Friday, July 31, 2009

Hunter Fest


There are conflicting reports about Motörhead playing in Poland at Hunter Fest. This was posted in Motörhead forums on their official website. However, the following post in the latest news section confirms the bands appearance on July 25/09.

I do know a number of bands pulled out because they say they weren't paid. Apparently the promoters knew better than to mess with Motörhead, the baddest frickn' band on the planet.

Here's some videos I've found online, so I can only assume they played the Fest and these polish fans obviously enjoyed the show at the Mazury Airport.



Here are a few more vids that are of surprisingly good quality. The video is especially good. The following were posted on YouTube by hellkommander. He requested the videos not be embedded, so click on the pics for a link.

'In The Name of Tragedy'

'Over The Top'



'Going to Brazil'

(I had a little trouble linking his various videos to the pics, but you get the idea. Just check out his posts they're pretty good.) And finally, this is Motörhead's set list from the show at Hunter Fest according to Setlist.fm (the set list wiki). For a band that supposedly wasn't playing Hunter Fest, they sure rocked that venue!

Here's a Polish drinking toast: Nie ma brzydkich kobiet, tylko sa trzezwi meszczyzni.

Translation: No such thing as ugly women, just sober men.

Ace ♠

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

'Anvil, The Story of Anvil'

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I threw on a Motörhead T-shirt, a pair of black denim jeans, tied on a bandanna, slipped on my riding boots (all perceived metal paraphernalia) and plunked myself down on the couch with a case of wobbly pops and watched the movie 'Anvil, The Story of Anvil'.

(click to link to movie's website)

Like so many others who've reviewed this award-winning feature documentary by Sacha Gervasi, I really, really enjoyed it.



Strangely enough, the movie begins just like the trailer. The biggest heavy metal bands and names on the planet... Lemmy, Slash, and Lars (to name a few) all bestowing the virtues of Anvil. This is an awesome clip, you gotta' take a peek.




And it goes onto describe how those bands went on to become R&F, and Anvil fell off the face of the earth.


Gervasi documents what happened after the band fell into obscurity and their hey-days of big gigs and wild times in the 80's.

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He catches up with Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Rob Reiner twenty years later, trying to make ends meet doing menial jobs in their old home town in Ontario, Canada.


The movie is at times, depressingly sad and yet funny as hell. You truly grow to like the characters as they attempt to once again, try and find success as a metal band.
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These guys just won't give up on their dream and their endearing spirit grows on you throughout the film.


From small bar gigs (during a botched and al-be-it ill-fated and poorly organized European tour) to playing a friends wedding, it is utterly compelling to say the least.


IMO the best line in the movie is when Kudlow's sister lent her younger brother the money the band needed to record a new album. After she breaks down in tears there is a slight pause, the camera snaps back to a two-shot and Lips chimes in "Family is important shit, man!" And they embrace. Frick'n hilarious!!

I don't want to spoil it for you... but in the end they do cut a new album/CD.


Their newest release as featured in the movie is called 'This is Thirteen'. Again produced by the same guy who produced two of their most successful LP's.


That includes the album 'Metal on Metal' (a true classic). I bought it in grade nine. No it wasn't a re-issue or a 'Greatest Hits', it was back in 1980. Yes... it was an album. Stop laughing!


Here's a write up in Rolling Stone on the boys from Canada.
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Gary Graff of Billboard wrote a great article about the movie, it's worth a read.
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(click on pic for Anvil's website)
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Yup a great flick and worth renting.

Oh if you're interested, here's a link to the band's website. Yes, you'll need the link because a lot of people (including me) went to this Anvil site by mistake.


Ace ♠

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Who is The Reverend Horton Heat

For those of us on this side of the pond, The Reverend Horton Heat is opening up for Motörhead during their North American leg of their current world tour in support of their latest CD 'Motörizer'.

I've never seen the TRHH band perform and I really don't know that much about them.

So if you're like me and intend to catch up with Lemmy and the boys when they land on our shores, I thought you may want to see a preview of Rev and heat. This video seemed to fit the bill.


This piece of tape was shot at the House of Blues in Dallas on July 25/09

Hard-core rock-a-billy with a dash of punk/metal defiance... cool. With seven or eight beer in ya, they'll sound just fine (before Nashville Pussy) opening up for Motorhead.

Ace ♠

Friday, July 24, 2009

Ile du Gaou (France) Show

Bonjour from France metal heads!

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These may be the best concert pics I've stumbled across yet. Motörhead played at Ile du Gaou on Wednesday July 22/09.

Enjoy!

