When I read that Motorhead won a Grammy for best Metal performance with a cover of Metallica’s “Whiplash”, the irony seemed thicker than the head on Lemmy’s pint of Carlsberg Special Brew.
After guiding Motorhead for 30 years through its 10 lineup changes and amassing a vast catalogue of over 40 releases, including live and compilations, Lemmy and company were finally getting some much overdue recognition covering a song by a band they influenced 25 years prior. And while Lemmy bristles at the term Heavy Metal, always referring to Motorhead as a Rock and Roll band, there’s no doubt that taken in a historical context the music he’s created has been similarly influential as the best from the punk and new wave eras of the 70’s and 80’s. Motorhead’s brand of over the top amphetamine laced rock and roll boogie was the seed that led to Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Punk Metal and anything else that followed.
So while the Grammy was nice, hopefully it will open Motorhead to a wider audience. In case you missed them the first time, here are some good places to start:
1. “Ace of Spades”-The 1980 classic from the Lemmy, Phil Taylor and Fast Eddie Clark era is one of the most gloriously grimy rock records ever. Imagine ZZ Top going through a steroid rage. Heck, this was grunge before the term was ever invented! The title cut “Ace of Spades” beats punk at its own game with its rampaging fury and Lemmy’s fatalistic approach to life when he shouts, “I don’t wanna live forever!” The relentless pace set forth on this release no doubt caught the attention of the hardcore punk fans as well with Motorhead being one of the few bands to make that crossover appeal. Other favorites include “Love me Like a Reptile”, “The Chase is Better than the Catch” and “JailBait”.
2. “Another Perfect Day” -This lost classic from 1983 is one of my favorite releases of all time. It’s also the only Motorhead lineup to feature former Thin Lizzy whiz kid guitarist Brian Robertson who was originally hired to assist in the fall 1982 tour after Fast Eddie abruptly quit. It may have seemed a strange meeting of minds at the time, but the more melodic Robertson quickly added his magic touch and texture to these 10 scintillating cuts. Not content to let Lemmy’s trebley Rickenbacker bass overpower him, Robertson proved he could battle toe to toe as his multi-tracked wah-wah’d solos claw and fight their way out the speaker. After the carnage was over and the smoke had cleared it was deemed a draw. Unfortunately Robertson was gone by the end of the year.
Article comments
1 - Vern Halen
Very cool review - you hit all my fave Motorhead vinyl slabs - Ace of Spades, Hammersmith & Perfect Day. For me, they always were the bridge between the gap that separated metal form punk - I never knew just where to put them in my collection.
I;d also like to thank them for putting the lyrics to Louie Louie on their inner sleeve. I had to rely on the Iggy & The Stooges version from Metallic KO for years before I found out Iggy had been improvising. He got them all wrong - imagine that!
2 - Temple Stark
Nice. Any mention of Lemmy improves this site.
In my interview with Lemmy I didn't think it was politic to mention that I was disappointed when I went to see Metallica / GnR and Motorhead had replaced Faith No More. I was a young pup then.
3 - Triniman
One of my all-time favorite Motorhead songs is "I've Got Mine" from Another Perfect Day.
I'm going to see Motorhead for the second time in five years and at the same venue, but this time, I have much better seats!
4 - Nice review!
I'd agree on all those albums *except* for Another Perfect Day. It was different, for sure, thanks to Robbo but for my money the classic Bomber (esp. Stone Dead Forever, Sharpshooter, Sweet Revenge and the title track) would take that spot.
Bastards isn't bad either.
Ah, hell, it's Motorhead... it's ALL GOOD! and they're playing my town April 22 again! Woo Hoo! Deaf until the 25th!
5 - Temple Stark
Ah, reliivng all these in my head. Thanks.
Mario,
Launched this on the world - or at least the part of the world that scours Advance.net for the (family-friendly) cream of the BC Web log. That's hundreds of thousands of people a week.
Here's the link. Sorry here.
- Thanks. Temple
6 - Reisa L. Gerber
"Motorhead, motorhead,motorhead!
But you're motoring, you're motoring...
Sister C...And all I can see is a cutish, tired, and sad bigmouth who knows...
the time has come...
but...you're motoring
mi-mi-mi-mi-re-do-is @special for how I phrase
my favorites!
"Sol-mi! mi sol la re----------"
I can take the old rejection right in the face
and "Come from where it comes"!
Thanks-
Reisa L. Gerber
November 30, 2005
7 - Reisa L. Gerber
"But you're motoring...you're motoring!"
Yes, I am tonight. When I found out that
Sister Christian was this doctor's secret song
for me...that he meant to make real...I almost
fainted. He was sooooo cute and so caring.
And all I knew, was, after his motorcycle
disappeared from the parkin' lot, and our
counsellor at the day program said "he's out on
leave"-and "would you like to talk to him about
causing trouble as a client who merely,
"had a crush", with a positively answer that you
were never the cause of anything bad just
because you liked him, you know?" I said "yes"-
by the next week, the poor guy split...I'm
sure I drove him out of there. Noone needs that
kind of publicity...you know," a member of the
crew had a go with one of the guests"-
I think Lynnard Skinnard...whatever...You know,
it hurts...okay? okay. If he ever has this
article drawn to his attention, he should say,
"Mama, I'm a psychiatrist...but that's not it."
And since that's not it...the only reason I have
for droppin' him a line is because I felt like
talkin' about it...And if anyone out there
recognizes the pain...which actually seems to be
"psychotic incest"...(In my head, the shrink
loves my baby sister)....it's so painful I just
have to write it out here.
I gave him Tom Petty's "Break Down", song, you
"give it to me"....
8 - Reisa L. Gerber
"M-m-motorhead, what's your price tonight
At finding Mr. Right....
You'll be alright tonight...But you're
motoring, you're motoring, you're motoring!
Sister Christian now the time has come
I don't have to tell you "you're the only one-"......la la la...alright Happy Holidays.. la////um...lots.SINCERELY,