"If a listener is hungry for a real connection to good music, it's definitely out there"
Altsounds: Rumour has been going round and I believe you've confirmed that a second album will be under production sometime in the future. Coming from your initial concept album, do you already have ideas about the content of the second?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: Yes. After we finished recording the Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, the three of us knew that we would eventually find some excuse to get into a studio together and create some more music. However, none of us anticipated that the excuse would be the amazing response that we've gotten from our first record or the incredible success that "Life Is Beautiful" has achieved. As far as concept for another record, we've been exploring a lot of new ground musically and we're getting very excited about where this record is heading.
Altsounds: What with Nikki coming from over twenty five years in one of the biggest bands in the world, it's not unfair to say that even though Sixx:AM has been successful standing on their own as a new band with different ideas, the strong link and similar fan-base between the two bands is there. Do you want to move away from this connection, or use it to your advantage with Sixx:AM?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: The Motley Crue connection will always be there and I don't think that any of us would ever want to turn our backs on that. When Sixx:A.M. went out on the road this summer with CRUE FEST it was so clear to us that the Motley Crue fans treated us like family and welcomed us with such enthusiasm and support. Few bands are lucky enough to have a built in base like Sixx:A.M. has with the Motley Crue fans. But we were also quite surprised at how many young fans came out to see Sixx:A.M. that weren't really aware of the connection to the Crue. I think our goal from here on out is to increase that base and reach many more listeners on the merits of our music.
Altsounds: I understand the drums for 'The Heroin Diaries' were programmed from samples. What was the reason for this? With your strong writing bond, would four have been a 'crowd' in the writing sense, and do you have any plans to bring in any drummers for future studio work?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: The reason we didn't have a drummer during the making of the record is because we really wanted to approach this record as three writer/producers making a soundtrack as opposed to a "band" making an "album". In fact, we constantly reminded ourselves while we were recording the Heroin Diaries Soundtrack that we were NOT a band! That reminder is actually what allowed us the freedom to explore more unusual musical styles. As far as the future goes, we may very well work with a drummer in the studio on this next record...it just depends on what the song calls for.
Altsounds: As James and Nikki have been working together for many years, it must have been an easy transition to begin working solely with each other on a record. Why did you feel you needed another member in the band?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: As I mentioned before, when we first began conceptualizing the Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, we were not thinking of ourselves as a band. In fact, we didn't know what it was going to be. Nikki and I began tossing some ideas around many years before and we always had an idea in the back of our minds that it would be really cool to do a soundtrack to his diaries. But it wasn't until DJ came into the picture that we felt we had the right combination of talent and creativity to really create something bigger than the three of us.
Altsounds: How did this writing team change with the addition of DJ Ashba? Was it an easy transformation?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: One of the first times that DJ, Nikki and I got in one room and wrote together we came up with "Life Is Beautiful"...I'd say it was a pretty easy transformation!
Altsounds: Bands associated with Nikki usually adopt a large stage show with a lot more going on than just the music itself. Is this the same with Sixx:A.M.? Do you feel limited at all by factors such as the smaller set time and place on the bill of shows such as Crue Fest?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: Another reason that Crue Fest was such a great experience for Sixx:A.M. is because we really had never planned on having to perform these songs live in front of an audience. So, at first we really didn't know how they were going to translate into a live setting. Fortunately, the set came off great with very little in the way of stage production or lighting and the fans loved it. This gave us a lot of confidence in our songs and our band. That said, we do have some really exciting ideas for a much more theatrical stage show and hopefully we'll get to see it come to fruition sometime in the near future!
Altsounds: A lot of people are under the impression that rock music today isn't the same as it used to be. Rock bands aren't household names, there aren't rock stars plastered over the news and parents don't have a lot to be scared about when it comes to their children listening to modern day rock bands. Do you agree with this opinion, and do you think it is something that's lacking in today's music?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: I don't think that there is necessarily anything lacking in today's music. I just think there's too much of it. There are so many bands trying to capture the imagination of the audience and I just don't think that the audience has enough time in the day to be faithful and loyally committed to one band. It's really a sign of the times and it's not just in music. It's in the news, entertainment, literature etc. Everywhere you turn there is an outlet of some kind where information or entertainment can be accessed. Quite frankly I think we're all just a bit overwhelmed. But, if a listener is hungry for a real connection to good music, it's definitely out there. It just requires digging a little under the surface.
Altsounds: Word on the street says the reception for Sixx:A.M. at Crue Fest was exceptional, which is a big accomplishment for a relatively new band. How was the tour for you? How did it differ from a standard tour?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: Yes. Sixx:A.M. received an incredible response from the audiences this summer. We were all taken by surprise! The tour for me personally was amazing because not only did we have the opportunity to perform for thousands of people every night, but it gave me a chance to be a music FAN again! The lineup of TRAPT, Sixx:AM, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and Motley Crue made for an incredible night of Rock n' Roll.
Sixx:AMs album "The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack" was released in 2007 as an accompaniment to the release of Nikki Sixx's debut book "The Heroin Diaries". Both have sold tremendously well since going on sale and I would advise you guys go and check out both. In the mean time enjoy some Sixx:AM via the embeded Myspace player!
