Outside of the Sunset House of Blues the crowd wreaked of hairspray, teemed with big hair, adorned with leather jackets and ripped jeans, littered with mascara and tons of makeup, and then…there were the women. That’s right West Hollywood was in pristine condition as Thursday kicked off the start of the Sunset Strip Music Festival with a tribute event celebrating and honoring Mötley Crüe.

In the tribute ceremony West Hollywood Mayor John Duran announced August 18 as Mötley Crüe Day. The ceremony was compiled of special guests like Ray Manzarek from The Doors, “The Dirt” author Neil Strauss, Dane Cook, Roxy owner Nic Adler and Whiskey a Go-Go owner Mario Maglieri.  “If you’re looking for the meaning of life, drop some acid,” Manzarek said. Manzarek went on to say that if you are looking for the answers to life’s questions like ‘Who are we?’ and ‘Why are we here?’ you’ll find the answer when you drop a little acid. Manzarek reminded everyone that we there to pay tribute to a true rock and roll band, Mötley Crüe. Adler and Maglieri presented singer Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee with the Elmer Valentine Award for their contribution to music and their impact on the Sunset Strip.

“Think of all the bands that either got their start or jump start in their career here,” Todd Steadman, executive director of the Sunset Strip Business Association, said. “There is a lot of history when it comes to the strip and when it comes to the music experience on the boulevard.”

This is the fourth year of the Sunset Strip Music Festival and each year it gets bigger and bader than the last. As the hotels are all sold out, all the businesses are looking forward to this weekend and everything that it brings.

“For us it’s about getting people out on the street. Getting them walking, hitting the businesses and SSMF has been a great driver for doing that,” Adler said. Other than seeing Mötley Crüe Adler said that he is very much looking forward to seeing the Los Angeles local alternative and indie rock band Sabrosa Purr perform.

“Without local bands the strip is over. The local bands are what make us every day,” Adler said. “Mötley Crüe, that’s our cherry but vanilla is our local bands.”

Sunset strip will be closed off while up and down the strip bands will be performing all weekend for the SSMF. Venues like The Viper Room, The Roxy, The Whiskey a go-go, The House of Blues and even on outdoor stages will play hose to bands that are here to contribute to the SSMF.

With all the bands that were playing a strategic plan was certainly needed.

It was a nice mile-long walk down Sunset from The House of Blues Sunset to see The Veronicas play in a jam-packed Viper Room with wall-to-wall people accompanied with a distinct feeling of sweat in the air due to lack of air conditioning. Despite the humid feeling, The Veronicas rocked the venue with a set that included their hit “Untouched”, a new, raw and touching acoustic song titled “Let Me Out” and with an outstanding rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang”.

Right up the boulevard The Eastern Conference Champions took the Roxy stage and made sure that no one was feeling tired. The trio’s lively and vivacious set prepped the crowd as everyone anticipated the performance by Nico Vega.

As Nico Vega took the stage The Roxy was swarming with people trying to get in earshot of the mesmerizing Joplin-esk voice of Aja Volkman. The rasp is there but the heart and soul exceed that of anything else. The American rock band certainly set the stage (no pun intended) for the rest of the performers for the weekend. The intricate drumming of Dan Epand and the artistic musical styling of guitarist Rich Koehler always accompanies Volkman’s voice flawlessly. Thursday night was no exception and the hundreds of people that filled The Roxy would most likely agree. The crowd sang along with Volkman even as she swam atop the crowd. Time and time again Volkman’s emotion was evident through her smile that spread from ear to ear. She proceeded to announce that it was the best crowd that they had ever played for. It would be no surprise if the thunderous beat of “Beast” was still echoing at The Roxy. The crowd danced, sang and jumped along with every song. Volkman’s energy up on stage was contagious and infected the crowd. The band’s encore song performance, due to popular demand, was that of “Wooden Dolls” that could possibly take the cake for any performance that night.

Volkman said that being a part of the SSMF was being a part of a legacy.

“We’re just proud to be here and represent music in this town,” she said.

by James Gobee