Motley Crue Drops Anthrax From Tour Bill

Motley Crue has dropped Anthrax from the lineup on its current tour in order to save money, according to a statement from the Crue.

"Due to financial constraints, Anthrax will not continue the Maximum Rock tour," said Motley Crue in the statement. "The tour will continue with Megadeth and headliner Motley Crue."

Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, in a statement posted on his band's official website, commented further on the decision to drop Anthrax from the bill, claiming that it was done in order for Motley Crue to play a longer set.

"We had to let Anthrax go from the tour early," he wrote. "We were getting so many requests for us to play longer this tour … but it's gonna take a few days to work up some new songs.

"I'm gonna miss Anthrax," he added. "Those f***ers rock."

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, however, indicated in an email he reportedly sent to an online metal music publication that there are hard feelings toward Motley Crue on his band's part.

"We are bummed and really disappointed and feel like we got the shaft," wrote Ian.

According to Anthrax' official website, the band plans to take a few weeks off before heading back into the recording studio to begin work on a new studio album.

Meanwhile, Motley Crue will continue to tour with Hole drummer Samantha Maloney for the remainder of this leg of the band's tour in support of its latest release "New Tattoo." Maloney has been sitting in for Crue drummer Randy Castillo since the tour began on June 24.

Castillo was sidelined by emergency stomach surgery shortly before the Maximum Rock tour kicked off. He had originally planned to rejoin the group during its July 8 performance in Albuquerque, N.M., but was advised by a doctor to continue resting. According to the band's official website, he is expected to rejoin the group early next year for the second leg of the "New Tattoo" tour.

The Maximum Rock tour's next stop is scheduled for Tuesday (7/25) in Charlotte, N.C. The tour is slated to run until Sept. 3.