Immerse yourself in the history of Motörhead, from their explosive beginnings to their iconic status in heavy metal music.
THE MOTÖRHEAD STORY
Enter the world of Motörhead, with its iconic albums, unforgettable songs and impact on the music world. Get ready to discover Motörhead's history, music and legacy.
Explosive beginnings
Motörhead, one of the most emblematic bands of the British heavy metal scene, also known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The legendary band was founded in 1975 by Lemmy Kilmister after his dismissal from Hawkwind for excessive drug use and his arrest at the Canadian border for possession of illegal substances.
Motörhead's first members included Lemmy on vocals and bass, Larry Wallis on guitar, and Lucas Fox on drums. However, rapid changes marked the band's early years. After recording their first album, “On Parole”, Larry Wallis and Lucas Fox left the band, replaced by Eddie Clarke, nicknamed “Fast Eddie”, and Phil Taylor, known as “Philthy Animal”. These changes led Motörhead to record landmark albums such as “Overkill” and “Bomber” in 1979, introducing a faster, more aggressive sound that redefined the boundaries of the genre.
The “Ace of Spades” album, released in 1980, has become a timeless heavy metal classic, with iconic tracks like “Ace of Spades”. The lyrics of this track capture the essence of the band: a life of risk and rebellion, embodied in Lemmy's husky, powerful voice.
In 1982, after the release of “Iron Fist”, Eddie Clarke left the band, replaced by Thin Lizzy's Brian Robertson, although he only stayed on for the “Another Perfect Day” album. Finally, in 1983, Motörhead found some stability with guitarists Phil Campbell and Würzel, and drummer Pete Gill, leading to the release of cult albums such as “Orgasmatron” in 1986.
The contributions of Lemmy, who had worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, profoundly influenced Motörhead's unique style, a subtle blend of punk, rock'n'roll and heavy metal. Motörhead albums such as “1916” and “March ör Die” cemented their reputation as pioneers of the genre, with notable collaborations with artists such as Slash from Guns N'Roses and Ozzy Osbourne.
Motörhead members such as Mikkey Dee, who joined the band in 1992, also left their mark. The band remained stable after 1995, with Lemmy, Phil Campbell, and Mikkey Dee, enabling the release of many acclaimed albums such as “We Are Motörhead” and “Inferno”, immortalizing Motörhead in music history.
Band influence
Motörhead is much more than a heavy metal band, it's a legend whose influence extends far beyond musical boundaries. With iconic albums such as “Ace of Spades” and “Bomber”, Motörhead have redefined the boundaries of the genre and inspired generations of musicians. Their raw sound, electrifying live energy and incisive lyrics have captivated fans the world over, making Motörhead an essential pillar of musical culture. Frontman Lemmy Kilmister has also become an icon of the genre, symbolizing determination, authenticity and passion.
THE MOTÖRHEAD ACE OF SPADES AND OTHER ICONIC REFERENCES
Motörhead's “Ace of Spades” album, released in 1980, is often considered the pinnacle of their career. The title track, “Ace of Spades”, has become a symbol of rock'n'roll. Beyond this single album, Motörhead produced many other iconic works that helped establish the band in heavy metal history.
Motörhead decoded
Motörhead are renowned not only for their style, but also for their powerful, evocative lyrics. Among their most famous songs, “Ace of Spades” perfectly illustrates this blend of intensity and depth.
Lemmy Kilmister has often drawn inspiration from themes of gambling, chance and life on the bangs of society. In “Ace of Spades”, the lyrics evoke the thrill of gambling and the lure of risk. The ace of spades card is a symbol of luck, but also of death and inevitable fate. Lyrics like “If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man” and “You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me” illustrate a no-holds-barred approach to life, where every moment is a risk.
Exploring other Motörhead tracks, such as “Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me”, we hear Lemmy tackle much darker, more serious themes, such as sexual abuse. The lyrics are poignant and show the band's ability to deal with serious subjects with sincerity and emotion.
The song “On Your Feet or on Your Knees” also embodies Motörhead's rebellious spirit. The lyrics encourage us to stand up and fight for what we believe in.
The members of Motörhead, including Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell, have all contributed to this legacy. Their lyrics have become so iconic that they are often quoted and analyzed for their depth.
Popular culture
Since its inception in 1975, Motörhead has left an indelible mark on popular culture, transcending the boundaries of heavy metal to become a veritable cultural phenomenon. References such as Motörhead's ace of spades have become powerful symbols.
