The one and only Nikki Sixx of Sixx:A.M.  joins Mitch on episode 216 of One On One With Mitch Lafon. In the episode's only interview, legendary bassist Nikki Sixx discusses the band's new album Prayers For The Damned Vol. 1, the song writing process, their upcoming tour schedule, YouTube and digital rights, Brides Of Destruction, the business of Mötley Crüe, Prayers For the Damned Vol. 2 (slated to be released this fall), the passing of Prince and more.

The song writing process (time - 1.00): "I've had every situation as a songwriter, but with James (Michael), DJ (Ashba) and myself - we're a band. It's really the three of us that create this music. Parts of the way it sounds is because of DJ, other parts are because of James and other parts are because of me. Something happens between the three of us and we really enjoy that. It doesn't ever really come down to ego or who gets more. It comes down to 'what's the best thing for the project, for the song, for the fans."

(time - 2.38): "A song like Live Wire, for example, I wrote that for Vince Neil's voice.That's all there is to it. If you don't write it for the vocalist then it doesn't make any sense."

Prayers For The Damned Vol. 1 & Prayers For The Damned Vol. 2: (time - 3.53): "There is a definite separation in the two albums. They are two completely different albums."

Why build a new band and brand with Sixx:A.M. (time - 5.46): "Artists make art. Photographers shoot pictures. Musicians write songs. Writers write. That's just the way it is. So, you may or may not be as successful as something else you've done. Who would have thought that a guy in Mötley Crüe that didn't graduate high school would write two NY Times Bestsellers? You can't really go, 'Well, Mötley Crüe is massive so now what?' What now is you keep creating. You keep making music. You love to play live. If you are strategic and if you're lucky and it's the right time on earth, people can connect to it. That's where we're at as a band."

(YouTube discussion starts at 9.05)

Mötley Crüe (time - 14.26): "We have a live DVD of our last performance ever that we've just finished mixing. It looks fantastic. It was a great show. We have a legacy that needs to be curated. We have vintage merchandise... We plan on obviously staying engaged with our fans. It's not like we're simply going to disappear. The Mötley Crüe movie will come out. There's going to be Mötley in your life for a long time. In one way or another."

On April 29th, Sixx:A.M. will release the first volume of their upcoming double album, Prayers For The Damned, via Eleven Seven Music. Frontman James Michael has launched Fly On The Wall, a video series that invites you behind the scenes.

"Every week I will feature a different element of creating Sixx:A.M.'s music," says James. "As the producer and mixer, I am responsible for recording and capturing every performance, every guitar riff, every bass part, every drum beat... every sound you hear! There are so many layers to this process and I'm excited to share them with you so that you have a better understanding of how records are made and what I do.

Episode 4: "Rise" will give you a basic understanding of the mixing process.

The first three episodes can be seen below.

Available now are limited edition band curated Prayers For The Damned album pre-order merch packages and experiences. These include limited edition signed copies of the new album on CD and vinyl, plus once in a lifetime personal experiences like dinner with the band, in-studio experiences, and more! Check out the full list at this location.

"We are on a mission to give our fans even more than they could have hoped for, both musically and visually." - Dj Ashba

“Sixx:A.M. is in the most creative place of our careers. For James, Dj and myself, we think it’s the perfect time to release so much quality music to our fans who’ve been supporting us over the last three albums.” - Nikki Sixx

"Between this album and Vol. 2 (coming out later this year) we'll leave no stone unturned in our quest to create important music and push the boundaries of rock." - James Michael

Prayers For The Damned tracklisting:

“Rise”
“You Have Come To The Right Place”
“I’m Sick”
“Prayers For The Damned”
“Better Man”
“Can't Stop”
“When We Were Gods”
“Belly Of The Beast”
“Everything Went To Hell”
“The Last Time (My Heart Will Hit The Ground)”
“Rise Of The Melancholy Empire”

Sixx:A.M. tour dates:

April
30 - Jacksonville, FL - Welcome To Rockville

May
1 - Fort Myers, FL - Fort Rock Festival
3 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
4 - Birmingham, AL - Oak Mountain Amphitheater (w/ Disturbed and Rob Zombie)
6 - Charlotte, NC - Carolina Rebellion
7 - Richmond, VA - The National
8 - Bethlehem, PA - Sand’s Event Center
10 - Baltimore, MD - Ram’s Head Live
11 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
13 - Ft Wayne, IN - Piere’s
14 - Kansas City, MO - KQRC’s Rockfest
15 - Somerset, WI - Northern Invasion
17 - Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
20 - Columbus, OH - Rock On The Range
21 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
22 - Albany, NY - Rock ‘n Derby
24 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
27 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
29 - San Antonio, TX - River City Rockfest

June
2 - Monza, Italy - Gods Of Metal
3 - Nuremberg, Germany - Rock im Park
5 - Mendig, Germany - Rock am Ring
7 - Lodz, Poland - The Power Festival
9 - Solvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
11 - Castle Donington, UK - Download Festival
12 - Newport, UK - Isle of Wright Festival
16 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Konzertfabrik Z7
17 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Festival
18 - Clisson, France - Hellfest
22 - Stockholm, Sweden - Grona Lund
23 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell
24 - Halden, Norway - Tons of Rock

July
30 - Alberta, Canada - Sturgis Alberta Motorcycle Rally and Festival