Steel Notes Magazine
February 2017
112 to live the last part of his life . He was not able to do what he wanted to do , like gambling , partying , playing . Wanting him to live longer was selfish , he really did not deserve to keep living that way . He said “ fuck this shit , I had enough !” and he passed . Let ’ s keep celebrating Lemmy ’ s life !
A word to define Motorhead ? Magic .
Some Motorhead songs had a blues sound . Was that a special genre for you guys ?
I have been playing any kind of music , I even played disco music when I was younger . My purpose was always to be a great drummer , without any particular worry about musical styles . I used to put fusion into a hard rock song , and heavy metal into pop . I need variety and mixing , to make the soup taste good . Blues has always come easy to me . I ’ m not a blues drummer , but I can play any style , hence the blues in those Motorhead songs .
How ’ s the music business going now , in your opinion ? Do you think things have changed since your early days ?
Musicians / bands don ’ t have a lot of choices nowadays . Financially , this is a tough business , even tougher now than it was some time ago . The music industry does not take any chances , like they used to do in the past . Many bands can be performing and producing records for a long time , without being noticed and supported . Musicians keep going because of their passion , because they have family and friends that go see them live , but that ’ s the maximum you can hope for . Back in the day the business supported bands much more , but today it ’ s just a different climate . Today you get support only if you are able to find the way to make a lot of money . Many people have said that newer generations suck , but hang on , let ’ s think a little deeper . These people don ’ t have a choice . If they don ’ t follow the instructions they are given by business people , they don ’ t stand a chance in making a living out
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of music . I don ’ t think we should blame the newer generations , we should blame the music business . Musicians should be able to play what they like , not being forced to play something they don ’ t really want to play . I think it ’ s important to stay true to yourself , but it becomes very difficult to do that when the only way to be a musician is to listen to business executives . It might be the only way to get a tour or to make a record . At the end of the story , it ’ s up to every individual to decide what to do . Even Motorhead had troubles with the business in the past . Good thing is that we were tough enough to make them stay out of our studio . We made our own music , and definitely did not need anybody else ’ s involvement .
You have two children . What ’ s your suggestion to young kids in terms of playing instruments and becoming musicians ?
Mark is 14 years old , and he is a really advanced drummer , you can find him on YouTube - search for Marcus Dee . Sometimes speed takes over and I just tell him to slow down . Speed can make him lose control . But a part from that , I don ’ t tell him much . I can ’ t tell him how to play . Also , I never really pushed my kids to play drums , they can do whatever they want . I believe that everyone should do what they like , what they feel is the best thing for them . What really matters is for them to be happy , whatever it is that makes them feel that way .