Thought I'd write a liitle about what happened around the gig as well as the gig itself.
It all started back in March, when the guy from my company's sports and social club said 'ere you like motorhead don't ya? They are playing The Pavillions (local home town venue) in November' This was before the dates were even posted on
www.imotorhead.com So I got my ticket, with a 10% corporate discount. Approached various mates, and 4 or 5 said they would go, guess what they all dropped out over the months with various crap excuses, just one thing to say to you guys, hope you fucking enjoyed Eastenders!
I had a crap night, the night before the gig, my eldest was up all night with a flu type thing. Also when I woke on Tuesday morning I had a stinking hangover, except I hadn't been drinking - I had a freakin sinus infection. Managed half a day at work before retreating to the chemist and then pushing off home, for my kill or cure, Sinutab and JD - it works!!!!
During early tea, a large plate of sausage and chips, my eldest who is only 5 asked if she could come to the gig with me - bless her! - she love Motorhead. So it was time for a quick shower, on with the motorhead t-shirt, my beanie and my West Coast Choppers hoddie and off to the bus stop - only to discover there was a problem on that route! Ended up walking 20 minutes to pick up another route!
Got to town and began seaching for the pubs with the Motorhead fans in, became a bit worried when I couldn't find any. Eventually ended up in 'kev central' just across the road from the venue, there were about 30 or 40 fans in there. The bar staff are very alert in this pub:
Barman "Is Motorhead playing tonight"
Barmaid "Yeah, why do you think everybody is wearing a Motorhead t-shit?"
Barman "Oh yeah"
After a swift pint there, I went over to the venue itself - to discover piss awful Carling in a plastic glass a £3 a pint - bastards...
Venue seemed to be full of 15 - 17 year old goths and nu-metallers in one corner and the over 40 brigade (of which I am one) in the other
Went into the main hall at the exact moment Girlschool came on - timing eh!
Don't know much about GS, except they have been around for years and they did some stuff with MH back in the old days.
However, was well impressed with their show, and the band seemed to be enjoying the gig as well. Two fave tracks were Hit and Run, and Emergency. Loved the guitar playing both lead and rythm with some will chunky riffs. The bass palyer sang a couple of songs, thought she was better than the main singer. Good set girls - loved it - set went down well with the crowd.
In Flames - never heard a thing by them, although they seem to be in all the metal music mags and they all seem to be the band with all the disaffected teenager moshers, so I didn't really now what ot expect. I was totally blown away, they were amazing. Nice and heavy, but with a mixture of songs that prevented the set from being boring. Not sure on track names, but Episode 666 (I think?) was killer. There was also a track with some keyboard stuff in that was excellent. The only down side was the formation headbanging by the band - totally naff. Overall although I loved it.
So to the main event
Some of Lems comments for the night:
"Oi you lot sat down on the balcony, what you doing waiting for chicken in the basket?"
"This one is for all those old people out there like me, its called Metropolis"
"This one was written in 1983 before most of you lot were born"
"This one is a sad song, it don't sound sad but it is 'cos they are all fucking dead - it called Ramones"
"Thank you Plymouth you were a fucking great crowd"
The set list was as per the rest of the tour. Lemmy had a stinking cold but didn't let it affect his performance. Thought there was some tension between him and Phil, Lemmy threw Phil a couple of filthy looks, one time when Phil played his guitar over the top of Lem when he was speaking to the crowd. Loved Phils illuminated 'SEX' sign on the amps. Fave songs were Metropolis - killer intro, Just Cos You Got The Power - blistering guitar and Overkill - which was just fucking BRUTAL!!!
Sound quality - Lems base was spot on, sometimes couldn't hear the vocals - don't know if it was a bad mix or if my ears were getting fucked by the volume, difficult to tell. Found out today that a couple of friends of a friend went and they left early 'cos "the sound was crap" - puffs!!!
Heard these comments on the way out "They ain't got it any more" and "I was bored after 30 minutes" - NOT MY OPINIONS!!!!!
After the gig I went to the burger fan and watched a fight between a Vicky Pollard look a like and a bloke dressed as a bear promoting a club
Vicky "Can I have a free ticket for the club"
Bear "No, you are under age"
Vicky "Fuck off you wanker"
Bear "Fuck off you slapper" ............ this went on for 3 or 4 minutes and was hilarious.
