So you wanna be a Rock n Roll star...

Asg or "Artist Series Guitar" is a small company founded in 2010 that creates and manufactures guitars with custom artwork. The website boasts a large selection of designs from bands such as Anthrax, Dio, Alice Cooper, Bad Brains among a host of others. As well as themes such as Vans, The Walking Dead and even John Wayne. They'll even custom make your very own design if you send them your artwork ideas.
The two Motorhead designs here were released in 2013 and were available in a limited run. (50 units, I believe, numbered) The black design is listed at $800.00, and is SOLD OUT, although I did not see the "Ace of Spades" design listed as SOLD OUT. But at these extremely limited numbers, you can bet it's well on it's way.

If you're in a slightly higher tax bracket (by slightly I mean VERY HIGH) then maybe the Rickenbacker 4004LK "Rickenbastard" is for you. Priced at $11,500.00, the bass first made an appearance around 1995 due to Lemmy using one almost exclusively while he was testing out the prototype. Or one of them. They actually went into production in 2000 and with a limited run of 60 hand carved pieces, are long sold out. (most likely they were sold out before leaving the factory) It is one beautiful looking bass, with maple/ash finish, hand carved relief oak leaves and a checkered binding. Chances are slim to even play one of them. I'm curious to see what these would sell for second hand.

Lemmy isn't the only one with a signature model guitar, Lag guitars has released the S1000PC-HOS Phil Campbell signature explorer. It's a fairly simple design. In fact, the only thing that denotes it as a signature guitar is Phil's signature on the headstock. This guitar is a sexy beast as well, and has gotten great reviews from guitarists and gear-heads from all over. Priced between $899.00 and $1100.00 (depending where you buy it) it's not over inflated on the price tag.

Say you've got the 4004LK, you're gonna need something to blast it through eh? You're in luck! Thanks to Jim Marshall and the folks at Marshall amps, you too can own your very own "Murder One" A 100 watt Superbass Head powering 4X12 and a 4X15 cabinets! Now THATS a fucking amp! Of all the items featured in this post, "Murder One" is the only one I've had the pleasure of test driving. I'd own one, but I'd have to forgo rent for a while. But worth it!

Bastards - 1993

One of my all time favorites, Bastards is Motorhead's eleventh album. Released in 1993 on ZYX Records, it's the first album with the short lived Lemmy, Phil Campbell, Wurzel, and Mikki Dee lineup. It was also the first of four records produced by Howard Benson.

After unsuccessfully commercializing  the success of 1916 with it's follow up March or Die, the band returned to their roots: being loud and fast. Bastards is cited by the band as being one of their best works. In the documentary: The Guts and the Glory, guitarist Phil Campbell enthuses "We worked so fucking hard on that. The songs were there, the commitment was there, production was there, everything was there... I'm so proud of that album. Nothing wrong with that album. Some great songs." In his autobiography White Line Fever Lemmy calls it "one of the best albums we ever did." but laments that the band's record label, the German ZYX , did not promote it outside of Germany. "It's just so disappointing"-- Lemmy writes --"When you pull out all the stops for an album and you're really thrilled with it and nobody else cares, not even your record company."  The lyrical themes range from social criticism (On Your Feet or On Your Knees), war (Death or Glory, and I Am The Sword), to child abuse (Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me). Lemmy also stated that he offered  Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me  to both Joan Jett and Lita Ford "cause I felt a girl should sing it, but no one ever took it up." Born to Raise Hell was later recorded with Ice-T and Whitfield Crane and released as a single (including a version on Picture Disc, this version of the song was featured in the movie Airheads.

The Sleeve
Joe Petagno, long time Motorhead sleeve artist, revealed in a rare interview on the Inferno 30th Aniversarry Edition bonus DVD that the album was originally to be titled Devils and had already drawn up a cover to reflect the title when it was changed. As well as alluding to the original title of the album, Joe Petagno also had this insight as to the albums original title.

"Bastards was a design I did in reply to March or Die. That fucking horrible sleeve. It pissed me off. It was the worst thing I'd ever seen in my life. So I thought, okay, they want something like that. I'll do it properly. I sent it to the Motorheadbangers fan club, Allan Burridge, and he liked it so much he put it on the cover of the fan magazine. When Lemmy saw it, he wanted it. So Devils became Bastards."

