There was a lot of rock star wattage at this year's NAMM show in Anaheim, Calif., but few created more of a frenzy than Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx.

Sixx made a number of appearances at the show including one at Schecter where he presented his gorgeous new signature bass.

Noisecreep was part of a small discussion group with Sixx and the conversation covered a wide range of topics from his books to his radio show to the new bass and even to the future of Motley Crue.

As he described, Sixx is in the process of developing his book The Heroin Diaries into a Broadway stage production. The book compiles Sixx's diary entries written between Christmas of 1986 and Christmas of 1987, and chronicles the recording of Mötley Crüe's Girls, Girls, Girls album and the subsequent Girls Girls Girls tour, and closes with the bassist's near-death from a heroin overdose in late 1987.

There are a few rockers as diversified these days as Sixx, and we are always impressed with the authentic and honest approach he takes in whatever medium he is working.

Nikki, what can you tell us about the status of The Heroin Diaries production?

Well the book inspired me to write the soundtrack to the book and then from there we met the right partners to start that process into turning it into a production. It's moving very quickly, were redefining the characters and getting all the music in place. We just met with a fantastic set design person so it's moving quickly. In a perfect world, I would say something like spring 2014 is when it will be up. It's all very creative and very exciting.

And what is the status of your side project band, Sixx:A.M.?

We are working on something new and we started the songwriting process by having conversations about how far we can push ourselves musically. We really want to set out to go as far to the left as we can musically and once we finish up a handful of songs we will see where were at. But the key is to keep surprising ourselves and going places we never expected to go and not sound like people expect us to sound. I remember listening to Queen records and hearing songs on their albums they couldn't believe was Queen. It just wasn't what I expected and want people to hear us that way, too.

Watch Sixx:A.M.'s 'Are You With Me Now' Video


You've got this beautiful new Schecter bass now. Who are the bass players you admired growing up? Perhaps the guys that you would've wanted a signature model from?

First I'd have to say Pete Way from UFO. The other was Overend Watts from Mott the Hoople. Those two guys were huge influences on me and they both played Gibson Thunderbirds which I ended up playing, too.

Your radio show, the Sixx Sense, turns three in February. Did you ever think of would become the success that it has?

No. I love doing radio. And I learned to be more vulnerable doing radio, too. More so than when I am writing books and lyrics. It's a different kind of experience. If I'm writing lyrics I can sort of hide behind that a little bit and not let you 100% know how vulnerable I am. But with radio, I just put it out from my lips to your ears and there's no way of masking that. And I really love the natural vulnerability that lets through.

How have you enjoyed the tour with KISS?

The KISS tour has been a piece of cake from the get-go. We go out of each other's way to make sure that the other band can put on 100% of the show on every time. If there was ever a sticking point was something like maybe something wouldn't fit on the stage, we would think, 'What we do to make it better for KISS?' and KISS would think, 'What can we do to make it better for Motley Crue?' It's been one of my favorite experiences and they are really great guys.

You guys have mentioned recently the possibility of doing a farewell tour. Is there anything you can share with us about that right now?

Well, we haven't been shy about the fact that we've been talking about such a tour for Motley Crue. At some point you kind of want to leave with some sort of legacy, leaving things in a good way. I hate to see some bands just keep beating the fucking horse as opposed to getting off the horse! Motley Crue is it one of the highest points we've been to and I like to see us climb little bit higher, finishing the movie, doing a new album and then maybe announcing that farewell tour and going out at the top which, would be a really nice look for us.

Head here to find out more about the 'Sixx Schecter' bass and this link for info on the Sixx Sense radio show.

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