I'm far more concerned with Vince Neil's terrible vocals.

Fun fact. RUSH used to play to a click track. The click track was named Neil Peart…

I was not even 10 feet away from Nuno at a small club date and watched him play (not just chords, not just double-stops, PLAY! ) for 1-2 minutes while he got a drink of water and talked something over with the drummer for a while. I remember my guitarist and drummer friends and I looking at each other with our jaws on the floor saying "Holy shit!" over and over. This was for their "Waiting for the Punchline" tour.

People should respect the fact that even Mick Mars supported John 5 for this spot…

Don't tell Eddie Trunk!

Personally, I wish bands with only one guitarist wouldn't have the rhythm track behind the solo even on the album. Pantera did it on some of their songs and it sounded fine.

Bass player in a 3 piece here, when the guitar takes a solo i click on some extra gain/grit and its my solo too. Im not sure 2 guitars is always necessary.

As much as certain older musicians get flack for "not sounding like they used to" (especially singers) I appreciate the ones that still do it old skool. I think the click, and more to the point miming, is more for Nikki than anyone else in this band. "If you can't do it in blue jeans and a T-shirt under one light bulb, you can't do it." - David Lee Roth Oh, and John 5 definitely is playing. He could play these songs while playing other songs simultaneously. He's just that practiced.

Dimebag didnt use a backing track during solos live and it didnt suffer. It also showed how good Rex is holding the groove

I saw John 5 and backing track in the title and immediately was ready to defend John 5. But I see you really examined this closely so thanks for that :)

John 5 knows the material inside and out. I have every confidence in him. I liked both versions of the solo, with or without rhythm guitar. It's a good solo

Ain't no way Nikki Sixx is playing the bass on any of their songs.

This might be personal prefference but I don't think there should be rythm guitar backing track. If your songs don't sound right with one guitar, hire a second guitarist IMO.

Having played this song 8 bazillion times, it was obvious that they have rhythm tracks going even when John is playing. It's not just him playing everything you hear. He missed those chords and you hear pick strikes not hammer ons. It's Motley Crue these days sadly. It's about the show more than the music.

I don’t think they “bring in” rhythm guitar “when needed”. I think he IS playing, but along to a pre-recorded guitar track throughout the ENTIRE song. And I’m willing to bet that the pre-recorded guitar track is in the mix louder than the live one, until a lead is being played. Hammer ons don’t sound as loud or as strong as picking the strings. In this video, there is no difference in volume/power. The whole band is playing along to a recording.

Ozzy used to have another guy sing live for him backstage and mime to it. And greenday used to have the 2nd guitar player stand offstage.

I totally agree with you about the version without a rhythm guitar track. It sounds better. I've never been a big fan of overdubs.

Crue has been using a backing guitar during leads since Mick. They did it with Mick too. This isnt a new thing since John 5.

Johnny Ramone would never use backing tracks

My take on live performances is "what woukd Rush do?". And watching the first ten minutes or so of Dua Lipa on the TV coverage of Glastonbury tonight I was honestly wondering how much or how little of what I was hearing was actually being done live. When I see a band live I expect it to be live. I am 100% happy with changes to accommodate limitations on instruments. I saw Noah Guthrie earlier this year on his solo UK tour. Just him and a guitar. And it was great. Not like the recordings but still great. That is the essence of live performance.

no shot...there was a full couple strums that he didnt' do

🤘🏻🔥 Love this. Super interesting to hear about what could be going on here. I do prefer the old school way myself too 🙂. Podcast studio looks absolutely amazing! Really looking forward to the first podcast video in the new setup. Congrats on 888k Subscribers too!

There is a pretty easy way to know if they are using backing tracks. Just download the same song from two different shows. Then load the clips into video software that can sync multi-cam clips by analyzing the audio. If the waveforms match, the clips will synch-and you’ll know they used backing tracks. I did this several years ago with KISS. The songs sung by Paul synched right up. The songs sung by Gene did not. Eric singing Beth also did synch. This would not necessarily mean the whole song was pre-recorded. For instance, Eric might have actually been singing, but the piano might have been pre-recorded. As long as there is one consistent waveform that matches exactly, it will synch.

