At The Ambassador, Dublin

One of the best things about Motörhead concerts is the look of horror when the people who’ve bought their t-shirts in Top Shop realise that Lemmy & Co. are no chi-chi fashion accessory. Dinky little halter tops may come and go, but this lot have been doing it harder, faster and louder than anybody else for going on 30 years.
Besides Mr. Kilmister’s remarkable tolerance for amphetamines, the main reason for the band’s longevity is that they write great songs. Take away the distorted guitars, Animal from The Muppets drumming and rumbling Panzer division bass and the likes of ‘No Class’, ‘Shoot You In The Back’ and ‘Over The Top’ are as tuneful as anything you’ll hear at a Strokes gig. Actually, more so because none of Motörhead are as hopelessly off their gicker as Julian Casablancas is nowadays.
While ‘R.A.M.O.N.E.S.’ is as dumb-ass punk rock as it comes, the rest of the set abounds with licks that are far older in origin. Lemmy may be the Godfather of Metal, but his own heroes are blues players like Ledbelly who one suspects would thoroughly approve of his bastard offspring.
By Motörbonce standards it’s a stripped down show with nary a scaffolding bomber in sight, but there’s no need for eye candy when you’ve got a song as gobsmackingly awesome as ‘Ace Of Spades’ at your disposal. The Ambassador also witnesses a first tonight when Phil Campbell brings out an acoustic for the encore. Needless to say the strumming is anything but gentle, with the last of the girly brigade running for the exits. Quality.