Mick Mars, the renowned guitarist from MÖTLEY CRÜE, has just dropped the leading single from his debut solo album, titled “The Other Side Of Mars”
You can watch the official music video for “Loyal To The Lie” below.
“The Other Side Of Mars” is scheduled for release on February 23, 2024. You can pre-order the album now on the newly launched merchandise store at shop.mickmarsofficial.com. Various configurations are available, including a 180g LP and CD, both signed and unsigned. This exciting release is brought to you by Mick’s own label, 1313, LLC, in partnership with MRI. Mick Mars‘ decision to step back from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE, the iconic band he co-founded over four decades ago, after their massive summer 2022 “The Stadium Tour” may have seemed like the end of an era, but in reality, it marked the start of a new one.
Mick Mars says about “Loyal To The Lie”: “I wanted to do something that was just big and mean.” But no matter what direction he’s going in on “The Other Side Of Mars”, what ties it all together is “that people are going to hear my tone — my sound,” Mars says. “I am what I am. Nobody else can do it. And like everyone, I’ve got a limited number of years. So, I’m gonna do all I can to do a lot of stuff.”
The legendary guitarist, whose electrifying riffs, mesmerizing solos, and powerful, heavy sound defined MÖTLEY CRÜE‘s success over the years, proves on his solo debut that he remains a formidable force. Listeners are now introduced to an even more diverse and multifaceted Mars. Mick Mars explains, “When it comes to my playing, there’s the MÖTLEY side and the Mars side. Either way, I always have a very clear vision of what I want to do.”
On “The Other Side of Mars,” fans get to experience that vision in all its full, varied glory. While there are certainly the signature hard-rock anthems with powerful riffs, the album also explores uncharted territory, delving into caustic, modern metal, gothic-tinged soundscapes, and poignant power ballads. It also features bluesy instrumentals, slide guitars, violins, violas, keyboards, glitchy surprises, and more.
“There’s a lot of ideas that I have that, I don’t want to call them ‘left,’ but they are, you know what I mean?” Mars says. Regarding those stylistic turns, he continues, “My feeling has always been, I might gain some fans, I might lose some fans. But what they’re hearing, it’s all me.”
Mick Mars enlisted a talented team of musicians to join him on this journey, including keyboardist Paul Taylor, vocalist Jacob Bunton, drummer Ray Luzier, bassist Chris Collier, and singer Brion Gamboa.
Michael Wagener, a renowned German producer, known for his work on MÖTLEY CRÜE‘s 1981 debut, played a significant role in this project, connecting the past with the present.
“I had known him for a long time, and I actually brought him to MÖTLEY,” Mars says. Working with Wagener this time, the guitarist continues, “he had such an understanding of where I wanted to go with the material. And he never said ‘Hey, do this,’ or tried to change my mind or anything like that. He was just really adamant about recording what I wanted to record, and making sure we recorded it right.”
Mick Mars, even as he shares “The Other Side Of Mars” with the world, is already working on his next project. He emphasizes the importance of continuous growth and creativity, saying, “I’m trying to keep growing because if you stop learning new things, if you stop playing new things, if you close your mind, you’re done. You have to keep moving and creating. Next!”
Mick Mars “The Other Side of Mars” track listing:
01. Loyal To The Lie
02. Broken On The Inside
03. Alone
04. Killing Breed
05. Memories
06. Right Side Of Wrong
07. Ready To Roll
08. Undone
09. Ain’t Going Back
10. LA Noir
