The Punk Rock Museum opens Motörhead and Lemmy exhibition in October

The Punk Rock Museum opens a new exhibition dedicated to Motörhead and Lemmy Kilmister on October 2nd, honoring a band that helped shape the sound and attitude of heavy metal while keeping its roots firmly planted in punk rock.

Lemmy's ties to the British punk scene were hands-on, including a stint playing bass with The Damned. Motörhead's speed, volume and no-frills approach went on to influence generations of punk bands, among them Pennywise, Rancid and Lagwagon.

The centerpiece breaks from the usual museum formula. Instead of viewing gear behind glass, visitors can pick up the Rickenbacker bass Lemmy actually played, plug into the same Marshall stack he used, and hear it for themselves. That pairing built Motörhead's reputation as one of the loudest live acts fans ever experienced, a sound as physical as it was audible.

Also on display is a custom motorcycle built by Victory Motorcycles and presented to Lemmy in December 2011. The bike was customized by CBP Custom Bikes & Parts and carries airbrush artwork by Terje Aspmo. The exhibition further draws on Lemmy's personal collection, including photographs and handwritten lyrics.

Motörhead records will be stocked at Vinyl Threat, the museum's record store, with exclusive band merchandise sold in the gift shop. On opening night, the museum hosts an intimate walkthrough of the exhibition, followed by a Motorbäbe performance at the Three Star Punk Bar and a DJ set from Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel.