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Sixx appeal: Rockers Sixx: AM no longer a 'side project' for former Motley Crue and GN'R men

Sixx: AM are no longer a 'side project' for Nikki Sixx and co
Sixx: AM are no longer a 'side project' for Nikki Sixx and co Sixx: AM are no longer a 'side project' for Nikki Sixx and co

HAVING all been members of other well-known rock bands, James Michael (Halestorm), Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) and Dj Ashba (Guns N' Roses) are now concentrating solely on their former 'side project', Sixx:A.M.

The band have been releasing music since recording the soundtrack to Sixx's autobiography The Heroin Diaries in 2007, which was followed by This Is Gonna Hurt (2011) and Modern Vintage (2014).

Now, they're about to unleash two new records in quick succession: Vol 1 Prayers For The Damned and its logically titled follow-up – you've guessed it – Vol 2 Prayers For The Damned.

"We didn't want to drop a double album out there," says Sixx of the staggered release for their latest material.

"If you put out 22 songs on a record, is anyone really appreciating song 17? Or even song 12? For us, 11 per album is perfect, and it gives people a chance to fall in love with it a bit at a time."

"We've made two records in the time it normally takes Sixx:AM to make one," says singer James Michael.

"But it's because we were hyper-focused."

That's easy now the trio are no longer involved with other bands.

Sixx was a founding member of LA hair metallers Motley Crue, for whom he wielded his bass right up until their 'last-ever show' last year.

"We were ready," says Sixx of the Crue's amicable split.

"We talked four or five years ago and set an exit date. We said what we needed to, and decided to take it round the world one more time."

Sixx: A.M guitarist Dj Ashba was in Guns N' Roses between 2009 and 2015, but decided to drop out prior to the band's imminent tour featuring its original members.

"At the end of each show fans would be crying, and every hair on my body would be standing on end," he says of his time with Axl Rose.

"But I realised in my heart that I'd been doing the wrong thing. I couldn't be more happy to be true to my heart, and that's playing songs I've written. There's a big difference when you're playing songs that someone else wrote.

"The pay's great, of course, but it's not about the money, that's not why any of us go into this."

When not singing with rockers Halestorm, Michael had been producing, mixing and co-writing for artists including Motley Crue, Papa Roach and Kelly Clarkson.

"We never knew what Sixx:AM was prior to this," says Michael.

"It wasn't until we toured the Modern Vintage album in 2014 that we realised the band is a must for us, it's something we need to see through.

"At that point, our mentalities shifted – it's no side-project any more."

Not only have the band got two albums due for release this year, they're also talking about the album that will follow.

"We feel like a new band again," continues Michael. "We have played for some time, but we feel we have to pay our dues all over again, and we really want to conquer the world."

Nikki Sixx is particularly excited about a new record being released while the band are some way into their world tour, giving them more opportunities at their gigs, keeping it interesting for themselves and the fans.

"People are telling us that rock music is dead, but we see that's just not true, our fans tell us it's not true.

"People have been saying 'rock's dead' since the 60s."

The most important thing for all of them seems to be the fact they've finally given their side-project a chance to become something more.

"It's 10 years next year since we released our first record," says Sixx. "And that's significant.

"Here's to 10 more."

:: Vol 1 Prayers For The Damned is out now. Sixx: AM play the Isle Of Wight and Download festivals in June