A few years back, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee wrote an autobiography in which his, uhm, his … Man Utensil supplied the manuscript's “alter ego” voice.

Granted, this memoir-ish device was first employed in an early (but never published) version of Rousseau's “Confessions,” and then later in an “I Said / He Said” lyric opera composed by Cavalli.

But in the context of our times, the Tommy And His Utensil concept pretty much tells you all you need to know about the spirit behind the licorice stick-metal of the Crue - and why it would still be appealing after all these years. That is: it reminds fans of what was truly and metaphorically important in their lives during the heyday of Lo Cal Metal.

Whether that works today, when these fans are 50 years old, well, that's a question that might be answered Sunday as all four original members of Motley Crue take the stage in the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Clearly, that youthful attitude still works for the band. Earlier this year, they released the surprisingly strong “Saints of Los Angeles,” their first CD of all new material since a previous century - back in the golden days when they could strap on the shark-shaped guitars, apply hairspray liberally, and shoot dope with colt-like glee and abandon and the conviction that rock would never die.

- RICK KOSTER

Motley Crue, with opening act Buckcherry, 7 p.m. Sun., Mohegan Sun Arena; $60, $80; 886-0070, mohegansun.com.

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