Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee sent out a tweet over the weekend making fun of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich’s notorious inability to keep time during the band’s live performances. The tweet was a parody of the Straight Outta Compton film’s title logo with the space originally occupied by “Compton” replaced with “Tempo” and a photo backdrop of Lars playing the drums.
Just a few hours before Tommy sent out his tweet, Metallica and Motley Crue shared the stage at the Rock In Rio festival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
According to Blabbermouth.net, The feud between the bands stems back to an incident nearly two decades ago when Ulrich accused Motley Crue of performing to a tape at the American Music Awards in January 1997. After learning of Ulrich’s allegations, M.C. bassist Nikki Sixx posted an “open letter” to the Metallica drummer on an American Online message board, writing: “Dear, Sweet, Fat, Balding, Larz (love the make-up, babe!) Taking your ever-moronic soapbox position on a subject that’s NONE of your f–king business has made you out to be an a–hole as usual. Considering that me and Tommy know that your live tapes have been re-recorded. And ALL your instruments were repaired in Pro Tools (and had the balls to lie to your fans an call it a ‘live’ album)… People in glass houses should NOT throw rocks!! Considering your bulls–t to the press, we feel it’s only fair to return the punch!!…Your [sic] such a poseur…Thanks for releasing that ‘load’ of s–t CD of yours…you made more room for us!!”
In a 2012 interview with DRUM! magazine, Ulrich stated about his playing ability: “I usually feel like I’ve regressed. [laughs] I’m like, ‘Why can’t I do that anymore?'”
He continued: “I can’t say that I necessarily sit down to practice, like, ‘I’m going to play and practice so I can get better.’ What happens is that I just sit down and kind of play to just more stay in shape.”
37 Responses
What Metallica live album is Tommy Lee referring to? Binge and Purge? I like Motley Crue, but the last Crue album I truly loved was “Shout at the Devil” – and that came out in 1983. That was a long time ago. “Load” is far from my favorite Metallica album, but I’d still listen to it any day over most of Motley’s catalog since ’83. And yes, Metallica also had a pretty long dry spell and their own share of sub par releases so they get no free pass. I do feel “Death Magnetic” was a return to form (despite the poor production). “Saints of Los Angeles” was decent, but it was no “Shout at the Devil”. No, Lars isn’t the greatest drummer and probably has regressed. Tommy’s good, probably the best instrumentalist in Motley Crue compared to their peers – but I agree I’d like to hear how he handles some of Metallica’s more aggressive tracks. He might crush it, or maybe not. I’ll be honest and admit I’m not intimately familiar with Crue’s material since “Dr. Feelgood” (but I have heard most of it). I think their most drum intensive tracks are still probably “Live Wire” and “Red Hot”? Take your pick of breakneck tracks in Metallica’s catalog, there are plenty to choose from. I don’t recall hearing anyone going crazy over how great Motley Crue sounds these days either. Motley was pretty big for a while, one of the biggest in the 80’s, until Metallica took over the world. Even with their pathetic pace of new releases, I’m not sure Metallica isn’t STILL the biggest metal band on Earth. I feel like it’s a toss up between them and Iron Maiden – who destroys them both live. Motley Crue hasn’t been in that frame of reference for quite some time. I’m not talking about how “good” we perceive them to be at this point, but how much of a draw on rock and metal fans they still are.
I dunno, Tommy’s comments may have some truth to them but it’s not like we’re talking about someone who’s own band is playing at Dream Theater levels of execution calling someone else out.
Sounds like Tommy is pissed they played second to METALLICA headlining the fest. Tommy is funny as fuk. I can see Lars laughing.
Its the best decision makers, not the best musicians, that make a band successful. Lars was instrumental in Metallica’s rise to stardom, regardless of his drumming abilities. While I’ve checked out from Metallica after their 80’s thrash days, their success, staying power, and Lars’ contribution to it should be respected.
I think that Lars played very well during the RIDE THE LIGHTNING-MASTER OF PUPPETS-…AND JUSTICE FOR ALL period. When Metallica changed direction and started writing simpler, more radio rock songs, Lars got lazy. He has never been a great drummer by no means. All of the other Big 4 drummers (and most all others) leave him in the dust. But enough can’t be said for what he’s done for Metallica’s career. He’s the brains of that band, always has been.
As for Tommy Lee, he’s one of the biggest goofball, boneheaded half-wits in all of hard rock. But, I’ll say this: He actually is a very good drummer. He beats the crap out of his kit. All the stupid stuff he does during his drum solos is at least entertaining. Most drum solos are boring anyway. He at least keeps some people from heading to the beer stands.
I can’t wait to hear Lars’ response.
Let’s get this started.Who are your top 4 James,I got Peart,Moon,Aldridge,Bonham,with Buddy Rich as a different genre ,but mind blowing.
Buddy Rich, Animal (Ronnie Vernell) Bonham & Peart. Copeland and the best of all of them Dennis Chambers. Of course, can’t forget Carmine Appice and Kenny Aranoff, or Tony Royster Jr.
I do think that Bonham, Lars & Tommy Lee have some of the most famous drum hooks/licks/fills and have inspired endless millions of drummers.
Mitch Mitchell blows Moon away, as does Ginger Baker- IMO. Aldridge is a God in my book as well, but he’s not on the same level as those mentioned above. In my humble opinion.
One of my favorite drummers, if not my favorite, was the late, great Cozy Powell.
D 🙂
Very hard to pick just four, but here’s my picks:
Neil Peart
John Bonham
Cozy Powell
Tommy Aldridge
To throw in a non-hard rock guy, I’ll say Stewart Copeland.
Believe it or not, I’ve made this list before and those were the guys I picked. So great minds think alike! But my fifth favorite, a guy who for some reason rarely gets the recognition he deserves, is Alex Van Halen. Alex is a monster drummer. But, I guess having a kid brother who’s one of the single most important and influential musicians of all time can tend to take some attention away, no matter how awesome of a drummer that big brother is.
Peart / Bobby Jarzombek / Portnoy / McBrain
Neil Peart
Gavin Harrison
Mike Portnoy
Keith Moon
Taylor Hawkins
Neil is unquestionably & undeniably the GOAT! Everyone else can look up. Bill Ward on those first couple Sabbath albums was a freak! If you’ve forgotten, you should revisit them.
Question was top drummers, not your most favorite. Ward had some good 70’s style snare fills on those albums. But lets not hand him the golden drumstick over the technical guys.
Thanks for mentioning Bozzio….people rarely mention him with great drummers because of their lack of knowledge in general about music + drummers. Anyone who knows anything at all about drummers knows Terry Bozzio.
AS far as straight rock Metal drummers….my top 5 would go like this
1.Peart
2.Bonham
3.Portnoy
4.Bozzio
5.McBrain
I saw an amazing performance earlier this month to one of the better drummers and a flat out killer rock band that not enough people know about. I would be willing to bet Eddie knows him,,,his name is Bob Pantella, the band is The Atomic Bitchwax. You know, Don’s better late than never pick of the week one week last season for Gravitron. I got to talk to Bob and what a cool fella, and a seriously underrated drummer, and I found out songwriter (for RiotGod). That band kills either one of those major label uninspired dinosaur bands in this article.
Oh yeah and the rhythm section in TAB is also the rhythm section in Monster Magnet, just a little additional info.