Motorhead – ‘Iron Fist (40th Anniversary edition)’ (BMG)

Motorhead – ‘Iron Fist (40th Anniversary edition)’ (BMG)

Back in 1982, Motorhead were riding a wave of success. After their seminal Ace of Spades album took them to the top of the heavy metal tree in 1980, they then scored a number one with one of the greatest live albums ever released – No Sleep ‘til Hammersmith in 1981.

How do you follow that? The pressure was on the three amigos to come up with another album. The recording of the album that would become Iron Fist began with Ace of Spades producer Vic Maile at the helm. As time went on though, the band decided that guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke should take over as producer (Clarke had recently produced Tank’s debut album).

 Clarke took over as producer reluctantly and the band holed themselves up in Morgan studios and Ramport studios in London. The album was released in March 82 and did reasonably well, getting to number six in the UK. Unfortunately, it was to be the last album with the ‘classic’ line up of Lemmy, Philthy Animal Taylor, and Clarke. The stage show of the tour became Spinal Tap esque with a giant fist that was meant to open up but it malfunctioned more than it functioned! Clarke left the band, and he was replaced by Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy), that’s another story!

Jump forward 40 years and we have an anniversary edition of Iron Fist along with unreleased demo tracks and a full live concert from the Glasgow Apollo in 1982. The Iron Fist album was always a bit patchy, and you can tell that some of the tracks were simply thrown together. There are some great moments though, the title track is still as powerful as ever, Heart of Stone has always been a favourite of mine, and (Don’t Need) Religion grooves like a bastard! I always loved that album cover art too, that metal fist is umm.. metal as fuck! The band did look a bit daft with the whole leather, studs, and swords bit though. It was the eighties after all…

The demo tracks are an interesting listen with some alternative versions of tunes that ended up on the album. The band are as tight as a duck’s backside and it’s fantastic to hear in insight into the recording of the album. Lemmy Goes to the Pub is an early incantation of Heart of Stone and its alternative lyrics are hilarious! ‘You never buy a bastard drink’ ha ha…

It’s not surprising that the best part of this anniversary release is the live concert. It’s raw, rowdy, greasy, sloppy, and of course, fucking loud!! Motorhead always sounded better live, the production of the early albums was always a bit hit and miss, I suppose that’s what we love about them though… they certainly never conformed to any norms. All the classics are here, Bomber, Overkill, Ace of Spades, We Are the Road Crew, Capricorn.

The 40th anniversary release is being presented in new deluxe editions. There will be hardback book-packs in two CD and triple LP formats. The original album is remastered, and we get the story of the album and many previously unseen photos. There’s also a limited edition, blue and black swirl vinyl version of the original standalone album.

You know me!! Play it fucking louder than everything else!

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

Evo’s Songbook of Filth (the songs that help inspire the Metal Anarchy of Warfare)

Evo’s Songbook of Filth (the songs that help inspire the Metal Anarchy of Warfare)

Having just released the excellent ‘Songbook of Filth’ retrospective via Cherry Red/Hear No Evil Recordings. RPM’s Johnny H caught up for a brief chat with Evo, drummer and singer with UK punk metallers Warfare to discuss the songs that helped inspire the total armageddon his band unleashed on the rock world, initially back in the early eighties.

 

Hi Evo thanks for chatting with me today so let’s start at the beginning. What initially gained your interest is listening to music?

 

“When I was only a kid, I dreamed about making records and being on stage and ‘Turn It Down’ by The Sweet (from 1974’s Desolation Boulevard album) sounds amazing if played very loud with the bass up.  I may one day even do a cover of it only noisier.”

 

 

You’ve always called Warfare “metal punk” but what bands from the halcyon days of both those genres initially inspired you?

 

“It has to be UFO and ‘Let it Roll’ but the version from the Paris Theatre BBC in Concert 11th December 1975 (available in the UFO – At The BBC box set) that track really was a forerunner along with the Ramones ‘Commando’ live at the Rainbow Theatre on New Year’s Eve 1977 (from the ‘It’s Alive’ album). The aggression in both tracks is superb.”

 

Was there a song from those early days that made you think “I can do that”?

