Can Nikki Sixx actually play bass?!

[@rhino_2165]

He’s alright, there’s nothing impressive about his playing but he’s no Sid Vicious

[@johnwilkerson1535]

You sir win the internet today

[@snoopdoge4462]

as if sid could play

[@jacqueline1598]

​@@johnwilkerson1535🎯!!

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

Exactly

[@wilddogwatching6457]

​@snoopdoge4462 that's the joke

[@Grung20]

ALICE IN CHAINS BASS TONE

[@wormpalace]

Mike Starr used a Spector NS-2 with Haz preamp into an Ampeg SVT-II, bass at 12 or 1 o’clock with treble a little bit higher Start with your bridge pickup and blend in your neck pickup til you get the growl you want Pluck close to the bridge for that classic Dirt and Facelift tone

[@samouellette5130]

@@wormpalacecan’t forget Inez

[@austinkirton7889]

I SECOND THIS!!!!!

[@Wyatt42069]

spector, ampeg, gain

[@tdenell]

What!? AIC was at least 10 years away from Niki’s base lines and tone; What?!

[@jesussotelo4775]

Nikki Sixx can actually play, however his bass lines are simple and serve the songs well.

[@Hels_vessel]

Honestly, it's always the overly simple basslines that always ended up sounding amazing or end up being super memorable for the band. Kinda cool tbh.

[@owenjohnson469]

That’s actually the same deal with Mick Mars. Of the guitarist Crue auditioned he wasn’t the most technically sound, and his solos especially for the time are simple. But it fits the sound of the band and that’s all that matters.

[@manchesterunitedno7]

He is as good as Lars behind his drumset. It's serviceable.

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

My understanding was that he used to be kind of OK when sober, but terrible otherwise. And spent more time in a condition of "otherwise" than not. When he started to get his shit in order, he got a lot more reliable, which meant the material worked better.

[@gus4u2c]

For band that was also heavily influenced by Punk music as well as Heavy Metal, his playing fits fine

[@jpettltd]

I like simple bass solo's like that

[@orsimerband1132]

Gene Simmons vibes

[@panda_knight5037]

Absolutely

[@devinthierault]

​@@orsimerband1132at least gene Simmons is competent

[@kamil_jaro]

You can like but you can’t love it. Imagine how good it could be if he would spend some time learning stuff than drinking or injecting

[@SuperMegaGaelourde]

Hey at least it looks like he's trying to mute some strings. Idk, I feel like the bass can take a simple riff and make it sound great. Jazz, punk, funk, blues, rock, all of em have simple yet awesome sounding riffs. They all have complex riffs too, but if you can learn the technique to stay in time and keep the notes polished, there's a HUGE difference between a new and experienced bassist playing the same basic riff.

[@robblestrange644]

He can, he's just always been a songwriter first. That's really his role in all the bands he's been in. He might not be the most technically proficient, but like.....Sixx AM is a thing, and the bass lines are way more technical than Crüe, with the production value for their shows being WAY less than Crüe, meaning he would've been MAD caught if he tried to fake his playing there.

[@bassguitarislife3419]

I like Sixx AM. 👍

[@martyblackmore]

Sixx am is good. Robble knows….

[@tannersmith2547]

He’s actually the reason I started playing rather than just dreaming of being Steve Harris. I saw the way he plays as an easy way to get into it. And it was, and he’s written plenty of great bass lines, whether people believe he actually plays them or not. He’s a hero in my eyes

[@autojohn-pu1vf]

I got profiecent with the 3 finger dom,da,dom picking doing the TROOPER.. best base line in the history of rock

[@johnwilkerson1535]

@@autojohn-pu1vf He actually only uses two fingers. Yeah, I thought it was three also

[@autojohn-pu1vf]

yeah i know, i have to use 3 to get the correct rhythm @@johnwilkerson1535

[@matthews1todd]

I’m not a Crue fan but I was under the impression he wrote all the songs.

[@BrianNatonski-wt3mv]

Yep

[@josepablodeleon6073]

He was kind of the main creative force of the band as a songwriter/lyricist.

[@BillBlazejowski]

Sort of, Mick Mars would write riffs over the bass parts and vocal melodies Nikki would come up with.

