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SXSW: 5 Questions with …. the directors of ‘Lemmy’
Using a five-question format, we’re interviewing SXSW filmmakers about their movies before and during the festival, running March 12 - 20.
Here, we talk to Wes Orshoski and Greg Olliver, directors of the rock doc “Lemmy,” a moles-and-all portrait of the legendary Motorhead frontman.
The movie, featuring concert footage and interviews with the likes of Slash and Ozzy, follows Lemmy and the band from Moscow to Berlin, Seattle to Sweden.
Lemmy and Motorhead will play Stubb’s on March 16 in celebration of the movie. Details HERE
- Lemmy, from a distance, has always seemed like this rowdy, crude, dirty, biker-pirate, totally hardcore, but also thoughtful and kind of sweet. You guys spent a lot of time with him. What’s he really like?
Wes Orshoski: He isn’t rowdy or crude (not anymore, anyway). He’s far more well-read and quick-witted than people assume. He has a tough emotional shell that’s hard to crack. Also, there’s no artifice. The guy you meet is the real man, there’s no pretense, no b.s.
- How did you approach Lemmy for the film? Was he game or did you have to ply him? Did he even like you guys? Did he ever bite you?
Orshoski: Ha, no biting. That’s Ozzy you’re thinking of. We approached band management with the idea and it took about six months for us all to sit down together to discuss the idea, because of Motorhead’s rigorous international touring schedule. Greg and I met with him and management at his favorite spot in L.A., the legendary Rainbow Bar and Grill (on the Sunset Strip), and ate pizza and drank and just chewed the fat. We spoke five minutes of business and spent the next four hours laughing at Lem’s stories, and just getting to know one another. When Lem excused himself, his manger, Todd Singerman, told us that that was the longest he had ever seen him sit in a business meeting.
- What was the biggest revelation about Lemmy you learned in the course of shooting? Does he like puppies?
Orshoski: I don’t think he’s a puppy fan. I was shocked to learn recently that he bought a friend a puppy, to which he responded, “Just because I bought it doesn’t mean I have to play with it.” Hahahaha. One revelation might be his love for Pat Benatar, and his obsession with Kinder Eggs, the milk chocolate eggs with little tiny toys inside them. He doesn’t eat the chocolate, but loves building the toys. (Kinder Eggs are actually on the band’s rider, at least in Europe, where they’re easier to get).
Olliver: Nothing surprises me about Lemmy, although I was quite impressed to learn he knows more about World War history than the History Channel and the Military Channel combined. OK, maybe I was surprised that he has better hearing than I do — and he NEVER wears hearing protection on stage! My ears are literally ringing from editing the film. Imagine what it was like to shoot it!
- Did you shoot any footage in Austin?
Oshoski: Yep, the daytime show in the teaser (in which Phil Campbell and Lemmy are wearing shades) was actually filmed at Stubb’s (SXSW day party 2007). We filmed several things in Austin that will show up in both the movie and the DVD extras.
- During your time with him, how many packs of Marlboro reds did Lemmy smoke and how much J.D. did he imbibe? Considering his lifestyle, how many years as the Great, Grouchy Metal God does Lemmy have left?
Orshoski: Probably an entire North Carolinian field of Marlboros and a probably two or three kiddie pools of Jack and Coke. Who knows how long. Only time will tell.
Olliver: Even if you’re not a smoker, this movie will make you crave Marlboro. Even if you’re straight-edge and never had a drink in your life you’ll be headed to a bar immediately after it’s over for a shot of Jack. As for how long he has left … he recently said that he’s going to keep rocking till 2047… and I believe him.
Olliver, Lemmy and Orshoski in Lemmy’s Hollywood apartment. (Photo: Paul Inder)
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By Johnny Venom
February 19, 2010 12:35 PM | Link to this
Lemmy is God & Motorhead RULES!!!
By misterpister
February 17, 2010 4:20 PM | Link to this
LEMMY!!!!!!@#!@#!@#@!#