Your my favourite music teacher u have thought me most of what I know and for that I thank you

Lighting and show control are probably time based so the click is used to keep the music in time with all the other show elements

Now I want a comedy “The Office” style show of a musician who performs behind the curtain during live shows 😂

Why would you hire J5 just to have a backing track. Its like buying a ferrari and getting a taxi everywhere

Your explanation makes sense. A lot of non players don’t get that with a cranked up guitar amp that also pretty heavily overdriven you can easily hammer on chords and notes with just you left hand because the pickups are so sensitive.

The click track and ProTools grid killed rock's groove!

I have no problem with adding additional guitars in a backing track. I’m playing them anyways. And like you said, it’s mainly for thickening up certain sections and behind solos.

Agreed mostly(!) I like the old school way without click aswell, alltho to be fair EVH did shred very nicely with just a bass in the bakground, not sure i would have wanted 'Hot For Teacher' with double or quad tracked guitars in the BG, or Dime's 'Psycho Holiday' solo so much cooler with just the bass, but one of his biggest influences was EVH so... When i program drums for my songs i try to stray away from the grid at times. Forexample in the ending or breakdown of songs i might go of grid or automate the tempo of the track so it feels more humanlike slowing down towards the end of the songs or breakdowns

100% ! It's modern times. You're right in what you're saying. People need to remember it's a show. John 5 could play this music in his sleep.

I don't mind them using tracks ASLONG as it is JUST TO SUPPLEMENT/compliment parts and they are still playing and singing live.

You’re Spot on Mike. I don’t like the extra guitar track live. It’s not needed I hated when motley starting using this stuff and the canned backgrounds.

its interesting that John 5 is so versatile with the guitar, but he plays for bands which have zero non-linearity. Well I dont know about Motley Crue, but Marylin Manson and Zombie songs are pretty straightfoward. It would have been interesting to see him in bands like Paradise Lost, Deicide, Tiamat, and put some originality in there. Maybe Type'O'Negative. Idk.

Fantastic analysis! You do such a good job, man.

I prefer to just have the bass playing most of the time during solos instead of resorting to a backing track, when possible. I only use a backing track if it's really necessary for the song, and even then, it's only for the short time during parts where my hands are occupied playing another part. At least when it comes to guitar. I don't know many serious local musicians, so I record my own tracks for all the other instruments and sounds

My first thought was that he could be using a looper pedal, which would allow the rhythm to keep going under his solo?

These days you dont have to play with a click, to programm the lights for it. Many common light-softwares are auto-syncing to a tempo, that may change

If they do use backing tracks and rhythm guitar parts during the solos then just admit it and be done with the debate. Just PLAY the song without all the extra stuff....LIVE should be LIVE

Not a fan of any backing tracks of actual instruments or vocals. Siren is fine, but that’s about it.

I kind of miss the art of making a live arrangement. Bassists used to have no problem filling in the band underneath the solo without a rhythm guitarist. Live At Leeds by The Who manages to sound huge even with the guitar and bass panned to opposite sides.

Confirms what Mick Mars has been talking about.

Keep it Old School 👍🏻 Good luck with the Pod Cast. I’m sure it will be a success man.

With the way modern shows work, all the screens and animations running, a click for the drums is kinda necessary to make sure that's all in time. The alternative is to develop the animations and light show to operate like WinAmp visualizer and line use a trigger on the kick or something.

Great guitar tone in this video.

Rhythm guitar, synth, and/or backing vocals on prerecorded backing tracks is extremely common and I hate it. In the eighties, these big bands had off-stage support musicians, and that’s even worse. Imagine: “we really need a rhythm guitar sometimes, but we don’t want you on stage because it doesn’t look cool.” Such respect. When money and marketing is more important than music. But if fans don’t care, and 99% don’t, then these practices grow. Count me out.

Good stuff Mike.

I'm old school too. Forget the click track and the rhythm tracks out and just play. Or hire someone (like Aerosmith does) to fill in the gaps. But don't fake it just to make it sound better.

I personally love the one guitar one bass sound. If you get creative with the solo and have a creative bass player you can still sound huge. I’m more of a lead bassist and whenever the guitar player takes a solo I’ll use more open strings, play chords and double or harmonize with his solo. Just got to sound full consistently, it also helps that we have the bass mixed at about the same volume as the guitar.

