Nikki Sixx Talks God, A.A. and Shocking New Book
Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx has a new book out, called 'This Is Gonna Hurt,' but it's not at all what you would expect. While his previous best-seller, 'The Heroin Diaries,' chronicled a harrowing year in which he spiraled into drug addiction, 'Hurt' showcases a different obsession: photography. The rocker is very clearly skilled behind the lens, and this book contains more than its share of shocking, sepia-drenched images of skulls, homeless Russian women, tattoo artist Kat Von D and an eye-opening series on people with deformities, as well as other oddities.
Sixx spoke to
PopEater about what led him to this book, his belief in a higher power, the enduring brotherhood of Motley Crue and why he doesn't attend special A.A. groups for privacy-craving celebrity addicts.
Tell me about the genesis of this book.
It started out as me exercising my creative ... I've been doing photography for a really long time, 10 years, and I'm really serious about it. I've sort of kept a lot of it to myself. The more and more I started having a body of work then the concept of a book started to come. Originally it was going to be strictly a photography book, but I was writing because I love to write about the experience, and I guess in a way it became a way for me to understand my life. I don't shoot things for shock value or because I think something is beautiful or ugly. I'm not the type of photographer who does things because of what's in or out. I actually do stuff that I don't even know what it's about. It just comes.
My life has been about adversity and overcoming adversity. Some of my photography subjects, it's unbelievable what they've been through. At the end of the day you go, ''I've got so much to be grateful for."
Describe your style.
Honest, I hope.
You love to write.
When I write whether it's a blog or a response to an email, everything has a flow to it. My favorite writers are beat generation writers. I love their tempo. Usually ones that have a message to them. I like to write things that are positive. Some people call them Sixxisms. I enjoy them, and they come out in my writing a lot. My new one today is don't let the losers win. Water seeks it's own level, you have to be concerned about those that try to pull you down to their level when you're trying to rise above and do special stuff or go through change in your life. Like they say, misery loves company. You have to be aware of that.
How is Motley Crue?
We've been together 30 years, and we're going out on a tour this summer. I think the people make more out of our relationships than it is. We're just brothers.
Didn't Vince bag the band in his memoir last year?
Everybody's entitled to their interpretation of their life.
Do you believe in God?
Yes. I'm in A.A. I believe in a higher power. He doesn't have a face or a name. I guess his first name would be higher and his last name would be power. Mr. Power, I don't know.
Do you go to celebrity A.A. meetings?
No, I don't believe in them. I do everything regular because nobody did this to me. I did this to me. I choose to look the way I look. I wake up everybody and I dress the way I dress because I like it. That's how I like to express myself. I don't feel that because I've been lucky enough to play music and have people know who I am that I should be treated special. We're just the same.
Is it hard to keep yourself grounded?
You are who you are when no one's around and with who you surround yourself with. So if you surround yourself with enablers and bottom feeders then you are one. So I surround myself with really special people because they're really hard to find. I want to rise to that level every single day. I can look as crazy as I want, tattoo whatever I want to tattoo, I can cuss like a sailor, but there's a certain level of humanity and humility you need to stay in if you want to create great stuff. Doesn't mean you can't turn the amp really loud and rip someone's f**king face off but that's all part of the fun. I think sometimes people forget to have fun. I'm having a blast. I'm so blessed, and I don't know why. Is it because I'm different and I don't want to be the same as everybody else? I really accept myself for who I am and not who my mom wants me to be or who society says I should be.
You sound very positive, Mr. Sixx.
I am! I'm ridiculously infectious. I'm an infection you don't need a shot for, at least not on the first date.
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I love this interview and his attitude towards life. Good luck and God bless you Mr. Sixx
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Refreshing!!!!
SIXX
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so surprise
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God I wanted to marry this man 25 years ago! Glad to see his is so grounded!
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I'm not talking personally but when I've had dealings with musicians I find them on about a 3rd grade level. Music, reading music all must have some type of brainwashing effect. I've never been in a "successful" band and I've usually ended up having a physical confrontation because they are so immature.
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Love Nikki's attitude and out look on life.. Yes he is a blessed man.Funny how we get older we get wiser and appreciate things so much more.. Keep living your dream Nikki, and mine!!))!!!!
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personally, he sounds to me like a tool who needs to take his own medicine.
touting "Higher Power" as inspiration for a photography book--essentially about nothing. C'mon. "I don't take pictures for shock value"? -or- "whats in or out?" You sure, pal? You sure you don't want to be like everyone else (who are like you?)?
Are people so naive to buy this crap? Refreshing would be a celeb or "personality" say what they mean and act in harmony. Being about their message.
if he really wanted to be "different" maybe a different medium other than photography...any dolt can pick up an expensive camera someone pawned off on them and snap some shots of poverty and -gasp- Kat Von D.
gimme a break.
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(Shhh! We're supposed to always suspend disbelief and skepticism when Yahweh might be the topic!)
;)
God? I'm not surprised. All AA does is replace one harmful addiction with another in weak minds.
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Wow, good thing I didnt buy that logic or I would've been dead 14 years ago. The uninformed are also entitled to their opinions. Generally addicts in denial share your opinion. Good luck with that.
I'm sorry, Linda, you don't trust yourself or your own strengths to work through them on your own and with the support of loved ones--instead of filling your head with mumbo-jumbu. There are recovery programs that don't bleed the breaks and replace the lines with water.
But the truth is, all you did was replace one addiction with another.
I can't seem to get my post to show up. Maybe if I drink uncontrollably and then give my power over to an imaginary friend in all my helplessness, it will show up.
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You seem extremely angry, cynical and negative. I feel sorry for you.
As I told the other person showing projection: I'm only as angry, unhappy and miserable as you are automatically wanting to see those tings.
In other words, it's you projecting.
:)
It's funny how pious people are so always willing to use such subjective terms to shame others. It's as if those things are bubbling beneath their own surfaces. Heh.
"OMG! ATHEISTS ARE SO ANGRY AND BITTER! GRRR!"
lol
Such super-fast results. I guess this means I have to believe in God now. Although I would have to question his vane priorities considering the nuclear disaster in Japan.
In any case... bottoms up!
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You sound like a very unhappy, miserable person. Why not be happy
for someone who is trying to make his life better??
I sound only as you are reading from your perspective. ;)
What part of 'anonymous' does this idiot not understand?
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I totally agree....maybe Nikki S. isn't familiar with the Traditions of A.A. especially # 11.