Phil Campbell

& The Bastard Sons The former Motörhead guitarist keeps it in the family.

The Welshman on life as a solo artist, supporting Michael Schenker Fest and memories of Lemmy.

Did the positive response to last year’s solo debut album Old Lions Still Roar make you wish you’d begun to do your own music earlier in life? We were always so busy with Motörhead that it was never really possible until now. But the reviews were very positive, which was quite a thrill.

Are you planning a follow-up? When the time is right I’ll definitely do another one. I’ve been writing ideas. Some are good, others not so good. And I’m also writing material for the Bastard Sons.

What are the best and worst aspects of being in a band with your three sons? What’s good about it is that I know where they are. Because I gave up drinking two years ago I go to bed early now. I can leave that to them. I’m trying to think of something bad about it all. I even love the fact that they look after me now I’m getting on in years.

You’re about to play four dates as special guest of Michael Schenker Fest. How well do you know Michael? Not a great deal. I’ve seen him play many, many times, especially with UFO in my late teens, and he was a big influence upon me. I will be watching him at the side of the stage every night.

Are you still in regular contact with your former Motörhead bandmate Mikkey Dee, now the drummer with Scorpions? Yeah, we talk every month or so.

Do you spend a lot of time smiling at old memories of Lemmy? Yeah, I do. I miss the band every single day.

Back in 2016 when you and Mikkey played some Motörhead songs with Saxon at Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Awards, Mikkey told Classic Rock that someday he would love to do some real tribute shows. That could still happen, but if we do get around to it then it’s something we’d want to do properly, and the logistics would be very challenging.

The first of the Bastard Sons’ dates with Schenker is on April 16.