Sixx:A.M.
Encyclopedia
Sixx:A.M. is a hard rock
band from Los Angeles
, California
, formed in 2007 by Nikki Sixx
, DJ Ashba
, and James Michael
, and is the side project of Sixx, who is also the bass guitar
ist for Mötley Crüe
. The group is best known for their songs "Life Is Beautiful" and "Lies of the Beautiful People
". The name Sixx:A.M. is a combination of all of the members' last names (Sixx, Ashba, Michael).
Sixx:A.M. released their debut album The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack in 2007 and their second album This Is Gonna Hurt
in 2011, and their debut EP; Live Is Beautiful
in 2008. .
.
The band made their live debut at Crash Mansion on July 16, 2007. They performed five songs from the album, The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack. The album had no drummer, because lead singer/rhythm guitarist James Michael
programmed all the drums. Due to this, there was some curiosity as to who would be playing drums for them live. Former Beautiful Creatures
drummer Glen Sobel ended up playing on tour with the band.
On October 25, 2007, Sixx:A.M. played another show opening for Korn
. At the time of this show Glen Sobel was on tour drumming with Elliott Yamin
.
Originally the group stated they had no intention of touring. After constant support for the band and interest in a tour, they held a nationwide vote for tour dates. The tour was scheduled to start in spring 2008, but had been postponed to the summer due to unforeseeable circumstances.
On April 15, 2008, Sixx:A.M. announced they would be touring as part of Mötley Crüe
's Crüe Fest
, along with Buckcherry
, Papa Roach
and Trapt
. The tour began on July 1, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Florida
. During Crüe Fest, Papa Roach drummer Tony Palermo
served as a touring drummer for the band. A deluxe tour edition of The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack was released on November 25, 2008, which included a bonus live EP entitled Live Is Beautiful
which features recorded performances from the band's summer tour.
In April 2009, both James Michael and Sixx confirmed that the band is currently in the studio, recording new material. Sixx added that the new material is "inspiring. it feels like we may have topped ourselves on this album coming up, and can't wait for you to hear what it sounds like." He also revealed that the new album, like the first, would be a concept album
, but refused to reveal more details about the concept. He also added that a "surprise", possibly a new song, might be coming soon, and that the album would probably be ready in mid/late 2010.
On February 19, 2010, Sixx has revealed that the band is currently in the studio recording the new album, with some guitar tracks by Ashba already laid down, with bass still left to record. Nikki has also said that there is over two albums worth of material written, but like with the first album, it will probably end up being a single album, with the best songs chosen so it won't have fillers.
On May 27, 2010, Nikki has revealed he recorded all bass tracks for the upcoming album with him and James Michael
now finishing reworking the lyrics before Michael will start recording final vocals. Nikki has also said that music video director Paul R. Brown
is currently writing the video treatment for the upcoming video for the first single to be released from the album, which is due out in early 2011. On July 23, 2010, Nikki has confirmed that the new album is now finished.
On September 4, 2010, it was announced that Sixx will be releasing a new book, entitled This Is Gonna Hurt, which would be accompanied by an album by Sixx:A.M. Some of the songs on the upcoming album were inspired by the author's photographs, others inspired photographs of their own, as the book is part photo, part journal. The HarperCollins
imprint William Morrow and Company
has then announced the new book will be released on March 22, 2011, accompanied by the album on the same day. On December 7, 2010, the band uploaded a video preview for the new album on their official website, stating that it's coming in April 2011, and though denying the March 22 date. On January 3, 2011, another video preview by the band has confirmed that the book would be released on April 12, 2011, with the album soon following on May 10, 2011, which was confirmed by Nikki Sixx. The lead single "Lies of the Beautiful People" was released on February 25, 2011. On February 15, 2011, Nikki Sixx announced through his Twitter
and Facebook
accounts that the music video for "Lies of the Beautiful People
" would premiere on his radio show Sixx Sense' website on February 16, 2011. Nikki also announced that due to fan demand, the album's release date was moved up to May 3, 2011.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, formed in 2007 by Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer, best known as the co-founder and bassist of the band Mötley Crüe. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister band mate Lizzie Grey...
