SIXX: A.M.: Official Lyric Video For Cover Version Of THE CARS' 'Drive'

SIXX: A.M., the band featuring MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx alongside guitarist DJ Ashba and vocalist James Michael, has released the official lyric video for its cover version of THE CARS song "Drive". The track is taken from SIXX: A.M.'s third album, "Modern Vintage", which was released on October 7, 2014 via Eleven Seven Music.

Regarding the decision to cover "Drive", which was originally a Top 5 hit for THE CARS in 1985, Sixx wrote on the SIXX: A.M.Facebook page:

"James, DJ and I sit around listening to music all the time and talk about great songs. We talk about how, as songwriters, we're woken up in the middle of the night by lyrics and melodies and how that haunts you because you're half asleep and the idea usually vanishes before you can pick up your pen or instrument. Every now and then, if you're really lucky, it comes back to you and you write one of THOSE songs.

"Sometimes you will hear a song in the distance or on the radio and you think, 'I wish I had written that.' I have a handful of songs that I wish I had written. 'Drive' by THE CARS is one of them. This is a song probably only an insane artist would try taking on because, to be honest, it's pretty much perfect.

"For years we've been looking for a song SIXX: A.M. could cover, and for some reason, that was never even brought up. Instead we started laying down basic tracks for ELVIN BISHOP's 'Fooled Around And Fell In Love', but something wasn't quite right. Then one day the melody to 'Drive' popped into my head. I picked up the phone and sang it to James. He said, 'I'll call you right back,' and called DJ, who immediately said, 'Lets go for it.'

"The first task and most important task was to respect and keep the integrity of THE CARS' version. We knew all ears would be on us if we didn't deliver the goods and the pressure was on.

"At the end of the first day of arranging, we felt we had achieved the direction that was right for SIXX: A.M. After that, we just went with our instincts adding a guitar solo, changing the bass parts slightly and layering in sounds that were otherworldly, giving it a thick texture that was perfect for James to soar over.

"When you a cover someone else's song, fans of the original will let you know if you have done it justice."

SIXX: A.M. has hired drummer Dustin Steinke of the Canadian rock band BLEEKER RIDGE to sit behind the kit for its upcoming U.S. tour, which is scheduled to kick off in early April.

Based in Orillia, Ontario, BLEEKER RIDGE was previously signed to the Canadian branch of Roadrunner Records and recently completed work on a new album with Michael at the production helm, due later in the year via the Eleven Seven label.

Steinke made his live debut with SIXX: A.M. on February 19 at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan as part of Vampark Fest hosted by the rock band VAMPS.

Support on SIXX: A.M.'s first-ever headline tour will come from Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA and Japan's VAMPS.

"Drive" lyric video:

James Michael and bassist Nikki Sixx talking about "Drive":