Motörhead Members, Gear & Sound
Members
Select a Motörhead band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.
About
Motörhead is an iconic English rock band that emerged from the heavy metal scene in 1975. The group was founded by Lemmy Kilmister (vocals, bass) after his departure from Hawkwind, and became known for their aggressive blend of heavy metal and punk rock. The classic lineup included "Fast" Eddie Clarke (guitar) and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor (drums), contributing to their raw, fast-paced sound. Motörhead is often credited with pioneering the speed metal and thrash metal subgenres, and they played a significant role in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. Their music is characterized by its high energy, loudness, and relentless drive, with hits like "Ace of Spades" cementing their status in rock history.
How to Sound Like Motörhead
Motörhead's sound is defined by its gritty, aggressive nature, a sonic assault that is both raw and powerful. The bass-driven attack, courtesy of Lemmy's use of the Rickenbacker 4001, provides a distorted and thunderous low end that is more akin to a rhythm guitar than traditional bass playing. This unique characteristic is complemented by the searing guitar riffs from Eddie Clarke, often played on a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe through a Marshall JVM210H 100-Watt Tube Amplifier Head, delivering a sharp, biting tone. The relentless drumming of Phil Taylor completes the trio's onslaught, favoring speed and precision to match the band's high-octane energy. To emulate Motörhead's unmistakable sound, a musician should focus on capturing the raw, unrefined power and speed that defines their music, with an emphasis on overdriven bass tones and sharp, punchy guitar riffs.
Discography
Motorhead
1977
Motörhead (40th Anniversary Edition)
1977
On Parole
1979
Bomber
1979
Ace of Spades
1980
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live - Expanded Edition)
1981
Iron Fist
1982
What's Words Worth (Live)
1983
Another Perfect Day
1983
Orgasmatron (Expanded Edition)
1986
Live at Brixton '87
1987
Rock 'n' Roll
1987
Rock N' Roll (Expanded Edition)
1987
Blitzkrieg on Birmingham '77
1989
1916
1991
March Or Die
1992
Bastards
1993
No Sleep At All (Bonus Track Edition)
1993
Sacrifice
1995
Overnight Sensation
1996
Snake Bite Love
1998
Everything Louder Than Everyone Else (Live Hamburg Germany 1998)
1999
Keep Us on the Road - Live 1977
2000
We Are Motörhead
2000
Hammered
2002
Live at Brixton Academy
2003
Inferno
2004
BBC Live & In-Session
2005
Kiss of Death
2006
Live At The Roundhouse - February 18, 1978
2007
Better Motörhead Than Dead (Live at Hammersmith)
2007
Motörizer
2008
The World Is Yours
2010
The World Is Ours - Vol 2 - Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else
2011
The Wörld Is Ours - Vol 1 Everywhere Further Than Everyplace Else
2012
Aftershock
2013
Bad Magic
2015
England 1978 (Live)
2015
Clean Your Clock (Live In Munich 2015)
2016
Under Cöver
2017
Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin
2021
The Löst Tapes Vol. 1 (Live in Madrid 1995)
2021
The Löst Tapes Vol. 2 (Live in Norwich, 1998)
2021
The Löst Tapes Vol. 3 (Live in Malmö 2000)
2022
The Löst Tapes, Vol. 4 (Live in Heilbronn 1984)
2022
Bad Magic: SERIOUSLY BAD MAGIC
2023
Live at Montreux Jazz Festival '07
2023
The Boys Of Ladbroke Grove
2023
The Löst Tapes, Vol. 5 (Live at Download Festival, Donington, England, June 13, 2008)
2023
The Löst Tapes - The Collection (Vol. 1-5)
2024
Remorse? No!
2024
We Take No Prisoners (The Singles 1995 - 2006)
2024
The Löst Tapes, Vol. 6 (Live at Eissporthalle, Berlin, 14th Dec, 1992)
2024
The Manticore Tapes
2025
The Löst Tapes, Vol. 7 (Lemmy's 50th Birthday, Live in West Hollywood, 1995)
2025
Get the Motörhead Sound
Want to sound like Motörhead? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.