1 guitar, bass and drums worked just for Van Halen live for every tour with DLR and some with Hagar

The comment that there may be a guitarist off stage reminds me of a KISS show I was backstage at (Hot in the Shade Tour) where there was a keyboardist off stage behind Gene’s curtain who also sang backing vocals. I was his guest for the evening, so I was right there during virtually the entire show.

Arena artists play to click tracks today so they are in sync with their video backgrounds.

This is difficult. Lots of great bands (e.g. Panthers, Rage, etc.) forwent the backing track and just played the solo against the bass when performing live even though it sounded hollow. However, modern technology allows the use of such add-in prerecorded tracks that saves having to hire additional touring musicians. Sequenced music that uses MIDI tracks and synthesizers against a click make it possible for many cover bands to play great songs, many times by request, they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. In that set up it is technically being played “live.” Plus, I’d venture to say, 90% of the audience doesn’t even notice the difference. They assume the keyboard player is playing it all. Lol. I think miming is where a line is crossed ethically though.

About 12 years ago or so I went to a presentation of the DAW Digital Performer at AFI, put on by the Society of Composers and Lyricists. The demonstration included showing tracks used for Motley’s tour. Including 2 or 3 tracks of guitar. I can’t swear they were on every song but they were there. And iirc, not just for solos. You can find evidence of this in older Crue vids on KZfaq. They’ve been using backing tracks for years, and not just for the occasional synth part, SFX or BGV. Even with Mick. As you aptly pointed out, and I’ve said for years, once the show is on click, whether for lighting cues, consistent tempos etc, ANYTHING can be play back.

I do believe thats the norm now unfortunately. I to prefer that older raw sound specially in heavy rock its an element in itself to that style of music. But yes it seems like the rhythm guitar and backing vocals (I've always allowed some pre-recorded keyboards) are the first to be implemented. I think everyone has a phantom rhythm guitar player at live shows these days. 😥

Maybe Crue wouldn't be scrutinized so much if they hadn't had incidents with Lee's drums and Sixx's bass playing? I'm old school, rather see a band play live and raw! Maybe they have the tracked rhythm guitar so it doesn't expose Nikki's bass playing as much while 5 plays lead?

I am glad my years of concerts were centered 80s and I agree people are looking with an untrained eye like yours. As the old saying goes ,if I go looking for something I usually find it.

You seem to do solid lessons man. Do you do classic rock like Creedence on your guitar lessons website?

EXACTLY bands use backing tracks to supplement. Blackie lawless even talked about this,

When i heard that Crue were using backing, then John 5 joining made total sense to me. Look at who he's played with before. I don't want to defend him, but Marilyn Manson HAD to use a certain amount of backing, just because the music technology for more electronic styles was nowhere near as good then as it is today (trust me, i've been doing this a long time). And Rob Zombie? I saw White Zombie and Rob Zombie plenty back in the day, and i don't believe that any member of either band ever sang or played one single note live until we all had smartphones with KZfaq. Robs not stupid, and his band started playing live at about the right time and sidestepped this exact controversy. So if a huge band suddenly needs a guitarist that's well known and respected, but has no issues with backing (or maybe even miming), then J5 is probably the 1st guy to call. I know some of these guys can really f***ing play, but i also know why big event organisers prefer perfect timing and sound to the rawness of real live music. It's just a shame is all, and not what i got into music for. Even in the techno scene now we have a underground dedicated to keeping things as raw and live as possible, warts 'n' all. So you'd expect at least that much from rock legends.

i‘d rather have it raw

Problem is there are a few instances he strums a chord and there is no sound of it..

I’m fine with them building off the click track. It’s about the big rock show. If you want to hear them as serious musicians, buy the MC94 album with John Corabi.

Well they've been know to use tracks, and that didn't seem like a hammer on chord, but what do I know

They've used tracks for rhythm guitar for a long time !

Liking that SG.

Could have looped the part

John 5 is a mastermind player. You are prolly right about the track for fill in when hes playing lead but dude is just so so good I never believed he was miming. I agree with the raw sound though. your live performance is not about a perfect song its about the experience.

