This JOHN 5/BACKING TRACKS Controversy May Have a TWIST!

[@dhokanson55]

I'm far more concerned with Vince Neil's terrible vocals.

[@DFlores2009]

vince meal*

[@Mognam]

@suspicionofdeceit 🤣

[@spod32827]

He sounds like a MacBeth witch. And looks like all three of them.

[@doctoribanez]

Guys old. Give him a break. If I were going to a show I'd rather see old crappy Vince than someone else . I guess.

[@friedrudibega6384]

Hi-Yah!

[@Meatball2022]

Fun fact. RUSH used to play to a click track. The click track was named Neil Peart…

[@maverick_trail]

You just brought a gun to a (butter) knife fight.

[@davethomas1641]

@@maverick_trail "But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off." ........

[@RIVURSTIX666]

Drum solo of life

[@nickmastro6870]

Rush actually did use some backing tracks/samples for keyboard sounds, which can be kinda excused, it was only when it was physically impossible for them to play. master musicians

[@mikeb.7183]

Actually they talk about using a click in the studio on a few tracks. They found it to sterile. As far as the samples, and sequence portions that they used in later years they would use on stage triggers over tracks running in the back ground. In other words just short maybe one bar long samples.

[@BillJones]

"Backing tracks at a mötley crüe concert" I'll take redundant terms for $400, Alex.

[@nickeiben4635]

Dimebag didnt use a backing track during solos live and it didnt suffer. It also showed how good Rex is holding the groove

[@metalpuppet5798]

It works in their context. It doesnt in many other contexts. It has nothing to do with skill

[@CorbCorbin]

Neither did Jimi Hendrix, and nearly 70 years of other rock guitarists.

[@elvisjsax]

Unpopular opinion but if Pantera had a backing guitar for the solos they would sound a lot better live I'm a fan of the band, Dime being one of my favorite guitar players

[@Madmetalmaniac42069]

@@elvisjsax I agree with this. They always sounded kind of thin live. Same reason that Zep tributes like Get The Led out have 2/3 guitar players - fills it out like the studio cuts.

[@jmacc9876]

Even on record for a lot of their stuff. The cool thing was the bass really pops out up front in the mix with no rhythm guitar, so even though it's a facemelting Dime solo it's also the part of the song where you can appreciate Rex' playing the most.

[@TribalGuitars]

I was not even 10 feet away from Nuno at a small club date and watched him play (not just chords, not just double-stops, PLAY! ) for 1-2 minutes while he got a drink of water and talked something over with the drummer for a while. I remember my guitarist and drummer friends and I looking at each other with our jaws on the floor saying "Holy shit!" over and over. This was for their "Waiting for the Punchline" tour.

[@Emolga2225]

he likes to yawn during the Play With Me solo

[@copperstaterocketguy1640]

Mattie Hoffman of Escape the Fate can do that too!! 👍👍... Nuno rocks!!!

[@Scott__C]

No one says when EVH played without backing tracks it sounded empty. If you want a second part, get someone onstage to play it. The click is done for everything but the music. Concerts should go back to being music first, lighting/show second.

[@redskullz1249]

I love me some Eddie Van Halen, but they literally had a guy playing keyboards hidden side stage or under the stage. VH was not above using some trickery to sound bigger when they wanted to.

[@georgeprice4212]

@@redskullz1249but, if I remember correctly, VH had said that they would use offstage keys or tapes.

[@redskullz1249]

@@georgeprice4212 That's exactly what Im saying. They had an keyboardist playing off stage. IMO thats just as tricky as using a click track.

[@brutalbasspro]

Bass player in a 3 piece here, when the guitar takes a solo i click on some extra gain/grit and its my solo too. Im not sure 2 guitars is always necessary.

[@PolarTrance]

Depends on the style whether it sounds fitting without the rhythm guitar. If the rhythm guitar does stuff that is more interesting than just the bassline with powerchords, chances are it's going to be very different sounding without the extra guitar. But play something like most modern metal and you're an idiot to not play the extra powerchords, you just castrated the entire solo, no matter how good it might be, the audience notices more the lack of power (a bass does not compensate enough), for the sake of being "more real" or whatever, which basically nobody actually cares about.

[@independentjames1]

Led Zep, Black Sabbath, Rush,,, Real musicians in real bands . The best only need one guitarist ( but Motley doesn’t havethe talent to pull it off

[@COwens]

Don't tell Eddie Trunk!

