Despite having been a band since 2007 and scoring quite a few radio hits (over three full-length albums), it's hard to believe that Sixx: AM has never launched a headlining tour. But that is all going to change in April, as the group - along with Apocalyptica and the Vamps - will be criss-crossing the US for the entire month, in support of their most recent release, 2014's Modern Vintage, while the tour with coincide with the release of Apocalyptica's eight full-length overall, Shadowmaker.

Sixx: AM singer James Michael and Apocalyptica drummer Mikko Sirén recently chatted with BraveWords correspondent Greg Prato via conference call, to talk about what fans can expect from the upcoming tour, as well as what lays in store in the future of band bands.

BraveWords: How did the idea come up to do this tour together?

Mikko Sirén: "Honestly, I think it came from [Sixx: AM's] end. It was really an amazing request to make music together, and when we heard about the possibility, we were thrilled to go on the road with these guys. Of course, being a young kid and listening to Nikki's stuff all my life already, when we toured with the States in 2008 or 2009, I first got introduced to Sixx: AM. I've been really liking the band ever since. And all of a sudden, to be able to share a stage with them, it's like an honor."

BraveWords: So the bands were fans of each other's music beforehand?

James Michael: "I think it was maybe in 2005, I was producing a Scorpions record with Desmond Child, and he came in one day, and said, 'You've got to listen to this band.' And he played me Apocalyptica, and we all just sat there with our jaws dropped, going, 'What is this?!' And we couldn't believe that it was actually cellos and not guitars, and of course just their approach to music was so different and so incredible that when it came time for Sixx: AM to start putting together this tour, we wanted this to be an unusual and special evening of music for everyone. Honestly, I don't think any of us thought that Apocalyptica was going to remotely consider it. So we were thrilled to death when they said yes. It just got us so excited about what a cool and unusual night of music this is going to be for people. It goes both ways - we're just beyond honored and thrilled that these guys said yes, and are going to join us on this tour."

BraveWords: What can fans expect from this tour?

James Michael: "I think from Sixx: AM's perspective, what fans can expect is a real musical journey. It's how we've built our records and how we've basically shaped our career is making records that are very different, that are a little bit out of the norm, and kind of take you to places that you wouldn’t expect. And that is certainly what our aim is, as far as our set, and what the show is and the production. It's going to be a musical journey for people, and now, it's going to start with the journey that Apocalyptica takes you on, because their approach to music is so beautiful and so different than another bands. So yeah, that's what people can expect - is a real journey, I think."

BraveWords: Mikko, what can fans expect from the upcoming Apocalyptica album, Shadowmaker.

Mikko Sirén: "It's our first album with the Eleven Seven record company. It's kind of a new start for us in many ways, because until now, we have been having these wonderful and amazing guest vocalists performing with us, but for this album, we wanted to challenge ourselves and to find out how we could do our music in different ways, and not to be stuck in the formula that we have had before. That's how we ended up, or decided, to go for just one sound throughout the whole album, and go for one singer [Franky Perez] that can do this all. It was a really exciting process for us in many ways. And now, as we have finalized it, I think the band has really renewed our 'skin,' and everything we have had from the cello world, to have the one signature voice, it really feels like we are much more of a band than we've ever been before. Because when you work with different singers, it gives you a lot, but it also takes the focus away from the band itself. These great vocalists that we've had featured on our albums, they have brought a lot, but they have also drawn attention elsewhere. So now, we can just concentrate to be Apocalyptica and do our own music."

 BraveWords: James, I know that Sixx: AM just put out some new music last year, but is there any talk of working on new material?

James Michael: "We put out Modern Vintage in October of 2014, so we're really in the throes of supporting that right now. But we have actually had a lot of discussions about the future of Sixx: AM, and the fact that Mötley Crüe is winding down at the end of this year. It's kind of bittersweet, because while it's hard to imagine a world without Mötley Crüe music, it also is going to open up a lot of time for all three of us to bring Sixx: AM to the forefront of our lives and make another record, or make several more records. So in a way, for a band that started off not as a band, just as a side project, it's really evolved into something that we're all very, very excited about what's coming next. I feel like we're just scratching the surface of what Sixx: AM is going to do."

BraveWords: This is going to be Sixx: AM's first-ever headlining tour.

 James Michael: "Again, coming from a band that originally started by continuously saying, 'We're not a band,' and that was how we started. Because it really was just a fun project that three friends were doing. So to start there and end up here, with a handful of hit songs and three full-length records and a couple of acoustic and live records, to be able to finally put together an actual headlining show has been thrilling to us. Most bands that are as young as we are - as far as what we've done together - are sometimes scrambling to put together a full-length set of music. So to have three full-length studio records to choose songs from, it's a really luxurious position for us to be in. We couldn’t be more excited and our fans have been incredibly supportive and also very, very patient. Because over the years, there's been a lot of demand for Sixx: AM to get out on the road and tour, and it's been heartbreaking for us not to be able to. But logistically, because of all of our schedules, it's been a tough thing. So this is a real dream come true for us."

BraveWords: From what I understand, Sixx: AM recently played the Budokan in Japan. How was that?

James Michael: "Boy, talk about a dream come true. I've been wanting to play Budokan since I first heard Cheap Trick's Live at Budokan. It was just a real thrill. But the Vamps, who are also going to be on this tour, are enormous over there - they have an incredible fan base. And they were kind enough to invite us to play their big festival there. It exposed us to a wonderful fan base over there, and got us very excited about the future of touring in Japan and doing more. And they're going to be joining us in April for a lot of the shows here in the States."