 

“I was always very anti conformist and raised hell in school but when I first heard ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’ by Eddie and the Hot Rods (from the 1977 album ‘Life On The Line) my destiny became clear and indeed the guy who played bass on it, Paul Gray, also plays on the new Warfare album.”

 

 

There is something about that era of music here in the UK that just oozes class and attitude and when you look back at the charts from late 1978 to around 1981 its like a mini masterclass in how to write great tunes, would you agree?

 

“I just love rock ‘n’ roll period and there are many songs to choose from but for charisma and attitude and good lyrics I like ‘No Time To Be 21’ by the Adverts (from their 1978 album ‘Crossing the Red Sea with The Adverts’), ‘Ugly’ by The Stranglers (from their 1977 album ‘Rattus Norvegicus’ and ‘Over the Top’ (originally the B-side from the Bomber 7” released in 1979) by my mate Lemmy and Motorhead.”

 

 

You got to work with Lemmy when he produced your Metal Anarchy album and more recently you also worked with Lem’s old pal Pete Way (who plays bass on ‘Misanthropy’ from Songbook Of Filth). What was it like working with him?

 

“His bass sound is unreal and for that reason I’ll add ‘Fortune Town’ by Mogg/Way (from their 1997 album ‘Edge Of The World) which has the same sound Pete got for the WARFARE stuff. The legendary Thunderbird bass through an Ampeg amp. This is another song if cranked right up is great stuff.”

 

Finally, as you’ve included tracks from your bands prior to Warfare (Major Accident, The Blood and Angelic Upstarts) on the new album what track has really stuck with you?

 

“An album that should have been much bigger, which I actually played on, was the Blood’s 1983 debut ‘False Gestures for a Devious Public’. the song ‘Degenerate’ is a belter and I would love to re-master the full album and get it released.”

 

Thank you, Evo, it’s been great chatting with you and discussing your influences. I wish you all the best with ‘Songbook Of Filth’, and here’s the video for Misanthropy for all our readers to get a taste of what Warfare sounds like in 2021.

 

“Cheers!”

 

 

You can read Johnny’s review of ‘Songbook Of Filth’ right here on RPM and you can pick up your own copy direct from Cherry Red Records via the following link.

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Author: Johnny Hayward

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Motörhead – ‘No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith (40th Anniversary Edition)’ (Sanctuary Records/BMG)

Motörhead – ‘No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith (40th Anniversary Edition)’ (Sanctuary Records/BMG)

You never forget your first encounter with Motorhead. I vividly remember mine; I was around 12 years old and I had been regularly raiding my mate’s older brother’s vinyl collection. I had already been turned into a metalhead after blasting his copy of UFO’s classic live album ‘Strangers in the Night’ over and over and had my Dio virginity taken by Rainbow’s ‘Rising’ and his pristine copy of ‘Holy Diver’. I was flicking through to see what else would grab my attention when I came across his copy of ‘Ace of Spades’. I assumed they must be some sort of mad Mexican bandits judging by the cover with Lemmy and the boys resplendent with bullet belts, guns, and cowboy hats in the hot desert. (I was gutted when I found out years later that the photo was taken in High Barnet, London). Anyway, I feverishly took the LP out of its sleeve and put it on my mother’s crap hi-fi system. The opening bars of the title track was enough to have the speakers flapping, the neighbours complaining and this teenage scribe’s metal morphosis was complete.

 

This time in Motorhead’s history was to prove to be their most successful, ‘Ace of Spades’ reached number four on the UK album chart, and the ensuing ‘Ace Up Your Sleeve’ tour was their most lucrative to date, taking Bronze label-mates Girlschool out with them as support. This tour was documented in the loudest possible way with the release in 1981 of one of the best live albums ever recorded: ‘No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith’. Confusingly, the album wasn’t recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon as many people think but was made up from material recorded at the Newcastle City Hall and the Leeds Queen’s Hall in 1981. The album’s title came from a mural painted on one of the band’s tour trucks. It was the band’s only number one in the UK and showcased a band at the peak of their deafening powers. The line-up of Lemmy, ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke, and Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor is the most revered for good reason, the chemistry on stage is palpable and every track is performed as if their lives depended on it. It literally rips out of the speakers. I loved it as a spotty teenager, and I love it even more now.