[@jeremysteffen7853]

As much as certain older musicians get flack for "not sounding like they used to" (especially singers) I appreciate the ones that still do it old skool. I think the click, and more to the point miming, is more for Nikki than anyone else in this band. "If you can't do it in blue jeans and a T-shirt under one light bulb, you can't do it." - David Lee Roth Oh, and John 5 definitely is playing. He could play these songs while playing other songs simultaneously. He's just that practiced.

[@fallenshallrise]

Totally agree. All these excuses that "it's better" when it really isn't. The lighting tech can trigger the cues for the lights, the sound engineer can press a button and trigger that siren at the board, the sound engineer knows when the guitar solo is coming and can push up the guitar level by 3 db. None of this requires backing tracks or playing to a click. I just don't think anyone is going to go back and watch these performances because there is no rawness or excitement. Everyone could storm off stage leaving only Tommy Lee there by himself and would the end of the song really sound any different? The bass, rhythm guitars, backing vocals, keyboards would all still be there.

[@mathgod]

Practiced? Dude is a god!

[@DamnedEyez]

Personally, I wish bands with only one guitarist wouldn't have the rhythm track behind the solo even on the album. Pantera did it on some of their songs and it sounded fine.

[@lovescarguitar]

Fact of the matter is, if you have it one way, but play it another way live, people will notice. For better or worse. So if a song has a rhythm guitar on the album in a certain part, then at least hire a rhythm guitarist while on tour.

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

@@lovescarguitar It depends on the song and the band. For a fair bit of Crue stuff, Nikki's bass could be lifted in the mix, or he could kick on a fuzz or something.

[@gumballthechewy]

Not having a rhythm track in the background makes the solo guitar pop more.

[@MrDaneBrammage]

As Rev. Horton Heat once said, "Yeah, the bottom drops out during the guitar solo. It's *supposed* to do that."

[@WednesdayAddams5150]

@@lovescarguitarthat’s what Green Day does

[@northernbrother1258]

The click track and ProTools grid killed rock's groove!

[@lMrFresno559l]

Crue has been using a backing guitar during leads since Mick. They did it with Mick too. This isnt a new thing since John 5.

[@naadde]

But Mick was honest about it. He hated it. He called it "Britney Spears"

[@Scott__C]

@VincentEllis-John8-12 Doesn't mean he liked it, just that he got out voted on it.

[@Busbybeats]

A bigger question is why is anybody still going to see Motley Crue concerts or watching them on youtube?

[@MNskins11]

👏👏👏

[@vaporman442]

There is a pretty easy way to know if they are using backing tracks. Just download the same song from two different shows. Then load the clips into video software that can sync multi-cam clips by analyzing the audio. If the waveforms match, the clips will synch-and you’ll know they used backing tracks. I did this several years ago with KISS. The songs sung by Paul synched right up. The songs sung by Gene did not. Eric singing Beth also did synch. This would not necessarily mean the whole song was pre-recorded. For instance, Eric might have actually been singing, but the piano might have been pre-recorded. As long as there is one consistent waveform that matches exactly, it will synch.

[@rodrigoaperales]

You should make some videos with this process, it would be very popular if u prove it 😎

[@georgeprice4212]

I’d like to point out that when The Who Did “Won’t Get Fooled Again” live, the tape with the keyboards also has an Acoustic Guitar as well. (As the tape is basically not only what’s on the album, but what’s on the album is from the original Demo version, which includes an overdubbed Acoustic Guitar!)

[@lutephilips5550]

I think the issue is past accusations of Vince not singing and of course history of Nikki Sixx not playing according to Bob Rock and others

[@Lance37a]

Ain't no way Nikki Sixx is playing the bass on any of their songs.

[@mikepalmer1971]

I am wondering how much he actually played on the albums as well to be honest.

[@philipkarovski281]

​@@mikepalmer1971 probably had ghost musicians playing

[@christopherewalker]

I don't even think he tries to pretend to play

[@stefanwikander1336]

Sixx is just a figure. He never played live nor in studio.

[@stefanwikander1336]

@@mikepalmer1971 you're correct. I know for a fact he does not play anything. Live or studio.

[@teresathomley3703]

I totally agree with you about the version without a rhythm guitar track. It sounds better. I've never been a big fan of overdubs.

[@jasondorsey7110]

Rush sounds big and they recorded live takes

[@JohnLampson]

I'm not bothered by flying in a backing track for this part to keep up the full sound. If it turns out he used a looper pedal to do this I doubt it would be as highly criticized.

