Motley Crue’s infamous bassist Nikki Sixx took up photography in 1989 as a way to help have an outlet to stay clean from his well publicized drug and alcohol abuse. His new book, This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx, came out this week as a showcase of his photography and personal stories from the past few years.—-
The book is a follow up to his New York Times best-seller The Heroin Diaries, This Is Gonna Hurt is part photo, part journal — but all Nikki Sixx. It is a collection of compelling snapshots and stories that capture the rage, love, optimism, darkness, and determination that shape his work. I sat down and read the book in one sitting interested to see how Nikki creates photos and what motivates him creatively. The photography will definitely spark emotions as you look at images of alternative types of beauty. Nikki states that he wants to create a reaction. “Love it or Hate it, but don’t be on the fence.” Pick up a copy and you will have a reaction.
In the book, Nikki also talks about his band Sixx:AM and how they came to meet and start playing together. Nikki discusses how amazing it is to have found a second group of people to play with and have magic in creating new music. In a series of documentaries that were released to promote the book and the new album, the band talks about how the photography inspires their music and how the music inspires the photography.
The CD, This is Gonna Hurt, drops May 3, but we got a preview copy this week. At first listen this is a departure from Motley Crue, but in the lyrics you can still hear the thread of Nikki’s world. “Lies of the Beautiful People” is the first single playing on radio right now. It goes hand in hand with the book by lashing out at what the world thinks is beauty. I was more taken with some of the other songs on the album like “Sure Feels Right” and “Smile.” The thoughtful album — produced entirely by James Michael with writing credits going to SIXX, Michael, Ashba and band friends John William Lowrey and Blair Daly — dives deep into meandering emotions through epic melodies. The resulting work is a deep, dark and intoxicatingly addictive mix of sounds and passion. Overall the album blew me away and I have listened to it over and over through the week. I am a die hard Motley Crue fan, but Sixx:AM with James Michael vocals seems fresh and new with songs that will carry us through the summer with hit after hit.
We caught up with Nikki Sixx this week to discuss the book, the album and the upcoming summer tour that will hit Cincinnati in June.
CB: I had a couple questions about the book first.
