NIKKI SIXX on mixed reactions to MÖTLEY CRÜE’s single “Dogs Of War”: “Everyone has become a critic”

In a new interview with Janne Innanfors of the Swedish radio station Rockklassiker, MOTLEY CRUE Bassist Nikki Sixx addressed his recent ironic comment that his band’s new music had been described as “a powerful mix of country and hip-hop.” The 65-year-old CRUE Bassist, the band’s main songwriter, said (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “When we were doing some interviews, when we were preparing to do the (“Dogs of War”) Single, I said to Tommy (lee, MOTLEY CRUE drummer), I said: “You know…” Because we were asked this question again and again (about the sound of the new CRUE music). And I said, “Man,” I go… I’m the most sarcastic person I know. And that sometimes doesn’t always come across in a tweet or something. And I said, we got so much media because it was such a fun, such a funny thing that was a joke. And I was like, “God, this really kind of sucks where we are today. No media has asked, no one has called the office and said, “What’s going on? I heard they have new music. It sounds country and hip-hop.” I mean, everyone at the label and the management company would have just started laughing. They would have said, “You fell for one of them.” Nicky‘s jokes.’ But the irony is, aren’t people under the same pressure today? People just love negativity. And I find that interesting. I honestly don’t want to play into that, but that was funny… People go on with whatever they think they can get something out of, and that’s OK. Hey, if you’re talking about our band, that’s a good thing, negative or positive.”

Regarding the mixed reaction to “Dogs of War” from that MOTLEY CRUE Fans, Nicky said: “We like the fact that there was a kind of knee-jerk reaction, because at least people were listening. It’s a very strange time now where, whether it’s a news cycle or social media, everyone has become a critic. And I always say, they never erected a statue of a critic. That never happened, did it? It’s always the artist. But now everyone’s a critic. So within a short time we get: “We love it.” “We hate it.” “You are finished.” “You have reinvented yourself.” “It sounds like ‘Screaming at the devil’. “It sucks.” And we just sit there and say, “That’s cool, guys, but we didn’t really ask for your input.” We’re just artists writing music, and we’re pretty cool. I’m happy with it. I like it.”

The “Dogs of War” The music video, which you can also see below, is an animated, completely computer-generated affair directed by Nick DenBoer.

At a performance on SiriusXM Fight Nation‘S “Broken up” show, Sixx talked about “Dogs of War”which was available on April 26th via MOTLEY CRUEThe new contract with Nashville’s Big Machine RecordsHe said: “A lot of people said it was a different sound, but I’ll be honest, I don’t necessarily agree with that. If you listen to the verses, they’re very similar to a lot of the stuff we’ve done – that simple, grinding thing with those almost CHEAP TRICK Melodies. And the riff, I mean, it could be from ‘Dr feel good’. So I don’t really feel like it’s that different. I think what’s different for people is that when we were working on the song, Tommy (lee, CRUE drummer) had the idea of ​​just dropping the floor in the verses, which is not really what we do. We normally do that, and (it’s) really unique to Vince (Neil, CRUE Singer).”

Vince chimed in: “I never sing like that. But in the song it works.” He added: “Dogs of War” “was very easy to sing.”

Nicky more detail on the CRUE songwriting process and said: “I think what we do together is that we all know each other so well, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. And for me as a lyricist, I always think about Vince and his pace as I write. So it’s not like we’ve gotten out of sync, but it’s nice to know each other so well, if that makes sense.”

When “Dogs of War” was first published, Neil described the track as “like old school meets new school. It has that old school vibe, but it’s new music.” Nicky came up with it and he sent me the music and I thought it was really cool. So I started singing it and we went into the studio and it became the song that I think the fans are really going to like.”

MOTLEY CRUEThe new contract with Big Machine Records sees the band working together again after making the 2014 project “Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe”the CRUE Songs covered by country stars RASCAL FLATTEN, FLORIDA-GEORGIA LINE, Darius Rucker and more. Big machine also a partnership with MOTLEY CRUE guitarist John 5 for the release of his album in 2021 “Sinner”.

MOTLEY CRUEThe last studio album was in 2008 “Saints of Los Angeles”followed by a “Greatest Hits” compilation.

In 2018 MOTLEY CRUE recorded four new songs for “The dirt” Film, including the single “The Dirt (est. 1981) (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)”, “Ride with the devil”, “Crash and fire” and the band’s own interpretation Madonna‘S “Like a Virgin”.

John 5 joined MOTLEY CRUE in autumn 2022 as a replacement for the band’s co-founding guitarist Mike Mars. Mick announced his withdrawal from the tour with MOTLEY CRUE in October 2022 due to worsening health problems.

“John brings a lot”, Neil said Billboard. “He’s an incredible, creative guitarist. He hears things that we normal people don’t hear. He brings a lot to the songs and a lot to the band and we’re just so lucky to have him.”

John 5who previously Sixx on various songs for SIXX:AM and other projects and co-wrote the three new songs on “The dirt” Soundtrack, said about his addition to CRUE: “I love MÖTLEY and I know Mick, Tommy And Nicky for so long, it’s like playing with your friends. Their music is important to me. I care about the history and the future of this band, so I want to do things with the utmost respect and make sure everything is done right and executed with the competence it deserves.”

Photo credit: Ross Halfin