Guitarist Mick Mars of MÖTLEY CRÜE fame has recently unveiled “Undone,” the third single from his forthcoming solo album, “The Other Side Of Mars”
Scheduled for release on February 23, 2024, “The Other Side Of Mars” will be presented through Mick‘s independent label, 1313, LLC, in collaboration with MRI.
Teaming up with Birmingham, Alabama rocker Jacob Bunton for extensive collaboration on the album, Bunton‘s diverse musical background includes previous work with luminaries such as GUNS N’ ROSES‘ Steven Adler and CINDERELLA‘s Tom Keifer. Additionally, he boasts songwriting credits with the likes of Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler, and Smokey Robinson.
Bunton assumes lead vocal duties on the majority of the 12 tracks featured on “The Other Side Of Mars.” The album also showcases contributions from esteemed guests, including WINGER/ALICE COOPER keyboardist Paul Taylor, KORN drummer Ray Luzier, and Brion Gamboa, who takes the lead on the songs “Undone” and “Killing Breed.”
Notably, Bunton, known for his roles in Alabama bands MARS ELECTRIC and LYNAM, adds his distinctive touch to the sonic landscape of the album.
In October, Mick Mars unleashed “Loyal To The Lie,” the lead single accompanied by a music video featuring iconic horror film imagery and snapshots of infamous serial killers. This was followed by the release of a second single, “Right Side Of Wrong,” in December. The latter explores the concept of conflicting perspectives within interpersonal relationships, echoing a theme resonant in global societal conflicts.
Mick Mars, who announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE in October 2022 due to deteriorating health, initially expressed his commitment to remaining a band member while John 5 took over touring responsibilities. However, a subsequent lawsuit filed against MÖTLEY CRÜE in Los Angeles County’s Superior Court alleges that, following his retirement announcement, the band attempted to diminish his significant stake in the group’s corporation and business holdings through a shareholders’ meeting.
Mick Mars‘s attorney informed Rolling Stone that the dispute over whether the guitarist was unlawfully separated from MÖTLEY CRÜE is set to enter private arbitration later this year.
Mick Mars contends that he was pressured to sign a severance agreement, relinquishing his 25 percent stake in the band’s various business ventures in exchange for a 5 percent stake in the 2023 tour, with the stipulation that it would be reduced to 0 percent for future tours.
According to the lawsuit, CRÜE‘s management later increased the offer to a 7.5 percent stake in the 2023 tour, contingent on Mars divesting from the band and its businesses. When Mick Mars refused to sign, the band opted for arbitration “to prevent public awareness of their alleged mistreatment of their ‘brother’ of 41 years,” as stated in the lawsuit.
When they wanted to get high and fuck everything up, I covered for them,” Mars told Rolling Stone in an interview last year. “Now they’re trying to take my legacy away, my part of MÖTLEY CRÜE, my ownership of the name, the brand. How can you fire Mr. Heinz from Heinz ketchup? He owns it. Frank Sinatra‘s or Jimi Hendrix‘s legacy goes on forever, and their heirs continue to profit from it. They’re trying to take that away from me. I’m not going to let them.”
Mick Mars‘s lawyer, Ed McPherson, cited the recent ruling on January 16 that MÖTLEY CRÜE delayed producing requested documents as evidence of mistreatment. “Finally, somebody, somewhere told these guys they can’t bully Mick anymore. We’re in the middle of a huge arbitration that will ultimately decide if Mick has to give up his shares or not, if they did things properly or not. Obviously we claim they didn’t do anything properly. But they feel that they’re above the rules. And that’s what this lawsuit was about,” McPherson said.
“This was them feeling they were above the rules, and this judge saying, ‘No, you’re not. And you may have given all the documents now, so there’s nothing left for me to do, but, you’re going to pay for it,” he added. “I think that’s a pretty huge victory for Mick. If they want to claim a victory, that’s fine. But this is someone finally telling Mick, ‘No, you’re not crazy. These guys are bullying you. And we’re not going to let it happen.’”
Mick initiated the lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE with the aim of scrutinizing the entire financial records to assess whether he was receiving what he believed he was entitled to.
A central figure in MÖTLEY CRÜE since its inception in 1981, Mick Mars, born Robert Alan Deal, continues to make waves with his solo pursuits, promising a fresh perspective on “The Other Side Of Mars.”