MÖTLEY CRÜE Guitar Legend MICK MARS: 'My Brain's As Sharp As Ever'

In a new interview with Chris Akin Presents, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars spoke about his ongoing battle with degenerative disease ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the spine joints and ligaments and can lead to stiffness over time, according to the National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When I see myself, especially on the past couple of years, like the [MÖTLEY CRÜE] farewell [tour in 2015] and 'The Stadium [Tour]' that just happened [in 2022] and I see myself on film, I absolutely am not digging it at all. I don't like the way I look. I don't like the way I can't move. I was like, I can look down on my guitar, but I can't bend my head to see, so I have to look down. And when I walk on stage, it looks like a praying mantis with a guitar or something. [Laughs] It's kind of messed up. It's hard for me to look at myself that way 'cause I don't feel that way. But I see it."

Mars, who is promoting his upcoming debut solo album, "The Other Side of Mars", went on to say that his disease hasn't affected his creativity or ability to play guitar.

"My brain's as sharp as ever," he said. "These new ideas — this is a weird way to explain it. My brain, my mind, my ideas are expanding beyond what I figured, but it's still my idea, my creativity. The stuff is growing as a solo artist. And I'm not in this shell confined to one type of [sound]. This stuff, if it was any different, wouldn't sound right. I can do anything I want, take it where I want. And if people are digging it, I'm loving it. And if they're not, it's okay too, because that's what's in my mind."

Mick previously discussed his illness last month in an interview with Jonathan Clarke, host of "Out Of The Box" on Q104.3, New York's classic rock station. At the time, he said: "I'm fine. My AS is what it is. There's nothing I could do about that. The hard stuff, like flying here and doing this — that crap is a little difficult for me to do nowadays 'cause I'm almost a solid bone now. It got a little rough, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna do a lot of music. As long as my brain and my hands and legs work, I'm never stopping."

Asked about the chances of him doing some limited live performances in support of his upcoming debut solo album, "The Other Side of Mars", Mars said: "I would say if there was one-offs or a residency for a couple of nights or whatever, I could do that. But it's the flying around. And then you get, like, let's say Japan. And it's like a 12-hour flight or something. And it's just, like… I mean, getting older with this crap. I'm not 30 anymore; I'm 72 years old."

This past April, Mars filed a lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE, alleging his longtime bandmates were trying to kick him out of the group and reduce his ownership stakes because of his illness.

Mars told the band last year he would be unable to tour because of his disease. The guitarist "just could no longer physically handle the rigors of the road," according to his lawsuit. But he said he would be able to perform with them in a "residency situation" and record with the band.

In response to Mick's decision to retire from the road, the lawsuit claimed, MÖTLEY CRÜE announced that Mars was "retiring" from the band and would be replaced by former ROB ZOMBIE and MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5. Mars claimed he had no intention of retiring from the group, and accused CRÜE bassist and main songwriter Nikki Sixx of gaslighting Mars by alleging the guitarist had "some sort of cognitive dysfunction."

"The Other Side Of Mars" will be released on February 23, 2024. The effort will be made available via Mick's own label 1313, LLC, in partnership with MRI.

Birmingham, Alabama rocker Jacob Bunton collaborated extensively with Mars on "The Other Side Of Mars".

Bunton had previously worked with former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler and CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer, and has songwriting credits with Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler and Smokey Robinson, among others.

Bunton sings lead on all but two of the 12 songs on "The Other Side Of Mars".

Other guests on the LP include WINGER/ALICE COOPER keyboardist Paul Taylor, KORN drummer Ray Luzier, and Brion Gamboa, who handled lead vocals on the songs "Undone" and "Killing Breed".

Bunton previously fronted the Alabama bands MARS ELECTRIC and LYNAM.