[@Jayhawk9]

Yea he’s a great songwriter and thanks for mentioning that

[@hootie297]

​@@BillBlazejowski he came up with most of early riffs. Micked just played the shit out of them

[@86gotham]

Well. Nikki Sixx may not be a great bass player but one needs to know that he is the main songwriter of almost all the chart topping songs of Motley Crue.

[@ihrampur]

Can we get a video about Dee Murray, Elton John's bassist? His bass lines, especially the ones in Honky Chateau are pretty nice.

[@jacqueline1598]

👍👍

[@JMGilberto]

11/17/70 Live Power Trio gig, NYC; Phil Ramone at the desk. Peak Dee.

[@paulvigliotti444]

W

[@bthonk]

i love i think im going to kill myself and the bass carries thatvsong

[@ihrampur]

@@bthonk yes, Susie (Dramas) is also really good

[@matthewsolina4920]

Check out the bass on Queensrÿche’s “Jet City Woman”. Killer sound, great song.

[@hvymtlpoet]

He’s a pocket player. I’m betting the band is playing to backing tracks.

[@kamil_jaro]

maybe today, but not back then

[@shanemiller6982]

Henanpocket pool player.

[@ejsinner1520]

Captain obvious 😂

[@kanedgytheguy8105]

Pocket is about the last thing I would call him

[@joehopkins6724]

I was at the stadium tour in Chicago and you could definitely tell that Vince Neil was at least not singing you could watch the big teletron and him coming walking down the stage and it was totally wrong they definitely we're not playing what they we're supposed to it was backing track and a backing video

[@lukaszespychowa5763]

Note that there are many bands where the musicians have stopped developing, but this does not mean that they are bad, they do their job persistently and reliably and that is why the band continues

[@solkvist8668]

I feel like people forget that many people simply learn to the level they need to express themselves and are content there. If all you need is some basic chords on a guitar and a mic, it’s fine to stop there. You don’t need to learn shredding if it does nothing for your sound you know? Same as a jazz bass player not learning slap. Like if they are going into fusion or funk it might be helpful to have, but otherwise it’s just a gimmick they won’t use realistically.

[@justindavis3477]

Id say "Steve Miller Band" sums this up? Love em ❤ But did his creativity dry up or did he just decide to not work so hard🤷‍♂️

[@thesystima]

They played Copenhell last summer. At one time he adjusted his jacket with one hand, while the bass just continued to hammer on. This was naturally caught on camera so everybody looking at the big screens either side of the stage had a good laugh about it. So definitely uses playback, buy make of it what you will.

[@NoseCandyKermit]

Up next: Can Vince sing? Could he ever sing?

[@ChettleRanderson2006]

The answer will surprise you! … It’s no, no he cant and could not

[@malakisands8180]

1980’s Motley Crue was the best it would ever be

[@NoseCandyKermit]

@@malakisands8180 They only have maybe 6 songs and a few half decent ones. Dr Feelgood, Shout at the Devil Home Sweet home, Wild Side same old situation, and looks that kill.

[@SamAlexKelly]

​@@ChettleRanderson2006That one didn't surprise me xD

[@klauswigsmith]

In the early to mid 80s Vince actually had a good set of pipes. Now, not so much, but when he was younger he could sing quite well.

[@The_Mimewar]

I’m only 45 right, but I can FEEL stiffness in my wrist and knuckles before I warm up and practice a few minutes, so Nikki being 20 years older than me, I’d imagine the old fingers don’t move like they used to

[@benjaminwright-rj9xc]

I think you're correct about a lot of older musicians as being in this category. I wouldn't have a problem with it if they'd be honest about what's going on. For example, "I have arthritis in my hand so for portions of the show ....".

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Stopped playing years ago but my hands hurt from lifting weights . And I mean my fingers. So at 57 myself I see it

[@jamesmurphy9630]

One of the bass solos of all time

[@TheOnlyHollywood1]

He might not be the best bass player but he's definitely one of the best songwriters of all time. I mean how many bands can you name where one guy came up with all of their songs?

[@mathewiamele3730]

I've heard stories of how Nikki was pumping his fist in the air at a concert while his bass was still playing, the drums were playing while nobody was behind the drum set and Vince was singing without moving his lips. Obviously they used backing tracks for that. Mick Mars is reportedly the only one who's never done that, 'cause he's the real deal.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Sure you have..

