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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > September > 21 > Entry
Live Review: Motorhead at Stubb’s
The cartoonist Evan Dorkin once drew a strip based on the following premise: “What if Ramones’ songs were on ‘Name That Tune’?” It highlighted, of course, the incredible difficulty of naming that tune when all the songs sound alike: “I can name that tune in 64 notes,” “I can do it in 56!” “Name that tune!” (“Shoot…”) There’s something similar at work with Motorhead, who invented a formula with their inception in 1975, perfected in 1980 (“Ace of Spades”) and have barely looked to the right or the left. Galloping drums, usually playing the same beat song to song? Check. Nastily distorted guitar that owes exactly the same amounts to punk, metal, psychedelia and early rock ‘n’ roll? Check. Lemmy? Check.
Lemmy Kilmister is, of course, Motorhead’s leader, bassist, songwriter, singer and sole constant. At 63, he really is, no kidding, a living, breathing rock legend, the sort of guy who can get away with skin-tight jeans, black and white, shin-covering motorcycle boots and black cowboy hat at 63. (See also his autobiography “White Line Fever”for the full story.)
What’s fascinating is that, at 63, Lemmy and Motorhead seem far more popular now than they were when Lemmy was, say, 50. As one long-time Austin musician noted at the band’s packed Sunday show at Stubb’s, “I remember not too long ago when Motorhead would play (the defunct club) the Backroom and not sell it out. Why are they so popular now?”
It’s a good question. It’s not like their 21st century CDs sell that well or they had a breakout single. (They’re largely interchangeable, with one or two stellar variations on the formula per album. but 2004’s “Inferno” is particularly strong.)
But a massive percentage of Western music from all era is available via the Internet for free if you look hard enough, whether it’s on blogs or peer-to-peer services.
But 15 years ago, there was plenty of loud and/or semi-heavy indie rock around (Fugazi, Karp, Unwound, Nirvana, etc.). Now there isn’t (Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes, Grand Archives, etc. ). More non-metal looking folks are at metal shows than every before.
Also, Motorhead are a fantastic rock band.
The drum chair was filled in by former Cult/Guns ‘n’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum, who performed pretty much perfectly. As with most Motorhead shows, classic tracks ruled the day (“Stay Clean,” “Ace of Spades,” “Killed By Death”) with a few new ones here and there (“Rock Out”) that didn’t sound all that different from the old stuff.
The only real deviations from the loud-fast-rules forumla were two songs (“I Got Mine” and the title track) from the controversial 1983 album “Another Perfect Day,” which featured ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson, whose more melodic style proved a weird fit with Motorhead’ s rolling-tank sound. They have aged really well.
There was also the acoustic tune “Whorehouse Blues,” in which Lemmy reminded everyone that he’s just like every other British rocker of his generation: He’d rather be a bluesman.
Dallas-native the Rev. Horton Heat opened; his juiced-up punkabilly was, in spots, not too far from Motorhead’s thunder, veering between punk-speed guitar flameouts (the 1990 breakout “Psychobilly Freakout!” and more (high speed) country-ish tunes with a nerd-novelty bent (“Please Don’t Take the Baby to the Liquor Store,” “Ain’t No Saguaro in Texas.”)
Nashville P (no, we can’t print their name on the blog) opened the show with a Southern-rock take on the Motorhead sound ‘n’ fury. Yes, Lemmy invented a formula and stuck to it. But man, is it a good one.
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By Lemmys Pink Pajama's
September 21, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
Went to see the above trio at the Palladium in Dallas the night before the Austin show. I have been a Motorhead fan since Ace of Spades but never seen them live. They were excellent. Compared to some other live shows I have seen (Metallica, Killing Joke, Ministry, etc), Lemmy & Co come out on top. Would not hesitate to see them again. Just wish the set was longer - an hour & 15 mins was not enough.
By Pat
September 22, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
No offense to Matt, but Mikkey is GAWD and Motorhead jus’ ain’t the same without ‘im.
By TXn
September 22, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this
Pat I have to agree, but at least it was sorum, and not a studio sit-in type, no?
By Captain Craig MacKenzie
September 23, 2009 4:57 AM | Link to this
“Just ‘Cos U Got The Power” is an older song from the Phil Campbell - Wurzell lineup. It was a B-side off the “Eat The Rich” single from 1987 - 22 years ago! I first saw them perform it live in 1991 on tour with Priest and Alice Cooper. Too bad you were busy listening to Nirvana.
By David Whitten
September 26, 2009 5:51 AM | Link to this
Don’t see this band in a large venue like I did, Monsters of Rock because the sound sucked. I found out later, from a professional sound engineer, that the supporting acts don’t get the best sound, on purpose. It goes to the headliner. So, when I saw them in Austin, my mouth dropped. They were the headliner. God,what a difference. This band is legendary and now I know why. Tight, loud, & no B.S. When he sang the acoustic set of ***** Blues, it was fantastic. Raspy, raw, and honest!
By David Whitten
September 27, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
How very odd. I am thankful for the Houston Chronicle which allows me to post things without censorship being employed. I cannot believe the editing of house Blues. I did not even mention the other band, Nashville or the more polished version, not to offend anyone, Nashville ******. I bet this gets scrubbed as well. And they call this freedom?