[@V01D72]

I saw John 5 and backing track in the title and immediately was ready to defend John 5. But I see you really examined this closely so thanks for that :)

[@davidp7833]

John 5 knows the material inside and out. I have every confidence in him. I liked both versions of the solo, with or without rhythm guitar. It's a good solo

[@SFloyd794]

I'm old school...I want to hear Guitars, real amps, real bass amps, drums, and the singers voice,. (no auto tuning) LIVE concert music. Thank You for analysis. I feel you are correct.

[@jaycer71]

Having played this song 8 bazillion times, it was obvious that they have rhythm tracks going even when John is playing. It's not just him playing everything you hear. He missed those chords and you hear pick strikes not hammer ons. It's Motley Crue these days sadly. It's about the show more than the music.

[@travisspaulding2222]

You don't hear pick strikes, lol. If we were listing to the isolated guitar from the show, then you would be able to hear it, but to say that you hear pick strikes on that recording from a phone in the audience, with the drums, bass, and vocals all included, is just bias. You don't hear pick strikes. You just think you do. I'm not saying whether or not he's playing to a track, I'm just saying that there is no way to tell with 100% certainty that we are hearing the pick hit the strings.

[@Whateves73]

I don’t think they “bring in” rhythm guitar “when needed”. I think he IS playing, but along to a pre-recorded guitar track throughout the ENTIRE song. And I’m willing to bet that the pre-recorded guitar track is in the mix louder than the live one, until a lead is being played. Hammer ons don’t sound as loud or as strong as picking the strings. In this video, there is no difference in volume/power. The whole band is playing along to a recording.

[@codacreator6162]

The comment that there may be a guitarist off stage reminds me of a KISS show I was backstage at (Hot in the Shade Tour) where there was a keyboardist off stage behind Gene’s curtain who also sang backing vocals. I was his guest for the evening, so I was right there during virtually the entire show.

[@gfacedirty]

Hot in the Shade Tour ! That was the first concert I ever went to.... But it was to see the opening act Slaughter...! I of course knew how KISS was my older siblings had the older records.

[@harbosonius]

When Jerry Cantrell first started touring again after AIC broke up I remember he came to TX and the show was like half Jerry's solo stuff and half AIC songs and the dude that actually sings for AIC now was on that first tour and he was offstage basically out of the lights singing all of Layne's parts.

[@ColForbin613]

Is it possible John 5 is looping his rhythm part before the solo? since there's a click there would be no tempo drift.

[@whiskey11niner]

Yeah, as someone who’s played guitar on and off for 20 years. Whenever I first saw the video of him supposedly miming I immediately realized he was just playing with his fretting hand, I don’t have any problem with them using backing tracks for rhythm guitar in certain parts where there would be none otherwise, being just a single guitar band, my real problem with Mötley Crüe nowadays is Vince’s voice and how they tried to screw over Mick

[@turboteabag08]

Now I want a comedy “The Office” style show of a musician who performs behind the curtain during live shows 😂

[@rkchang77]

I don't think we need a mockumentary. I'm willing to bet there's enough material to fill a real documentary about this. Just ask any heavy rock band of the 80s/90s that had an unseen keyboardist. Hell, I'll bet Ozzy employed a good set of these musicians, including Robert Mason who sang as a behind-the-scenes backup singer for him.

[@turboteabag08]

@@rkchang77 watched a documentary about house bands that perform for A list musician’s…thought it was pretty cool Thou at least they got to perform in front of a crowd

[@rwieber79]

I agree with you 100%, I said the same thing as soon as I saw the video's. Not to mention there are video's from the last tour with Mick where someone got access to the actual click track and it did have some backup guitar and vocals in there as well some other sound effects. A lot of it came out when Mick sued the band after the Stadium tour.

[@HannahCope88]

🤘🏻🔥 Love this. Super interesting to hear about what could be going on here. I do prefer the old school way myself too 🙂. Podcast studio looks absolutely amazing! Really looking forward to the first podcast video in the new setup. Congrats on 888k Subscribers too!

[@mightyV444]

Lots of 8's around this comment! 😀

[@Birkguitars]

My take on live performances is "what woukd Rush do?". And watching the first ten minutes or so of Dua Lipa on the TV coverage of Glastonbury tonight I was honestly wondering how much or how little of what I was hearing was actually being done live. When I see a band live I expect it to be live. I am 100% happy with changes to accommodate limitations on instruments. I saw Noah Guthrie earlier this year on his solo UK tour. Just him and a guitar. And it was great. Not like the recordings but still great. That is the essence of live performance.