[@noahlapointe5233]

can you please do Troy Sanders bass tone

[@wghd6782]

Was gonna ask that as well

[@gianmarcodacol1820]

His tone in the 1994 album is sick

[@AlexCorvinius]

Yes but it was carol kay playing bass on the album

[@bedarosman1108]

day 36 of asking for Necrobutcher of Mayhem's BEHS tone!

[@brookinghouseof9457]

Fart in a D.I.

[@grungyc]

I'd rather have him in a band than Sid Vicious, at least...

[@xwhite2020]

Well yeah because Sid is a corpse. Corpses can't play. Not even on Halloween.

[@Grnfinger]

@@xwhite2020😊😊

[@m1ke176]

His bass "solo" of the four notes he knows 😂

[@AH-pu8iu]

Yeah that was wack

[@bits-of-bass]

Funny... I thought it was five notes, so I listened again after reading your comment, and you're 100% correct. It's four notes. Sigh.

[@andrewleach1667]

​@chip.trowbridge I think he bent one of them, we can call it 4.5

[@bits-of-bass]

@@andrewleach1667 OMG... too funny. You made me watch that again, and you're right too! 🤣🤣🤣

[@tanker335]

He borrowed one from Mick so he's back to three now.

[@rikkifknrobin]

He can, he just prefers not to anymore

[@davidarbogast37]

The same goes with Vince Neil's singing 😂

[@krovian990]

Danny, can you please do Robert Trujillo's bass tone?

[@Eriknorth87]

I’d love a video on Matt Freeman. Underrated bass player

[@nickvickers3486]

I was playing my cd of ...And Out Come the Wolves just the other day - great call!

[@michaelcorrigan6577]

I've never given it much thought. After this video I would say Nikki vanilli is definitely a solid level 1 player out of a scale from 1-10. 10 being the highest

[@CassSheldonMisri]

I think it’s kinda cool that the dr feel good and feel good inc bass lines are really similar in pattern

[@neongloom4570]

He has some pretty solid lines on Too Fast For Love. It seemed like he put less effort into crafting solid lines in following releases.

[@crosslink1493]

Before his days in Motely Crue I remember him playing around Los Angeles in a surf-rock band called Jon and the Nightriders. Surf music has pretty noticeable bass lines underpinning the guitar shreds, so I'd say he does better than average (at least).

[@jackdempsey9644]

Not really, but he could write big pop songs and Crue isn’t a bass driven band. Hes no Jaco but he can play 8th notes with a pick like any other 12 year old. Mick was the Crues musician

[@scottbubb2946]

I don't know about later in his live shows, but, back when I saw them for the first time (I hadn't heard of them yet), what I noticed about the whole band was that they put on a high-energy live show. None of them were super fantastic players, but they wrote some catchy songs. It seemed to me that he focused more on "putting on a show" than playing impressively. I don't mean that in a bad way. He was a solid bass player, but kept it simple so he could run around on stage. For their target audience, I think it worked. At that time it was more important to look good than sound good.

[@jokerzwild00]

I've seen Sixx:AM play live from the front row in a small venue, and as someone who is a decently proficient bass player i can tell you that he was definitely playing the instrument and the songs seemed more technical in that area than any of Cruë's stuff. I was actually a little bit impressed, though i probably shouldn't be as he's had many years, concert experience and studio time to become a good player. So yeah, in my own experience and from what I've seen, the guy can play behs.

[@GuyXVIII]

Hiring session musicians for the studio is waaaaay more common than you'd think, as labels want to minimize costs, and studio time is expensive, so if a session would finish the job in less time, well... Also backing tracks are super common today with how easy is to pull off. So actually when musicians frick up on stage, you know they give you more of themselves 😊

[@anthonyrita4366]

I think he did years ago before they could afford backing tracks. Now he is a showman

[@mattuw82]

Wow! That was amazing!! Truly a legend!

[@DustinDollinsShinBone]

People don't seem to understand just how awesome he is. Sure, he is no Jaco. But he has written some really memorable songs for sure.

