Motorhead @ O2 Academy, Glasgow 5th November 2011

Starting off with "Emotional Blackmail" and ending with the time honoured "Disease" they also squeezed in a couple of tracks off their new album "Work In Progreess" namely the big impact track "Creation" and "Hell Is Other People". You could tell that the UK Subs were enjoying it and they seemed reluctant to leave the stage when the time came.

Next up were The Anti-Nowhere League who benefitted slightly from a rapidly swelling crowd. Looking like the bastard offspring from a cheap sex tryst between a Metalhead Father and Punkwhore Mother the League stand mid-way between the Subs and Motorhead in terms of image and sound. Lead vocalist Animal barked out his lyrics with arms gesticulating here and there while the rest of the crew assaulted the senses with uncompromising vigour. Again, a shorter set than they're used to but it included "For You", "I Hate People", "Woman", "The Streets Of London", "My God's Bigger Than Yours" and the incredibly offensive (but fantastic all the same) "So What?". Finishing with "We Are The League" I reckon a few Motorhead fans will be checking out ANWL in detail after this, the same can be said for the UK Subs too. My only gripes were both bands got minimal lighting, nothing unusual for supports but a little disrespectful in this case due to the status of both bands, and the sound rig really didn't suit either band in my opinion as it's geared for Motorhead primarily and no-one else should use it unless they want their sound overdriven to uncomfortable levels. Only my opinion you understand, plenty of others reckoned it sounded great.

Motorhead now, time for everyone to dig out their earplugs. I don't use them (to my eternal stubborness/stupidity - earplugs at a gig is like wearing a blindfold at the cinema in my opinion) but there are times I really should and tonight is one of those times. Tough shit Fish, I haven't got any! Lemmy & Co. swagger onstage with a degree of "Godliness" and launch into "Bomber" followed in quick succession with "Damage Case" & "I Know How To Die". The sound is pure dead brutal - Motorhead seem to get louder with each gig I attend (not always a good thing).

Lemmy has minimal chat tonight leaving Phil Campbell to engage the hoardes with Lemmy simply announcing the songs in the main. Mikkey D was obscured once more to those near/at the front by his drum kit on a vey high riser but occasionally popped up to encourage the crowd to go mental - as if they need to be encouraged eh? The set tonight is continued with "Stay Clean" "Over The Top" and "Metropolis" before we get the "spotlight solo" from Phil. More hard hitting R&R follows with "The Chase Is Better Than The Catch", "Get Back In Line" and "Rock Out" before we get "Orgasmatron" with ghoulish green uplighting illuminating Lemmy and Phil in "horror story" fashion. "Going To Brazil" brings some pace back into the set then, many peoples favourite Motorhead track "Killed By Death" gets the crowd bellowing and raising their arms in unison. "Iron Fist" ends the main part of the set and they troop off for a quick fag. Shortly they're back for the encores which starts off with Phil and Mikkey D both playing their acoustics while Lemmy whips out his ...... harmonica. The gentle start to the encore belies what follows, the expected "Ace Of Spades" and the finisher "Overkill".

Overall a good gig, not great as I feel the volume & quality of sound was too much and quite muffled respectively. The Mikkey D drum solo didn't get a mention as I've given my opinion on that before. Formulaic? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Too loud? Unfortunately, yes. However, did I have a good time? Yes. Did everone else have a good time? Yes. Will I go to another Motorhead gig when the chance presents itself? OF COURSE! And so should you. Mind you I'll have to buy some earplugs before then.

Review by Fish