Fuse Q&A: Tommy Lee On His Facebook “Rant,” the Mystery of KISS

FUSE TV - Fuse Q&A: Tommy Lee On His Facebook “Rant,” the Mystery of KISS

The Theatre of Pain meets Detroit Rock City this Friday when the co-headlining tour of Mötley Crüe and KISS kicks off in Bristow, VA. To prepare ourselves for this one-two punch to the eardrums, we spoke with Crüe drummer Tommy Lee and learned about his obsession with seeing KISS unmasked back in the 1980s, why he wrote that Facebook “rant” asking fans to stop hassling him for pictures and how much he loves the new album from punky-bluesters Band of Skulls. And while you marvel at the amount of obscenities one man can make, listen to our Tommy Lee Spotify Playlist on our Spotify app for the drummer's greatest hits.

So you're going on tour with KISS, which is incredible. You guys had a few shows with them back in 1982. What do you remember most about that time?

I just remember it being really quick: I was so bummed! I was like, "Wait, that’s it?" I was so dead-set on seeing what they really looked like. That was my thing. I was like, "Oh man, I’m finally gonna be able to see what these dudes look like in sound check and sh*t," you know? And of course, I never got to see that because when they did walk into sound check they had a scarf on their face or they were covered up, so I never did get to see what they looked like. In one way I was bummed, but in another way I was like, "That’s f**kin’ cool." You know what I mean? Just that surprise and mystery of it all is what I was infatuated with. More than the show or the music or learning anything it was just like, "What do they really look like?"

And now you can just turn on the TV and see Gene Simmons without his makeup.

I know!

Were you a big fan of them going into the tour?

I don’t think I’ll ever forget opening up Kiss' Alive II. You open up the album [on vinyl] like a book. The two sides open up into this big centerfold with all this fire and crazy sh*t and that’s when for me I was like, "Whoa, what the f**k is this?" Musically a little bit, too. I was such a huge fan of John Bonham and Led Zeppelin and that kinda stuff, but when it came to a show I was like, "Wow, this is it, now we're talkin'." So yeah, [opening for KISS] meant different things to me but it still freaked me out for sure.

Even in the last five years you guys have toured with a lot of incredible bands from Aerosmith to New York Dolls. What about this tour will be different from those?

Um… you know when you just mentioned we toured with a lot of bands, I just immediately rewound and thought about playing with the Stones and Aerosmith and Cheap Trick and all these bands that we grew up with. That’s weird. I haven’t really thought about that in a while and you just reminded me of that and I just got goose bumps. That’s awesome, thanks. Um… but what was your question? I spun out for a second.

Oh yeah, no problem. So for the fans who have been to the last few tours, what can they expect differently from you guys on this one?

You wouldn’t believe the scale of both of our shows. When we label it "the tour," it really is "the f**kin’ tour" to see both of these bands on one stage. As a matter of fact, I just got done redoing the whole roller coaster drum solo portion of the show and its f**kin' rad. Sometimes at this point in the game it’s hard to get excited about things, but this is definitely one of those things where I tell people, "If I wasn’t in Mötley Crüe, I'd be f**king going to this show anyway." It's quite the f**kin’ event. You’d probably see me standin’ on a chair with my f**kin’ fist up in the air and a beer in another hand going “F**k yeah dude!'”

Any chance your new "Sex" single is going to end up on a new Crüe album?

Well, you know, I guess you never really know. It was one of those where we wanted to have something new out there for the summer and it's really killer. And it's the first time we’ve ever given anything away as a free download. It’s a gift! It's some summer fun from us, you know? 

I'm surprised it’s taken you guys this long to have a song come out that’s just called "Sex."

You know, me too, dude.

Fuse's Excellent Adventure

Fuse's Excellent Adventure

Prince: Kiss the Rain

54m

Prince: Kiss the Rain

Lee'd the Way

1h 41m

Lee'd the Way

Weezy Takes Over a Fuse Employees Dating Profile

6m

Weezy Takes Over a Fuse Employees Dating Profile

Free The Robots Reveals Where He Found One of His Rarest Records

1m

Free The Robots Reveals Where He Found One of His Rarest Records

Weezy Finds a Familiar Face While Taking Over a Fuse Employees Dating Profile

8m

Weezy Finds a Familiar Face While Taking Over a Fuse Employees Dating Profile

Don Q

20m

Don Q

Young M.A On The Struggle of Giving Up Meat

9m

Young M.A On The Struggle of Giving Up Meat

Unsolved Hetero Mysteries

20m

Unsolved Hetero Mysteries

Mysterious Missing Hairline

9m

Mysterious Missing Hairline

Fuse+ is the Home for Big Freedia Means Business, Sex Sells, Made From Scratch & More!

