Motorhead Madness in Mickey’s Backyard

Back in ‘94, I was barely a teenager when I went to see a film called “Airheads” one summer afternoon with some friends of mine. In it’s opening sequence, the tune of Motorhead’s “Born To Raise Hell” bolstered through the eardrums of everyone in the theater that day, and blew my unsuspecting mind away. That was my first taste of Lemmy and the boys, and from then on I was a fan. Fifteen years later, I finally got the opportunity to see the “road crew” in the flesh.

Kicking the evening off was the unlikely Reverend Horton Heat. Although I’ve never been much of a rockabilly fan, the few bands I have seen that fit in that category were entertaining enough to watch live (well, for the most part!) The Reverend were certainly no exception, pumping the crowd up with songs such as “Psychobilly Freak out”, “Bales Of Cocaine”, “Liquor, Beer, and Wine”, and “Galaxy 500.” Before sets end, front man Jim Heath’s amped-up energy level landed him playing guitar on, and leaping off of Jimbo Wallace’s upright bass. The group was suprisingly well received despite playing amidst a sea of die-hard metal fans.

Then like a rabid pit bull fighting it’s way out of hell, Motor head took stage in Orlando for the first time in over eight years. Vocalist/bassist Lemmy Kilmister proudly proclaimed “We’re Motorhead and we play rock and roll!” before barrelling through a set list consisting of both old and new songs alike. Tracks like “Rock Out”, “Dead Men Tell No Tells”, “I Got Mine”, “In The Name of Tragedy”, “Killed By Death”, “Another Perfect Day”, “Metropolis”, and “Over The Top” were all heard throughout the night. Halfway through the set, both guitarist Phil Campell and fill-in drummer Matt Sorum each rocked out a solo. I noticed Mikkey Dee’s absence from the drum kit early on, but was uncertain whether or not it was definitely the ex-Guns N’ Roses skins-man until Lemmy introduced the band. Always a pleasure to hear Mr. Sorum perform live.

Before leaving the stage, Lemmy let his audience know, “We’re outta here, unless you guys really want us to come back for a couple more!” Of course the crowd happily obliged to his not-so subtle hint and began chanting “Motorhead” repeatedly. Upon their return, Phil and Matt were both displaying acoustic guitars around their shoulders, while Lemmy simply sported a harmonica. The result was a raunchy version of “Whorehouse Blues.” Afterwards, the boys got back to business and ended with the classics “Ace of Spades” and “Overkill”, and finally gave their fans a chance to catch their breath. Not to mention some keepsakes, one of which being a guitar pic that my other-half caught from Lemmy himself! Was I jealous? Not one bit considering I had just finished watching one of metal’s greatest acts of the past thirty-some odd years perform. You might say this writer was quite content!