[@solkvist8668]

Seems like he can play bass okay, like many rock bands. Wouldn’t shock me in later years if they did backing tracks or something on tour to ease up the stress of tour though. Touring is brutal on the body and mind.

[@nikkisixx569]

You all are the damn best. I'm honored to have the kind of support that you show me, thank you. How are you doing it is nice meeting you here btw

[@moodle9543]

I love him too much to say he’s mid

[@AcesMacRae]

Danny, how about doing a spot on Kim Gordon, the bass goddess from Sonic Youth? Keep up the great work!

[@user-qm7ey9tn8t]

he’s essentially in two places at once, sixx squared , what a badass \m/

[@motleydude73]

He's perfectly adequate. Been playing for over 40 years. May have gotten lazy these days but yes he can play just fine.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

I saw them live twice . He didn't have backing tracks they didn't have that available then so yeah, he can. Not a bass player myself but I've played guitar. So yeah , he's not fake

[@kipholscher1812]

He's not a shredder, but doesn't need to be. His playing serves the song.

[@protrainingtips]

I believe it was stated somewhere he was pretty awful during the Too Fast for Love era, but ended up taking lessons to learn the bass. Still simple lines, but they work.

[@AACB_Empire]

speaking of Nikki, could you do a video about his bass tone pls?

[@hishamhilal8332]

He played on the records and live in the old days like that clip. But recently yes I do believe it is backing tracks.

[@lawncuttingplusdelta]

Well said

[@burtreynolds2969]

Check out the isolated bass from "Kick start my heart" it will tell you a lot. Lol!

[@xx7secondsxx]

Yea he can play bass. Hes no Matt Freeman but hes standard for an 80's metal band bassist! Mars and T-bone were the real musicians of the Crüe

[@WilDBeestMF]

Spector makes pretty freakin amazing versions of the Tbird. The end clip is typical of the sound. Sure, Nikki aint playing anything too special, but the tone is to die for.

[@cplineberger]

The solo is actually pretty cool.

[@SonicPVC]

Nikki Sixx is a beast

[@gabrilepaparo9655]

Can you do a Nikki Sixx behs tone please❤

[@chuckfowler8875]

The reason there is videos of him not playing live are because there from the last couple of years that there 100% playing to a backing track cause Vince can't sing anymore plain and simple!!! As far as if Nikki can really plY it is a yes years back he must have gotten tired of peaple saying he's not playing he actually went and really learned how to play the bass!!!!

[@rikcleary1680]

I saw him frim the 3rd row on the "Girls Girls Girls" tour...saw his "solo" which consisted of him rolling down a ramp with distortion hard making banging noises...haven't believed he can llay ever since....

[@frankpfau9054]

i saw them 1984 opening for iron maiden… i had the impression nikki six was playing bass and taurus basspedal…

[@TheClownfight]

Note, Nikki six writes almost all of the songs, lyrics and everything. It is 100% his band. Basically the others are employees. Think very similar to steve Harris and iron maiden. Steve Harris IS iron maiden.

[@SLAYER.APO.VOLO.]

Been discussing this with a friend of mine. Sounds like Carol Kaye playing in the studio. But live it is most likely him

[@TheJimmyClip]

Someone else definitely tracked bass in shout at the devil. That is an off the record story going around Los Angeles over a decade ago. Same as Steve Lukather tracked the outro solo to Paradise City for guns and roses.

[@SLAYER.APO.VOLO.]

​@@TheJimmyClipDr. Feelgood also sounds like synth bass. Like Judas Priest's Painkiller bass track

[@nayr87]

Dr.Feelgood album was all John Webster Check out the isolated bass to Kickstarter My Hearter.

[@cmacdhon]

He can play every Motley Crew song. That's as good as he needs to be.

[@justink7620]

John Paul jones bass tone!

[@Billypeltier]

Bob Rock said he's the one playing bass on Dr Feelgood and not Nikki

[@lastrights23]

much like everyone else in crue (john 5 and mick mars excluded), nikki was able to play at one point. eventually he just got lazy and stopped caring, same as tommy lee and vince neil. i’m glad that john is still playing live and i’m glad mick did what he could

[@dominicsdenofhorrors]

THANK YOU FOR DOING A VIDEO ON NIKKI SIXX! CAN I PLEEEEEEEEASEEE HAVE THE BASS TONE day 91

[@AustinMello]

I'm just here for the "Behs." 'Nicholas Sicholas' had me rollin', too.

