Ex-Motley Crue singer, John Corabi, talks 1994 album and Revolution Bar performance

In 1989, Mötley Crüe was one of the biggest bands in the world, riding high with its multiplatinum album, "Dr. Feelgood." But the group's next studio album didn't drop until the spring of 1994 -- this time with John Corabi (former lead singer of The Scream) on vocals. But, the music scene had changed, hair metal was brushed aside for grunge.

"Everybody was listening to Alice in Chains and Soundgarden," says Corabi. "At that point, we were considered passe."

Twenty years later, fans have rediscovered the album, simply titled "Mötley Crüe," causing Corabi to do a 20th anniversary tour performing it live in its entirety, including a stop at Revolution Bar & Music Hall in Amityville on Saturday.

"The album has now come into its own," says Corabi. "Fans write to me saying, 'I didn't want to buy this record when it came out, but I found it in some used record bin and it's great.'"

The tour is a rain check for many Crüe fans who never got to see the material played live because the band's '94 American tour was canceled.

"The tour was a nightmare," says Corabi. "We weren't selling tickets, it was just horrible."

Although the heavy album was critically praised, Corabi claims lack of sales was due to three reasons: Bob Krasnow, the president of the band's record company, Elektra, and his entire staff were fired, leaving Crüe with no support at the label; the band upset fans by talking too much trash about its old singer, Vince Neil; and Crüe made enemies with MTV after walking out of an interview.

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"I felt like the captain of the Titanic and we had already hit the iceberg," says Corabi. "Everything was in turmoil."

The fallout? The band fired everybody involved in the project: the manager, producer and even Corabi.

"All the new managers wanted to do a reunion with Vince saying, 'That's where your money is,'" says Corabi. "I didn't see the writing on the wall."

Today, Corabi finds performing the '94 Crüe album in concert rewarding.

"There's a lot of people out there who want to hear this record," Corabi says. "I love the fact that it has a cult following. It kind of makes the record cool."

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.