30s

Fuse+ is the Home for Big Freedia Means Business, Sex Sells, Made From Scratch & More!

Joe Vega, Tommy Drake, Shayma Tash

45m

Joe Vega, Tommy Drake, Shayma Tash

The Legend of Baron To'a

1h 39m

The Legend of Baron To'a

The Unfortunate Mishap of A Sneakerhead

2m

The Unfortunate Mishap of A Sneakerhead

Is Nya A Baller On The Low?

51s

Is Nya A Baller On The Low?

What To Expect On Clash of the Corps

1m

What To Expect On Clash of the Corps

Get A Taste of G Fella's Style with His Gangster Music Video

4m

Get A Taste of G Fella's Style with His Gangster Music Video

Why Is He Blowing Me Kisses?

21m

Why Is He Blowing Me Kisses?

The DCI Struggles of Starting A New Summer

46s

The DCI Struggles of Starting A New Summer

Clark Should Have An S On His Chest

2m

Clark Should Have An S On His Chest

Rene Casamalhuapa aka Doc on Following His "Untraditional" Path

7m

Rene Casamalhuapa aka Doc on Following His "Untraditional" Path

1000 On How Resilience & Consistency Launched His Rap Career

9m

1000 On How Resilience & Consistency Launched His Rap Career

Donnell Rawlings On His First Comedy Show & "Ashy Larry"

4m

Donnell Rawlings On His First Comedy Show & "Ashy Larry"

The Canvas LA: Spotlight Buchie Shares How His Passion Turned Into His Clothing Brand

14m

The Canvas LA: Spotlight Buchie Shares How His Passion Turned Into His Clothing Brand

End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock

1h 27m

End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock

G Fella Gives A Tour of The Bronx's Arthur Avenue

5m

G Fella Gives A Tour of The Bronx's Arthur Avenue

Fire On The Floor

22m

Fire On The Floor

Freaky On The Floor

22m

Freaky On The Floor

Eyes On The Prize

22m

Eyes On The Prize

Wale Rates Nigerian Dishes while Reminiscing on His Family Roots

10m

Wale Rates Nigerian Dishes while Reminiscing on His Family Roots

Eye On The Prize

44m

Eye On The Prize

Battle on the Catwalk

45m

Battle on the Catwalk

Bougie On A Budget

2m

Bougie On A Budget

Rogelio Shows His Acting Prowess In 'The Dark Military'

55s

Rogelio Shows His Acting Prowess In 'The Dark Military'

Revenge Of The Nerfs

19m

Revenge Of The Nerfs

Art of The Azz

20m

Art of The Azz

Clash of the Corps

Clash of the Corps

Call of the Abuela

14m

Call of the Abuela

War of the Wills

44m

War of the Wills

Suigeneris & His Ex-Girlfriend Take A Lie Detector Test

8m

Suigeneris & His Ex-Girlfriend Take A Lie Detector Test

Safaree and His Sister Take A Lie Detector Test

6m

Safaree and His Sister Take A Lie Detector Test

Rory Shares His First Time Podcasting & Becoming A "Dad"

3m

Rory Shares His First Time Podcasting & Becoming A "Dad"

Keepers of the Game

1h 22m

Keepers of the Game

The Power of Weed

41m

The Power of Weed

Eye of The Beholder

20m

Eye of The Beholder

A Pound of Flesh

23m

A Pound of Flesh

All the Focus is on the Diamonds

21m

All the Focus is on the Diamonds

Ne-Yo On Leading By Example With His Album, Good Man

4m

Ne-Yo On Leading By Example With His Album, Good Man

Liam Payne On His Debut Album and Journey To Solo Stardom

3m

Liam Payne On His Debut Album and Journey To Solo Stardom

Inside the MMA: Best of the Year

41m

Inside the MMA: Best of the Year

Christophe Roberts Shares His World of Sneaker Box Sculptures (Part 2)

4m

Christophe Roberts Shares His World of Sneaker Box Sculptures (Part 2)

Abuela on the Dance Floor

12m

Abuela on the Dance Floor

Christophe Roberts Shares His World of Sneaker Box Sculptures (Part 1)

5m

Christophe Roberts Shares His World of Sneaker Box Sculptures (Part 1)

If Clash of the Corps Stars Could Role-Play For A Day

1m

If Clash of the Corps Stars Could Role-Play For A Day

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 2: Optimism

1m

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 2: Optimism

Return of the Ewing 33

5m

Return of the Ewing 33

Attack Of The Tethered Strippers

8m

Attack Of The Tethered Strippers

The MisEducation of Bindu

1h 33m

The MisEducation of Bindu

Rise of the Hot Girl

20m

Rise of the Hot Girl

DOMINO: Battle of the Bones

1h 49m

DOMINO: Battle of the Bones

The Hilarious Reality of the American Rat Race

2m

The Hilarious Reality of the American Rat Race

Rich Homie Quan and His Dad Take A Lie Detector Test

5m

Rich Homie Quan and His Dad Take A Lie Detector Test

Anthony Ramos On 'The Good & The Bad' (Extended Cut)