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

Being a solo artist using backing tracks I have to modify the tracks I purchase so if I’m playing a song where I play the chords, but then go into a lead, I have to bring up the rhythm guitar during that solo, otherwise, like you said, it sounds too empty. I pretty much have to edit every track I use to suit my needs.

[@BrianBergen-hp6uy]

You’re Spot on Mike. I don’t like the extra guitar track live. It’s not needed I hated when motley starting using this stuff and the canned backgrounds.

[@hike2it911]

I’ve used a loop station as part of my pedal board to thicken up certain parts of a song, while playing live…

[@phile3741]

It’s like how many guitarists does Tool have right?

[@FrozenByFire]

I'm more than fine with having a 2nd guitar come in during the solos to fill in the sound. But if they did hire someone, Scott Ian from Anthrax would be perfect, he only plays rhythm, and he loves Motley and knows them. Then they could shut up all the haters out there.

[@MaxFury_Official]

Agreed mostly(!) I like the old school way without click aswell, alltho to be fair EVH did shred very nicely with just a bass in the bakground, not sure i would have wanted 'Hot For Teacher' with double or quad tracked guitars in the BG, or Dime's 'Psycho Holiday' solo so much cooler with just the bass, but one of his biggest influences was EVH so... When i program drums for my songs i try to stray away from the grid at times. Forexample in the ending or breakdown of songs i might go of grid or automate the tempo of the track so it feels more humanlike slowing down towards the end of the songs or breakdowns

[@j.r.shartzer]

I don't go to concerts to hear a perfect duplication of a studio track. I want it to feel like a unique performance that'll never happen again anywhere else. I want a band to have to have that conversation, "how on earth are we going to play this live?" I want creative solutions to that problem, not, "we'll just play a track for what we can't bring with us." Hire a multi-insturmentalist who can play guitar and keyboard. Don't hide them in the back. Put them off to the side of the stage if you must, but let us see a person making those sounds.

[@crimsonhawk4912]

That's funny , the new generation wants " studio/ album tone" live. So backing tracks are welcome. Different philosophy

[@SlyRyFry]

I prefer to just have the bass playing most of the time during solos instead of resorting to a backing track, when possible. I only use a backing track if it's really necessary for the song, and even then, it's only for the short time during parts where my hands are occupied playing another part. At least when it comes to guitar. I don't know many serious local musicians, so I record my own tracks for all the other instruments and sounds

[@AntoineHorns]

This might be personal prefference but I don't think there should be rythm guitar backing track. If your songs don't sound right with one guitar, hire a second guitarist IMO.

[@srt4b]

why not just pay a touring musician to play rythym?

[@DravenSongs802]

​@@srt4b Or the guitar tech?

[@nimitz1739]

0:46 The singing is hilarious😂

[@celticwolff5429]

Since John 5 was just playing that rhythm part, could the sound tech have looped it so it was still John 5 playing live backing himself?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Maybe but it makes way more sense that it was just in the backing tracks that were already being used.

[@josearalat]

I'm 53. Ive noticed Motley played with recorded backingtracks guitars and backing vocal since forever. Most people noticed and no one cared. It bugged me though.

[@luckyjones22]

I’m fine with them building off the click track. It’s about the big rock show. If you want to hear them as serious musicians, buy the MC94 album with John Corabi.

[@dustyoldtapes580]

My first thought was that he could be using a looper pedal, which would allow the rhythm to keep going under his solo?

[@keithangstadt4950]

He could, but there's the logistics of being right at his pedal board when needed. Just as some guitarists have techs triggering their effects pedals for them back stage, I would assume the same is done with a looper in most cases.

[@gumbly4174]

I personally love the one guitar one bass sound. If you get creative with the solo and have a creative bass player you can still sound huge. I’m more of a lead bassist and whenever the guitar player takes a solo I’ll use more open strings, play chords and double or harmonize with his solo. Just got to sound full consistently, it also helps that we have the bass mixed at about the same volume as the guitar.

