Nikki Sixx Says Mick Mars is Confused: “We Still Have to Stay Focused on Why We’re Here”
In a new interview, Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx opened up further about the band’s relationship with new guitarist John 5 and discussed the lawsuit with former guitarist Mick Mars, who is suing the band. Speaking about 5, Sixx says that they had been friends for a long time and he’s a natural fit in the band.
“So we’re always chatting and jamming and the friendship is so wonderful. Him and Tommy [Lee] are really close. Vince [Neil] loves him. He’s just a great guy and a great musician and he gives us a great opportunity as a three-piece so to speak to really lock in. He’s just such a great guitar player.”
Sixx also said that John 5’s presence in the band has caused them to give more inspired performances, though he says that’s not a dig at the Crüe’s former guitarist, and that the band is writing music.
“It’s nothing against any other musician that you play with, just that when you play with new musicians you play differently. We’re still playing the same songs that people wanna hear but it kind of like re-inspires you. And I’m sure the same thing would happen if they got a new bass player. They’re like ‘oh wow, he’s attacking it differently.’ So it’s never about how bad anybody was.
“It’s a nice time and it’s kind of inspired us to write a little bit. We love our history, we’re very proud of everything we’ve done. We’ve always been really supportive of Mick no matter what Mick was going through. We’re just happy with where we’re at right now.”
Speaking directly about the lawsuit and Mars’ condition, Sixx declares that his former bandmate is “confused” and Mötley Crüe are just not interested in missing out on new successes.
“If a member of a band tells you that they can’t tour because of health reasons, you have two choices. You can quit as a band [after] 42 years of work. Or we could look at each other and go ‘are we done yet?!’ We’re really peaking and we understand [Mick ‘s] health issues.
“We wish him the best and we know that he’s a little bit confused and being misled by representatives right now. But we still have to stay focused on why we’re here.”
One thing’s for certain: you can count on more Mötley Crüe gossip soon enough.