Bastards reached #28 in Germany and also charted in Sweden and Japan. Allmusic: "Gloriously distorted thrashers such as On Your Feet or On You Knees and Death or Glory set the pace, and Born to Raise Hell is undoubtedly one of the band's greatest latter-day classics" Ultimate Classic Rock rated Bastards as the 4th best Motorhead album, commenting "Motorheads remarkably efficient response to the all time career low of March or Die, 1993's Bastards now stands as one of the band's greatest achievements."

Ltd. Grey 180 gram RM, Velvet Cvr. (Cleopatra) 

Track Listing:
On You Feet or On Your Knees
Burner
Death or Glory
I Am The Sword
Born to Raise Hell
Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me
Bad Woman
                               Liar
                                                            Lost in the Ozone
                                                            I'm The Man
                                                            We Bring the Shake
                                                            Devils





Worldwide Releases: (label - Cat.# - Country - Format - Year)

• ZYX Music - ZYX20263-2 - Germany - L.P. (red) - 1993
• Snake's Music - SM0041 - Poland - CD - 1993
• ZYX Music - ZYX3609-2 - France - CD - 1993
• ZYX Music - ZYX20263-2 - Germany - L.P. (blk) - 1993
• Star - 693 - Poland - Cass - 1993
• ZYX Music - ZYX20263-4 - Germany Cass. - 1993
• ELBO - 1527 - Poland - Cass., L.P., CD (Unofficial) - 1993
• ZYX Music - 20263-1 - L.P. - Europe - 1993
• ToCo International - 920956-1 - Brazil - L.P. - 1993
• ZYX Music - 20263-1 - Europe - L.P. - 1993
• ToCo International - RT3423 - South Korea - L.P. - 1993
• Golden Core Records - GCR20002-1 - Germany - Pic. Disc - 1993
• Musidisc (4) - 8286972 - Argentina - CD - 1994
• ZYX, Metal Mania - TECX-25664 - CD - Japan - 1994
• Western Thunder Records - WT-0244 - Ukraine - Cass. - 1994 (Unofficial)
• Western Thunder Records - WT-0244 - Ukraine - Cass. - 1994 (unofficial)
• Steamhammer - SPV76-7642CD - Germany - CD - 2001
• Steamhammer - SPV76-764ACD - U.S.A. - CD(RE) - 2001
• Концерн «Группа Союз» - SPV076-72642 - Russia - CD - 2001
• Vinyl Maniacs - VMLP011 - Sweden - Ltd. Pic. Disc - 2004
• Golden Core - GCR20002-1D - Germany - L.P. - 2007
• Metal Mind - MASSCD DG 1019 - Poland - CD,Dig. - 2007
• Golden Core - GCR200022-1D - Germany - L.P.2007
• Babylon SA - 1508-2 - Argentina - CD - 2008
• Golden Core - GCR20002-1N - Germany - L.P. - 2013
• (Death or Glory) Vinyl Passion - VP 08029 - Netherlands - L.P.180g - 2013
• Golden Core - GCR200021-D - Germany - L.P - 2014
• Cleopatra - CLP1748 - U.S.A. - Dlx Ltd. Num.,RM, RP, 180g L.P. - 2014
• ZYX (2) - ZYX 20263-2 - xxxx - CD - Unknown (Unofficial)
• MG Records (2) - MG1-144 - Poland - Cass. - Unknown

"Death or Glory" re-package of "Bastards" 180g, Netherlands

Ltd. Velvet Sleeve, Remastered 180 gram vinyl Grey or Red Splatter Vinyl Num. (Cleopatra) 2014

The World is Yours - 2010

The World is Yours, Motorhead's 20th album was first released on December 14, 2010 as part of a special edition of Classic Rock magazine which featured interviews with the band and a full history.
(The "fan pack" edition).
The standard CD release of The World is Yours was released worldwide several weeks later on January 17, 2011, through Motorhead's own label, Motorhead Music and distributed by EMI Label Services. The album would subsequently be released in North America on February 8th, 2011.

