MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx addressed the alleged use of pre-recorded tapes while responding to a fan during a question-and-answer session on X (formerly Twitter). Shutting down claims that he and his bandmates don’t perform live during their concerts.
“Since we saw QUEEN using some to help during the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ live, we understood that we could bring in elements that we could not do live like orchestras, saxophones, etc., etc. and sync them up with what we are playing and we do play 100% live. And it’s better for the fans and we enjoy being able to do what we did in the Studio live. It’s a win-win for us,” Sixx’s response to being asked why MÖTLEY CRÜE uses backing tracks.
Sixx has admitted that Mötley Crüe have embraced the use of backing tracks during their shows, but promises they still play all their own instruments live. A 2022 performance seemed to suggest that Tommy Lee wasn’t playing his drum parts. Fans had noted discrepancies between his movements and what came out of the PA. The glam metal veterans have faced numerous allegations of using tapes during their gigs in the past. In the most serious instance, former guitarist Mick Mars once accused them of miming on stage.
“Listen, there’s backups [backing vocals] that are on track. Of course, there’s backups pumped in, there’s sirens pumped in, there is intros pumped in, but all the music that we’re playing is being performed by us. And I’m up there singing backups, and Nikki’s singing backups, and we do our best, and it’s probably… I’m not a singer. I’ve played with some of the greatest singers in the world, but I’m doing my best with backups. But, yeah, we play all of that stuff, and I’m proud of that. I’m proud of that. And everybody just works really hard,” said MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist John 5 in a May 2026 interview with the Thinking About Guitar podcast.
Backing tracks with live performances are a sensitive subject, and many bands have been accused of ‘faking’ their shows before now. It’s often a delicate balancing act for artists to tread. Fans don’t want to buy expensive tickets to see musicians miming, but there are instances where those extra tracks are accepted.
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