Few bands embody the excess, chaos, and spectacle of the 1980s quite like Mötley Crüe.
In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom tackle a deceptively simple question: Are Mötley Crüe rock or metal?
What starts as a genre debate quickly turns into a deep dive into the band’s outrageous history, their influence on hair metal, and why they became one of the most recognizable acts in heavy music. From the early shock of Shout at the Devil to the polished arena dominance of Dr. Feelgood, the band helped shape the sound, attitude, and spectacle of the late ’80s metal scene.
Naturally, the discussion goes completely off the rails at several points—leading to an unexpected conversation about strip clubs, hair metal culture, and why half the songs from the era sound like they were designed specifically for questionable nightlife venues.
If you enjoy metal debates, classic bands, and wildly off-topic tangents, this episode is pure Influencers of Metal chaos.
Listen now and decide for yourself: Is Mötley Crüe rock or metal?
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