VINCE NEIL Discusses Solo Band, Outside Business Ventues

Andrea Seastrand of The Aquarian Weekly recently conducted an interview with MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

The Aquarian Weekly: In addition to touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE you have many other projects including the VINCE NEIL band. How is working with your solo band a different experience than working with CRÜE?

Vince: Mainly because everything's equal in MÖTLEY CRÜE. In my solo band I kind of have the last word on everything because it's my band, but of course my guys have a huge say in everything else, too. But it's fun. It's looser. MÖTLEY CRÜE is not strict, but it is very structured, I guess that's what I'm saying. With the production and all that stuff that goes on with MÖTLEY CRÜE, in my band we're loose, man. We go out and have a good time. There's no set set list and we just kind of play what we feel like playing.

The Aquarian Weekly: I noticed some familiar names like bassist Dana Strum (SLAUGHTER) and guitarist Jeff Blando (WARRANT).

Vince: We've been together for about four years or something like that and I don't really remember how we all got together (laughs). It seems to me before Blando was in the band we had a guy named Keri Kelli and he went to go play with ALICE COOPER, then I think Jeff came in to replace him and stayed. I can't remember who was playing bass, but then we brought Dana in and have been together ever since. The drummer we have now, Zoltan (Chaney),replaced Will Hunt, who went to play with EVANESCENCE. With solo bands, it's just kind of tough because I'm with MÖTLEY CRÜE and that's my band and so sometimes these guys get offers from other people and they can't say no. They have to make a living, too. So some people leave and people come and we've been together for about four years or so and just have a great time.

The Aquarian Weekly: In addition to your music career, you're also an accomplished businessman at Vince Neil Ink and restaurateur of Feelgood's Bar And Grill. Did those interests develop from being involved in the entertainment industry?

Vince: You can't just do MÖTLEY CRÜE your whole life. Well, I mean you can, but you have to have other interests, too, at least I do. The tattoo shops were just an extension of something that I love. I've been getting tattooed my whole life. Living in Las Vegas, this is just a great opportunity to put a couple of tattoo shops here. We have one right on the Strip — I'm the only tattoo shop on the Strip — and one in the Rio Casino. And then with the nightclubs, it's the same thing, too. "Hey, let's go out to a cool rock 'n' roll bar." I have one that just opened up in West Palm Beach and one just opened up in Vegas, and some coming in San Diego and Phoenix and New York City very soon. That all goes along with my tequila. I own a tequila company so… I think if you have all of the vices, you're set. I have rock 'n' roll; I have gambling in Vegas (you can actually sit and play Blackjack at my tables while you're waiting for a tattoo); I have the tattoos; I have liquor. You know, just stay with the vices. Now I just need pornography and cigarettes and I'm all set. (Laughs)

Read the entire interview from The Aquarian Weekly.