SAXON Releases Song Written About MOTÖRHEAD - 'They Played Rock And Roll'

23 January 2018

The official lyric video for the song 'They Played Rock And Roll' from British heavy metal legends SAXON can be seen below.

The song is taken from the band's 22nd studio album, 'Thunderbolt', which will be released on February 2 via Militia Guard (Silver Lining Music). The follow-up to 2015's 'Battering Ram' was once again helmed by producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH, ACCEPT and TESTAMENT, among others. The disc will feature original artwork by longtime SAXON collaborator Paul Raymond Gregory.

'They Played Rock And Roll' was written about and dedicated to MOTÖRHEAD.

SAXON singer Biff Byford said that he gave the track that title because "that's what Lemmy used to say every night [from the stage]." He added: "It's basically about early MOTÖRHEAD — '79/'80 MOTÖRHEAD, like around 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith', 'cause that's the tour we were on, that one. So, yeah, it's about the band, really, and their music."

According to Biff, 'They Played Rock And Roll' is musically similar to Lemmy and Co. He explained: "I asked Nibbs [Carter, SAXON bassist] to write me some music that was like MOTÖRHEAD, and he did. So it sounds very MOTÖRHEAD-ish, but not MOTÖRHEAD, if you know what I mean."