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: Yes. After we finished recording the Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, the three of us knew that we would eventually find some excuse to get into a studio together and create some more music. However, none of us anticipated that the excuse would be the amazing response that we've gotten from our first record or the incredible success that "Life Is Beautiful" has achieved. As far as concept for another record, we've been exploring a lot of new ground musically and we're getting very excited about where this record is heading.
Altsounds: What with Nikki coming from over twenty five years in one of the biggest bands in the world, it's not unfair to say that even though Sixx:AM has been successful standing on their own as a new band with different ideas, the strong link and similar fan-base between the two bands is there. Do you want to move away from this connection, or use it to your advantage with Sixx:AM?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: The Motley Crue connection will always be there and I don't think that any of us would ever want to turn our backs on that. When Sixx:A.M. went out on the road this summer with CRUE FEST it was so clear to us that the Motley Crue fans treated us like family and welcomed us with such enthusiasm and support. Few bands are lucky enough to have a built in base like Sixx:A.M. has with the Motley Crue fans. But we were also quite surprised at how many young fans came out to see Sixx:A.M. that weren't really aware of the connection to the Crue. I think our goal from here on out is to increase that base and reach many more listeners on the merits of our music.
Altsounds: I understand the drums for 'The Heroin Diaries' were programmed from samples. What was the reason for this? With your strong writing bond, would four have been a 'crowd' in the writing sense, and do you have any plans to bring in any drummers for future studio work?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: The reason we didn't have a drummer during the making of the record is because we really wanted to approach this record as three writer/producers making a soundtrack as opposed to a "band" making an "album". In fact, we constantly reminded ourselves while we were recording the Heroin Diaries Soundtrack that we were NOT a band! That reminder is actually what allowed us the freedom to explore more unusual musical styles. As far as the future goes, we may very well work with a drummer in the studio on this next record...it just depends on what the song calls for.
Altsounds: As James and Nikki have been working together for many years, it must have been an easy transition to begin working solely with each other on a record. Why did you feel you needed another member in the band?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: As I mentioned before, when we first began conceptualizing the Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, we were not thinking of ourselves as a band. In fact, we didn't know what it was going to be. Nikki and I began tossing some ideas around many years before and we always had an idea in the back of our minds that it would be really cool to do a soundtrack to his diaries. But it wasn't until DJ came into the picture that we felt we had the right combination of talent and creativity to really create something bigger than the three of us.
Altsounds: How did this writing team change with the addition of DJ Ashba? Was it an easy transformation?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: One of the first times that DJ, Nikki and I got in one room and wrote together we came up with "Life Is Beautiful"...I'd say it was a pretty easy transformation!
Altsounds: Bands associated with Nikki usually adopt a large stage show with a lot more going on than just the music itself. Is this the same with Sixx:A.M.? Do you feel limited at all by factors such as the smaller set time and place on the bill of shows such as Crue Fest?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: Another reason that Crue Fest was such a great experience for Sixx:A.M. is because we really had never planned on having to perform these songs live in front of an audience. So, at first we really didn't know how they were going to translate into a live setting. Fortunately, the set came off great with very little in the way of stage production or lighting and the fans loved it. This gave us a lot of confidence in our songs and our band. That said, we do have some really exciting ideas for a much more theatrical stage show and hopefully we'll get to see it come to fruition sometime in the near future!
Altsounds: A lot of people are under the impression that rock music today isn't the same as it used to be. Rock bands aren't household names, there aren't rock stars plastered over the news and parents don't have a lot to be scared about when it comes to their children listening to modern day rock bands. Do you agree with this opinion, and do you think it is something that's lacking in today's music?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: I don't think that there is necessarily anything lacking in today's music. I just think there's too much of it. There are so many bands trying to capture the imagination of the audience and I just don't think that the audience has enough time in the day to be faithful and loyally committed to one band. It's really a sign of the times and it's not just in music. It's in the news, entertainment, literature etc. Everywhere you turn there is an outlet of some kind where information or entertainment can be accessed. Quite frankly I think we're all just a bit overwhelmed. But, if a listener is hungry for a real connection to good music, it's definitely out there. It just requires digging a little under the surface.
Altsounds: Word on the street says the reception for Sixx:A.M. at Crue Fest was exceptional, which is a big accomplishment for a relatively new band. How was the tour for you? How did it differ from a standard tour?
Sixx:AM [James Michael]: Yes. Sixx:A.M. received an incredible response from the audiences this summer. We were all taken by surprise! The tour for me personally was amazing because not only did we have the opportunity to perform for thousands of people every night, but it gave me a chance to be a music FAN again! The lineup of TRAPT, Sixx:AM, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and Motley Crue made for an incredible night of Rock n' Roll.
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Sixx:AMs album "The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack" was released in 2007 as an accompaniment to the release of Nikki Sixx's debut book "The Heroin Diaries". Both have sold tremendously well since going on sale and I would advise you guys go and check out both. In the mean time enjoy some Sixx:AM via the embeded Myspace player!
