Some fans worry that Utah has missed out on having a real rock 'n' roll festival like Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Mötley Crüe says there's now a festival for the rest of us. (Poles and Feats of Strength may or may not be involved.)

The band has created CrüeFest, a traveling festival, featuring the Los Angeles band as headliners, and other California hard rock bands

(Buckcherry, TRAPT, Papa Roach and Sixx A.M.) opening. The tour stops at Usana Amphitheatre Tuesday for a gig that begins at 5 p.m. Each band talked to The Salt Lake Tribune about the groundbreaking tour.

Mötley Crüe » The band created the festival because of a void, bassist Nikki Sixx said in a media conference call that also included guitarist Mick Mars. "What's missing is a real rock 1n1 roll festival," he said. "We wanted to do a festival for a long time. We wanted a celebration [because "Saints of Los Angeles" is our] first full-length record in 10 years."

Mötley Crüe Sixx, Mars, singer Vince Neil and drummer Tommy Lee just released "Saints of Los Angeles," the band's ninth album since forming in 1981 on the Sunset Strip. The band's heyday was in the late 1980s, when "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Dr. Feelgood" ruled the album charts. In later years, turmoil between band members and tabloid reports of decadence grabbed headlines, rather than the band's hard rock.

Sixx and Mars won't discuss problems with Lee who has been kicked out of the band numerous times but who is currently playing on tour and said the band wants to move forward without dwelling on the past.

"We want to be together," Mars said. "We set out to be together from day one."

Buckcherry » Hailing from Los Angeles, it is the last band to play before Mötley Crüe performs. Buckcherry that name came from rearranging the first letters of Chuck Berry's name is riding a wave of success because of their classic-rock-inspired power ballad, "Sorry," that has crossed over to mainstream radio.

Guitarist and founding member Keith Nelson reassembled the band in 2002 along with singer Josh Todd after rancor tore the original band apart. "This incarnation is different in that we knew the [new band members] beforehand," Nelson said. "We got guys that were our homies. Great musicians don't necessarily make good band mates."

TRAPT » The central California band, which formed in 1997, found its biggest success in 2002 with its single "Headstrong." Chris Brown, lead singer, said the band relishes its role in CrüeFest.

"We have the opening set, so it's hard to get people out of their seats during cocktail hour," he said. "We realized we have to do the best we've ever done, to survive."

At first, Brown felt a little "overwhelmed" by the talent of Mötley Crüe. "Mick Mars is killing it, Tommy Lee is still in good shape," he said. "[Mötley Crüe] is slaying them every night."

Sixx A.M. » This side project for bassist Sixx was never intended to be a touring band, lead singer James Michael said. But when the trio's album was a success, the band's first concert was in a Halloween concert with Korn in Salt Lake City. "That's where we lost our virginity," Michael said.

Sixx will play bass in Mötley Crüe and in Sixx A.M., which amazed Michael. "The guy is a madman," Michael said. He's a monster. He paces himself it's like running a marathon. This guy is the f______ Bionic Man."

"I've never done it before," Sixx admitted in a conference call.

Papa Roach » Out of Northern California, it has arguably had the most success of all the opening bands on the tour since they released their multi-platinum album in 2000. Frontman Jacoby Shaddix said that unlike a Guns 1n1 Roses show the band once opened, this tour has much more camaraderie among the bands.

As evidence, there's the fact that Papa Roach's drummer Tony Palermo is, like Nikki Sixx, also pulling double-duty, playing the drums for Sixx A.M. As for the tour's fans, all of them are affectionately called "mixed nuts," Shaddix said.

Papa Roach recorded their last album at the haunted Paramour Mansion in Los Angeles, and plans to head back there to write their next disc. When asked why the band didn't choose a friendlier environment like, say, a Holiday Inn, Shaddix said, "It wouldn't be a fun. It wouldn't be as adventurous."

Like this tour.

David Burger writes about popular music. Contact him at dburger@sltrib.com or 801-257-8620.

CrueFest with Motley Crue

When » Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Where » Usana Amphitheatre, 5150 S. 6055 West, West Valley City.

Tickets » Tickets are $37.50 to $103 at SmithsTix.

Opening acts » Buckcherry, TRAPT, Papa Roach and Sixx A.M. open.