, DJ Ashba
DJ Ashba
Daren Jay "DJ" Ashba is an American musician, producer, songwriter and CEO of Ashba Media. He is the lead guitarist in Guns N' Roses and Sixx:A.M. He is also known for his work with hard rock bands BulletBoys and Beautiful Creatures...
, and James Michael
James Michael
James Andrew Michael is an American record producer, songwriter, engineer, mixer, vocalist and musician. He is currently the lead singer of the rock band Sixx:A.M.-Early life:...
, and is the side project of Sixx, who is also the bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist for Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
. The group is best known for their songs "Life Is Beautiful" and "Lies of the Beautiful People
Lies of the Beautiful People
"Lies of the Beautiful People" is the first single from Sixx:A.M.'s second studio album This Is Gonna Hurt, released on March 1, 2011. -Release:...
". The name Sixx:A.M. is a combination of all of the members' last names (Sixx, Ashba, Michael).
Sixx:A.M. released their debut album The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack in 2007 and their second album This Is Gonna Hurt
This Is Gonna Hurt
This Is Gonna Hurt is the second studio album by Sixx:A.M., a side project of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, released on May 3, 2011. The band also features lead vocalist James Michael and current Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba....
in 2011, and their debut EP; Live Is Beautiful
Live Is Beautiful
Live Is Beautiful is a live EP by Sixx:A.M., side project of Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, released both with the deluxe edition of The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack and separately, on November 25, 2008...
in 2008. .
Formation and The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack: 2007-2008
The band released The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack in 2007, which is based upon Sixx's autobiography, The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock StarThe Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star
The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star is a book co-written by Nikki Sixx, bassist of the rock band Mötley Crüe, and Ian Gittins. Additional reflections on the period from Sixx and others are interspersed throughout the book. The book also includes many black-and-white...
.
The band made their live debut at Crash Mansion on July 16, 2007. They performed five songs from the album, The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack. The album had no drummer, because lead singer/rhythm guitarist James Michael
James Michael
James Andrew Michael is an American record producer, songwriter, engineer, mixer, vocalist and musician. He is currently the lead singer of the rock band Sixx:A.M.-Early life:...
programmed all the drums. Due to this, there was some curiosity as to who would be playing drums for them live. Former Beautiful Creatures
Beautiful Creatures (band)
Beautiful Creatures are a hard rock band formed in 1999 by guitarist DJ Ashba, formerly of BulletBoys, and singer Joe Lesté of Bang Tango. The group's current lineup is composed of Lesté , Delta Starr , Anthony Focx , Lance Eric and Justin Sandler...
drummer Glen Sobel ended up playing on tour with the band.
On October 25, 2007, Sixx:A.M. played another show opening for Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
. At the time of this show Glen Sobel was on tour drumming with Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin , born Efraym Elliott Yamin, is an American singer known for his hit single "Wait for You" and placing third on the fifth season of American Idol....
.
Originally the group stated they had no intention of touring. After constant support for the band and interest in a tour, they held a nationwide vote for tour dates. The tour was scheduled to start in spring 2008, but had been postponed to the summer due to unforeseeable circumstances.
On April 15, 2008, Sixx:A.M. announced they would be touring as part of Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
's Crüe Fest
Crüe Fest
Crüe Fest was a summer 2008 tour by Mötley Crüe, which commenced on July 1, 2008 and concluded on August 31, 2008. It featured Mötley Crüe themselves, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M., and Trapt. Crüe Fest was said to be "the Loudest Show on Earth"...
, along with Buckcherry
Buckcherry
Buckcherry is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1995. The band released two albums, Buckcherry and Time Bomb , before partially dissolving in the summer of 2002. In 2005, lead vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson reformed Buckcherry and released a new album...
, Papa Roach
Papa Roach
Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California. Their first major-label release was the triple-platinum album Infest . The group's success continued with their gold album Lovehatetragedy , their platinum album Getting Away with Murder , The Paramour Sessions , and Metamorphosis...
and Trapt
Trapt
Trapt is an American rock band that formed in Los Gatos, California in August 1997. The group is composed of lead singer Chris Taylor Brown, lead guitarist Robb Torres, bass guitarist Peter Charell, and drummer Aaron "Monty" Montgomery...