[@CineBlade]

🎸Many amateurs and non-players just don't understand that there are many guitarists that don't strum or pick every note. If you study my picking hand in my Red Blooded American music vid, it can throw you off and make you think I'm not playing along to my solo correctly (it sometimes messes with my eyes, watching it also), but my chord hand on the frets is right on time. But if you play guitar well with hammer-ons/offs, you'll be able to tell that my picking is correct, just not every note, as I'm letting the hammer parts of my left hand strike the notes that my picking hand is not. And because I do this alot, as do other guitarists, I tend to add a little flair of movement to the picking hand, when it's not striking a string, just as seen in the black shirt scene, when I finish a lick and throw my right hand down, below pick guard, although still playing notes with left hand. I am not a fan of John 5, but respect his talent - yet, I can still vouch for him not faking, as to what I just mentioned. 😊

[@ryanbenedetti-kp2yx]

My real concern is here. Big jam band fan, and huge Classic rock fan first and foremost. Trey Anastasio of Phish started using a loop pedal live, in late 94-95ish. It totally changed the sound of the band, IMO for the better, but would end up being a downgrade in some peoples mind. The thing is Trey still played those lines, night in, and night out within the loop, with himself that night in the moment. Then he would double himself and lay down the leads over it, if need be. The amount of time and access to gear that these legends have, leads me to believe it's just laziness. And the fans dont care because they get to see The Crue again for the 7th last time. I love both bands, but just be honest in your stage appearance. John 5 could have easily looped his Rhythm track, but i dont think thats whats happening here. Its just the old ways of rock and roll production. Vince and the other members just throwing in whatever, to make a great show. Yes they used a backing track, but they should have either done it in the correct way. Or admitted to using a prerecored track. Who knows if John 5 even knew...

[@JayManJax]

Your explanation makes sense. A lot of non players don’t get that with a cranked up guitar amp that also pretty heavily overdriven you can easily hammer on chords and notes with just you left hand because the pickups are so sensitive.

[@ohanlonsean582]

Your my favourite music teacher u have thought me most of what I know and for that I thank you

[@gribblegreeble]

why don't you think that the rhythm track was looped from before he did the solo? he's playing to a click, so as long as he's in time, they can just pop it in. tech guys on the wings of the stage have been engaging pedals and FX for a long time.

[@Moonless_Future]

I saw a John 5 solo gig about 7 years ago, and he definitely wasn't using backing tracks then. I could tell because the electric mandolin didn't work! Cool of him to go back to that tune after it was fixed and play it anyway.

[@markjastrzebski2065]

Lighting and show control are probably time based so the click is used to keep the music in time with all the other show elements

[@derekgilbert1752]

If Tommy is playing to a click, they might be looping J5’s rhythm when he breaks into a lead. I’ve done that with a Line 6 amp, and not a road crew behind the scenes to set it proper. Either way, John has proven himself a thousand times over.

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

With the way modern shows work, all the screens and animations running, a click for the drums is kinda necessary to make sure that's all in time. The alternative is to develop the animations and light show to operate like WinAmp visualizer and line use a trigger on the kick or something.

[@drgetwrekt869]

its interesting that John 5 is so versatile with the guitar, but he plays for bands which have zero non-linearity. Well I dont know about Motley Crue, but Marylin Manson and Zombie songs are pretty straightfoward. It would have been interesting to see him in bands like Paradise Lost, Deicide, Tiamat, and put some originality in there. Maybe Type'O'Negative. Idk.

[@TMINE100]

It's kind of ridiculous like having Mike Portnoy play drums for White Stripes. I'm no virtuoso but I can handle any Motley song, solos and all.

[@gbenselum]

I'm pretty sure motley pays better

[@AXXXDEAN]

I saw his video on Instagram the other day and John is so talented he wouldn't have to fake anything... I'm cool with them adding that track as long as he isn't faking it... bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden will play tracks at the start of songs while they are backstage not playing then take over...no big deal

[@fruitjoosh9555]

Always appreciate how fair, honest, clear & insightful you are. I go back & forth on the use of backing tracks as far as if I dig it [at the expense of musical integrity] - but I guess at end of the day, it's showbiz - it's 'performance' - it's about trying to put on best performance possible - sometimes performance needs some 'trickery'. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@SerpentStar_]

Anyone remember John Christ? Former Danzig guitarist. Dropped off music radar which sucks. He was one of my favorites guitarists 🎸

[@theirlovecantcutourknife3253]

Great guitarist. Don't know what happened to him, or why he split with Danzig.

[@DaveViner]

One of my favourite guitarists, there's some great interviews with him by Jeff Frumess here on KZbin.

[@BatFan1]

Is it possible the rhythm track is done using a looper? someone backstage records the rhythm bit from an earlier section of the performance and then when J5 goes into a solo they activate the looper?

