MOTORHEAD - On Parole 12" Vinyl LP Album

The Rock File

  This album "On Parole" is the first/debut recording made by English Heavy Metal band Motörhead. Due to resistence of the record company, this album was published after three years. This web page has photos of album covers, inner sleeves, record labels together with production details, musicians and track-listing.

 

Album Front Cover Photo of MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )

On Parole: Motörhead's Lost Tapes, A Blast from the Proto-Punk Past
Album Description:

In the hazy, pre-punk landscape of 1975, a band called Bastard was brewing a sonic storm in the dank basements of London. Little did they know that their raucous, amphetamine-fueled jams would eventually become the foundation of Motörhead's debut album, "On Parole", a record that would lay the groundwork for their legendary career. But the road to release was anything but smooth, riddled with label disputes, lineup changes, and a healthy dose of rock and roll chaos.

Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales under the watchful eye of producer Dave Edmunds, known for his work with artists like Brinsley Schwarz and Love Sculpture, "On Parole" was a raw, unpolished gem. It captured the band's early sound, a potent blend of blues-infused rock and roll, proto-punk aggression, and a touch of psychedelia. Lemmy's signature gravelly vocals snarled over a maelstrom of distorted guitars and thunderous drums, creating a sonic landscape that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

The album's tracklist was a testament to the band's eclectic influences, ranging from the hard-driving "Motörhead" to the bluesy "Lost Johnny." Each song was a snapshot of a band on the cusp of greatness, their raw talent and unbridled energy ready to explode onto the music scene.

However, "On Parole" wasn't without its controversies. The album's original release was delayed for over a year due to a dispute with United Artists, the band's then-label. The label executives were reportedly hesitant to release such a raw, uncompromising record, fearing it would be too extreme for mainstream audiences. This delay led to frustration and uncertainty within the band, ultimately culminating in the departure of guitarist Larry Wallis, who was replaced by "Fast" Eddie Clarke.

The production team, led by Dave Edmunds, played a crucial role in shaping the album's sound. Edmunds, known for his no-nonsense approach and his ability to capture a band's raw energy, allowed Motörhead to be themselves in the studio. The result was a sound that was both visceral and immediate, perfectly capturing the band's live intensity.

Essential Album Information For: MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )

Music Genre:

British Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, NWOBHM

Label & Catalognr:

Liberty United Records LBR 1004

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1976 Made in England / UK ( United Kingdom )

MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal ) Production & Recording Information

Producers:

Fritz Fryer - Producer

Recording Location:

This album "On Parole" was recorded at: Rockfield Studio, Monmouth, Wales

Photography:

George Bodmar - Photographer


Musicians on: MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )

Musicians:

Lemmy (Ian Kilmister) – bass, lead vocals, backing vocals

Larry Wallis – rhythm and lead guitar, lead vocals ("Vibrator", "Fools"), backing vocals

Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor – drums

Lucas Fox – drums on "Lost Johnny"

Track-listing of: MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. "Motorhead" Ian Kilmister 2:57
  2. "On Parole" Larry Wallis 5:38
  3. "Vibrator" Wallis, Des Brown 2:53
  4. "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" Phil Taylor, Mick Brown, Guy "Tramp" Lawrence 5:17
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. "City Kids" Wallis, Duncan Sanderson 3:43
  2. "Fools" Wallis, D.Brown 5:35
  3. "The Watcher" Kilmister 4:50
  4. "Leaving Here" Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Edward Holland 2:56
  5. "Lost Johnny" Kilmister, Mick Farren 3:31

Front Cover Photo Of MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )
Front Cover Photo Of MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )

 

Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

Photo Of The Back Cover MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )
Photo of album back cover MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )

 

Close up of Side One MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal ) record's label
Close up of Side One MOTORHEAD - On Parole ( British Heavy Metal )

White Colour UNITED ARTISTS RECORDS LBR 1004 Record Label Details: ℗ 1976 Liberty / United Records ( UK ) Limited, Made in England


MOTÖRHEAD's 80s Discography: A Thunderous Soundtrack of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Classics

MOTORHEAD - Ace Of Spades

Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Ace Of Spades 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Bronze 202 876 (202876) , 1980 , Western-Germany

Motörhead's 1980 album "Ace of Spades" is not just a record; it's a declaration of war. With its title track serving as the ultimate battle cry, this album cemented the band's reputation as the loudest, fastest, and most uncompromising force in rock and roll history.

Ace Of Spades 12" Vinyl LP

MOTORHEAD - Beer Drinkers

Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Beer Drinkers 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

MILAN A 120 174 , 1982 , France

Released under the label Milan, with the catalog number A 120 174, "Beer Drinkers" captures Motorhead's early years and showcases their evolution as a band. The album features a collection of tracks from their 12" EP of the same name, along with other notable songs from their early discography.

Beer Drinkers 12" Vinyl LP

MOTORHEAD - Iron Fist

Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Iron Fist 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Bronze 893.048 , 1982 , France

'Iron Fist' wasn't a departure from Motorhead's established sound; rather, it was a refinement, a distillation of their essence. The album's opener, the title track, is a prime example, a breakneck-paced assault on the senses, Lemmy's gravelly vocals snarling over a maelstrom of distorted guitars

Iron Fist 12" Vinyl LP

MOTORHEAD - No Remorse

Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - No Remorse 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Bronze BRSP 6 , 1984 , Canada

In the heart of the grim, Orwellian year of 1984, amidst Cold War tensions and the looming threat of nuclear annihilation, Motörhead unleashed their aptly titled compilation album, "No Remorse". It was a defiant roar in the face of bleakness, a collection of their most ferocious tracks, both old and new

No Remorse 12" Vinyl LP

MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith

Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - No Sleep Til' Hammersmith 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Bronze 203 801 , 1981 , Germany

Recorded during their "Short, Sharp, Pain in the Neck" tour, the album featured performances from three iconic venues: Leeds Queens Hall, Newcastle City Hall, and, of course, the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The production team, led by Vic Maile, known for his work with artists like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin,

No Sleep Til' Hammersmith 12" Vinyl LP

MOTORHEAD - On Parole

Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - On Parole 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Liberty United Records LBR 1004 , 1976 , England

Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales under the watchful eye of producer Dave Edmunds, known for his work with artists like Brinsley Schwarz and Love Sculpture, "On Parole" was a raw, unpolished gem. It captured the band's early sound, a potent blend of blues-infused rock and roll, proto-punk aggression

On Parole 12" Vinyl LP

MOTORHEAD - Orgasmatron

Thumbnail of MOTORHEAD - Orgasmatron 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

GWR Records 24 701 , 1986 , France

Recorded at the renowned "Master Rock" studios in London, England, this album marked a pivotal moment in Motörhead's career. Under the skilled production of Bill Laswell and Jason Corsaro, the band's sound took on a new dimension, a testament to their evolution as musicians.

Orgasmatron 12" Vinyl LP