Αυτή είναι μια συνέντευξη που πηρα από τον Lemmy (MOTORHEAD) στα πλαίσια της κυκλοφορίας του τελευταίου τους στούντιο άλμπουμ, για λογαριασμό του Rock Hard Greece (Σακης Φράγκος) .Ήταν μια γραπτή συνέντευξη μέσω email και αναδημοσιεύεται εδώ ,δίχως καμία λείανση, όπως ήταν και ο ίδιος ο Lemmy, αυθεντικός και άμεσος.
Motorhead interview 2015
1. 40 years of active service, usually at 35 people tend to get retired and become pensioners, what is the driving force behind Lemmy and Motorhead to keep playing rock n’ roll?
-Motörhead is my life, that’s what I’m doing, that’s what I’m good at. Why should I retire … And what would I do?
2. The new album has quite a few references to the devil, the title song, the rolling stones cover? How did this occured? Has Lemmy recovery from health problems to do with a pact with the Dark Lord? Like the old bluesmen used to do at the crossroads?
-Not really, the lyrics are Motörhead lyrics and what comes to my mind while listening to the music; injustice in the world, war everywhere, politicians trying to screw us, abuse, child molestation, bad people out there – the real world
3. This time you used quite a few guests, Tom Morello, Brian May, do you believe working with guests has any real impact for such a tight band like MOTORHEAD or is it mostly a publicity trick? Especially Tom Morelo seems to copy the old Fast Eddie Clark sound and pay tribute to the Motorhead golden age days.
-I’m not quite sure which album you’ve listened to? Tom Morello is not on our record. Brian May is a friend, he is Phil’s mate. Phil asked him to play on The Devil, Brian made the time to do it.
4. The album sonically has a lot of references to older works like Rock n roll, “Orgasmatron” and general the more “old time” days, is it on purpose, you tried to achieve a more live/organic sound?
-We never try to achieve anything except to make a good record. We have no master plan, we go into the studio, play, write and record and hope that the music will be liked by our fans the same way we like it
5. The sound of the band doesn’t give a hint that this is the 22nd album, is it because of the producer or cause the latest line up seems to get tighter and younger over the years?
-The line- up is the same for more than 20 years. Cameron has been with us for a while too. We have a good chemistry together. And yes, you may say some albums are better than others but in the end it is just a Motörhead record, noting more, nothing less
6. Which are your favorite songs from the latest album? Which songs do you intent to put at the live set?
-All songs are favorites and substantial
7. This time you work live at the studio, are there any real differences you notice at the final songs? Was the procedure easier more difficult?
-Not really, but they’ve made a lot out of this in the press. Sometimes we’d go in together, sometimes Mikkey would go do it. It just depends. We did about 5 or 6 tracks together, so that much is true. We played and recorded simultaniously
8. The vocals are a bit deeper in the mix and sound a little more tired and down than the previous albums. This has to do of course with Lemmy’s recent health issues but do you feel it is also a sign of the new Motorhead style?
-I’ve always been able to sing deep and low, nothing wrong with my voice
9. The title has to do with some specific issue or just came through some kind of brainstorming?
-It’s just a line from Evil Eye. We were looking for an album title, looked through the lyrics and came up with Bad Magic
10. In recent interviews you told that Motorhead will decrease the number of concerts but increase the venue’s capacity they decide to play? This means that playing in countries like Greece will be possible only for festivals as clubs are usually of small size?
-Honestly, our agent is booking all of the concerts. He sends us the list and we agree or we don’t agree. Sometimes we have bigger venues, in the US all venues are much smaller than in Europe
11. You toured recently with Saxon at US and Crobot, what is like to keep the British metal spirit flame alive? What is the response of the audiences at such packages? Do they look at you like nostalgia groups and have older fans or do you continue to attract younger fans?
We are just touring with them. It is a nice package and it is easier to have a band you get along with
12. This year seems like a strong comeback from classic rock acts like Europe, UFO, Black Star Riders, AC/DC, while the new bands are far behind at producing quality material. Now Motorhead and Maiden comes as the latest addition to the old school bands that keep delivering the goods what’s going on? Are the older bands blessed with the songwriting gift or the new ones have too many things to struggle with?
I really can’t answer this question, especially about other bands. We just do our two year turnaround with writing/recording a new album because we think we owe it to our fans
13. What about MOTORBOAT and all this metal cruise fashion? Is it an easy way to make holidays and enjoy rock music or just another bandwagon to get more cash from the fans?
I liked it already last year, on this next one. It was much more fun as expected plus I got the owners suite - that’s already worthwhile going ha, ha
14. (for Lemmy) You have played quite a few covers at cover albums, which one is the most favorite to you?
Probably the ones I play with Headcat
15. Any chance to see some kind of reunion for some special show of the original Ace of spades line up? Are the hatchets buried between you? Do you contact them?
No reunions plans, and no hatchets to bury. All good between us
16. Motorhead is Lemmy but motorhead merchandise the last years has become extremely expensive and I’m talking about cell phone protective cases or high end speakers or even wines. Are all these great otherwise merchandise stuff, initiated by the bands management and just signed by the band or are an answer to the continuous download and profit diminish?
Everything related to merchandising (the rights) are licensed by the band to a merchandise company. They create a lot of Motörhead shit. Sorry about the prices, we do not really have much of a say about that
17. Do you see an end coming to Motorhead due to Lemmy’s health issue? We all know that diabetes and heart problems don’t go along very well with booze, drugs and extensive touring. Is there a plan for less touring, more specific dates and perhaps more studio or live releases?
No
18. The last albums tend to have a ballad., the one at the last album is quite good, but what does the ballad add to the Motorhead fan and to a Motorhead album? Is this a sign of maturity, tiredness or a good way to slow the pace at the live show to give sometime to recovery for Lemmy?
We’ve always had ballads on our albums - or call it a balladesque songs. Normally we don’t play them live though
19. Do you see the future touring plans to be more in the way of package with other bands even co head lining as Def Leppard/ Whitesnake i.e as a way to decrease cost and increase audiences numbers?
If it is a good package, I’m all for it and it’s fine to be second on the bill, too. I like this. Go out play and don’t have to worry
20. Any chance to see you at Greece? Any plans for us?
This is something that has to be arranged through our agent. We would love to come to Greece, the Greek people are a phenomenal audience, real rock guys and very pretty girls
21. Is there something artistically that MOTORHEAD or Lemmy haven’t tried or accomplished yet?
No, maybe a Chart position of Number 1 in the US ? ha, ha
22. You have been given a prize from the City of Los Angeles. Do you expect something like that to happen in Europe as well?
I don’t think so. I suppose the Mayor of LA is a big Motörhead fan and with me living there for more than 20 years , who knows .. maybe that’s the reason? and also, to coincide with our new album, 40.Anniversary , whatever ..? A nice honor!
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