[@jimmccoys5778]

This is the exact comment I made on Justin Hawkins video. They have the rhythm on a track that is brought in during solos and John5 may not know. I do not know what he hears in his ear piece. I can promise you he is not faking his playing. This dude is as solid as there is!! He needs no help. Virtuoso players can make things look so easy that it seems unbelievable. Nuno is another guy that makes it look too easy. Like any other profession, there are different levels of talent. I have seen it too many times. Guys that are great at something in the neighborhood are nowhere near the level of virtuoso professionals! The fact is, there are people who are good based on their local competition and then there are guys that are super elite!! These guys that look at a video and swear these guys are faking because they can’t meet that level is laughable!!

[@composerdave68]

About 12 years ago or so I went to a presentation of the DAW Digital Performer at AFI, put on by the Society of Composers and Lyricists. The demonstration included showing tracks used for Motley’s tour. Including 2 or 3 tracks of guitar. I can’t swear they were on every song but they were there. And iirc, not just for solos. You can find evidence of this in older Crue vids on KZbin. They’ve been using backing tracks for years, and not just for the occasional synth part, SFX or BGV. Even with Mick. As you aptly pointed out, and I’ve said for years, once the show is on click, whether for lighting cues, consistent tempos etc, ANYTHING can be play back.

[@FTFJohn]

Keep it Old School 👍🏻 Good luck with the Pod Cast. I’m sure it will be a success man.

[@FacePomagranate]

I kind of miss the art of making a live arrangement. Bassists used to have no problem filling in the band underneath the solo without a rhythm guitarist. Live At Leeds by The Who manages to sound huge even with the guitar and bass panned to opposite sides.

[@metalpuppet5798]

It heavily depends on the song if that can work or not. A guitar sounds completely different than a bass

[@RocknSpirits-qe2jd]

I don't mind them using tracks ASLONG as it is JUST TO SUPPLEMENT/compliment parts and they are still playing and singing live.

[@Meatball2022]

People should respect the fact that even Mick Mars supported John 5 for this spot…

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

@VincentEllis-John8-12oh you must be someone who sides with Crue😂 “Falsely claimed” “When he left” You could see in MANY interviews before he left, when interviewers asked him about backing tracks. He would cringe and say that he sadly couldn’t discuss that stuff because of the context Crue aligned. That’s why he didn’t mention anything until he left because they then sued him for retiring BECAUSE OF HIS FUCKING HEALTH and not wanting to give up the rights to the band that he fucking built. He held them together, he was the main guy and most fans know it! He was finally free to talk about the backing tracks since he wasn’t under contract.

[@Pepperoni1005]

These days you dont have to play with a click, to programm the lights for it. Many common light-softwares are auto-syncing to a tempo, that may change

[@Mike__S]

There is the fact that the sound guy (most likely) has control of the master mix and has backing tracks to mix in as he chooses to fit the song. This is where we are with tech currently

[@tonyp1313]

I'm sure John 5 could loop that rhythm with a pedal and play lead over it, that's fair and acceptable imho. Hell, most bar bands do that now.

[@briandriver301]

Is it possible that John engages a loop pedal for leads? By the way, Motley Crue sounded like shit live even in the 80's.

[@7TrueSnake7]

John posted a video on June 25 on his Instagram explaining

[@XXjg_]

Rhythm guitar, synth, and/or backing vocals on prerecorded backing tracks is extremely common and I hate it. In the eighties, these big bands had off-stage support musicians, and that’s even worse. Imagine: “we really need a rhythm guitar sometimes, but we don’t want you on stage because it doesn’t look cool.” Such respect. When money and marketing is more important than music. But if fans don’t care, and 99% don’t, then these practices grow. Count me out.

[@metalpuppet5798]

Touring gets more and more expensive by the day. Bands simply cant afford bringing extra musicians (often they would need multiple or even a whole orchestra which is financially and logistically completely impossible to tour with). Thats why they use tracks

[@lastbestplace8112]

no shot...there was a full couple strums that he didnt' do

[@JohnSpo]

what are the chances that he uses a looper, and recorded himself playing and solo'd over the loop?

[@shannonbiggers3312]

Did Sixx discover Scott Lucas rig?

[@TheChrisDiaz]

Clicks have a place but I also feel like it takes away from the natural raw feel. It’s a very interesting discussion. Clicks have gotten so advanced they also incorporate cues for the artists. Even further degrading the natural feel, chemistry between members, those natural cues members develop over time. If you play to a click with cues you will slowly lose those small but important things.

