You might be rubbing your eyes at this point or wondering if youve clicked on the wrong article, for surely Motorhead are one of the most beloved bands the world has ever seen? As evidenced by the huge public display of mourning when founder Ian Lemmy Kilmister passed away in December, they were indeed a band who united everybody, be it rock, pop or opera fans,with their raucous energy and uncompromising attitude. Yet when Motorhead first emerged from the ashes of prog rock legends Hawkwind, the music world wasn't quite so welcoming. For unlike in the modern day, when so many bands combine the dual influence of punk and metal that theyve almost become inseparable genres, the late 70s saw two distinct factions the punks and the metalheads both of whom hated each other intensely. Motorheads problem was that they sounded like a punk band breakneck pace, chunky power chords, lyrics full of hedonism yet with their long hair, leather trousers and bullet belts, looked like a metal band. This saw them shunned by both punks and metalheads alike, though over time the trio relentlessly tore down the barriers and are now recognised as one of first meeting points between two genres that would go on to be best friends.
