Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx Fires Back At Ex-Godsmack Drummer Shannon Larkin Over Backing Track Claims

Former Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin‘s recent accusations of Mötley Crüe bassist/vocalist Nikki Sixx using backing tracks live have made it back to the latter glam metal legend. In a June 19th, 2026 livestreamed video (see below), Larkin weighed in on Godsmack‘s brief hiring of drummer Wade Murff, who has since been replaced on tour by Mike Mangini. It was during that stream that Larkin brought up Sixx (as transcribed by via Blabbermouth.net):

“The only thing I could see in any kind of criticism towards Wade Murff, as I watched videos back through the shows — every show’s online — was the interaction of tempo push and pull wasn’t as smooth perhaps, but Sully and I have been on the same page for over two decades playing live shows and making records together. And so what I try to explain to people about tempo and when you’re not a band that’s a click-track, backing-track kind of band.

So Godsmack uses no click tracks, no backing tracks. It’s a thing that a lot of other musicians talk about too, I notice now. I’m really noticing it. We’ve been saying it for years as we watched the advent of everybody started adding some, the rhythm guitar or something being played, but there isn’t a guy behind the amps playing it. It’s on a track.

Oh, it’s a new thing, kinda. And backups, you see Nikki Sixx up there [with Mötley Crüe]. He’s not really singing, he looks away, but you still hear his voice. Well, it’s a track playing. But in order for those things to happen, the band has to be on a click track — and the band doesn’t have to. It’s just us, the drummer. We’re on a click, so it’s always the same every night. So it’s a homogenization of what used to be the dangerous feeling of a rock show — dangerous from the band’s aspect on stage too. You don’t know what’s gonna go on.”

Speaking on X yesterday, June 28th, Sixx fired back at Larkin, offering:

“Who’s this Shannon Larkin hater?

It’s funny how so many B- and C-level bands seem to spend more time talking about us than writing songs people actually remember. Maybe it’s jealousy, maybe it’s insecurity, maybe ticket sales are a little slow. Either way, borrowing someone else’s spotlight has never been much of a long-term career strategy.

I genuinely feel for musicians who never figured out that the best publicity is writing great songs—over and over again, decade after decade for fans not critics.

It reminds me of the endless bimbo podcast crowd that builds an audience by talking about everyone else instead of creating something worth talking about.

Anyway, maybe he’s needs to take a nap before he does more press.”

Of course, Sixx and Godsmack vocalist/guitarist Sully Erna previously engaged in a bitter public feud following an ill-fated tour featuring their respective two bands. That beef led Godsmack to pen the song “Crying’ Like A Bitch“, which targeted Sixx and his bandmates. Further unsavory commentary from both parties followed.

Allegations of backing tracks being used in Mötley Crüe‘s live shows also played out in court via a legal dispute with their ex-guitarist Mick Mars.