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Category: Shows

  • … a record release party amongst friends!

    … a record release party amongst friends!

    The return of the rehearsal room shows ctd:

    C³I, thanks to Power It up Thomas, have a new record out, a split with Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA from sunny Bruswick. And Eugen & Mike provided the Pretty Vacant HQ (or, as some dub it, the Krawall 3000) for the release party deep down in Rothenburgsort.

    First Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA. A naming choice that does not exactly lends itself to entry for a nationwide US tour these days. And also triggers with me nothing more than raised eyebrows initially.

    But upon learning that one (or some) also play with the mighty Torpedo Harms i got much more interested.

    What did i get? Fast paced hardcore with a slight metallic overtone on the guitar and a mighty humping double-bass drum pedal. And a very outgoing & roaming singer.

    Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The songs are mostly in German and short&crisp. It is not 100% up my mu-sick-al alley but delivered with force and in a fitting style. And some songs even have sing-a-long quality of sorts.

    As extras they provided some covers, here is a notable one:

    Very entertaining and actually much more than i expected.

    Next C³I and for them it was more than a record release show, it was also the first live performance with Stéphane (of Bad Job Boys and other fame) on drums (as Jens moved away from Hamburg).

    C³I – Setlist (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    And in a positive way it was no surprises: Very modern, stripped down, Punk sound with great German lyrics (and sure the unique sound of Arnes voice). And whilst Stéphane used a little scribble helper the drumming sounded both in sync and fitting.

    C³I (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The only item i noted and later Rudi questioned the audience was sheer volume: It sounded loud, very loud (for the rather small room). As the majority wanted it that loud, it stayed that way (aka The Kids Will Have Their Say).

    How did it sound? It sounded like Niemals so wie du:

    I love it, despite all of them engaged in other bands too this little venture has a very unique sound that is almost 100% according to my likes. And with the replacement on the drums it hopefully continue to thrive.

    Lovely evening, many friends and sure a record to score (and Thomas even took some limited colored editions along).

    Get this beauty upon market release from Power It Up!

    And the topping? Someone very gracious individual provided some free catering (that elsewhere would have landed in the bin) that tasted excellent.

    And allowed me to award a symbol of praise on a trusted mate:

    The Red Ball of Praise goes to … Sonny Vincent!

    This DIY and small scale setting continues to be a fun one, i sincerely hope a couple of more showcases can come around until the surrounding development eats up that part of the street too.

  • … get out, get something new!

    … get out, get something new!

    As i am currently being swamped with other duties than enjoying shows i had to kick myself in the butt: Get out, get to see something new!

    The outlook was 2x new and 1x local and by the looks a wide spread of sounds, so give and take it should entertaining.

    And entertaining indeed it was!

    Early kick-off was with Starving Wolves from Austian, TX. Their promotional material makes some rather big reading:

    Starving Wolves embrace traditional punk elements like aggressive drumbeats and gruff vocals, while blending melodic guitars and singalong campfire choruses.

    To my big surprise they turned out as a well rehearsed, hand-in-glove unit that pushed relentlessly forward without sacrificing melody.

    Starving Wolves (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    They got a lot going on on stage, had good messaging and a near perfect guitar sound (largely fueled by the guitar player sporting the neat Dayglo Abortions shirt).

    Starving Wolves (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    No clue how they ended up on tonights show playing first, they could as well have filled the role of the headliner.

    The most cool albeit slower song was the one with the trumpet, which to no surprise is the A1 on their recent LP:

    I did not score a record but i guess i will checkout them out more now. Short and crisp set, great start.

    Next local heroes Bullshit Boy and with them it was not only by stage design and outfit a stark contrast but also a very different interpretation of Punk.

    But as ever, it is such contrast to help you to maintain a wide view (and acceptance).

    Bullshit Boy (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The set felt a wee bit long (and pushed some of the audience to the bar) but for me it was by and large a good one. And specifically because it included some fitting covers (eg. like a wonderful female redemption of Bodies).

    And that gave way for the headliner, here is how Split Dogs kicked it off:

    And this is what they set out for the lot (and i do like the unpretentious headline of the setlist):

    Split Dogs – Setlist (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.05.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    And with them just another viewpoint on Punk hit the stage. In an interview they phrased it like this:

    “I think we appeal to people differently because we look so different on stage. Harry’s on stage in a sequin outfit, dancing like Tina Turner with a full-pelt rock’n’roll band behind they/them, and I don’t think you often see that in 2025, especially from a new band. It’s curiosity; not morbid curiosity though.” (laughs) – Mil.

    Someone else noted that they are an unholy stew of Punk and Rock’n’Roll mix of Tina Turner, Slade & Status Quo and boy that sentence has a lot in it.

    Status Quo? Yes, specifically Status Quo-like riffs i noted from the aptly chosen Flying-V Guitar strummed by Mil. And, yes, against all odds it worked like a charm!

    Split Dogs (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    What stood out for me, next to the relentless energy of the band and the outgoing persona of singer Harry, was the sheer fact of 4 completely different personas bringing it together in a very unique way and sound.