The song “Ace of Spades” is one of the band's most emblematic. With its catchy guitar riff, and lyrics that evoke risk, freedom and challenge, this song has become an anthem for heavy metal fans and has been widely used in films, commercials and video games, reinforcing its status as a cultural symbol.
Other Motörhead songs have also left their mark. The title track “Bomber” and its aggressive guitar riff have become emblems of the genre, used to symbolize power and intensity.
Motörhead's members, in particular Lemmy Kilmister, have also played a crucial role in spreading the band's image. With his distinctive appearance and charismatic personality, he has become a rock icon. His influence extends beyond music, touching on fields as diverse as fashion, with his iconic hat-and-boots look helping him to become a symbol of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle.
“The Game”, the WWE theme song for wrestler Triple H, a collaboration that introduced Motörhead to an even wider audience, cementing their place in popular culture.
What does “Motörhead” mean?
The Motörhead name has its roots in a pivotal period of Lemmy Kilmister's career. Before founding Motörhead, Lemmy was a member of the band Hawkwind. When he was forced to leave the band, he decided to form his own group, which he initially called “Bastards”. However, his manager, Douglas Smith, urged him to change the name, claiming that such a name would never make it on British television, especially on the popular “Top of the Pops” show.
Lemmy opted for the name Motörhead, a term that had a special meaning for him. Motörhead is an American expression for someone addicted to amphetamines, a drug Lemmy used regularly.
WORK IN PROGRESS - NEW SUBSONIC PRODUCTS IN THE PIPELINE
At Subsonic, we're currently preparing a new range of officially licensed Motörhead products. Combining the energy of heavy metal with our technical expertise, these new items are designed for both Motörhead fans and video game enthusiasts. Whether you're an avid gamer or a rock fan, these unique products are sure to impress.
Motörhead and Subsonic combine the raw energy of heavy metal with the dynamism of the gaming world.
An explosive collaboration
« We are Subsonic and we play Rock’n’Roll ! »
Having launched its very first collection of Metal Gaming products under official license from another giant of the scene, Iron Maiden, it was only natural for Subsonic to expand its range with a band as legendary and influential as Motörhead.
More than just albums, tracks and sound, Motörhead represents above all a “state of mind” and perfectly illustrates the Californian way of life that has influenced many rock'n'roll fans across the planet.
To be a Motörhead fan is to empty a bottle of Jack Daniels and let out “fuck you” to anyone who will listen, with no headaches, no limits, no restraint. It's the perfect incarnation of the famous slogan: “sex, drugs & rock'n'roll”.
The 2 hallmarks of the band are :
- The bassist/vocalist, Lemmy Kilmister, icon of the music scene
- The band's logo/emblem, the famous Warpig horned skull, created in 1977 by artist Joe Petagno for the Motörhead album.
As well as being a huge seller of albums (over 35 million sold worldwide in a 40-year career), the band is also a major seller of merchandise. Who hasn't come across someone wearing the famous black Warpig T-shirt?
Even ultra-popular ready-to-wear chains such as H&M and Primark have launched limited editions featuring the band.
Following this inspiration, the passionate designers at Subsonic have worked to develop a range of products that are aggressive, impactful and nourished by Motörhead culture.
Sneak peek
On the program: an LED gaming mouse with an original design that truly embodies the essence of Motörhead. The honeycomb structure creates a “wow” effect, while the contrast-printed warpig and band logo and, of course, the LED with interchangeable colors bring out the rock'n'roll side of the gaming mouse.
To go with the mouse, a 30 cm diameter round mouse pad (the size of a vinyl record 😉 ) proudly bearing the famous “Motörhead England” prized by fans the world over.
Then, on an XXL mouse pad (size 90 x 40 cm), it's the Warpig that has been declined in several sizes. To delineate the mouse's place on the mat, another strong symbol was added: the ace of spades. The band's most famous song is certainly Ace of Spades, released in 1980 on the eponymous album. Since then, the ace of spades has always been part of the band's imagery.
To complete this gaming setup, Subsonic has designed an ergonomic wrist rest, called an ergopad, which contributes to the player's well-being and comfort during gaming sessions. The design reflects the band's music: effective and punchy. The gothic Motörhead logo is soberly printed on the product, in black of course.
Last but not least, a range of Motörhead gaming accessories could not see the light of day without the flagship product that has been Subsonic's strength for many years: a gaming chair proudly displaying the band's emblem. A mix of black and dark gray leatherette (imitating the jeans effect) gives the gaming chair unrivalled stature and appeal.
The Motörhead by Subsonic collection is first and foremost created by fans for fans. But thanks to the band's image and weight in today's popular culture, we're confident we can reach gamers of all generations.
