This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography, And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx

Nikki Sixx documents his recovery from addiction and his transition from rock star to photographer through a collage of diary entries, song lyrics, and stark black-and-white imagery. The book centers on his fascination with societal outcasts, physical deformity, and the unconventional beauty found in the fringes of Los Angeles. Rather than a standard autobiography, it functions as a visual record of his creative process. It details how he channels personal trauma and sobriety into art, using a camera to capture subjects that mainstream media typically ignores or hides from view.

This volume serves fans of Motley Crue and heavy metal history who seek a raw look at life after fame. Photographers and visual artists examine the grit of his composition style and his use of high-contrast lighting. Readers walk away with a specific understanding of how Sixx repurposes his obsessive personality toward creative production. The book provides a practical template for turning internal turmoil into a tangible body of work while maintaining long-term sobriety in a chaotic industry.