Motörhead (album)

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Motörhead

Studio album by Motörhead
Released	September, 1977
Recorded	1977
Genre	Heavy Metal
Length	50:58
Label	Chiswick Records
Producer(s)	Speedy Keen
All Music Guide link
Motörhead chronology
On Parole (1975)	Motörhead (1977)	Overkill (1979)

On April 1, 1977, after a few unsuccessful years of toiling in obscurity hoping for a record deal, Motörhead decided to do their last show at the London Marquee Club. They asked Ted Caroll, head of Chiswick Records, to record the show for posterity. Instead of recording it, he offered a chance for the band to record a single. This being their last chance, they recorded a full-length album in just two days. Eight of those tracks were released on their eponymous debut album - "Motörhead". The album did well enough to ensure the band would remain together, but it was their next album, 1979's Overkill, that was their real breakthrough.

The debut's title track was coupled with the B-side "City Kids" and released as a single. Four remaining tracks from that recording session were shelved until 1980, when they were released on the Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers EP. Later the B-side and the EP were added to CD releases of the debut album.

Earlier versions of tracks 1-4, 9, and 11 were originally recorded in 1975 for Motörhead's would-be debut album On Parole, however, it was not released until 1979, when the record label that held its rights decided to capitalize on the band's popularity after the success of Overkill and its follow-up, Bomber.

The album sleeve artwork features Snaggletooth, the fanged face that serves as a symbol of Motörhead, created by artist Joe Petagno.

[edit] Track listing

"Motörhead" (Lemmy Kilmister) – 3:13
"Vibrator" (Larry Wallis) – 3:39
"Lost Johnny" (Farren, Kilmister) – 4:15
"Iron Horse / Born To Lose" (Brown, Lawrence, Phil Taylor) – 5:21
"White Line Fever" (Eddie Clarke, Kilmister, Taylor) – 2:38
"Keep Us On The Road" (Clarke, Farren, Kilmister, Taylor) – 5:57
"The Watcher" (Kilmister) – 4:30
"Train Kept A-Rollin'" (Bradshaw, Kay, Mann) – 3:19
"City Kids" (Sanderson, Wallis) – 3:24
"Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers" (Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard) – 3:27
"On Parole" (Wallis) – 5:57
"Instro" – 2:27
"I'm Your Witchdoctor" (John Mayall) – 2:58

tracks 9-13: bonus tracks added to CD releases
track 9 originally released as the B-side of the Motörhead single in 1977
tracks 10-13 originally released as the Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers EP in 1980

[edit] Special Releases

Various vinyl editions of the album "Motörhead"

The first 600 Chiswick vinyl albums of this album were issued in silver and black sleeves. Thereafter, the sleeves were in black and white.

Big Beat records made pressings in black and clear vinyls, with a special run of 16,000 red vinyl editions.

Chiswick EMI pressed two white vinyl edtitions: the first run limited to 10,000 copies, while later versions had a gold stamped promo sleeve.

Big Beat have also issued a Direct Metal Mastered LP edition.

One-sided test pressings (used in the trade; not mis-presses) escaped the pressing plant and are on the market.

[edit] Credits

Members
Motörhead This box: view • talk • edit
Lemmy Kilmister - Phil Campbell - Mikkey Dee
Former members: Larry Wallis - "Fast" Eddie Clarke - Brian "Robbo" Robertson - Michael "Würzel" Burston
Lucas Fox - Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - Pete Gill - Tommy Aldridge
Discography
Albums: On Parole - Motörhead - Overkill - Bomber - Ace of Spades - No Sleep 'til Hammersmith - Iron Fist - Another Perfect Day - No Remorse - Orgasmatron - Rock 'n' Roll - No Sleep at All - 1916 - March ör Die - Bastards - Sacrifice - Overnight Sensation - Snake Bite Love - Everything Louder Than Everyone Else - We Are Motörhead - The Best Of - Hammered - Live at Brixton Academy - Inferno - BBC Live & In-Session - Kiss of Death
Related articles
Motörhead discography - Joe Petagno - Alan Burridge