Photos courtesy: Pirlouiiiit (Flickr)

For more on the annual event, here's a link to Ile du Gaou Six-Fours France. I found this video as well. Quality isn't all that bad and it's gives you an idea of what the veune looked like.


Ace ♠

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Tuesday Night Ride - Ste. Agathe

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The Tuesday Night Ride, or the TNR for me began with the Mandarin chicken salad. Hey... I was hungry! It was very nice. As were the scoots out for the ride. And what a night for a cruise, which of course always begins here at Le Garage Café.



It's only my second ride so I'm still meeting the regulars. Justin, whom I know through his wife (who cuts my hair) was out with his H-D Night Train.

He's done a few mods to his ride. A 2-into-1 pipe with a nice down turn.

Frickn' great sound when he cracks it!

H-D skull air cleaner, bags, a sissy and back rest for Crystal. And of course the gas cap from the old Sporty.


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And he's also got a GPS and iPod attachment that came with the bike. Handy for those long trips. The bike is all but set.

Ya... who we kiddn', we'll never stop addin' stuff.

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As soon as I got off the Motorheadster and saw his ride, I immediately thought of the bike some say the Night Train was modeled after.
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I doubt Justin was even born when I first laid eyes on the 1982 Harley-Davidson Sturgis FXB ('B' signifying the bike was belt drive).

The bike of course derives it's name plate from the annual biker bash and August debauchery hoe-down south of the border known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.



What a machine. I was in love. I saw the bike in Lawrence Bird's tiny shop in Brandon. For those who don't know Lawrence Bird, he is truly a legend in the Canadian Motorcycle world.

Lawrence Bird Motorcycles

No matter what you rode, the size of your bike, your age or experience, Mr. Bird was always there to help, encourage and promote motorcycling (click on the link for more).

Back to TNR.

Ray mentioned he'd asked his dad to ride with us but the old man said, we're not bad enough!?!

Like who does he ride with... these guys?

He said quote: "The only thing we'd do that was bad, was to cash in expired gas coupons". LOL

Another rider who was at Le Garage but didn't hit the road with us was, I'll call him Paul #2.

This is his Harley Fat Boy.



There are a number of nice features on the FB, like the flamed fork covers, 2-into-2 pipes and signals.

Arnold Schwartzener's bike in T2 was a 1990 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy FLSTF.


Sales went through the roof after that movie and H-D could barley keep these bikes on the showroom floor.

I love the look of those wide 'steer horn / beach bars'.

(Paul #1's Fat Boy)

Paul Y. eventually made an appearance.

He picked up the title 'Unibomber' because he was cold and pulled his hoodie up like Phil Laak the poker pro.

I don't think they were referring to this guy!

Don pulled up on his bagger.

He had Johnny Cash just a blarin'. Love it!

Awesome!!! You just don't get many chances to use that pic of 'The Man in Black'

I like the minimalist look of Don's bagger, lean and clean and black!

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Another couple I had never met, but had the pleasure to ride with, were Scott & Lucy. Here's Scott's Soft Tail.

Check out the forward controls. Scott apparently just put em' on.

Wicked! Exactly Wicked Image (if I heard correctly) forward controls, nice dude! Gnarly!


From the candy paint, to the front end and pull back risers, all in show chrome... this bike was made for cruise night.

Custom air cleaner and 2-into-2 (V&H by the looks of it) nicely turned down as well.

I only caught the tail end of the conversation but Ray says Scott is a dish washer at the Keg and he's also oversees three of the restaurants in the city.

Wow, who knew a dish washer could handle that kind of responsibility or make that kinda' dough... and still wash dishes at the shop! (Kiddn')

Lucy said this was her ride, I think she was pullin' my leg. No matter... with her out, there was finally a sense of class associated with our Mötley Crüe.
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So, we head south from Le Garage. And on the way we pass a billboard with a local TV news guy on it. Ray mentioned we should climb up there with a few rattle cans.

I'll save you the trouble, Photoshop is easier (and you won't go to jail). Man I hate that guy!



The lovely village of St. Agathe welcomed us on this ride. Another beutiful old church. I could've drove all night... it was that kinda' evening.

Speaking of old churches... that reminds me of my off roadn' adventure chronicled in my post Sunday Run. I need a quick thumb release like Justin's. Yup, next purchase.

Here's our final stop for the night, Billy Miners hang out. If you're reading this Joel, you missed another great ride.

For $hit$ & giggles we should invite that TV news dude out!

Ya, he probably rides this.
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And I bet his favourite band is Wham. Did I mention I hate that guy. ;)


Ace ♠