Take No Prisoners
by Pig In Zen
Take No Prisoners
by Pig In Zen
| Formed in 1975, Motorhead is the "missing link" in the evolution of metal many don't know existed. Until their arrival, HM was defined by the likes of Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Sabbath; all fine bands but a far cry from the speed mongering soon to develop. The mainstay within the band is Lemmy(Ian Kilminster) as their, um, "vocalist" and bass player; actually a rasper with a huge affection for cigarettes and Jack Daniels. The remaining members have come and gone from the band, but the line-up of Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clark on guitar, and "Filthy" Phil Taylor on drums was the longest lasting and msot creative of the incarnations; lasting from '76 through their most prolific recording of the early '80's. |
 "Take
No Prisoners" is one of many best of albums covering Motorhead and depending on the
year released(this one is from '97 and yes, they still play)will include one or two songs
from their most recent repetoire but all will cover the years from '79 to '83; a span that
saw Motorheaad push metal into an era of loud, speed bent, anarchy which is probably more
recognizeable as HM to todays listeners than the likes of Zeppelin or Deep Purple. Asked early on what the musical outlook of the band was, Lemmy replied, "We're the kind of band that if we moved in next to you, your lawn would die." And I don't doubt this happened. Motorhead was known for their partying lifestyle and one member or another always was healing from some sort of alcohol/drug related ailment. Lemmy, himself, roomed with the then Hells Angels president, "Tramp", which only added to their violent mythology. You won't find the Motorhead tune, "Iron Horse", on the Take no Prisoners album, but was a song adopted as the Hells Angels anthem. |
The two albums Motorhead is best known for are "Ace of
Spades" and "No Sleep 'till Hammersmith"; both are covered well in
'Prisoners'. 'Spades' was released in '80 and contains some of the most head pounding and
raw metal that holds up to this day. 'Hammersmith' is a live album that shows the band
where they belong; on stage. It was released in '79 and still remains one of the only live
albums to enter the UK charts as #1. But, something you'll find in 'Prisoners' is not only
a compilation of best of tracks from LP's and EP's but a multitude of single releases(most
of which rock) and some of Motorheads less known "experiemtnal" music. Lemmy
enjoyed recording and playing live with the likes of the old all-girl bangers "Girl
School" to the punkish leader of The Plasmatics, Wendy O'Williams. Some bizarre
incarnations of metal emerged from Motorheads' clashing of groups and sounds. |
| Motorhead is still playing their brand of HM which has by now become outdated to many but the energy and raw power that made them metal icons is still there to entertain those that care to listen. Lemmy is one that could probably not give a fu** if you listen or not. What do you expect from a man who originally wanted to call Motorhead the "Bastards"? |
