Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder strongly disliked hair metal bands like Mötley Crüe , a statement that made Nikki Sixx laugh – and prompted a sharp response on social media.
It all started with an interview Vedder gave to The New York Times , published in late January, in which the musician listed the reasons why he didn't like those bands. Before fame, the singer had a job unloading instruments at concert venues and ended up at shows of bands he wasn't a fan of.
“[Those were] the bands that monopolized MTV in the late 1980s. The metal bands that – I’m trying to be kind – I despised. 'Girls, Girls, Girls' and Mötley Crüe: Fuck off,” he said. “I hated it. I hated how it made the guys and the women look . It seemed so empty. Guns N' Roses came along and, thank God, at least they had some teeth.”
The repercussions of Eddie Vedder's statement quickly reached the ears of Nikki Sixx, bassist for Mötley Crüe. "Reading how much the Pearl Jam singer hated Mötley Crüe made me laugh today. Now, considering they're one of the most boring bands in history, it's kind of a compliment, isn't it?" he commented on social media.
In the fan responses, who also didn't seem to like Pearl Jam's music very much, Nikki continued with the provocations. "My best friend is about to have a baby, I'm going to recommend Pearl Jam songs to put the baby to sleep," said one follower. "Or just sing to the baby with marbles in your mouth... Very zen," suggested Nikki Sixx , criticizing Vedder's voice.
When a follower commented that he was a fan of both bands but didn't like Eddie Vedder's words, the Mötley Crüe bassist explained his harsh reaction. “You're not allowed to insult my band and our 40-year history and not get a slap back. All right. [I'm] more focused on playing stadiums now. Moving on,” he said .
READ ALSO: David Lee Roth turned down an offer to open for Mötley Crüe: “I don’t open for bands I influenced”