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Live: Motörhead
05.04.11Thebarton Theatre - Wed Mar 30
In the country to tour their latest album (their 20th) The World Is Yours, rock icons Motörhead shook Thebarton Theatre to its very foundations. They just don't make them like this anymore.
The familiar catch cry “We’re Motörhead and we play rock ‘n roll” heralded the beginning of another big show at Thebarton Theatre. In true Motorhead fashion this show, like all others, was loud, loud, loud! Ear plugs were rendered useless (my ears were ringing for days after) and the question has to be asked whether really loud is too loud? The sound mix for the first half of the set was terrible and makes you wonder if the sound crew were tone deaf because it took a long time to sort itself out.
Motörhead have been regulars to our fair city for many years and despite Adelaide being the ‘smallest’ crowd on tour they made up for it in spirit and being quite vocal when egged on by drummer Mikkey Dee. This time round the show didn’t necessarily have a strong greatest hits and memories flavour but had a very strong leaning to their new album The World Is Yours (their 20th).
Kicking off with Iron Fist, it was on in a big way as the collective hearing of punters took a pounding. It didn’t take long before new single Get Back In Line got an airing. It was definitely a case of good luck trying to decipher the mumbles between songs of legendary front man and rock royalty Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister. Just his presence on stage is presence enough as his loyal following hung on every bass line. Over The Top and One Night Stand were bruising encounters and the guitar solo from Phil Campbell in Rock Out was impressive to say the least.
Of the new tracks, I Know How To Die was my favourite in their set. In The Name Of Tragedy featured a massive and tad indulgent drum solo from Mikkey Dee who, didn’t need to prove how awesome a drummer he is but did anyway. Just ‘Cos You Got The Power was dedicated to our politicians and from here it was rock all the way to the finish with Going To Brazil, Killed By Death and the much-anticipated cult hit Ace Of Spades to wrap things up. Probably their longest show just nudging an hour and a quarter but there was a rousing reception when the band returned for an encore to hear the infamous Overkill. The crowd again was reminded that “We’re Motörhead and we play rock ‘n roll” and that they’d return again soon for another tour in the near distant future.
For some fans the night was made complete by being taken backstage (minus the cost of a $500 platinum fan experience ticket) to have a meet and greet opportunity with front man Lemmy, who signed and took photos with fans. All I can say is m‘Holy shit I just met Lemmy. Does it get any better?’
Words: Rob Lyon
Pic: Benon Koebsch