 

 

This 40th-anniversary release of ‘No Sleep’ is hot on the heels of last year’s fantastic ‘Ace of Spades’ anniversary release. There’s so much here for Motorheadbangers to get their teeth into with the deluxe editions. You can choose from a remastered double CD or triple LP set, both come with bonus tracks, soundcheck recordings, and the previously unreleased Newcastle City Hall concert in its entirety. You also get hard books with the story of the album and brand-new photos, posters, a tour pass, and loads of other goodies.

 

 

There’s also the option of a four-CD box set with all three concerts that make up ‘No Sleep’ here in all their eardrum demolishing glory. Seventy-one tracks in total! The new remaster sounds incredible and you get all the thunderous bass runs, amphetamine-induced double kick drum mania, and full-throttle guitar riffs in crystal clear sound. The soundcheck recordings are a delight to behold, make sure you check them out!

40 years is a long time, give this reissue all the attention it deserves, turn it up as loud as you possibly can (fuck the neighbours), pour yourself a JD and Coke, and plunge yourself (Motor) headfirst into the audible delight that is ‘No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith’. It’s what Lemmy and the boys would have wanted. We all miss you. RIP.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

ACE OF SPADES ANNIVERSARY REBIRTH

ACE OF SPADES ANNIVERSARY REBIRTH

DELUXE COLLECTOR’S BOX-SET AND SPECIAL 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS OF ACE OF SPADES
TO BE RELEASED ON OCTOBER 30th 2020

 

Upon its release in 1980, the Ace Of Spades album was nothing short of a gamechanger for all forms of hard rock. Like lightning in a bottle, it perfectly captured everything great about hard rock, heavy metal, and punk, amped it all up to 11, and came racing out of the gates at what felt like a million miles an hour, pushing at every musical boundary. Nothing was harder. Nothing was faster. And certainly nothing was louder.

Now, following on from last year’s fan and media acclaimed anniversary editions of the seminal Overkill and Bomber albums, comes the record that launched Motörhead into the stratosphere and carved their name into the walls of rock’n’roll history forever; Ace Of Spades.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this milestone album, it is being presented in new deluxe editions. There will be hardback book-packs in two CD and triple LP formats, featuring a previously unheard concert from the ‘Ace Up Your Sleeve’ tour, the story of the album and many previously unseen photos. Also, the album will be released as an ultimate fan, collector edition Ace Of Spades box set, containing a bevvy of era-specific treasures and some 42 previously unreleased tracks!

The Ace Of Spades Deluxe box set contains:

  • The Ace Of Spades album, half-speed mastered and created from the original master tapes.
  • Two double-live albums of previously unheard concerts from the ‘Ace Up Your Sleeve’ tour.
  • A Fistful Of Instrumentals : A 10” EP of previously unreleased, instrumental tracks from 1980.
  • The Good, The Broke & The Ugly. A double album of B-sides, outtakes and rare tracks.
  • Ace On Your Screens: A DVD compilation of rare TV appearances from 1980-81, a live concert from 1981 and a 5.1 audio mix of the original album.
  • The Ace Of Spades story. A 40 page book telling the story of Ace Of Spades through previously unpublished interviews with the people that were there. Includes never before seen photos and memorabilia.
  • The ‘Ace Up Your Sleeve’ tour programme
  • The Motörhead Rock Commando comic.
  • A set of 5 poker dice that can be played on the game board inside the box set lid.
  • All encased in a classic Wild West dynamite box.
  • A limited edition 7″ reproduction of the Dutch ‘Ace Of Spades’, with a previously unreleased instrumental version on Side B. (while stocks last!)

In 1980, off the back of two essential albums, Overkill and Bomber the previous year, Motörhead continued to get bigger, better, louder and faster by the second. This time, on Ace Of Spades they teamed up with producer Vic Maile and came up with twelve songs; each and every one of which crams a regular band’s ten minutes of playing into an average of three. The song titles alone made ears bleed; ‘Love Me Like A Reptile’, ‘Shoot You In The Back’, ‘The Chase Is Better Than The Catch’ and ‘The Hammer’ were a few examples.