Two special editions of the album were also announced. The first featured the album bundled with a bonus live DVD with a performance from the 2006 Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany, and an exclusive T-shirt. The second version featured those contents along with a signed copy on silver vinyl.

Signed, Silver Vinyl with C.O.A.

The band embarked on a world tour to promote the album. Including dates starting in the U.K. on February 8th, 2010, a 27 date headlining tour of North America from January to March 2011, and a 4 date Australian tour at the end of March.

In addition, a single "Get Back in Line" was released to promote the album.

As part of the effort to promote the album in the U.S., the band made appearances on Conan O'Brian's late night talk show, "Conan" and the NBC Late Night Show: "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" playing "Get Back in Line" at both appearances.

The albums receive mainly positive reviews, with most reviewers citing the album as very similar to Motorhead's past works due to the band essentially following the same formula. (Don't fix it if it ain't broken!) Eduardo Rivedavia of Allmusic reviewed the album positively and commented that it may be remembered as Motorhead's "ultimate Rock & Roll album." Rivadavia cited I Know How to Die and Outlaw as the best tracks from the album.
Express.co.uk summed up the album as being "every bit as noisey and scary as anything they've produced in their 35 year career." Dom Lawson of  Classic Rock considers The World is Yours "one of the finest of the lot" of 20 albums the band's produced praising the production skills of Cameron Webb and the band in "supreme form (...) as they blaze through some of their strongest materials in years."

On the other hand, Alexis Petridis of Guardian.co.uk said that those that purchase the album will not do so "in the hope of being surprised or baffled."


Track Listing                                                     
1. Born To Lose                            

Promo CD - Denmark 

2. I Know How to Die
3. Get Back in Line
4. Devils in My Head
5. Rock And Roll Music
6. Waiting For the Snake
7. Brotherhood of Man
8. Outlaw
9. I Know What You Need
10. Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye




Worldwide Releases
          Label - Cat.# - Country - Format -  Date

• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0003 LP - Europe - LP - 2010
• UDR 50999 9492172 4 - Argentina - CD - 2010
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0002 CD - Europe - CD - 2010
• Sotuz Music, UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0002 CD - Russia - CD - 2010
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0002 CD - Europe - CD - 2010
• UDR 50999 9 49217 2 4 - Australia - CD - 2010
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0008 CD - Europe - CD+DVD-V, PAL - 2010
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0001 CD - Europe - CD/Dig.- 2010
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music, Classic Rock UDR 0002 CD - Europe - CD, Ltd. Ed. Digibook - 2010 
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR PR0001 - Germany - CD - Promo Cardsleeve - 2010
• UDR (2), EMI (2) UDR 0008 CD - ***** - 2010 (Unofficial)
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0005 LP - Europe - Ltd. Silver Vinyl - 2010
• UDR Moon Records (2) UDR 0002 MR 5177-2 - Ukraine - 2011
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0010 CD - CD, Vinyl, DVD-V, NTSC + Dig. - 2011
• EMI       TOCP-66998 - Japan - CD, Enh. - 2011
• UDR, EMI, Motorhead Music UDR 0005 LP - Europe - Vinyl, Ltd. Sivler - 2011

The First Single... (a Warpig is born)

The first single from Motorhead is aptly titled, Motorhead. With the song "Motorhead" as the A-side of the single. (it all seems so simple, doesn't it! Don't get ahead of yourself..) The B-side being "City Kids", the Larry Wallis penned song that they recorded in their first sessions, which consisted of mostly covers. That is, songs re-recorded by those members who wrote and released them from their prior bands respectively. The single was released as a 7" & 12" simultaneously, which at the time was a new format and therefore, the single ended up the first rock record released as such. Nothin' like setting trends right out of the gate!

