Tommy Lee Criticizes Artists Plugging Albums and Tours During LA Fires

Tommy Lee isn’t fond of artists engaging in self-promotion while the Los Angeles wildfires continue to rage, it seems.

The founding Mötley Crüe drummer let his opinions be known in an Instagram post shared on Monday (Jan. 13), where he took aim at those who have continued to plug upcoming products and events while the tragedy continues to unfold.

“Makes me fucking sick to see most people just caring on a [sic] posting on lame ass social media!” Lee wrote. “Guys right now nobody gives a flying fuck when your record drops or the next concert is when so many people are in the middle of one of the biggest disasters of all time! I get that some comic relief is always need but Jesus Christ leave it all alone and maybe just stop and see who needs help if you can.”

Lee’s opinion is a fair one, and indeed numerous artists have decided to reel in their promotional efforts at the current time. While the Grammys have decided to continue as planned, the likes of Universal, Warner, Sony, and BMG have all canceled their Grammy-related events.

Meanwhile, artists have also decided to take a step back. Beyoncé has pushed back an announcement scheduled for Jan. 14, and The Weeknd has delayed the release of his forthcoming album and canceled his release-day show at the Rose Bowl. Elsewhere, Nine Inch Nails have also been forced to halt the announcement of a global tour (of which details began to leak out regardless).

However, despite Lee’s stance on the matter, his message was preceded by a video shared to Mötley Crüe’s Facebook page promoting their upcoming residency in Las Vegas.

Though somewhat contradictory to his later statement, that post (which may have been shared by the band’s social media team) came about just days after Mötley Crüe shared their support for those in their hometown affected by the fires. “May you and your loved ones stay safe as we stand together to overcome,” the group wrote.

Mötley Crüe most recently released their Cancelled EP in October, their first collection of music with new guitarist John 5 following Mick Mars’ retirement from the band two years prior.