A video from a recent Mötley Crüe live performance has gone viral, reigniting discussions about Nikki Sixx’s alleged use of backing tracks.
The clip showed Sixx removing his bass guitar to fend off a fan who jumped on stage, while the bassline continued to play.
Fans were quick to notice, with one commenting, “It’s weird how the bass keeps playing in the background when he’s using it as a weapon.”
Another wrote, “Nikki stopped playing his bass, but the backing track thought f*ck it and kept going!” A third added, “No difference to the sound when he stops playing – funny that.”
Sixx has faced backlash since former band members implied his use of backing tracks last year. Carmine Appice even alleged that Sixx didn’t play the bass parts on Mötley Crüe’s records.
John 5, who joined the band as Mick Mars’s replacement last year, defended the bassist during an interview with Trunk Nation.
“If you listen to these concerts that I do with [Nikki], you hear bum notes,” he said. “Do you really think that we would put a mistake on a track? No! It’s so crazy, but a hundred percent he plays every single note on there. Just listen to the shows before you make these statements because you’ll hear mess-ups. And that’s what rock and roll is.”
The guitarist further clarified, “Yes, we do rely on technology for backup vocals, intros, outros, sirens, and horn hits. Of course, they’ve been doing that since ‘Dr. Feelgood.’ I’m not saying we don’t rely on technology for things that we can’t replicate ourselves, but me, Nikki, Tommy, and Vince; we’re all live up there.”
Sixx also denied the accusations, though he admitted in the past to taking bass lessons during the band’s early years to improve his skills.
