Nikki Sixx Has Choice Words for Mötley Crüe Critics: “We Didn’t Really Ask for Any Input”

Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx ruffled some feathers when he teased the rockers’ new music as “a powerful cross between country and hip hop.” When “Dogs of War” dropped in late April, many fans were relieved to hear a more “classic Crue” sound. However, the song still has its detractors. And Sixx has something to say about that.

Nikki Sixx Hits Back At “Dogs Of War” Critics

‘We love it.” ‘We hate it.” “You’re over.” ‘You reinvented yourself.” “It sounds like Shout at the Devil.” “It sucks.”

Nikki Sixx listed off the verbal grenades that have been launched by critics since Mötley Crüe released new material for the first time in nine years. But the California heavy-metal legends remain unbothered.

“And we just kind of sit there and go, ‘That’s cool guys, but we didn’t really ask for any input from you,’” the 65-year-old Crue co-founder said.

The way Nikki Sixx sees it, at least they’re listening.

“We liked the fact that there was kind of a knee-jerk reaction because at least people were listening. It’s a very strange time now, whether it’s a news cycle or socials — everybody has turned into a critic,” he said during a June interview with Swedish radio station Rockklassiker.

The bassist continued, “And I always say, ‘They’ve never erected a statue of a critic.’ It’s never happened, right? It’s always the artists.”

Mötley Crüe Moves On From Mick Mars

The last few years have been a time of upheaval for Nikki Sixx and the rest of Crue. Founding member Mick Mars, 72, announced in 2022 that he was retiring from touring amid a years-long battle with ankylosing spondylitis. 

Less than 24 hours later, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, and Tommy Lee declared publicly that Mars was retiring from the band entirely — not just touring. The rockers further confirmed that John 5 would replace Mars.

In April 2023, Mars sued his former bandmates, alleging he had been illegally ousted from the group. He scored a legal victory against his former Crue members earlier this year.

“Dogs of War” was the band’s first piece of original music since parting ways with Mars. The song debuted at No. 3 on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. Shockingly, this was Mötley Crüe’s first-ever time on that particular chart.

Featured image by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Live Nation UK