We Are Motörhead

The Zoo Crew is spinning the raw, blistering track We Are Motörhead by Motörhead, from their 2000 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are surely cranking up the volume. This song is a defiant anthem, encapsulating the band’s unapologetic attitude. One piece of trivia comes from the album’s cover art, designed by Joe Petagno, who revealed in an interview included with the Inferno 30th Anniversary edition DVD that the artwork was inspired by the death metal and black metal scenes of the time. Petagno noted that many of these bands were heavily influenced by Motörhead, and he suggested paying homage to the “death thing” since the band pioneered such themes. He also mentioned that Lemmy Kilmister requested the iconic Snaggletooth logo be shown in a full profile view, a perspective not used since their 1986 track Deaf Forever, making the album’s visual identity a nod to their legacy.

Another interesting tidbit about We Are Motörhead is its inclusion of a cover of the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen. The band recorded a promotional video for this cover atop an open-top London AEC Routemaster bus, as noted in the Wikipedia entry for the album. This bold move captured their punk rock spirit, blending it with their heavy metal roots. Lemmy himself, in the documentary The Guts and the Glory, defended the album’s quality, stating, “I think We Are Motörhead was a much better album than it got credit for.” He felt it was overshadowed by competing compilation releases like Deaf Forever: The Best of Motörhead, which the band had no control over, as mentioned in the same source. A post on X from @myMotorhead in May 2023 celebrated the album’s anniversary, highlighting its limited-edition green vinyl and digipack CD releases, showing its enduring fan appeal.

Motörhead was formed in 1975 in London by Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, a bassist and vocalist who became the band’s sole constant member until his death in 2015. Lemmy’s journey began after being sacked from the space rock band Hawkwind for drug-related issues during a North American tour, as detailed in Wikipedia. Returning to London, he formed Motörhead, naming it after the last song he wrote for Hawkwind, with the term “motorhead” slang for amphetamine users. Recruiting guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox, the band aimed for a raw, fast sound blending punk and heavy metal. Their early days were rough; their debut album, recorded for United Artists, was shelved until 1979 as On Parole, and they faced financial struggles, living in squats. By 1977, the “classic” lineup of Lemmy, drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, and guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke solidified, recording their self-titled debut and setting the stage for their rise as pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

You can keep up with Motörhead’s legacy through their official Facebook page, which boasts nearly 3 million followers and shares updates on releases and tributes, or their Instagram account, where fans can find photos and announcements. Their X account is active, posting about milestones like the 2023 We Are Motörhead anniversary. Fans also gather on sites like Discogs, where collectors trade rare vinyls, and Metal Wiki, which offers detailed band history. On Facebook, groups like Motörheadbangers Fanclub connect devoted Zoo Freaks, sharing memories and news about the loudest band in the world.