This landmark album saw the three amigos of Lemmy, Fast Eddie Clarke and Philthy Animal Taylor at the helm of the juggernaut that was Motörhead, gaining phenomenal growth in popularity as they forged onward. The band’s and their fans ideas, wants and inspirations, converged at a perfect tangent. Anyone disputing this fact need look no further than any heavy metal gig of the time and play ‘spot the Motörhead T-shirt and jacket’. They outnumbered anyone else by at least five to one. A statistic that is still accurate some forty-five years since they first began!

The Ace Of Spades album release was a magical moment in rock’n’roll history, an album which had enormous global impact and continues to resonate and inspire people worldwide. Fans to this day still remember where they were when they first heard it, and it immediately inspired bands worldwide to absorb the album’s energy, speed, and attitude into their own work. Ace Of Spades is ground zero for thrash, speed metal, and punk / metal crossover.

See below for full details of the Ace Of Spades releases and be sure to visit www.iMotorhead.com for news and updates!

BOX SET TRACKLISTING
Ace of Spades    
Side One
Ace Of Spades
Love Me Like A Reptile
Shoot You In The Back
Live To Win
Fast And Loose
(We Are) The Road Crew
Side Two
Fire Fire
Jailbait
Dance
Bite The Bullet
The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
The HammerA Fistful Of Instrumentals
Side One
Ace Of Spades (demo)
Hump On Your Back (demo)
Shoot You In The Back (demo)
Fast And Loose (demo)
Side Two
Dirty Love (demo)
Love Me Like A Reptile (demo)
Dance (demo)

Riders Wearing Black
Live At Whitla Hall, Belfast – 23rd Dec 1981    
Side One
Ace Of Spades
Stay Clean
Over The Top
The Hammer
Shoot You In The Back
Metropolis
Side Two
(We Are) The Road Crew
No Class
Bite The Bullet
The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Side Three
Jailbait
Leaving Here
Capricorn
Too Late, Too Late
Side Four
Overkill
Bomber
Motörhead

Dead Man’s Hand
Live At Parc Expo, Orleans – 5th March 1981
Side One
Ace Of Spades
Stay Clean
Over The Top
Metropolis
Shoot You In The Back
Side Two
The Hammer
Jailbait
Leaving Here
Fire Fire
Love Me Like A Reptile

Side Three
Capricorn
Too Late, Too Late
(We Are) The Road Crew
No Class
Side Four
Bite The Bullet
The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
Overkill
Bomber

The Good, The Broke & The Ugly    
Side One
Ace Of Spades (Alternative Version)
Dirty Love
Love Me Like A Reptile (Alternative Long Version)
Shoot You In The Back (Alternative Version)
Side Two
Hump On Your Back
Fast And Loose (Alternative Version)
(We Are) The Road Crew (Alternative Version)
Fire Fire (Alternative Version)
Jailbait (Alternative Version)

Side Three
Waltz Of The Vampire
The Hammer (Alternative Version)
Dirty Love (Alternative Long Version)
Bastard
Godzilla Akimbo
Side Four
Love Me Like A Reptile (Alternative Version)
Dirty Love (Alternative Version)
Please Don’t Touch (Performed by Headgirl)
Bomber (Performed by Girlschool)
Emergency

Ace On Your Screens DVD
Part 1 : Motörhead on TV 1980-1981
Part 2 : BBC In The City; Live In Belfast ‘81
Part 3 : 5.1 audio mix of Ace Of Spades

Motorhead – 1979 (Sanctuary Music)

Motorhead – 1979 (Sanctuary Music)

Although the three classic Motorhead members of Lemmy, Eddie and Philthy have all sadly now passed, they made enough of a revolutionary racket to ensure that it would take a lot more than death to silence the cosmic mayhem they began to create at the tail-end of the 1970s. It seems incredible that 2019 marks a full 40 years since the legendary trail blazers released their incendiary Overkill and Bomber albums: two full-length records that would change the shape of rock and metal music thereafter. And to think that Ace of Spades was still yet to be released.

So much has been said about Motorhead that it hardly seems necessary to go over too much old ground here. Their impact and influence are indisputable. Their uncompromising reputation infamous. They truly were the epitome of rock and roll rebellion. Lemmy once said that “[w]hen Motörhead leaves, there will be a hole there that just can’t be filled. That’s fine with me; it means I’ve achieved what I set out to do – which was to make an unforgettable rock ‘n ’roll band.”

