Motorhead's Fast Eddie Clarke: the real McDeal!
Aug 31 '00
When it comes to good guitar players, let's face it - they're a dirty dimebag a dozen. The best guitar players can write killer tunes, as well as being able to play with their own style, and have an awesome stage presence. Well, my vote for most underrated guitarist goes to Fast Eddie Clarke, ex-member of the awesome dirt-metal band Motorhead, who fits the proverbial bill.
Fast Eddie Clarke played a Fender geetar through Marshall stacks, with the overdrive and volume set on ten. His style of play in Motorhead was a blend of raw, high decibal power chords metal with plenty of blues-based leads. If you've never heard Motorhead before, all I can tell you is that they play fast, fast, sleazy, dirty, over the top metal/rock. My favorite Motorhead albums were the early ones which featured Fast Eddie on guitar.
Fast Eddie Clarke has been my biggest influence in my guitar playing. I learned a lot of good licks playing along with my Motorhead albums, plus some fast strumming rhythms that are Motorhead's trademark. Hey, why do you think they call him "Fast" Eddie? He's also played some of the best wah-wah leads I've ever heard. Can you say "Smoooookkkiiin'" I think you can...
I'm not sure why he left the band, but Fast Eddie played in the band Fastway in the eighties (I believe), a band that I never really cared for. I can't say what the man is doing nowadays, perhaps he's retired from rock'n'roll.
My runner up for most underrated guitar player is Johnny Ramone, just for his wrist speed and power chord playing for the Ramones. 'Course, he never wrote very many songs or played any leads, but as a rhythm guitar player with a unique style, he rules the galaxy. Other guitar players that I've admired include Keith Richards, Warren DiMartini (RATT), Rocky George (Suicidal Tendencies), and of course the Master of Disaster Ace Frehley, but these guys get plenty of press already.
If you'd like to hear Fast Eddie's playing, check out the Motorhead album "Ace of Spades" - it's their best...
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