James Michael has opened up about the uncertain future of SIXX:A.M. He shared candid thoughts about the band’s direction in a recent interview with The Aquarian.
The vocalist addressed the band’s current status and the reasoning behind their apparent hiatus following their last album releases.
“Listen, we never did SIXX:A.M. for the money,” Michael said. “We never did it to put money in our bank accounts. So we thought, ‘Why are we doing this if we are not feeling the same way that we used to feel about what we are doing?’ When we did ‘Prayers For The Damned’ and ‘Prayers For The Blessed’, I think all three of us knew at that time that it would likely be the end of our album making.”
Michael revealed that the creative spark still exists among the band members despite the apparent conclusion to their recording career.
“We still get along great,” he continued. “You know, every time I sit down and decide to put on one of our records just to kind of relive old memories, there is such an electricity about it. I have to admit, a part of me kind of goes, ‘What if we just tried something else? What if we just tried something new?’ I will bet you that both Nikki and D.J. have those same moments.”
The musician emphasized that while nothing is currently planned, the door remains open for potential future collaborations.
“We don’t have anything planned, and I’m okay with that, because I feel like we wrapped things up very earnestly and very respectfully,” Michael said. “But, yeah, every once in a while when I go back and listen to things, I’m, like, ‘I know we could make some more cool stuff.’ I know we could.”
He concluded by acknowledging the special nature of the band while maintaining his current retired status.
“Especially with where we all have grown as human being, so the idea of that… I mean, let’s put it this way: I am very sincerely retired, and I’m enjoying that, right?” he said. “But SIXX:A.M. was a magical thing, and there’s always going to be a part of me that thinks there’s something cool right around the corner.”
Michael’s reflections come at a time when the band is revisiting their legacy through their latest release. This provides context for understanding the journey that brought them to this crossroads.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that SIXX:A.M. originally began as a creative outlet for Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx. He wanted to record a companion soundtrack for his bestselling memoir “The Heroin Diaries.” What started as a passion project quickly evolved into something much larger than anticipated. It transformed into a successful rock band that would span nearly two decades.
The band’s breakthrough came with their signature hit “Life Is Beautiful” from their debut album. Last.fm noted that it became a Top 5 rock radio success. This early success set the foundation for what would become a prolific recording career. The band went on to release five albums and establish themselves as a significant presence in the rock music landscape.
The current deluxe release that coincides with Michael’s statements represents more than just a reissue. Ultimate Classic Rock detailed that “Prayers for the Damned & Blessed” combines their 2016 albums into a comprehensive vinyl and streaming set. It includes additional bonus tracks that showcase the band’s evolution during what may have been their final creative period.
The timing of this retrospective release alongside Michael’s candid admission about the band’s uncertain future creates a poignant moment for fans. The deluxe edition serves as both a celebration of their achievements and potentially a farewell to an era. This makes Michael’s comments about the band being “a magical thing” all the more significant for those who have followed their journey from its unexpected beginnings to this contemplative conclusion.
The comments come as the band releases a deluxe edition of their “Prayers for the Damned & Blessed” albums.