Motley has been using some form of backing tracks (at least for background vocals) since the Dr. Feelgood days. There's been countless videos during the Mars days that corroborate what Mick has been saying about rhythm backing tracks being used too. I agree with you that I would rather have completely raw Crue, warts and all, though I don't mind as much Tommy starting songs off with a click track just to get the opening rhythm right. What the band REALLY needs to work on is getting Vince into a decent enough vocal shape so that he can clearly enunciate and carry a melody. The dude has got to be embarrassed by all of his lyric videos floating around KZfaq.

Wanna do a collab video?

I always admire guitarists who make band sound rich and at the same time are the only guitarist in the band -> Dimebag for example. I prefer not to using backing tracks live

Your tone sounds good here. Is this amps and pedals or computer simulator? I'm old school so I don't know how to use the new computer stuff. I obviously use computers but not to play guitar.

I'm not bothered by flying in a backing track for this part to keep up the full sound. If it turns out he used a looper pedal to do this I doubt it would be as highly criticized.

I don’t know about this Motley Crew thing, but I do know John 5 can play, like seriously play I should have added, Mick was the best part of the Crew. Once he left, the Crew died.

100% agree with you! I watched the Vince Neil doc on reelz or something and while I knew all the info in it, he seems like a genuine dude with a lot of unprocessed pain in his life, from the accident to his daughter’s passing. I wish Vince well and if you get a chance, check it out. Keep up the great vids!!

Did Sixx discover Scott Lucas rig?

I saw a John 5 solo gig about 7 years ago, and he definitely wasn't using backing tracks then. I could tell because the electric mandolin didn't work! Cool of him to go back to that tune after it was fixed and play it anyway.

They should hire u to play the parts

Why couldn’t the backing track sound, be someone playing behind the curtain in all your examples with John 5.

If Tommy is playing to a click, they might be looping J5’s rhythm when he breaks into a lead. I’ve done that with a Line 6 amp, and not a road crew behind the scenes to set it proper. Either way, John has proven himself a thousand times over.

I don't think it's wrong that they have some recorded rhythm guitar in some places, it sounds much better and that's how it is on the records. Now I think a group should have two guitarists, but now Mötley has never had one and then they shouldn't get one in the fall of age.

John5 is absolutely amazing and I love hearing him play these songs.

I'm sure the crew has tracks for every part on every song. Aside from bringing in supplementary rhythm guitar tracks, they probably do replace the live performance when they're not playing up to scratch. (The other guys, not John 5. He doesn't need any help.)

Why you gotta go full Skynyrd and stack the deck with 3 guitars and a piano.

There is the fact that the sound guy (most likely) has control of the master mix and has backing tracks to mix in as he chooses to fit the song. This is where we are with tech currently

I knew Rush would use backing tracks but I read every track was triggered by one of the band members, and they didn't use a click track. Haha wow those boys were busy during shows.

I'm 53. Ive noticed Motley played with recorded backingtracks guitars and backing vocal since forever. Most people noticed and no one cared. It bugged me though.

John 5 is absolutely great! It would make no sense for him to use a backing track.

Rush, Aerosmith and Dream Theater without Portnoy does this. Tons of bands do. It makes them tighter

Absolutely a click. You can find some IEM recordings on KZfaq that has the click included.

Anyone remember John Christ? Former Danzig guitarist. Dropped off music radar which sucks. He was one of my favorites guitarists 🎸

Hearing john 5 with rob zombie and seeing his ability on the guitar in interviews and solo shows i do believe by far he is playing 100%. I've said when he joined motley after micks leaving wouldn't be a good move for john with the reputation of motley crue in recent years with backing tracks and the like. It's a shame to see this kinda talk. I also agree with the click sounds and that live shows should be raw and unpredictable instead of uniform or like the original recording. I like it when bands do make mistakes and miss queue and just laugh with the audience and humble about it.

He is definedly playing. He has new interview where shows this part and what he does

Fact: Motley Clown put the bass in to the clic track

John 5 released a video showing how he is able to play without picking hand

Mike, could you be our rhythm guitarist, please? Our band only has one and for most songs, my dad (who plays guitar) mainly plays the drums, We're in Michigan I don't know how long it would be It's alright if you can't. Anyway love your videos.

He's like one of the best guitar players out there these days and he loves playing. Why would he even F around

A bigger question is why is anybody still going to see Motley Crue concerts or watching them on youtube?

I mean mick said motley hasn’t played music live for years