Motorhead – Clutch – Valient Thor – at Club Nokia – Los Angeles, CA

Friday nights Motörhead show at club Nokia was none other than a fine example of why Motörhead are still in a class of their own and always remain a must see live band after so many years of playing kick ass rock and roll. With a combined age of well over 150 years old, Lemmy and Co. still out perform 99% of bands that came before and will continue to come out; their hour and half set was proof enoughthat age and years of constant physical abuse have not slowed the Motörhead machine down one bit.

The night started out with opening act Valient Thorr taking the stage around 9 pm to an already packed club. Their brand of stoner speed metal rubbed the crowd the right way, many of which were already fans of North Carolinas fiercest musical export. Their set was met with plenty of applause and secured Valient Thorr a whole new gang of fans who rushed to their merch area to pick up their latest album “Stranger”. They are clearly a fine example of how Motörhead has influenced bands throughout the generations.

Clutch took the stage around 10 to a very eager crowd who greeted the band with much affection. Having never been familiar with Clutch, I was extremely surprised at how many of the front row fans were singing along to Clutch’s’ set of songs. Their vocalist Neil Fallon worked the crowd with much ease never interfering with his amazing vocal performance. Their southerly bluesy groove metal jams made for a nice change of pace after Valient Thorr’s speedier tempo’s assaults.

By the time 11 pm rolled around, the sold out packed house was chanting the ever holy names of Lemmy and Motörhead like an ancient cult performing a ritualistic sacrifice. When Lemmy and Co. graced the stage, the crowd just about exploded into a thousand plus body slamming pack of rabid dogs. The first words to leave the aviator glasses wearing front man had more power and truth to it than the pope at a religious mass. “We are Motörhead and we play rock and roll!” was enough for the crowd to really get behind the band right off the bat. With the amps turned up to 11, the band forcibly ripped through tracks at deafening volumes like nobodies business. The first single of their newest release and album in support of was treated by many like a classic Motörhead song, which says plenty about what their fans are all about; “Get Back in Line” stands up there with the rest of their back catalogue of favorites.

The majority of their set list was a mix of older and newer favorites, a variety of crowd pleasers and enough of an ear assault before Lemmy and drummer Mikkey Dee would exit the stage for Phil Campbell’s guitar solo. A few more songs flew by at bullet train speed before Mikkey Dee thundered in a drum solo halfway thru the song “In The Name of Tragedy”. Being the man with enough flash and talent to really put on a show Mikkey wowed the whole club and literally sent the crowd into a frenzy with his monstrous performance. His drum solo morphed right back into the chorus and the band finished up the song like it was a piece of cake. All the Jack Daniels in the world only seemed to help Lemmy nurture his intense throaty vocal, and with his trademark voice he welcomed his son Paul Inder to the stage (on guitar) and his friend Cherie Curie of Runaways fame to help the band out on “Killed by Death”.

The classic “Ace of Spades” was the perfect set closer and saw the crowd’s insanity grow increasingly through out the tale of Lemmy’s only card he’s ever needed in life. The band exited the stage but shortly returned after the crowds deafening chants called for an encore, and one hell of an encore was what LA was treated to. “Overkill” closed out the night with the crowd never once stopping their collective head banging, fist pumping or slam dancing. Choosing the bands current hometown as the final night of the tour was the best choice the band could have made. The North American “The World is Yours” 2011 tour ended on the highest note possible in Los Angeles and proved the ever solid point once and for all that LA fans are amongst the most loyal and diehard in all the Motörhead kingdom. Make sure and catch Lemmy and Co. when they return next time, for seeing Motörhead is always a musical experience in which your life is better after experiencing. All hail Lemmy!!


Set list:
We Are Motörhead - Stay Clean - Get Back In Line - Metropolis - Over The Top - One Night Stand - Rock Out - Guitar Solo - The Thousand Names of God - I Got Mine - I Know How To Die - The Chase Is Better Than The Catch - In The Name of Tragedy (with drum solo) - Just 'Cos You Got The Power - Going To Brazil - Killed By Death - Ace of Spades
Encore - Overkill

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

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