Nikki Sixx Talks About Mötley Crüe’s Controversial History
Nikki Sixx recently talked about Mötley Crüe’s wild past and why the band has always received both strong support and strong criticism. He shared his thoughts in a statement on WTHR.
Sixx explained that Mötley Crüe has always been a band people either love or hate. Their bold style and attitude have always created extreme reactions.
“Like us or hate us, we really make some people mad, while others say we changed their lives,” Sixx said.
He added that when a band does things its own way, without trying to be like anyone else, strong reactions are expected. According to him, this has been a big part of the band’s “magic.”
The Controversy Around ‘Shout at the Devil’
Sixx talked about the backlash the band faced when they released their 1983 album Shout at the Devil. Christian groups protested at their concerts, accusing them of satanism, even though their shows were still sold out.
Sixx said he kept repeating: “It says Shout At The Devil, not Shout With The Devil.” But the protests continued anyway.
The Album Title Was Originally Even More Controversial
At first, Nikki Sixx wanted the album to be called Shout With the Devil because he liked dark themes at the time. But the record label refused.
According to accounts shared in the band’s book The Dirt, A&R rep Tom Zutaut told Sixx scary things were happening in his house and warned him: “If you keep shouting with the devil, you’re going to get killed.” Sixx eventually agreed to change the title to Shout At the Devil.
Religious Groups Targeted the Album Cover and Songs
The album’s pentagram cover became a major target for Christian groups. They said the band was promoting satanism. Some churches spoke out against it, and some stores refused to sell it.
Tipper Gore and the PMRC also complained about the song “Bastard,” pushing for warning labels on albums with violent or disturbing content.
Controversy Helped the Album Become a Hit
Even with all the backlash and maybe because of it, the album became a big success. It reached No. 17 on the Billboard chart. The protests and headlines made young fans even more excited about the band, helping Mötley Crüe become one of the biggest rock acts of the time.
Sixx Says Being Authentic Is What Matters
Sixx ended by saying that all music genres have artists who divide people. He believes the most important thing is to stay true to yourself, even if it means dealing with harsh criticism.
“It’s about being authentic and being able to take some bricks in the face if you have to,” he said.
