Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Mick Mars said that Motley Crue was using backing tracks as early as the “Dr. Feelgood” era, also mentioned that bassist Nikki Sixx didn’t play his instrument live during last year’s ”The Stadium Tour”.
The article says: “The band started using backing tracks at their concerts around Dr. Feelgood since the three musicians onstage couldn’t recreate every part of the album live.”
Here’s what Mars said about this topic:
“I remember saying, ‘People know what’s supposed to be there. Will they miss it? Some probably will, but a majority will not. They’ll hear it subliminally the way it was recorded as long as the meat and potatoes are there.’
“I didn’t want to fool the audience, but the others wanted to fill in where the holes were. I never liked that garbage.”
About Nikki Sixx not playing his bass on last year’s ”The Stadium Tour”, Mars said:
“I’ve been with him a long time, and I got fan-based film of him thrusting his arms in the air and stuff when there’s a bass line playing. I’m absolutely positive (he wasn’t playing live).
“I think he did that because he felt too much competition from the other bands on the tour, like Def Leppard. I think they made him feel inadequate about his bass playing.”
17 comments
If you’re worried about sounding inadequate in your bass playing, then maybe you’re an inadequate bass player. Rick Savage could play rings around Nikki Sixx.
Amen. RICK SAVAGE PLAYS CIRCLES AROUND HIM !
If you can’t play it live, then don’t put it on an album.
All I know is that I can’t play a bass. So I can’t judge him. Most of the world can sing better than Vince but the guy had his on style. Looks like it worked out well for him. Of course Mr Mars can shred. Tom is an awesome percussionist. The song writing duo, it seems now, consisting of Sixx/Mars to me is pure genius. That’s what shows the brightest to me. Love me some Def Leppard but those guys are perfectionists and well polished. Motley to me was always supposed to be raw and in your face.. A lot of older bands use back tracking cause they can’t rock n roll like they use to. Each platinum selling band had something that made them special from Ozzy having some of the best guitarists and Sharon. Ratt Percy/DeMartini. Van Halen to me the most talented band ever. RIP EDDIE. The whole damn G-N-R band. Axl , Slash ,Duff, Izzy etc… I loved them all.
Actually a lot of older bands do not have backing tracks. Especially when they are A BAND. This isn’t a Cher concert where u could care less where the music is coming from.
Nikki Sixx was never an accomplished bass player. His talent is lyrics and sheer drive and determination to be an amazing rock star. He did that and continues to entertain millions of fans all over the world.
NIKKI SIXX IS JUST A STRAIGHT UP POSER! Always has been
It’s really disappointing when you go see them and can tell that they’re not playing. I went to Doctor Feel Good tour and Girls, Girls, Girls and wasn’t really sure at the first one. But I was paying attention at Girls and could tell for sure
Considering girls girls girls came out first idk how you saw Dr feel good before that.
Rick Allen could play bass better
What Steve Harris can do, another man can do.
Especially after 40 years
Yeah never knew that they were doing the back up tapes at the concert that ‘s pretty bad .
40 years and still can’t play come on he has no excuses 40 a monkey could learn it
Great glam music writer, horrible bassist. Ever since the early 90’s I thought he sucked.
Absolute poser.
Bob Rock called MC’s manager to tell him Nikki couldn’t play when they were recording. Manager said “what do you mean?” BR says “He can’t play well enough to record”
Learn your instrument Nikki!! MC songs are not hard to play! He could even isolate the bass parts from the recordings!!