. The tour began on July 1, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
. During Crüe Fest, Papa Roach drummer Tony Palermo
Tony Palermo
Anthony "Tony" Joseph Palermo is the current drummer of Californian rock band Papa Roach and punk rock band Pulley and is the former drummer of the band Unwritten Law, and was also a touring drummer for Sixx:A.M. in summer 2008....
served as a touring drummer for the band. A deluxe tour edition of The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack was released on November 25, 2008, which included a bonus live EP entitled Live Is Beautiful
Live Is Beautiful
Live Is Beautiful is a live EP by Sixx:A.M., side project of Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, released both with the deluxe edition of The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack and separately, on November 25, 2008...
which features recorded performances from the band's summer tour.
This Is Gonna Hurt: 2009-present
Sixx confirmed the work on a follow-up album to The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack in late 2008, after rumors that the band began writing for their second studio album, during the tour in the summer of 2008.In April 2009, both James Michael and Sixx confirmed that the band is currently in the studio, recording new material. Sixx added that the new material is "inspiring. it feels like we may have topped ourselves on this album coming up, and can't wait for you to hear what it sounds like." He also revealed that the new album, like the first, would be a concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
, but refused to reveal more details about the concept. He also added that a "surprise", possibly a new song, might be coming soon, and that the album would probably be ready in mid/late 2010.
On February 19, 2010, Sixx has revealed that the band is currently in the studio recording the new album, with some guitar tracks by Ashba already laid down, with bass still left to record. Nikki has also said that there is over two albums worth of material written, but like with the first album, it will probably end up being a single album, with the best songs chosen so it won't have fillers.
On May 27, 2010, Nikki has revealed he recorded all bass tracks for the upcoming album with him and James Michael
James Michael
James Andrew Michael is an American record producer, songwriter, engineer, mixer, vocalist and musician. He is currently the lead singer of the rock band Sixx:A.M.-Early life:...
now finishing reworking the lyrics before Michael will start recording final vocals. Nikki has also said that music video director Paul R. Brown
P. R. Brown
Paul R. Brown is a graphic designer, photographer, and music video director.In 1996 he founded Bau-da Design Lab, which currently operates out of Los Angeles and New York. P.R. Brown is well-known for his album designs for musicians such as Mötley Crüe, Korn, Godsmack, and early in his career he...
is currently writing the video treatment for the upcoming video for the first single to be released from the album, which is due out in early 2011. On July 23, 2010, Nikki has confirmed that the new album is now finished.
On September 4, 2010, it was announced that Sixx will be releasing a new book, entitled This Is Gonna Hurt, which would be accompanied by an album by Sixx:A.M. Some of the songs on the upcoming album were inspired by the author's photographs, others inspired photographs of their own, as the book is part photo, part journal. The HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
imprint William Morrow and Company
William Morrow and Company
William Morrow and Company is an American publishing company founded by William Morrow in 1926. The company was acquired by Scott Foresman in 1967, and sold to Hearst Corporation in 1981. It was sold along to the News Corporation in 1999...
has then announced the new book will be released on March 22, 2011, accompanied by the album on the same day. On December 7, 2010, the band uploaded a video preview for the new album on their official website, stating that it's coming in April 2011, and though denying the March 22 date. On January 3, 2011, another video preview by the band has confirmed that the book would be released on April 12, 2011, with the album soon following on May 10, 2011, which was confirmed by Nikki Sixx. The lead single "Lies of the Beautiful People" was released on February 25, 2011. On February 15, 2011, Nikki Sixx announced through his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
and Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
accounts that the music video for "Lies of the Beautiful People
Lies of the Beautiful People
"Lies of the Beautiful People" is the first single from Sixx:A.M.'s second studio album This Is Gonna Hurt, released on March 1, 2011. -Release:...
" would premiere on his radio show Sixx Sense' website on February 16, 2011. Nikki also announced that due to fan demand, the album's release date was moved up to May 3, 2011.
