Sixx:A.M. third album recalls 70s
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Side project … Sixx:A.M. started as an “art project” but could become Nikki Sixx’s day job when Mötley Crüe finish up next year.
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SIXX: A.M.’s debut record The Heroin Diaries was the soundtrack to a book.
Their second opus This Is Gonna Hurt was inspired by the photos of Motley Crue’s bassist Nikki Sixx which were also subsequently assembled into a coffee-table book.
But the third album made by Sixx and his mates, singer James Michael and Guns N’ Roses guitarist DJ Ashba is music for music’s sake.
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The three men had been mates for years before they decided to explore a musical association.
Modern Vintage is perhaps the best representation of not only their hard rock sensibilities but also an unashamed tribute to the bands they fell in love in their youth from Queen and ELO to David Bowie and Elton John.
“We love FM radio and album orientated rock of the 70s when artists made albums, from top to bottom,” Sixx says.
“Our idea all along with this album was to be obvious about what we are doing and those influences.”
Bass heavy … Nikki Sixx is one of hard rock’s most iconic figures. Picture: Christopher Polk for Clear Channel
Source: Getty Images
As much as you can hear the rock sound of the 70s on Modern Vintage, there are some musical detours which will surprise, perhaps even shock, their fans.
Sixx and his band mates indulge their love of everything from disco to ragtime, a risky move for a trio whose previous offerings were firmly rooted in hard rock.
“I believe we’ve been lucky because when we started with the Heroin Diaries, it wasn’t about being a band. The canvas was wide open and the bands accepted that,” Ashba says.
“We can get away with murder.”
Sixx said they never expected to tour their “art project” after the Heroin Diaries album was released but playing live on Crue fest in 2008 would inevitably influence the sound of the band as his photos did on This Is Gonna Hurt.
“A lot of the raw, dirty guitar-driven stuff on This Is Gonna Hurt and now Modern Vintage was influenced by playing live because we loved it so much, we wanted more songs like that to play,” he says.
Band of brothers … Sixx: AM singer James Michael has been producing Mötley Crüe for 15 years. Picture: Kevin Winter / Getty Images for iHeartMedia.
Source: Getty Images
Sixx was working with Michael, who has been producing and writing with Mötley Crüe for about 15 years, and writing with Ashba for other artists when he brought them together to explore the idea of composing a score for his book which diarised his battles with depression and addiction for a year between 1986 and 1987.
“We all talked about it and decided to do it because it would be fun. There would be no limitations to it,” he says.
Michael added: “We are three very close friends who were brought together by music but the friendship we have forged has become so much a part of our lives. Sixx: A.M. music is the byproduct.
“We love to spend time together and it’s so seldom that we get that time but when we do, we write songs almost so we can remember that moment, to document where we are at as friends.
“It’s better than taking selfies.”
Sixx says most of their lyrics are generated by their conversations. Lines are stolen from passionate espousing of opinions or sharing “something we’re going through”.
He also credits Ashba’s guitar riffs for firing their creative sparks.
Guitar Gun … DJ Ashba also plays guitar for Guns N’ Roses. Picture: Kevin Winter / Getty Images for iHeartMedia.
Source: Getty Images
“This Is Gonna Hurt of course was inspired by James and DJ seeing my photography and that got us all talking about what we had been through growing up in an era where there was no anti-bullying and we kinds felt like outcasts,” he says.
Modern Vintage seems determined to tell their fans there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“I have heard this record described as being uplifting and I think a lot of that comes from the feel of the record. Songs like Miracle are almost leaning into the pop world and Gotta Get It Right is very 70s glam pop,” Michael says.
“But I think lyrically we have been pretty consistent because from the very beginning, it was important to instil hope in every single of our songs.”
While Motley Crue were scheduled to wind up their farewell world tour at the end of this year, it is likely another leg will be announced for 2015 putting Sixx: A. M.’ s plans to hit the road again in a state of flux.
“We are putting together a tour right now for America but probably once Motley Crue does finally wind down and we can all bring Sixx: A.M. a little more to the forefront of our lives, we hope to take this music around the world,” Michael says.
“It’s bittersweet you know because I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around a world without Motley Crue.”
Mötley Crüe to fold … Nikki Sixx performs onstage with the band at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 19, 2014. Picture: Paul A. Hebert / Invision / AP
Source: AP
HEAR: Mordern Vintage is out now
