
04. "This Is My Rifle"
05. "Making Monsters"
06. "Jiffy Jam"
07. "Hell Haw"
08. "Season of the Witch"
09. "Enter Sandman" (Metallica cover)
10. "Portrait of Sydney Sloan"
11. "Dr. Evil's Spookshow / First Victim / Ddd"
12. "Black Grass Plague"
13. "Behind the Nut Love"
14. "Six Hundred and Sixty Six Pickers in Hell, CA"
15. "Guitar, Tits &Monsters"
16. "Parasite (KISS cover with Ace Frehley)
17. "Shock Me ( KISS cover with Ace Frehley)
John 5 and the Creatures Photos
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