Unforgettable they certainly are. And the passing of Lemmy has done little to halt not only the re-releases of records, but also all manner of junk products officially associated with the band. It’s hard to imagine a Motorhead lawnmower getting official approval if Lemmy was still here, but who knows. Amongst all the releases of dildos, alcohol and whatever else, we now have welcome re-issues of Overkill and Bomber all wrapped up in a deluxe boxset.

Aside from two classic albums, pressed here on 180g vinyl created from the original master tapes, the set also includes two double-live albums of previously unheard concert material from the 1979 tours. A 40-page period-accurate ‘music magazine’ featuring unseen photos and fresh interviews regarding the era. The Rest Of ‘79 vinyl, featuring B-sides, outtakes and rare tracks. No Class 7” single with gatefold art. The Bomber tour programme. Overkill sheet music book, and a ‘79 badge set.

All of this glory comes wrapped in a kind of small leather jacket box, if you like that kind of thing, and if you think it’s at all necessary. And how much will all of this set you back? Well, around a very un-Motorhead price of 150 quid. And if that isn’t enough for you, there are various other bundles and extra merch you can spend your money on.

There is no doubt that the Overkill and Bomber albums sound as fierce and fantastic as they always have done. They truly are astounding records from a significant era of rock and roll music, and illustrate the true birth of one of Britain’s most recognisable rock bands. And the addition of photos, live albums and extra song packages are also welcome. But unless you’re a completest with a well-paid job and a penchant for novelty packaging, it’s hard to imagine you’ll be dipping into your pockets for this one. But by the time you read this email, Motorhead might be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that Lemmy notoriously hated. So, who knows.

Author: Craggy Colyde

Buy Motorhead 1979 Here

Gone But Not Forgotten – Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor

Gone But Not Forgotten – Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor

Philip John Taylor Better known as one-third of the classic Motorhead lineup and affectionately known as Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor was born on 21st September 1954.  he had two spells with the band, recording eleven studio albums and four live albums. before passing away on this day in 2015.

Northerner Taylor grew up in Leeds and joined Lemmy when the band were recording the ‘On Parole’ album and it was Taylor who introduced Fast Eddie to the line up shortly after. “Philthy Phil” also broke his neck after falling from or being dropped by a mate  who lifted him above his head in a show of strength that went wrong  but Taylor played in a neck brace but this was nothing new to the drummer as he also broke his hand punching a guy on the eve of a tour but just taped up his stick to his fist.  He first left Lemmy in 84 and had stints in Waysted with Pete Way and toured with Frankie Millar.  It wasn’t long before he returned to the fold in ’87  but it wasn’t to last as he was fired some five years later due to his lifestyle choices and as a result a lack of quality in his playing.

He did however make an appearance with Fast Eddie when Motorhead played Birmingham in 2014.  Taylor passed away on this day in 2015 after being ill.  Liver failure was recorded as cause of death he was only 61.  his bandmates paid tribute to their departed brother with Eddie saying,

“My dear friend and brother passed away last night. He had been ill for some time but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes. I have known Phil since he was 21 and he was one hell of a character. Fortunately, we made some fantastic music together and I have many many fond memories of our time together. Rest in Peace, Phil!”

Lemmy commented,

“I’m feeling very sad at the moment, in fact devastated because one of my best friends died yesterday. I miss him already. His name was Phil Taylor, or Philthy Animal, and he was our drummer twice in our career. Now he’s died and it really pisses me off that they take somebody like him and leave George Bush alive. So muse on that. We’re still going, we’re still going strong, it’s just first Wurzel and now Philthy, it’s a shame man. I think this rock’n’roll business might be bad for the human life”.

Rest in peace Philthy.  What a force of nature the classic ‘Head were.

 

Gone but not forgotten – Würzel

Gone but not forgotten – Würzel

Würzel was born Michael Richard Burston on 23 October 1949.  He joined Motörhead in 1984 and played up until 1995, playing on eight albums including two live albums. Würzel died at the age of 61, following heart complications.

