Motörhead (Graz - Orpheum - 15.06.2002)
Written by: Ale¹ Podbre¾nik
As usual we went very early from Ljubljana to Graz determined to get band's autographs and photos. It was 2:00 p.m. in Graz and still hot as hell with breathtaking high moisured air. We found a prefect shade in front of Orpheum under a tree. As I expected our resting was quickly disturbed by Croatian fans equipped with their national banners all around and fully occupied with cans of beer. They jumped out from their vehicle like red ants and took a place nearby. Shortly after that, they disappeared through the Orpheum's main gate and came back quickly with full hands of Motörhead posters. They fortunately marched down the streets of Graz.
It was 6:00 p.m. when band's bus parked by the hall. We were waiting with pencils, ready to go in for the kill. So what followed? Firstly pale blue sky colored into gray and we thought that we will get some stormy refreshment. After 20 minutes of waiting the door opened. Two girls stepped out of the bus. We immediately realized what it was all about. Girls went through Motörhead's hands and claws. Fascinating start of a show, wasn't it? When we almost gave up waiting, the door opened at about 7:00 p.m. again. It was him. The "Iron Kancler" - Lemmy "von Bismarck". We couldn't believed our eyes that we are standing next to a legend. This was a real boneshaking moment. Lemmy didn't care a lot about us and he went for the main door of the hall. "Oh no you won't!" said my friend Milan and held him very tight. So Lemmy just couldn't escape out of the trap he was in. He was shaking in his well known physiological state of a man who maybe drank just a little bit to much. No, this is his way of living, his chosen freedom. He is Motörhead. We got our autographs, we took photos with him and this was a complete victory for us. He still remembers a gig in Ljubljana from 1989 when one maniac threw a sharp edged coin and target him right between two fingers of his right hand. And on that suggestion, he said nothing, he simply turned and showed us his scar. When one of Croatian fans gave him his passport to sign in, Lemmy gave him father's advice: "I think, they (he meant state institutions) won't like that!" neverminded and put his sign in. Milan, who was the most excited Motorfan on the scene for sure, couldn't stand still even for a second: "Lemmy, you are still number one!", Lemmy simply responded to him: "I'm tryin'!" And after Lemmy finally broke free, the other two Motorbastards who followed went into the same trap.
Well let's finally talk about the gig. O.K. we succeeded and took a place in the first row. It was 20:30. And Lemmy, a reborn man on stage, looked much taller, younger, stronger and was carrying all his energy within. Amazing difference if I recall our eye to eye meeting just an hour ago. He greeted the crowd: "I guess you know who we are by now. We are Motörhead. And we are gonna kick your ass!" They stroke with opening riff of "We Are Motörhead" and the crowd went mad. My face was immediately covered with Croatian banners. "I can't believe my eyes! I'm standing here and Motörhead are playing in front of fuckin' me!" just couldn't believe a Croatian fan from Split that his dreams finally came true. The next song was "Bomber". I was really surprised, because this song was 'till "Hammered" tour always played in band's encore.
Well it's obvious, that Lemmy is still very much frustrated, due to lose of his friend Joey Ramone, who died in May this year. So he provoked a crowd a little bit: "Is anybody in here familiar with punk music!", and the band did "God Save The Queen" and latter on "Ramones" as well. I wasn't pleased very much with that. Motörhead were never a punk band in their history.
I could read some songs from the set list glued on the stage's floor. The absolute killer "Born To Raise Hell" was included also in the band's set, but it wasn't played. I don't know why. But it was great to hear such classics as "Doctor Rock", "Shoot You In The Back" or "Damage Case" again.
The entire show was what is expected to be from such a band. What can three bastards achieve on stage is incredible. Pure unique energy. They served a straight shot of Rock'n'roll right into our brains. And gave us complete party time. You can't just simply stand and watch the scene during Motörhead show. If you don't boogie, than something must be wrong with you. Highlight of the gig was "Orgasmatron" for sure. During this song the stage and hall turned into black, only green lights were spotted on Lemmy's face.
To have Mikkey Dee in the band always guarantees you to be a winner. This fellow hits his drum kit with using the whole body movement, never (or rarely) crosses drum sticks or uses some other school learned tricks. He developed his own style, and we could feel his powerful pounding drum beats, that ripped our ears. I thought for a while about John Bohnam from Zepps. Mikkey is able to simulate Harley Davidson engine's roaring. When he did it, I just took a deep breath and stared for a while like if I turned to stone. These are the reasons why Lemmy presented him to the audience: "Fuckin' best Rock'n'roll drummer in the world!" He really played tremendous solo during "Sacrifice". Meanwhile, Phil and Lemmy shortly went off the stage for some drink. This immortal band just can't let you down.
Everything happened to quick for me during the show. Band finished their main part after playing for about one hour and fifteen minutes with "Iron Fist". And the crowd asked for some more. And they got it. "This is it!" roared Lemmy and opened with his Rickenbacker the "Ace Of Spades". He admitted in one of his interviews, that he is sick and tired of playing that same old song. But the crowd could probably killed the band if "Ace Of Spades" wouldn't went through. The band continued with "Overkill" and brought the show to its final end. Fade out of a song was again something special. They left their pick ups high gained for a few minutes. This band's final move provided high oscillation that really fucked up every single ear and turned the entire hall and crowd into final meltdown.
set list:
1. We Are Motörhead
2. Bomber
3. Civil War
4. Damage Case
5. God Save The Queen
6. Brave New World
7. Metropolis
8. No Class
9. Ramones
10. Sacrifice (included drum solo: Mikkey Dee)
11. Going To Brasil
12. Love For Sale
13. Doctor Rock
14. Shoot You In The Back
15. Orgasmatron
16. Killed By Death
17. Iron Fist
------------------------------------------- encore
18. Ace Of Spades
19. Overkill
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