Midway through Motley Crue [ tickets ]'s Saturday (3/19) performance at Phoenix's Cricket Pavilion, bassist Nikki Sixx emphatically proclaimed that he was happy to be back with the band that made him famous.

"I love being in Motley Crue," he said to the audience of primarily thirtysomethings. "I love Motley Crue."

That may be the case, but that sentiment did not carry over live. There was very little camaraderie between Sixx, lead singer Vince Neil, drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist Mick Mars during the two-and-a-half hour show.

At one point during "Dr. Feelgood," Neil playfully tapped his microphone on Sixx's shoulder. Otherwise, the members kept to themselves. Mars, who looked like a deathly caricature of himself, bounced lightly in his place to the music. Sixx utilized most of the stage, punching his bass at the air on each end. Lee, the true personality behind the group, was given the chance to speak a handful of times, but primarily kept to his skin-pounding self. And Neil manned the front of the stage, interacting very little with his bandmates.

During the first half's closing number, "Live Wire," Neil did show love to his fans, getting down on his hands and knees to slap hands with ticketholders in the first couple of rows.

The general lack of warmth was one of a handful of miscues during this show. Strong throughout most of the performance, Neil suffered through the ballads, especially "Glitter." And it seemed to take nearly half the show for the band to hit its stride. The production during latter portion was much more dynamic as well, featuring dwarves, fire eaters, motorcycles and scantily clad female dancers.

"Did we bring enough s--- tonight?" Sixx asked the crowd. "Naked girls? Bongs?"

Motley Crue's show, which features no opening band, kicked off with "Shout at the Devil" accompanied by spitting flames near the back of the circus-themed stage. A wall of amplifiers bookended drummer Lee as a big-top tent provided the atmosphere. Each time the crowd yelled "Shout" with the band, Neil gave a "much love" pound on his chest. The audience responded with a sea of devil horns.

"I want to let you know one f-----' thing: We're f-----' back, motherf-----s," Neil said, letting the F-bombs fly after "Too Fast for Love."

Sixx applauded his band's efforts after wrapping up "10 Seconds to Love."

"Somebody said rock 'n' roll was dead," he said. "If you have ever said 'rock 'n' roll is dead,' f--- off."

After a short cartoon and intermission, Sixx, Neil and Lee ushered in the show's second half by riding choppers onto the stage. The band then connected with a sucker punch of hits that included "Girls, Girls, Girls," "Wild Side" and "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)." A videotape of animals ripping apart prey provided the backdrop to "Primal Scream" as Neil, bathed in red light, led the crowd in a sing-along.

Lee's personality was allowed to shine during the latter moments of the show. High above the stage, he flew between two drum kits for a solo that touched on reggae- and techno-inspired music. Later, he showed his video-camera prowess by flashing on the video screen pictures of women in the audience.

"How the f--- you guys been since we've been gone? I've got three beautiful words for you all: I love you. Much love," said Lee, whom Sixx dubbed the "grand pubah of the silicone breasts."

Although the band is not as decadent as it once was, Sixx wanted to kickstart the belief that Motley Crue's members are still rock 'n' roll hellions.

"We're Motley Crue. We're not going to listen to anybody. Don't tell us what to do. Do you mind if we go back to Los Angeles and record a brand new balls-to-the-walls Motley Crue record? Because we're f----n' ready," he said.

Although Motley Crue wrangled with the show at times, it ended on a high note with back-to-back powerhouse covers of "Helter Skelter" and "Anarchy in the U.K.," both of which appear on its new hits collection, "Red, White and Crue."

Set list:
"Shout at the Devil"
"Too Fast for Love"
"10 Seconds to Love"
"Red Hot"
"On With the Show"
"Too Young to Fall in Love"
"Looks That Kill"
"Louder than Hell"
"Live Wire"

(intermission)

"Girls, Girls, Girls"
"Wild Side"
"Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)"
"Primal Scream"
"Glitter"/ "Without You"
"Home Sweet Home"
"Dr. Feelgood"
"Same Ol' Situation"
"If I Die Tomorrow"
"Sick Love Song"
"Kickstart My Heart"

(encore)

"Helter Skelter"
"Anarchy in the U.K."