He joined the same time as another unknown guitarist from Wales entered the Motorhead ranks a certain Phil Campbell. Lemmy obviously liked them both so offered them the job and the iconic three-piece had now become a four piece making their debut as a band on The Young Ones on 14 February 1984 Valentines Day.

After leaving the ranks of Motorhead Würzel released a solo EP in 87 as well as some dodgy Jazz-Rock instrumentals.  On this day in 2011, Lemmys bass technician reported that Würzel had died. The cause of death was CardioMyopathy.  Before passing, Würzel was working on new material with his band, ‘Leader of Down’. The following day, Lemmy dedicated Motörhead’s performance at Sonisphere Festival to his memory.

His recording contribution with Motorhead shouldn’t be underestimated playing on some of the bands best albums  they ever did such as – No Remorse (Compilation, 1984), Orgasmatron (1986), Rock ‘n’ Roll (1987), Nö Sleep at All (Live album, 1988), The Birthday Party (Live album, 1990), 1916 (1991), March ör Die (1992), Bastards (1993), Sacrifice (1995), BBC Live & In-Session (Live album, 2005).

He earned the nickname “Würzel ” as a soldier because of his West Country roots and disheveled appearance, which led his fellow recruits (when he was a soldier prior to joining Motorhead) to compare him with the TV character Worzel Gummidge.  Lemmy described him as “nearly a basket case” in his 2002 autobiography – encouraged him to add an umlaut to his name rather than go by his birth name, in line with the spelling of the band’s name besides putting Ü is like the Ö in the band name and way more metal. Würzel became the jester and a perfect counterfoil to Lemmy’s sterner image.  Lemmy recalled a time when he lived up to his chaotic jester-like lifestyle when he ran into Bill Wyman at a London venue and almost knocked him out such was his level of excitement. Lemmy recounted,  “Würzel ran down there, all excited, and, just as he comes to the bottom, Bill Wyman comes along, and he hits him full-on and lands him flat on his back … Great start to the evening, you know? ‘Hello, Bill, I’ve always been a fan of yours. Oh sorry, have I knocked you out?’ ”

Despite leaving the band he did remain friends with Lemmy and made several guest appearances at shows up until his untimely death including Guilfest in ’09.  Rest in peace Würzel.

 

Gone but Not Forgotten RPM looks at one week in April

Gone but Not Forgotten RPM looks at one week in April

Wow, April managed to take plenty of Rock and Roll royalty over the years and this week sees the anniversaries of some pretty high profile legends as well as some really controversial figures.

The 5th of April 1994 was the day a global audience of MTV news watchers gawped on in horror at the news breaking that day saying Kurt Cobain had been found dead in his garage from a shotgun wound to the head.  such tragic circumstances for such a young man whilst he might have been a troubled man he did have a daughter he left behind.  Prior to his death Cobain was having problems over in Europe with his drug addiction and was hospitalised.  His band Nirvana were just about the biggest thing on the planet at the time as they headlined festivals and their third album had just sold millions globally  it seemed from the outside that he had everything he could possibly have wanted at his feet yet inside he just couldn’t cope and couldn’t see any way out of it other than to take his own life. The twenty-five years have just flown by who knows where he’d be in today’s musical climate and he and his band will forever be frozen in time having achieved so much in a relatively short space of time his music will live on. Buy Nirvana Here

Two days after Cobain checked out the music world lost another talented soul and cool cat that was Lee Brilleaux the chain-smoking, harmonica honkin’ frontman for the most excellent Dr. Feelgood. Born Lee John Collinson on the 10th of May 1952 the South African would be brought up in West London later moving with his family to Canvey Island where he would later carve out his own little spot in music history by forming Dr. Feelgood with Wilco Johnson in 1971.  He continued the band long after the departure of fellow co-founder Johnson up until his untimely death from Lymphoma in 94.  Probably most famous for their debut album ‘Down By The Jetty’ that no doubt influenced many in the new wave/pub rock scene that happened in the late 70’s early 80’s and the hit single ‘Milk & Alcohol’  which was a top ten single from the ‘Practice Practice’ album.  Its also true that he helped start Stiff records with a loan of £500. RIP Lee. Buy Dr Feelgood Here

On the sixth of April in ’98 lead singer of the Plasmatics the enigmatic larger than life frontwoman Wendy O Williams also took her own life with a shotgun.  Williams had relative success with her punk band the Plasmatics and their brand of shock rock which was a punk rock version of the Alice Cooper show with plenty of chaos and her iconic Mohawk she also famously sang a shambolic duet with Lemmy on ‘Stand By Your Man’ and the far better ‘No Class’.

