Sixx: A.M. Return To Stage for Intimate L.A. Gig

A few wicked licks, some powerful drumming, a chugging bass and some well-placed "heys" and just like that Sixx: A.M. were back. The band played their first true show since 2008 with a gig at the iHeart Radio Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (Oct. 7), kicking things off with the anthemic rocker 'Let's Go' off of their newly released 'Modern Vintage' album.

Even though shows have been few and far between for Sixx: A.M. over the years, the trio of Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba and James Michael are pros and their camaraderie showed during this performance, while the drumming in the live setting was ably handled by Black Label Society's Jeff Fabb.

As Sixx: A.M. transitioned into their second song 'Stars,' it was clear they had found their groove with Michael donning a wide smile due to the audience response, Sixx slinking along the side of the stage and Ashba offering a blistering solo toward the end of the track.

The evening also included a few breaks for a question and answer session in which the trio discussed the 'Modern Vintage' album and later saved time to make the big announcement that they would be going on tour next year with Apocalyptica. The shows will mark their first extended run of dates since the 2008 edition of Crue Fest.

The group continued their performance with one of the biggest responses of the night for the album's lead single 'Gotta Get It Right.' The song's glam stomp vibe had the audience clapping and singing along. They then had a piano wheeled out so they could conclude the new album portion of their set, with Michael tickling the ivories for the initially intimate cover of The Cars' 'Drive.'

As the song continued, Sixx, Ashba and Fabb all came back into the picture with Ashba's guitar solo and Sixx's bass cutting through and leading the track's final portion. Sixx: A.M. finished out the radio portion of their performance with the song that started it all for them -- 'Life Is Beautiful' -- and a glance around the room saw the audience clearly singing along and some fists pumping with the track.

After the radio broadcast wound down, Sixx: A.M. stuck around for a few more songs for those in attendance and the webcast crowd. First came a touching tribute to James Michael's longtime manager, Randy Nicklaus, who passed away over the weekend. The room quieted while a clearly moved Michael performed the track 'Before It's Over' on piano. The evening concluded with a pair of favorites from the 'This Is Gonna Hurt.' First came that album's title track, with Fabb driving home the power of the beat. Then 'Lies of the Beautiful People' gave the audience a rousing finale, concluding the night on a high note.

Check out our photos from Sixx: A.M.'s first show in five years below, and be sure to pick up the 'Modern Vintage' album at either Amazon or iTunes.

Sixx: A.M. at Los Angeles' iHeart Radio Theater Photo Gallery (Oct. 7, 2014)

Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com