Chiswick S13 - 12"

Chiswick/Barclay - 640123

• Chiswick Records NS13, S13 - U.K. 7" - 1977
• Chiswick Records S13 - U.K. 12" - 1977
• Chiswick Records S13 - U.K. 12" (Ltd. White) - 1977
• Chiswick Records S13 - U.K. 7" - 1977
• Chiswick Records, Barclay 640123 - France - 1977
• Chiswick Records NSP13 - U.K. 7" (PicDisc)- 1977
• Big Beat Records NS13 - U.K. 7" (Orange) - 1979
• Big Beat Records NS13 - U.K. 7" (RE, Blue) - 1979
• Big Beat Records NS13 - U.K. 7" (RE, Pink) - 1979
• Big Beat Records NS13 - Europe 7" (RE) - 1979
• Big Beat Records NS13 - U.K. 7" (RE, White) 1979
• Chiswick Records NSP13 - U.K 7" (Pic, Blue) - 1979
• Chiswick Records NSP13 - U.K 7" (Pic, Black) - 1979
• Big Beat Records NS13 - U.K. 7" (Label Variation) - 1979

  

  Chiswick NSP - 13 (Blue)

• Movieplay 02.3130/7 - Spain 7" - 1981
• Chiswick Records S13 U.K. (RE)7" - 2006
• Chiswick Records S13 U.K. (RE) 12" - 2006
• Barclay Records 640.123 France (RE) - 2006

This list should be taken in general. Having exhausted all my usual resources, there's a good chance that I've missed something along the way. As always, when in doubt, just spend some time and do you own research. This should be enough to get you started anyway.

Movieplay - 02.3130/7 - Spain

Aftershock 2013

The 21st album from our heroes was originally slated for release mid 2013, hit the shelves October 18 in Germany, Oct. 21st in the U.K. and the rest of Europe, and the 22nd in America.
In an August 2012 interview with Artisan News Service during the Rockstar Mayhem Festival, Mikki Dee revealed they had written a number of songs already for a follow up to 2010's The World Is Yours, but that the band had continued writing. Then went on to say that the album would be recorded and released in 2013. In an interview with Classic Rock Revisited Lemmy was asked if the album would consist of all covers. Lemmy said it had been discussed and that it would "be fun to do". He further noted that if a covers album would be made, the bands varying music tastes would insure a diverse track listing.
In late Oct 2012, it had been announced the band had made plans to enter the studio in January 2013. In addition, Cameron Webb, who had produced the previous four albums would be returning as producer. The title was announced on June 18, 2013.

The album received mostly positive reviews. Brandon Ringo of New Noise Magazine, gave it a full 5 star rating. He considers the album to be their best in 20 years and praises it for their return to basics. Sammy O'Hagar on MetalSucks website comments on the flow of the album: "everything sounds as snarling and nasty as it ever has and always will", he writes.

Hank Shteamer of Pitchfork Media notes that even though there was a three year gap between The World is Yours and Aftershock the album is nothing new. Never the less he calls the album deeply satisfying and frequently thrilling.
USA Today newspaper had Aftershock as the album of the week, and in particular praised Phil Campbell's work throughout the album. Kevin Fitzpatrick highlights also Phil Campbell and considers his playing on the album "to be his finest work to date." Fitzpatrick also comments on the blues influences on the album: "Motorhead have worn Chuck Berry's, Robert Johnson's, and Little Richard's influences on their sleeves for their entire forty year history. But it shines through on Aftershock."

Aftershock sold 11,000 copies in the United States in it's first week of release to ear position #22 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Track Listing
1. Heartbreaker
2. Coup De Gras
3. Lost Woman Blues
4. End of time
5. Do you believe
6. Death Machine
7. Dust and Glass
8. Going to Mexico
9. Silent When You Speak To Me
10. Crying Shame
11. Queen of the Damned
12. Knife
13. Keep Your Powder Dry
14. Paralyzed
Worldwide Releases 

 Label - Cat# - Country - Format - Year

• UDR, Motorhead Music  UDR 0177 CD - U.K., Europe, & U.S.- CD - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music, Sleazy Rider records - UDR 0177 CD, SR-0127 - Greece - CD - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0175 CD - Germany - CD - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music, Warner Music Group UDR 0177 CD - Argentina - CD - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music, Warner Music Mexico UDR -177 CD - Mexico - CD - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0182 CD - U.K., Europe, & U.S. - CD+DVD, NTSC, Dig. - 2013
• UDR , Motorhead Music UDR 0181 CD - U.S. - CD+DVD, NTSC, Dig. Best Buy Edition - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music, Classic Rock CRP 15 10 13 - U.K. - Cd Digibook, "FanPack" - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0175 CD - U.K., Europe, & U.S. - Ltd. Digipack - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0176 PR - U.K., Europe, & U.S. - Promo CD - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0178 LP - U.K., Europe, & U.S. - Vinyl L.P. - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0186 LP - Germany - Ltd. Amber Vinyl L.P. - 2013
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0188 LP - U.K. Europe, & U.S. - Ltd. Num. Pic Disc Vinyl - 2014
• UDR, Motorhead Music UDR 0192 CD - Germany - 2 x CD RE, Dig. Tour Edition - 2014

