Nikki Sixx has admitted that, by today's standards, Mötley Crüe were "most probably" a sexist band back in their ’80s heyday, though he adds that it wasn't just them – it was "everybody".
Speaking to Classic Rock (via Louder) about what a "different time" it was in the ’80s, the bassist is asked about comments that Mötley Crüe were sexist at the time. "In today’s environment, most probably," he says. "As was everybody. In the ’70s, when I grew up, it was just the messaging that came through, and you were emulating your heroes."
It's a topic that came up when Kerrang! interviewed Nikki in 2019 for Netflix biopic The Dirt. Reflecting on the more sexual aspects of the movie, Nikki agreed that what went on "would be unacceptable now".
"But, listen, if we left that stuff out it would be dishonest film-making," he added. "I was thinking about this: if there was a movie made about the Colonial period and it left out the burning of the witches, what kind of film would that be? In 2019, burning witches is obviously bad, but I think we all know that. When it comes to our movie, we understand that the way that society was at that time [in the ‘80s], girls and guys acted in different ways. It was a different time. We’ve grown up from that.
"But the one thing we never did, and I need to say this, is we never abused our power. That’s something that I think is important to know. Whatever we did was consensual. It was wild and it was fun – I mean, every band was going fucking crazy – but what if we omitted that because it’s not politically correct in 2019?"