Hi, I'm Peat Henry: Motorhead concert recap

Just this past Tues night I went to go see Motorhead with a friend. I had previously seen them 3(4?) times before. The first time was back in '99 I think. It was over at the infamous East St Louis institution that is POP's in Sauget/ IL. In the pit I got knocked into this old big gnarly biker dude, and when I turned around to look at him he grabbed my throat and straight choke slammed me to the floor. A life moment I will never forget!

The second time was a few years later also at POP's. Rumor has it that I may or have may not been wandering around out back by the bus's and was able to pound some Jack Daniels with Lemmy himself. It was this time also that I'm not absolutely sure if I was confusing seeing Motorhead for a 3rd time or not, but what ev's.

The true 3rd time(maybe 4th?) was at the Pagent 2012. Some 10 years later I think? It was truly "Everything Louder Than Everything Else". The "new" Misfits were supposed to open and flaked out. Good for us! Bad for the silly little Hot Topic punk kids sitting on the ledge during Motorhead bellyaching about how the "new" Misfits cancelled. I tried to explain that Motorhead were the true heroes of the night, but my words were lost to both ignorance and earsplitting volume of MOTORHEAD! I still remember at that show how in my older age I had gained a deeper appreciation for the bands music. It was no longer "Oh yeah, Motorhead is cool. Ace of Spades, man!" from my teenage years, but "MOTORHEAD is bad mutha' fuckin' ass! The triple ending of "OVERKILL" sends shivers up my spine!" to my elder years.

So weeks ago when my friend said she would spot me a ticket I couldn't say no. As time grew near, I began checking out and reading stuff about Lemmy Kilmister himself. I found to no surprise that his health is diminishing witha quickness. The man has been drinking Jack Daniels everyday for years and living the rock n roll dream or what some people call it.

At that show at the Pagent. I remembered how the music was still spot on, but Lemmy's stage presence was a little sluggish. At the time I thought nuthin' of it, until later that night I saw him through a open backstage door being escorted by some lady. It was the way he was walking that surprised me. He had the slow hobble of a dude who had been wrecked out from a life of rock n roll, and needed this lady for stability.

It was these memories that gave me the push to go see Motorhead play one more time. I say "one more time" because it very well could be that. Lemmy is 69 years old and can barely walk. He could die soon!

So at the show on Tues, it all started off with some slower tempo songs. The volume was loud, but not as I had remembered it. For some reason I didn't recognize the first couple songs for what reason I don't know. They then went into "Western Movies" and the tingles trickled down my spine. Its one of my fav's and was ichin' to hear it live, again. Well, it was quickly apparent that Lemmy's health was indeed a major concern. He just couldn't keep time and was always singing slightly delayed. The rest of the show then pretty much followed this path, with even a few slip ups here and there. It made me sad and reminded me of my grandpa and how he was slipping after his stroke.

Even though it wasn't the best concert I'd seen, I was still super stoked I made my appearance. If anything, I kinda feel like it was a "I support Lemmy Kilmister!" show. Even though he'd probably say "F that shit!". Lemmy's in rough shape and I had heard he has been cancelling shows this tour. So that being said, I'm glad he was able to push through this show, and that I made it. I feel super fortunate that I have had the opportunity multiple times in my life to see such a rock n roll god like he through both good and bad. So if you have the chance to go see Motorhead, I recommend it even if it sounds like it was lack luster. You may never have the opportunity again.

This show also further cemented in my brain that mortality is eminent! Lemmy has been super fortunate to have made it to the age that he is and live the fantastic life that he has. And Lemmy I know your not dead yet, so I'm sorry that I'm speaking as if you are. Its just this experience has givin' me all the more drive to not give up on what I'm doing with my life, what ever that might be, and to always live like tomorrow may not come.

Lemmy Kilmister, your freakin bad ass, and will "Always be INDESTRUCTIBLE!"