Nikki Sixx says Mötley Crüe has a long history of using technology to buoy its live sound, but that's okay because they've never tried to hide it.
Sixx says there's anything wrong with trying to reproduce some of the added production elements of a studio recording in a live setting using backing tracks. Where artists go wrong, he says, is when they deny what other musicians and many fans know to be true.
"Certain band out on the road right now putting other bands DOWN and saying that they are a REAL rock band, no background singers, and other old people cranky comments," Sixx tweeted this week, “except his lead vocals are on tape. People in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks.”
The post was greeted with a flood of replies, suggesting the “certain band” Sixx referred to is KISS.
Sixx said Crüe has been using “sequencers, sub tones, background vox tracks plus background singers and us” during live shows since at least 1987. "Same as [Nine Inch Nails] and everybody else.
”We love it and don't hide it. It's a great tool to fill out the sound.”
MORE: KISS Called Out For Using Backing Tracks
KISS was criticized last September and October for playing to backing tracks at a number of television appearances, including America's Got Talent and The Late Late Show With James Corden.
Fans noted the eerily perfect vocals from Paul Stanley — who's suffered from severe vocal issues in recent years — and Gene Simmons that remained the same volume regardless of how far the singers were from their microphones.
There have also been parts of each performance in which the notes coming from Simmons' bass and Stanley's guitar do not appear to be what they are actually playing, based on what their hands are doing.
KISS is being called out for faking it on their farewell tour.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't even bother plugging in their instruments when they made a surprise appearance at the Super Bowl in 2014. The band admitted that vocals were live but the instruments were pre-recorded.
In the past, Simmons has complained about exactly what KISS is now accused of doing. He once called the Rolling Stones and U2 "dishonest" for their supposed use of backing tracks in concert. Simmons has said he takes pride in KISS being the real deal, despite once admitting to using backing tracks to perform its 2014 single "Samurai Son.”
Original article by Andrew Magnotta at iHeartRadio