[@strummercash5601]

We can all play that bass solo with a week or day of practice. Go Nikki.

[@Tedanson]

bit suspicious that the producer that got a really nice bass sound out of them also plays bass in Bob Rock

[@Jayhawk9]

Bob plays a lot of instruments. That helps to be a better producer

[@Tschuschka_Ichwillitsch]

Day 51 of asking for Paul Gray’s behs tone and song Iowa

[@Kreviews710]

Bro I’m sorry but the bass in any slipknot album is just non existent in the mix😂

[@NIGHTWOLF-wu9on]

NIKKI can its just really simplistic bass playing

[@jjthomas9656]

Imo all 4 are pocket players,and thats what makes them sound appealing. But im just a drummer 😝

[@ILikeStyx]

That seems like a bass solo even I could play :P

[@jennybyford8071]

Could you rate Manny from Stone Roses please?

[@michaelhaydenbell]

Wow that "bass solo" completely swayed me, YOWZA!!!!!! Lol wtf

[@Odhil95]

He's alright as a bassist, better than when he started at least, nothing incredible really. He has been primarly a songwriter and a damn good one at that.

[@thirdlegstalliano]

Nikki Sixx is primarily a songwriter

[@zachconnacht6564]

mick mars has said that they use backing tracks (at least after the turn of the century i think)

[@SteveV74]

He can play, and simple as the lines may be there is no Motley without him, he wrote the hits.

[@stiffrichard2816]

It's strange, on the first record the bass on Public Enemy #1 sounded way beyond his abilities, his usual 8th-note thumping. He's probably been bass-synching live because he gets tired.

[@k3pamo]

its a classic simple and rythmic punk bass

[@ka-pop2243]

He's credited as the bass player on Alice Cooper's Feed My Frankenstein which has a nice, chunky, driving bass part - sort of similar to Dr. Feelgood.

[@markpalmer2451]

He may have played in the early years but it's been all backing tracks on stage for the last 2 decades

[@qiamdof]

say what you want but he is in one of three biggest band

[@tylerthompson1842]

He’s a very talented songwriter

[@gagecee5129]

I like how bass soundsd played without a pick.

[@garethmorgan3894]

He's the Sid Vicious of hair metal.

[@gonzalolopez237]

Robert Deleo bass tone please!

[@MyNameisMud595]

I only like the sixx name it's badass

[@FATHEROFALLWORMS]

Nikki Sixx plays on Dr. Feelgood on, Bob Rock confirmed. Hes decent. Its possible he stopped playing again since he didnt play to begin with.

[@guitarsbymetaljay]

He fills his role well but he's no Sid Vicious 😂

[@moresnqp]

DrFeelgood sounds like feelgood inc to me with that first bit lol fun coincidence

[@LDN76]

The biggest sid vicious fan ever

[@karlshuler1011]

I guess he plays it, nothing to brag about whatever he's doing. Him and Sid Vicious are about equal in talent.

[@aesthetic2876]

I mean, to say he’s a bassist for a living id expect him to know at least a little

[@jerryschwarz5464]

His bass lines are simple, but he can play. There are shows that give the impression he can't play...but he can at a decent level

[@evanalexander3243]

Nikki wrote half of the songs for Crue. He’s no Victor Wooten, but songwriting is more valuable of a skill than technical ability

[@carnivalbill]

Of course he can play a bass. That’s his durn job. He may not be the absolute best at it but he’s a professional musician. He can at least play enough to get the job done.

[@Jayhawk9]

Nikki can play. He’s got a few bass lines throughout the years that’s pretty cool. He’s no Billy Sheehan but he’s way better than Sid vicious

[@samevangelista6206]

Davie504 behs tone ❤. That would be great

[@andrewleach1667]

Gross

[@portshore8552]

The backing track thing is done a lot more often than people know. It’s pretty much standard for all big electronic music festivals to have all there acts just jump around there table and not actually play anything.

[@briansotobassist]

He can. Just nothing virtuoso but he can.