    New. Fresh. Exiting (though thoroughly grounded in all the stuff i dig).

    They entertained the lot in the most positive sense you can appropriate to the word Entertaiment. And where Bullshit Boy felt a bit long, the Split Dog set felt a wee bit short (for a headliner).

    Here is how they finished up (though they came back for an extra extra):

    Wow, they did not fall short against all the praise i noticed upfront. 110% energy, 110% real. 110% entertaining.

    A very modern and almost both un-British and classic Brit Rock approach to Punk in the very same moment.

    Here is one more, both a great song with good lyrics and a great visual…

    I did not score a record at the show but i guess it is only a matter of time that i’ll add their stuff to my collection.

    I guess it was a bit less than half-full at the Monkeys on this Wednesday evening, specifically the Split Dogs would have warranted a bigger turnout.

    Will they be able to hit it big like eg. The Meffs or Amyl & The Sniffers? If that happens than i’d be happy for them, i think they have all the ingredients ready.

    Great show, perfect companions and a couple of drinks. Good that i choose to go out!

  • … just thankful: The last of a great DIY and LOCAL series!

    … just thankful: The last of a great DIY and LOCAL series!

    Good ideas do not last forever, but good ideas can make a lasting impact. The fine folks that keep the Punkrock Hamburg community going had such a good idea in 2019 and as ever with their ideas they made it real.

    Just DIY.

    2025 and 4 editions done (annual, sure dropped during Covid times) it was now time for the 5th and last edition at its chosen home, the Stellwerk in Harburg.

    Again DIY and local heroes only. And again sold out.

    Blanker Hohn (Harburgs longest standing Punk Band) kicked it off, delivering a short but crisp set of their own Deutsch-Punk variant, up to and including lamenting about yours truly – thanks for that Oile!

    Blanker Hohn (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    It is a genre i still can not relate to but Blanker Hohn by now (compared to 2019) i can relate to: They have modernized sound and delivery and they have a couple of songs that do speak to me. And they had their local fan base dancing in front of the stage, setting precedent for the rest of the evening.

    Next Küken and they kicked off like this:

    Black Air from their 3rd Album, what a wonderful heavy slab to get it going! And from there they took it down the Küken path: Just a full on barrage of their very own, stripped to the bone, bare metal, destilled … you name it, it will fit. As long as it comes with the annotation of “unique” and “Punk Rock”.

    Küken (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    To my surprise they even had some of the lot dancing and i got to admit that indeed it felt like a huge amount of energy coming down and energizing the lot. Kudos, for me a near perfect and to the point set.

    Perfect for the occasion.

    Them Haermorrhoids it took a wee bit longer to setup and once the finally kicked in it sounded … just not as perfect as i would have expected. Not sure what it was, amongst many little bits eg. the drums sounded a wee bit card board instead of “crisp”.

    The Haermorrhoids (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    On top i somewhat had the feel they speeded through their set, tempo slightly upward. Luckily this rather slow song from their recent split EP with Proton Packs showcases what they are good at – here is C.I.A.:

    Whilst i am normally somewhat enthusiastic when it comes to my Haermorrhoids live experience this set somewhat did not make it to the same level. It could also have been me, still mentally suffering from the FCSP loss vs. BVB earlier that afternoon, a loss that in the 2nd half was feeling like the team not having any energy anymore.

    The Haermorrhoids (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Whilst The Haermorrhoids relentlessly pushed ahead, i still had this nag in the back of my head that condensed somewhat to “uninspired“. But it may have been with me only, the rest of the lot was either frantically dancing away or enjoying it as far as i could see.

    And the worst was yet to come: When i wanted to score their brand new 7″ after the show they (and the record) were all gone. Bugger!

    Next the Headliner, the unstoppable Party Machine outta Hamburg Horn, with the following setlist:

    Gerd – Setlist (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)

    And they kicked of with the song that Lemmy stole off them and gave to the Ramones – here is G.E.R.D.:

    Bang! And from there it was like a match from heaven: A band with exclusively known sing-a-longs and a crowd eager to sing-a-long and dance it away, on the floor in front of the stage and beyond.

    Gerd (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    For some in the audience it was even too much (of booze) and they flippered along in the pit until a careful friend took them out (or they took themselves out). I happily stayed off booze and enjoyed it. And the joy was way beyond the mu-sick-al experience, the room felt full of joy (though towards the end of the Gerd set felt already no longer packed).

    With some overtime and slightly after midnight Gerd called it a day, to almost triumphant cheers. And, as far as i could make out, Gerd also gained a few new supporters out of the local circuit.

    I guess there could not be a better finish for the show and a better finishing line for that good idea formed in 2019.

    I am damn sure that it will have a lasting impact (DIY and Local!) and i am also sure that we get something else as a surprise next.

    If i could have my wish then it would be another Sommermärchen, in sunny beach setting at the Brewery. That was top notch entertainment in a perfect setting.

    FANX Perry and Arne for pulling this through over the years, much appreciated!