12m

Anthony Ramos On 'The Good & The Bad' (Extended Cut)

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 1: Hollow Man

1m

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 1: Hollow Man

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 3: Inner Thoughts

1m

A Day In the Life of Wilmer Valderrama's Puppet Ep. 3: Inner Thoughts

Greyson Chance Shows Us His DM's & Talks His 'Redemptive' Album

2m

Greyson Chance Shows Us His DM's & Talks His 'Redemptive' Album

Roddy Ricch & His Grandmother Reminisce While Cooking His Favorite Meal

2m

Roddy Ricch & His Grandmother Reminisce While Cooking His Favorite Meal

Calboy and His A&R Take A Lie Detector Test: Has He Ever Been Unfaithful?

7m

Calboy and His A&R Take A Lie Detector Test: Has He Ever Been Unfaithful?

Bougie on a Budget Music Video

2m

Bougie on a Budget Music Video

That Hi-Octane Ish

20m

That Hi-Octane Ish

Plenty Of Fish In The Street

20m

Plenty Of Fish In The Street

Amy Winehouse: The Price of Fame

1h 1m

Amy Winehouse: The Price of Fame

The King and Queen of  Bounce

21m

The King and Queen of Bounce

Love In The Time Of Pandademic

20m

Love In The Time Of Pandademic

The Making of Amber Rose's Puppet

3m

The Making of Amber Rose's Puppet

The Missy Elliott Hall of Fame

2m

The Missy Elliott Hall of Fame

Inside the MMA: Rise of Copa

41m

Inside the MMA: Rise of Copa

Bob Marley: Roots of the Man

42m

Bob Marley: Roots of the Man

In Search of the Elusive Orgasm

43m

In Search of the Elusive Orgasm

Coming of Age as a Latina

20m

Coming of Age as a Latina

Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

2m

Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

Thundercat Takes a Lie Detector Test: Does He Ever Forget His Lyrics?

7m

Thundercat Takes a Lie Detector Test: Does He Ever Forget His Lyrics?

T-Pain's School of Business: Artiphon- The All In One Musical Device | Season 1 Look Back |

1m

T-Pain's School of Business: Artiphon- The All In One Musical Device | Season 1 Look Back |

Cody Spells Out Love On The Field

1m

Cody Spells Out Love On The Field

The Clash of the Corps Cast Plays Would You Rather?

3m

The Clash of the Corps Cast Plays Would You Rather?

T-Pain Talks Developing His Unique Style While Cooking With His Mom

12m

T-Pain Talks Developing His Unique Style While Cooking With His Mom

Smokepurpp & His Manager Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Done with Lean

4m

Smokepurpp & His Manager Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Done with Lean

Lil Keed Takes a Lie Detector Test: Did He Buy His Instagram Followers?

6m

Lil Keed Takes a Lie Detector Test: Did He Buy His Instagram Followers?

History of the Reebok Pump Part 1

5m

History of the Reebok Pump Part 1

Bankrol Hayden Takes A Lie Detector Test: Does He Write All His Music?

8m

Bankrol Hayden Takes A Lie Detector Test: Does He Write All His Music?

The Ladies of 'Transcendent' Share Beauty Tips

2m

The Ladies of 'Transcendent' Share Beauty Tips

The Life and Death of Tupac Shakur

1h 2m

The Life and Death of Tupac Shakur

Big Bear 2: The Wrath of Tito

23m

Big Bear 2: The Wrath of Tito

Danny Trejo & His Son Discuss his Prison Past while Making Trejo’s Tacos

2m

Danny Trejo & His Son Discuss his Prison Past while Making Trejo’s Tacos

On the Road With G-Thing: Deleted Scene

2m

On the Road With G-Thing: Deleted Scene

The Transcendent Star On Donald Trump: Dear Bambiana

1m

The Transcendent Star On Donald Trump: Dear Bambiana

Freedia's Manager Drops a Unexpected Bomb on Her...

3m

Freedia's Manager Drops a Unexpected Bomb on Her...

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY A Pair of Jeans into the Ultimate Y2K Mini Skirt

10m

Peder Cho Shows How to DIY A Pair of Jeans into the Ultimate Y2K Mini Skirt

Luh Kel & His Mom Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Dating Multiple Women?

5m

Luh Kel & His Mom Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Dating Multiple Women?

Clash of the Corps Cast Share Which Amenities They Miss The Most

1m

Clash of the Corps Cast Share Which Amenities They Miss The Most

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information