[@ventgtr]

So, I don't mind there being tracks to fill things. But, instead of having a guitar part behind, would much rather just running an octave higher on the bass, or a gritty synth pad, or something. And, on songs where that's necessary, click is fine, but when there's not something where that's needed, just run without a click. BUT, as you alluded, lights, effects, etc. are all tied in with that click, whether there would be a backing track or not. No reason at all to take an extra person along to fill what's not necessary. If it's a tech who is there anyway, whatever, but do have an extra person for occasional parts makes no sense.

[@bishopsopening]

when i go see a concert i keep my phone in my pocket, except for a couple pictures - so 'd rather no click-tracks, no backing-track instruments, keep it all live and raw, i'm here to see a live show so i don't care much about minute details, i'm not looking for absolute perfection - but i know there will be video of it circulating the media moments after a strum, which will be analysed in sound labs to exhaustion; so i understand why they're used ( not just for super-technical arrangements but also ) to make sure things "sound good" when they'll make it all the way to social media for scrutiny

[@yellowdog2181]

John 5 released a video showing how he is able to play without picking hand

[@rjramone4051]

Confirms what Mick Mars has been talking about.

[@tilenjk02]

Hammer ons don't make (full) chord struming sound!!! On that video he did on Instagram, he did differently than on the video.

[@KENMAN1357]

If they do use backing tracks and rhythm guitar parts during the solos then just admit it and be done with the debate. Just PLAY the song without all the extra stuff....LIVE should be LIVE

[@tomd3741]

He's like one of the best guitar players out there these days and he loves playing. Why would he even F around

[@erikolsen1333]

6:27 He’s way too good to pretend.

[@stefanwikander1336]

How could you miss the higher notes being played in the first video you're showing while his right hand is not touching the guitar and the left hand is just holding a chord. No hammer ons or pullofs at all.

[@brianmckenzie1318]

Maybe Crue wouldn't be scrutinized so much if they hadn't had incidents with Lee's drums and Sixx's bass playing? I'm old school, rather see a band play live and raw! Maybe they have the tracked rhythm guitar so it doesn't expose Nikki's bass playing as much while 5 plays lead?

[@EjSinner13]

What incident with Tommy’s drums? And don’t say, there’s video of him not behind his kit and you can hear the hi hat count off the song. That’s a click counting off for the next song. So that video has been “debunked” by every musician that’s seen it.😂 So is there another “incident” with Tommy’s drums?

[@brianmckenzie1318]

Regarding Lee, that is the only "incident" I'm aware of. But to the primary point, whether debunked or somehow the click was audible to the audience (by mistake or whatever), all of these "incidents" brought more attention and unwanted scrutiny to the band. Then toss in some of the Mars drama, the band is looked at under a microscope with people trying to find any flaws. And of course in the KZbin universe these stories are amplified 1000+ times with everyone trying to get views and clicks off the story! Later and keep it loud and proud!!! 🤘

[@MrMllx]

Could have looped the part

[@Beavis4pres]

If I am a fan of a band with one guitarist, then I fully expect a live version to be missing rhythm guitar during a solo. It was that way with Lynch in Dokken days. I prefer it that way.

[@Studio42dotCom-Real]

As an audio engineer who has done monitors and FOH, I'm there to mix a band, not play a bunch of tracks of of DAW. While i do get the "Well, we only have one guitarist" and as you pointed out, needing backing and lead tracks in the same area(which is easily done in the studio), my take is "just hire another musician as a side-man doing a job and PLAY LIVE". OR even "well, we have these keyboard parts from the album".... well then hire a keyboardist who can probably also trigger other sounds and sound effects, or maybe that person can also cover the guitar parts? Yes, we can take the parts in and out as needed. My attitude is always: If you're not playing, stay home. Don't waste people's time and money when you're not willing to go on that stage and play your music. I"m waiting for concerts to be about live music again and not "playback tracks featuring people who may or may not have been involved in their creation". SO, John 5 is playing, that's great. Maybe the rest of the band can step up and start playing again too. Maybe Vince can try to get himself into a shape other than "round" and remember the lyrics and how to sing again too.

[@marcedhk]

The thing about Vince Neil too is that he has NEVER been a great singer to begin with, and fans of the band have always been fine with that, so there is no reason other than lack of dedication that he can’t get his voice back to where it used to be. Nobody is expecting Rob Halford level vocals from Vince. Really there is no excuse.