Williams hailed from New York and is most known for her work with the Plasmatics as well as her solo albums but it was the punk band where she got the most notoriety after being arrested in several states for public indecency after appearing naked and simulating masturbation on stage she then took to wearing the gaffa tape over her nipples to avoid arrest. 

Anyway, after her duet with Lemmy, she got Gene Simmons to produce her ‘WOW’ solo album and got the members of kiss including Stanley to play on it.  In the later part of the 80’s she reformed The Plasmatics.  By the 90’s she’d had enough and retired with her partner to Connecticut where she worked with animals and shying away from any sort of public life she tried to take her own life by stabbing herself in the chest it wasn’t until the April of 98 that she went into the woods with a gun and took her own life leaving her partner a note.  Her passing shook the rock and roll community with the likes of Joey Ramone making a statement as well as her old friend Lemmy.  There was also a tribute concert put on at CBGB where the surviving members of The Plasmatics played a short set in her honour and even a few years ago Record Store Day reissued a record of Plasmatics tunes on a special 11″ disc back in 2014 entitled ‘Fuck n Roll’ (very original) so on the 6th of April raise a glass and play a Wendy O tune Rest In Peace Wendy O Williams ‘The Queen of Shock Rock’ Buy WoW Here

 

Also in April Per Yngve Ohlin died on the 8 April 1991. Committing suicide in possibly the most horrific way back in 91 Per was better known as ‘Dead’ lead throat for the Black Metal legends Mayhem. He also had a stint in Morbid and is infamously known as a pioneer in the Black Metal scene. He slit his own wrists and throat before blowing the top of his head off with a shotgun. He did leave a suicide note that ended with the words, “Excuse The Blood”! Don’t let it be said that Black Metal lacks a sense of humor no matter how dark. 

Euronymous found his bandmate and before contacting the police, he allegedly went to a shop and bought a disposable camera with then photographed the body of his bandmate.  Euronymous also put out there that he had made a stew with bits of Dead’s brain and had made necklaces with bits of his skull.  Euronymous claimed to have given these necklaces to musicians he thought worthy, which was confirmed by several other members of the scene, like Bård ‘Faust’ Eithun, Metalion, and Morgan Håkansson.  the pictures were developed in secret and kept at their record store Helvete before finding their way to the head of Warmaster Records in South America who used the picture on the cover of the Mayhem live album ‘Dawn Of The Black Hearts’ as incredible and fucked up as it sounds it was possibly the catalyst for a spiral of mayhem (no pun intended) within the scene that was already pretty fucked up but never the less made the band infamous in Heavy Metal circles and would see to it that Mayhem would be immortalized forever. Dark times indeed RIP young man. Buy Mayhem Here

Finally, we salute the passing of the Pistols Svengali the one the only Mr. Malcolm McLaren impresario, visual artist, performer, musician, clothes designer, master manipulator shop keeper. Born on 22nd of January 1946 he passed away on April the 8th 2010. At only 64 years old McLarens life was brought down by Cancer of the Abdomen Laid to rest in Higate Cemetry McLaren will be most remembered for his Rock and Roll Swindle and his master manipulation of the music world during the Sex Pistols brief time spearheading the punk movement of the late 70’s and narrating the Rock and Roll Swindle.  If you don’t know his story then where have you been Let it rock became ‘Sex’ which is where he assembled the Pistols and the rest, as they say, is History.

He did manage along the way to get arrested at the Queens Jubilee, fuck up the New York Dolls and replace Thunders with Blackie Lawless!! (Go figure)  Put together Bow wow wow with the then 13-year-old singer Annabella Lewin and also make Buffalo Girls go round the outside.  McLaren lived life to the full and whatever he turned his hand to seemed to be extremely successful at it. With almost a decade in the rear view mirror of life, we salute McLaren and his contribution to music RiP sir. Buy Malcolm McLaren Here