Was stood at the bus stop next to a group of 3 or 4 teenagers all in "In Flames" t-shirts, one of them said "The gig was good, except the pansy mosh pit that was full of 40 year old blokes" - either he didn't see me stood 2 foot from him or I don't look my age
Comment of the night came from the guy on the bus who was wearing a MH t-shirt and eating a tub of Mars ice cream
Me "What did you think of the gig"
Guy with Mars icecream "FUCKING BRILLIANT"
Nuff said .. Cheers Moby
A couple of articles from the local rag Evening Herald - The Voice of Plymouth also at
www.thisisplymouth.com LOUD AND PROUD
12:00 - 23 November 2005
Ace of Spades. There; I've said it.
I thought I'd get it out of the way first; after all, Motorhead can't be mentioned without their well- known and well-loved hit. They go together like Motorhead and heavy metal music - you can't image one without the other.
Motorhead have rocked our worlds for 30 years and on this Anniversary Tour, they proved that they haven't lost their touch for bringing down the house. Plymouth Pavilions was awash with black last night as Motorhead brought their unique sound to a host of fans, old and new. Encompassing generations of sound, the young, old and all ages in between enjoyed a fantastic night.
Since their groundbreaking first album release, Overkill, in 1979, Motorhead went on to become a rock music phenomenon, with a total of 10 UK album releases and 17 British hit singles including three number ones.
The atmosphere at the Pavilions was electric as Motorhead powered out tracks from their latest album, Inferno, and hits from the last 30 years. The energy of the band was matched by the crowd as the music washed over them. Motorhead definitely put the rock into rock'n'roll.
Despite suffering a cold, Lemmy was on fine form, with his banter and gravelly voice pounding out lyrics alongside the relentless guitars and drums. Half-way through the set was an incredible drum solo and towards the end an acoustic piece - all met with equal joy from the audience.
Motorhead have a dramatic effect on stage. Lemmy was unforgettable in his trademark stance, standing his ground, head tilted upwards towards the microphone, unleashing madness from his bass guitar. It was a night not to be missed as Motorhead rocked Plymouth. And, yes, Ace of Spades was played and went down like ice cream on a hot day. As that famous song goes: "That's the way I like it baby. I don't wanna live for ever." Somehow, though, I think they will.
JIM REVEALS SOFTER SIDE OF LEMMY
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12:00 - 18 November 2005
The one and only axe-wielding legend that is Lemmy brings Motorhead, the ultimate live rock show, to Plymouth Pavilions on Tuesday.
But for former Plymouth Pavilions promoter Jim Robertson, the show will be more than just a nostalgia trip.
Motorhead were the first band he ever presented, as social secretary at Langley College in Slough, and the gig had life-changing consequences for him.
Jim said: "I was 17, it was the first gig I had ever put on. The place was rammed with 550 people.
"The band gave it everything, the gig was amazing and I knew that I had to become involved in the music business, although I was supposed to be training to be a journalist.
"I couldn't play an instrument, so after college I became an agent, then got into working as a promoter.
"Lemmy collapsed at the end of the gig through exhaustion, and was unconscious for a couple of minutes.
"I leaned over him to see if he was OK. He came to, said 'Great gig, man', got up and went back on stage for the encore."
Jim says that despite his hard image, Lemmy is quite a softie underneath. He had heard that Lemmy liked to play pinball, so had borrowed the student uni pinball machine to put in his dressing room.
"I put in 40 credits for him so he didn't have to pay, but caught him using his own money having used up all the credit. He was too polite to ask for more."
The gig took place in 1977, at the height of punk, when Motorhead came back with their self-titled album and shot to the top of the charts.
"They existed quite comfortably along side all the punk groups, even though they were an out and out rock band."
Jim says that he still has a real soft spot for the band, and finds it astonishing that they are still going strong after 30 years.
"I think they found another new lease of life through the WWF wrestling scene. Triple H, who became world champion, started using Motorhead track The Game as his entry music to the ring.
"When he played Wrestlemania in 2001, Motorhead were there to play live for his entry.
"There were 80,000 people in the stadium, and millions watching worldwide. I think it allowed their music to reach a whole new generation of fans."
For ticket availability call the Pavilions box office on 01752 229922.