WHAT THEY SAID
“It’s funny how so many B- and C-level bands seem to spend more time talking about us than writing songs people actually remember.” * Nikki Sixx fired back at former Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin after Larkin accused Mötley Crüe of using pre-recorded backing vocals during live shows.
THE DETAILS
- Larkin called out the Crüe on a June 19 YouTube livestream, claiming Sixx’s backing vocals are on track and the band plays to a click — comments he made while defending Godsmack’s decision to hire Dream Theater’s Mike Mangini as touring drummer †‡
- Sixx posted his response on social media June 28, dismissing Larkin as a “hater” and suggesting jealousy or slow ticket sales might be the real motive †‡
- The beef goes back to 2009’s Crüe Fest 2 tour, when backstage security drama led Godsmack to release the diss track “Cryin’ Like a Bitch” aimed at Sixx †‡
- Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 confirmed in May that backing vocals are on track but insisted all instruments are played live †
WHO IS RIGHT
Larkin’s right that Mötley Crüe uses backing vocal tracks — John 5 already admitted it. But calling out a band for doing what half the arena acts do while promoting your own drummer hire just looks like score-settling from 2009.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
This feud isn’t getting resolved — it’s been simmering for 17 years and neither side is backing down.