2013 All Media Digipack. Features CD + DVD of 5 songs from the Download Festival at Donington Park 2013

180 Gram Amber marble vinyl in Gatefold cover. Limited to 1000 copies Worldwide exclusively through Nuclear Blast Mailorder.

 

2013 Limited Digipack

2013 Best Buy Exclusive. Album, + DVD of 5 songs from Download Festival at Donington Park.

Just like with The World Is Yours Classic Rock issued a special fan package for the Aftershock album. Fanpack Edition includes: New album Aftershock 132-page magazine Giant double-sided poster Exclusive Motörhead car sticker The CD, just like The World Is Yours fan pack version, is a 'digibook'; unlike a standerd digipack it has a hardback cover and spine, with 12 pages bound like a Book would be, with a plastic cd holder/insert on the inside back cover. It was available for 1 month in 2013.

Tour Edition. 2 x CD Featuring: Album, + 14 song Live CD "Best of the West Coast Tour" 2014

Limited to 4500 Hand-Numbered copies. Special Edition Picture Disc for Record Store Day, April 19, 2014.

Promo CD Single 1. Crying Shame (Radio Edit) 2. Crying Shame (Album Version) 

Some Really Swell Packages

What fun would collecting be without those "Limited, Tour Edition, 5 colors of Vinyl, Numbered,  Super Secret, Fan Club Only, box Set" that costs more than their entire catalog put together? Why shouldn't I be forced to buy the SAME album 3, 5 or 8 times over?! I mean, what fun would that be?
Well, here's a few interesting ones to start off with, as I'm sure there will be more covered, and you can bet there'll be plenty more to come! Welcome to the jungle baby, You're going broke!

First off, let's start with an older release, from the times when these things weren't so plentiful. A Promo package deal for "Iron Fist." No, not for promo only, but a readily available cool package to promote their forthcoming album "Iron Fist." I'm speaking of course, of...
 "The Complete Motorhead Kit."

Yes! Isn't it pretty! Contained within your "Complete Motorhead Kit" you'll find 1."Special" Limited Edition 12" E.P. with previously unavailable material, 1. 24 page Booklet (full color), 1. Sew -on Logo Patch, and 1. 24" X 36" Poster. Plus some nifty artwork throughout the cover. Hows that for fun?! Al for the low, low price of... Well, maybe not so low anymore, as it was released in 1982. (I believe they're trading at around $20 U.S.) Still, a great place for the collector to start. 

Born to Lose, Live to Win

There's actually two box sets that belong to this title, neither one relates to the other, well, except the music, But in 1999, Raw Power with Castle Music released a 10 CD Box Set limited, numbered (limited to 10,000!???), of all the Bronze singles, each in their own mock-Pic sleeve slipcase. Complete with a show poster.

Of course, this box has nothing to do with the Box Set of 7"singles that Earmark released in 2004 (Earmark 41032). Aas I said, with the exception of the subject material. As with the CD Box, this collection claims "The Bronze Singles", however, the vinyl box excludes "Iron Fist", "I Got Mine",

and the "Golden Years Live" E.P.

It's a pretty cool package and would be of more importance if the original singles weren't so readily available, but you do get new squeeky clean 7"s and they can all be housed in one box. The pic sleeves are a lot thicker card stock as well. About the same as a CD slip case.

And lastly, for this post anyway, "Protect the Innocent" 1997 4 CD Box Set from Castle Communications (ESF CD 562/GAS 0000562 ESF). It's a pretty extensive collection of material from "On Parole" all the way up to "March Or Die" with a lil sumthin' from each release in between. It's an excellent and comprehensive collection for new comers who would like to sample a little from each release, or, itf you're like me, you just like the different order of the songs.