This is Gonna Hurt Book Review

I recently tweeted that I feel like I spent the summer with Nikki Sixx.  It started back in June when I picked up a copy of Sixx AM’s latest CD This is Gonna Hurt.  I loved it and it has been a bit of a fixture in my car and ipod ever since.  I then got to see Motley Crue play live, read Sixx’s first book The Heroin Diaries and I’ve completed the latest, titled the same as the Sixx AM album, This is Gonna Hurt.

This book is a very different offering from the first book by Sixx and very different from any other book I have read by a rock star.  First of all in addition to Sixx’s words this is also a collection of photography.  Sixx is an avid photographer and throughout the book there are many pictures captured through his “distorted lens”, as he describes it.  The pictures are usually of something or someone that the majority of people would care not to display in the dining room or above the couch in your living room.  But that is just Sixx’s point.  He sees beauty in things we normally don’t and challenges us all to do the same. 

Reading this book will take you to several different places.  It opens with a chapter on Sixx’s love of photography.  He tells us how he came to discover the hobby and shares stories of some of his more interesting and stranger photo shoots.  Throughout the rest of the book you will read some about his childhood and family life and how it affected him.  The most compelling I found to be thoughts on his now passed on sister who was never a part of his life.  He also gets a little into his three fellow bandmates, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars.  He doesn’t leave Sixx AM out either and talks about the formation of that band and the creative processes that has ensued.  And he puts his own emotions on the pages when talking about finding love again and the heartbreak that followed after the relationship ended.

Apart from all of the above Sixx also shares his own views and philosophies on life.  It’s nothing too Earth shattering but I will admit at times he can be compelling and thought provoking.  And such is that when it comes to philosophizing life I think; it doesn’t have to be too deep to make sense.  Everything Sixx says on such matters makes total sense and it doesn’t hurt to ponder these things at any given moment in your life.  Wait a minute….this is suppose to hurt according to Sixx.  Well, you know what I mean.

The book ends in similar fashion as the Heroin Diaries by Sixx offers some of his own diary entries from a 2009 tour with Motley Crue.  Very interesting to compare the diary here with the diary he wrote in 1987 as provided to us in the Heroin Diaries.  The later is full of references to excessive drug use, alcohol consumption and endless sex and the more recent reflects on life, work and seeking out strange places and people to photograph. 

All in all it was another interesting read from an interesting man.  I think Sixx tweeted earlier this summer that there will a third book in the works as well, but I’m not sure what this one will be about.  I am impressed enough by the first two to be interested enough to give whatever he writes a chance next time too. 

Have a great weekend everyone!!

More Good Reading, Sammy Hagar's Red

I recently finished Sammy Hagar’s life tale that he titled, what else but Red of course.  Hearing about the life of the Red Rocker from his own perspective proved to be another great read.  Sammy takes us through it all from his childhood and family life, to his days with the band Montrose, his first solo albums, his first stint with Van Halen, their split, the reunion, life after the second split and everything in between.

I enjoyed every chapter in this book.  The beginning pages of such books that talk about the childhood can sometimes bore me.  Let’s face it; we want to hear the stories about the making of the albums and tales from the road.  But I enjoyed Sammy’s early memoirs too.  From the early beginnings you can start to see Sammy’s strong work ethic that is evident throughout the rest of his book and his entire career. 

Throughout the book you will also learn about Sammy Hagar, the businessman.  I knew he had successful businesses but I didn’t know he was an entrepreneur so early in his career.  There are stories of him attempting such ventures in the mountain bike business, a clothing line and many others, some successful and some not.  I found all these stories entertaining as well. 

But there is no denying the meat of the book contains the rock and roll tales which make up the bulk of it.  As you would expect it isn’t too kind to Eddie Van Halen.  But Sammy appears honest enough giving Eddie his due throughout.  He speaks of Eddie’s charming nature and brilliant musicianship, but also the opposing stories of his outlandish behaviour, controlling nature and alcoholism.  Then of course there is a chapter discussing the tour when he and David Lee Roth went out on the road together, both as solo artists.  Again, not a lot of kind words shared about Roth. 

He doesn’t spare himself either and shares stories of his own debauchery from the road of a rock and roll star.  But all in all Sammy holds it together through good times and bad.  Today he sits on a fortune with successful business ventures and has found new musical happiness with the bands the Wabos and most recently Chickenfoot (new album due out in September).

If you enjoy these rock and roll biographies I highly recommend this one.  Before I read this one I finished Nikki Sixx’s Heroin Diaries.   There are less jaw dropping moments in Red (although there are a few), but I found it to be just as interesting and enjoyable of a read.

Since finishing this book I have already turned to reading Nikki Sixx’s latest book, This is Gonna Hurt, details to follow. 

Summer Reading, Nikki Sixx's The Heroin Diaries

I recently finished reading Nikki Sixx’s first best selling book, The Heroin Diaries, A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.  He has since gone on to write a second best seller titled This is Gonna Hurt.  The Heroin Diaries is a compelling read and a look into the mind of a broken man slipping further and further away from reality.  What makes it unique is it is actually Nikki’s diary that he wrote faithfully during the year 1987 when Motley Crue were touring to support the Girls, Girls, Girls album.

In his introductory remarks Nikki states that he wanted to publish this diary and write this book to hopefully warn and curb others.  You should be in awe and wonderment after reading this book as to how Nikki Sixx is even alive, so hopefully at least some who need to will take heed.  Even though we are reading someone’s diary, to me it still tells like a story.  It is as if we are inside someone’s mind (and in away I guess we are) and you can see the drug addiction and depression escalating until it reaches its climax towards the end.

In addition to the diary entries there are many current reflections throughout the book by Nikki Sixx himself, his Motley Crue bandmates, management, family, friends (including Slash from Guns N’ Roses at the time) and other characters from Nikki’s life.  At times it is even humorous as stories of the band’s antics are shared.  These funny antidotes are unfortunately at someone else’s expense, usually hotel management and staff.  Although it is mainly about addiction and depression you will get some inside details on the inner workings of the band, their relationship with each other and management and some of Nikki’s own opinions of other notable musicians, record companies, rock journalists, etc.  At times he is very insightful.

Motley Crue were probably at the height of their popularity at the time of this story playing in front of large sold out crowds and selling millions of albums.  But this book tells the age old tale that money, fame and success does not buy happiness.  Nikki has some concluding words in the book briefly taking the reader from the end of 1987 up to present time including his band’s successes and failures and his own personal woes and triumphs.  He certainly seems to be at peace with himself and has thankfully found sobriety.  He also continues to be successful and a creative force with two best selling books now written, Motley Crue continuing to tour successfully, a successful second band (Sixx A.M.), an avid photographer, a successful clothing line and radio show host (Sixx Sense).

Two more rock and roll books for me to finish this summer, Sammy Hagar’s Red and Sixx’s second offering This is Gonna Hurt.  Back to the deck!