[@chrississon5954]

Did Van Halen use backing tracks. Just curious if it's something they resorted to later in their career. I mean I don't see why they would but you never know I guess.

[@cort_tempered]

Johnny Ramone would never use backing tracks

[@michaelbujanda8785]

John 5 is using that fancy delay /loop pedal or something!!!! 🤔 Where you play a few bars of rhythm playing then you click on that pedal with the loop function and there you go another player playing rhythm guitar I think!!! 😊😮 🤔

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I don’t think so. He’s running around that stage so much and unless that looper is synced up with the main click, it’s just too risky to do live. Just my opinion.

[@michaelbujanda8785]

@TheArtofGuitar you are probably right!!! 🙂 Your demonstration kind of proved that some of those guitar parts can be played by not necessarily using both hands 😀 !!!! I like 👍 your channel!! Very interesting and informative!!!🙂❤️👍👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Kriterian]

John 5 posted a video showing how it was all hammer-ons and completely debunked the backing track thing.

[@keithangstadt4950]

In the instance he addressed he did debunk it. Only those who think you need both hands at all times to play guitar know nothing about guitar. But I think John was deflecting a bit here, addressing part of the controversy and avoiding another important part. The rhythm guitar part is playing in the background while he's soloing. He's not doing both at the same time. Its a pre recorded or looped track that is triggered when he takes a solo. I see nothing wrong with it and many would be surprised how many one guitarist bands do this. I think alot of the controversy extends from two things: alot of people not realizing this is common practice, and artists denying or not addressing it. Why not just say " we have chose to be a one guitar band and when our guitar player solos we have his rhythm part looped in the background." Bands have been doing this since the 60's and possibly before. It isn't a music industry secret or something nefarious. It doesn't take anything away from the skill of the player.

[@bernieconatser1028]

Not a fan of any backing tracks of actual instruments or vocals. Siren is fine, but that’s about it.

[@MrDaneBrammage]

I'm sure the crew has tracks for every part on every song. Aside from bringing in supplementary rhythm guitar tracks, they probably do replace the live performance when they're not playing up to scratch. (The other guys, not John 5. He doesn't need any help.)

[@bufordteejustice1119]

Does it matter? The Crue sound terrible. It's not Johns fault.

[@JalenRawley]

Motley Crue has played to backing tracks since the 90s. It never had anything to do with not being able to play, it was to beef up the sound live. Big gang vocals, extra sound effects, and extra guitars. Stuff like, "Dont Go Away Mad" has layers of acoustics and electrics playing along on tracks. Has since day one. Is Motley using backing tracks? Probably. They like that big gang vocal thing. If they're using backing tracks, are there some guitars in there? Probably.

[@jjchello]

This is difficult. Lots of great bands (e.g. Panthers, Rage, etc.) forwent the backing track and just played the solo against the bass when performing live even though it sounded hollow. However, modern technology allows the use of such add-in prerecorded tracks that saves having to hire additional touring musicians. Sequenced music that uses MIDI tracks and synthesizers against a click make it possible for many cover bands to play great songs, many times by request, they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. In that set up it is technically being played “live.” Plus, I’d venture to say, 90% of the audience doesn’t even notice the difference. They assume the keyboard player is playing it all. Lol. I think miming is where a line is crossed ethically though.

[@Realasadonut]

You seem to do solid lessons man. Do you do classic rock like Creedence on your guitar lessons website?

[@cycologist71]

J5 put out a clip explaining and showing what he does. not sure if on YT or IG or TT but Rock Feed had it

[@keithangstadt4950]

What John showed only addresses part of the criticism. There are clips of rhythm guitar parts playing while John is soloing. He's not doing both. I know they are dubbing the rhythm guitar part when he solos and I don't have a problem with that, but why do so many performers or bands skirt the issue? Just say " we prefer the sound of some of our songs having two guitars but don't want to bring in another guitar player so we dub the rhythm guitar part when necessary". Its nothing new in the industry. I would be willing to wager that a large percentage of popular bands do it for at least some of their songs.

[@snowdevil7727]

Couldn’t he be playing the rhythm part, click a pedal that repeats what he just played for so many seconds, and then go into the solo? They should definitely add a touring rhythm guitarist.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I doubt it because if Tommy is already following a click having John use his own looper could fall off beat if not done perfectly. I’d bet the other guitar is just in the tracks. Would be the most reliable way.