Accusations can fly fast and furious on the internet, especially when it comes to rock and roll legends. That’s exactly what happened to John 5, guitarist for Mötley Crüe, who recently found himself facing claims that he wasn’t actually playing his parts live.
YouTube videos and some metal sites alleged that John 5 was miming during performances, specifically pointing to the band’s iconic song “Wild Side”. At first glance, the accusations might seem believable – there are moments where John 5 appears motionless while the music keeps going.
But the guitarist himself wasn’t going to take these claims lying down. The new Crue member has stepped up to address these accusations head-on, offering a technical explanation for what fans might be misinterpreting.
John 5 Sets the Record Straight on Miming Claims
While some online critics have pointed to specific moments in John 5’s live performances where he appears motionless yet the music continues, a closer look reveals a different story. In a video posted to Instagram, the guitarist directly addressed these accusations, offering technical explanations for his playing style.
John 5 demonstrated a signature move where he flips his pick around his neck, allowing him to complete a riff without visible hand movement. He also tackled claims that he wasn’t even touching the guitar during specific sections, showcasing his use of hammer-ons and pull-offs for single-string riffs.
“Very simple. It’s not a big thing,” John 5 concluded. “A lot of things are played with one hand. A lot of musicians know this. So, nothing to worry about, no backing tracks.”
Mick Mars’ Lawsuit Fuels Miming Rumors
The recent online chatter about John 5 miming his guitar parts isn’t the first time Mötley Crüe has faced accusations regarding live performance authenticity. In 2023, former guitarist Mick Mars sued his bandmates, alleging financial mistreatment and attempts to push him out of the band after announcing his retirement from touring.
Mars’ lawsuit centered around the band’s 2022 Stadium Tour. He claimed bassist Nikki Sixx engaged in “gaslighting”, manipulating him into believing he had cognitive issues and his playing was subpar.
According to the lawsuit, Sixx accused Mars of forgetting chords and starting the wrong songs, potentially laying the groundwork for accusations of miming later down the line.
Backing Tracks Controversy Clouds Mötley Crüe
Mars’ 2023 lawsuit against his former bandmates also claimed that Sixx wasn’t actually playing bass himself during the 2022 Stadium Tour. The lawsuit alleged that Sixx spent the tour “fist pumping in the air” while the band’s bass parts were entirely pre-recorded.
This wasn’t an isolated incident according to Mars; the suit claimed significant portions of Vince Neil’s vocals and even some of Tommy Lee’s drumming were also pre-recorded. Fans reportedly noticed discrepancies like Lee walking towards his drums as his part began.
Despite their openness about using backing tracks in the past, Mötley Crüe directly contradicted these claims in a 2023 response to a fan, stating definitively that “there were no backing tracks for band members” during the tour. The lawsuit and this public denial paint a confusing picture of the band’s live performance practices.