Current members
- James MichaelJames MichaelJames Andrew Michael is an American record producer, songwriter, engineer, mixer, vocalist and musician. He is currently the lead singer of the rock band Sixx:A.M.-Early life:...
– lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, drum programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
(2007–present) - DJ AshbaDJ AshbaDaren Jay "DJ" Ashba is an American musician, producer, songwriter and CEO of Ashba Media. He is the lead guitarist in Guns N' Roses and Sixx:A.M. He is also known for his work with hard rock bands BulletBoys and Beautiful Creatures...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(2007–present) - Nikki SixxNikki SixxNikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer, best known as the co-founder and bassist of the band Mötley Crüe. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister band mate Lizzie Grey...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (2007–present)
Former touring members
- Tony PalermoTony PalermoAnthony "Tony" Joseph Palermo is the current drummer of Californian rock band Papa Roach and punk rock band Pulley and is the former drummer of the band Unwritten Law, and was also a touring drummer for Sixx:A.M. in summer 2008....
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
(2008) - Glen Sobel – drums, percussion (2007)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
CAN Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
||
| 2007 | The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack
|
62 | 54 | 70 |
| 2011 | This Is Gonna Hurt This Is Gonna Hurt This Is Gonna Hurt is the second studio album by Sixx:A.M., a side project of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, released on May 3, 2011. The band also features lead vocalist James Michael and current Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba.... Eleven seven music Eleven Seven Music is a record label founded by Allen Kovac, who is the CEO of 10th Street Entertainment.Eleven Seven has recently enjoyed success with the rejuvenated Buckcherry, whose label debut has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe and Sixx:A.M... |
10 | 14 | 60 |
EPs
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Live Is Beautiful Live Is Beautiful Live Is Beautiful is a live EP by Sixx:A.M., side project of Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, released both with the deluxe edition of The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack and separately, on November 25, 2008...
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Certification | Album | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Main. |
US Alt. |
CAN Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
CAN Rock Canadian rock/alternative chart The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie... |
CAN Alt Canadian rock/alternative chart The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie... |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
UK Rock Rock Songs Rock Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks the airplay of songs on alternative, mainstream rock and triple A radio stations. The first chart was published in the issue dated June 20, 2009. "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day was the first number-one song. The Rock Songs... |
||||
| 2007 | "Life Is Beautiful" | 104 | 2 | 25 | 72 | — | — | 58 | 3 | Gold | The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack |
| 2008 | "Pray for Me Pray For Me (Sixx:A.M. song) "Pray for Me" is the second single by Los Angeles-based hard rock band Sixx:A.M.. It reached #29 on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, not quite matching the #2 success of the previous single, "Life Is Beautiful".-Track listing:... " |
— | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Tomorrow Tomorrow (Sixx:A.M. song) "Tomorrow" is the third single by Los Angeles-based hard rock band Sixx:A.M.. It reached #33 on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, not quite matching the #29 success of the previous single, "Pray for Me".... " |
— | 33 | — | 76 | — | — | 70 | 15 | |||
| "Accidents Can Happen Accidents can Happen (song) "Accidents Can Happen" is the fourth single by Los Angeles-based hard rock band Sixx:A.M..-Song Meaning:According to The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, this song is about when Nikki Sixx starts to use heroin, however it's a failure according to reach the target but it... " |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2011 | "Lies of the Beautiful People Lies of the Beautiful People "Lies of the Beautiful People" is the first single from Sixx:A.M.'s second studio album This Is Gonna Hurt, released on March 1, 2011. -Release:... " |
102 | 1 | 31 | — | 3 | 38 | — | — | This Is Gonna Hurt This Is Gonna Hurt This Is Gonna Hurt is the second studio album by Sixx:A.M., a side project of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, released on May 3, 2011. The band also features lead vocalist James Michael and current Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba.... |
|
| "This Is Gonna Hurt" | — | 9 | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | |||
| "Skin" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
Video albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Crüe Fest Crüe Fest Crüe Fest was a summer 2008 tour by Mötley Crüe, which commenced on July 1, 2008 and concluded on August 31, 2008. It featured Mötley Crüe themselves, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M., and Trapt. Crüe Fest was said to be "the Loudest Show on Earth"...
|