Motley Crue and Guitar Center are on a mission to discover the next big thing. After sorting through thousands of submissions as a part of Guitar Center On-Stage, they chose one band to open for them on tour and to grant a record deal to: The Last Vegas, a five-piece hard rock band from Chicago. In addition to getting the supporting slot on the 'Saints of Los Angeles' tour and a deal with Eleven Seven Music, the winners also took home a load of cash and Gibson gear. Not bad, eh?

"The overall talent and energy of the Last Vegas surpassed our expectations," Motley Crue's Vince Neil told Spinner. Check out the first single from the winners below, and read exclusive interviews with Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx and the Last Vegas after the jump.

Listen to 'I'm Bad' and buy it on iTunes.


Q&A with Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx:

What advice would you offer the members of the Last Vegas in regards to surviving the pressures of the industry?
Make sure you learn the business of music.

Who have been some of your favorite opening acts on your previous tours?
I thought the opening acts on the last 'Crue Fest' tour were all great. In the past, I thought Guns N' Roses were a perfect fit with us.

What's the least rockstar thing about you that people wouldn't guess?
There are too many to divulge, but probably that I listen to Sigur Ros and watch 'Dexter.'

When you were starting out, what band did you dream of opening for and why?
Aerosmith was one of my favorite bands when I was younger, and we did a co-headlining tour with them a few years ago. It was a dream come true. Those guys are true rock royalty.

What will be the craziest request on your rider on the upcoming tour?
An M-16 and a boa constrictor.

What do you think about the current state of rock music? Besides the Last Vegas, are there any young bands you respect or think may be the future of rock?
I think there's a lot of opportunity for rock musicians these days. The internet has created a certain freedom that we didn't have ten years ago. There's another new band on Eleven Seven called Charm City Devils that I f---ing love. I believe that the garages and small clubs around the world are brewing the new generation of AC/DCs, Aerosmiths, Motley Crues and Rolling Stones. I'd like to be part of shaping the future and teaching them this business from an artist's point of view, who is also the president of a record company. In my opinion, the future looks bright for rock 'n' roll.

How does it feel to play the role of mentor to an unknown band?
I'm just myself and, of course, brutally honest with them in the hope they see the truth, and live and die by that truth. That truth is simple. Great songs and great bands have one thing in common: great songwriting. It's not easy telling someone that they need to elevate themselves, but the ones that listen -- they are going to do amazing things.



Q&A with the Last Vegas' Chad Cherry (vocals) and John Wator (guitar):

What Motley Crue song would you love to cover?
'Wild Side.'

What are you looking forward to the most about touring with Motley Crue?
Getting in front of a huge new audience and playing bigger, louder and better than ever

What do you have planned for your next record now that you're signed to Eleven Seven?
The single already sounds bigger than anything we've done to date. I can't wait to get another big batch of songs tracked that match the power and quality. Whatever it is, it will be massive.

Tell us the story behind the first song you've recorded since you've won the contest.
Literally the next day, we went into the studio and started working on the single. It is one of our favorites from the last set of tunes we've worked up -- totally pro and exciting as hell.

What's something that shocked or surprised you about the Motley Crue bandmates when you first met them?
Mick has special powers, and the band totally kicks a-- live. Nikki might be Chad's long lost older brother. This whole thing has been a wild ride, and we're just getting started. See you on the road. Rock on.