On the mu-sick-al side i saw less shows than i wanted, heavily impacted by some needed time out to care about loved ones. It is still a struggle, but now an organized one. That hopefully allows me to manage time much better.
I saw about the same amount of shows and bands like 2023, but some of me mates did dive in much deeper – cudos to them.
| # of shows | # of bands | averange bands per show | |
| Hafenklang | 17 | 37 | 2 |
| Knust | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| MS Hedi | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Pretty Vacant HQ | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Komet | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Musikhaus Kramer | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Molotow | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Blue Bird | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Markthalle | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Stellwerk | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Landgang Brauerei | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 32 | 70 | 2 |
Indeed it should have been more, i missed MOi!n It’s Hamburg this year and many more little gems. Damn.
Best Show of the Year?
That one is surprisingly easy: It was thrown by the fine folks that keep fueling the Punk Rock Hamburg community as the Punk Rock Hamburg Sommermärchen 2024 – and within that everything simply was perfect … location, weather, bands, sound, light, beer and audience.
And i won’t put a runner up against this one, this was by far the best package.
Best set of the year? Candidates were plenty: Poolhead (at said show), Küken (supporting the Marked Men at the Hafenklang), Bad Job Boys (2nd set on the MS Hedi), Enemic Interior (at the Hafenklang), The Covids (at the Komet), Descendents (at the Markthalle), AVEM (supporting The Queers at the Hafenklang), both The Haermorrhoids and The Unknowns (at the Komet) and Bleakness (supporting M.I.A. at the Hafenklang).
For me it was Bleakness, followed by Küken and Poolhead. Honorable mention: The 2nd set of the Bad Job Boys on the MS Hedi.
Biggest surprise? AVEM, followed by Enemic Interior.
I don’t know what fate has in tow for me, but i do hope that i get to see a bit more in 2025. Will i be able to get to Rotterdamned for the Stardumb Fest to see The Windowsill? Damn, damn damn – in Hamburg on the same weekend it is Haermorrhoids & The Rezillios.
Tough choices, ahead of time!
On the reading side i managed to watch less TV, less onto my mobile screen plus i had some lengthy business trips next to 4 holidays up north – all allowing for more books, more pages!
| # of books | # of pages | #of days | |
| Crime | 62 | 21.846 | 308 |
| Music | 3 | 886 | 10 |
| History | 4 | 1.397 | 25 |
| Fiction | 4 | 1.472 | 23 |
| 73 | 21.343 |
That is 16 books more than in 2023 and +20% in terms of read pages. Reading speed was on average 93 pages every single day in 2024.
Highscore!
The 73 books did actually spread across 30 publishers, topping the list sure is the Polar Verlag (with 13 books and simply the best crime series currently) followed by Suhrkamp (9 thanks to Thomas Wörtche who picks the right stuff), Kampa (6) and Pendragon (4).
What did drive the most noir feel?
Later, first two books that are non-crime but must reads:
The heartbreaking story of The Gits and the murder of Mia Zapata – a band that could have been soooo big (and continues to be a big love of mine).
The equally heartbreaking story how idiots broke Britain. Best read also because i used to work in London for some time and many good folks from yonder are close to my heart.
And indeed they have been taken for a ride. Damn.
But those won’t feed my bloodlust, hence here the best reads to do so:
Best read in 2024 was Samuel W. Gaily “Die Schuld (Polar Verlag)”. A perfect school book for 15 to 16 year old that sure never ever will be read in school. As they do not want kids to learn not to be guilty.
Runner up in order were: Alexander Pfeiffer – Terrorballade (Edition Outbird), John Galligan – Bad Axe County (Polar Verlag), Ron Corbett – Cape Diamond (Polar Verlag), Kiko Amat – Revanche (btb) and David Joy – Wenn Diese Berge Brennen (Polar Verlag).
Did i mention that the Polar Verlag runs a hell of a good publishing? No? It does, it does!
And what about vinyl? I started to sell off some stuff as i jumped over the magic 5.000 mark, so my current Discogs count is down to 4.925 including only 45 new additions in 2024.
Best stuff added?
Here we go, the top 6 in no particular order:
- From Hamburg with love:
Küken – III – a real masterpiece and capturing their live sound as perfect as … anything you can imagine. What other Hamburg band ever got such a class reviews outside of their home turf?
2. From Japan with a twang…
The Routes – Reverberation Addict – I do have a side love into cover records if the band is able to take it mu-sick-aly slightly off the original (or even to a complete opposite or odd side). And if that is paired with a deep bow when it comes to artwork adaption, boy then i am sold. This is Buzzcocks as Surf. It won’t get any cooler!
3. Two loves combined …
The Jasons – Get Sued – I guess they achieved getting sued, as the cover was removed from Bandcamp. How cool is that?
The record itself is even cooler, Ramones tunes paired with Misfits lyrics and vocal style. Did i just mention i have a secret love for just off covers? Here you are! And best, this one was a gift from a mate who cares!
“While this may seem sacreligious to many, I found it to be a wonderful homage to both legendary bands. The love with which they have combined the music from the bruddas from Queens and Lodi’s prodigal sons really shines through every one of these tracks.” (Jim Dodge)
4. Combined perfection…
The Haermorrhoids vs. Proton Packs – Split EP – Two bands with a deep love into Ramonescore and a perfect match made not only for the Punk Rock Raduno pilgrims. On top this hopefully is a another little step on the “make it big” staircase that The Haermorrhoids sure thing will advance on.
And also others picked this one as the split EP of the year!
5. As if Poison Idea would have never left the room …
Black Bacon – Every Action Has Reaction – Ever since PI called it a day (or had to call it a day, read more in Jerry A’s memoir) there was something amiss. But that pothole has now thoroughly been patched with a mixture of 50% Poison Idea and 50% Distaster Jacks, creating a Portland/Barcelona supergroup. Of sorts. No, frank – just killer sound/tunes.
6. Best design, best concept, best production, best …
Man or Astro-Man? – ROYGBIV (Recordings From The BBC) – The world is doomed on many front, one is postal rates for international shipments, specifically UK or US of A. Still, my urge for MoAM made me pre-order this beauty as The Deluxe Super Special Box Set (includes full color print shirt of the spectacular flexi disc art by Chris Bilheimer, exclusive metal pin, 8 singles, a flexi disc, certificate of authenticity®TM) directly from Chunklet Industries. And thus handing out $$$ for postage, customs and this beauty.
Why? Because this is simply a true love: No only on my end but also on the publishers end. And such a beauty must be in me collection, no matter what.
And 2024 would not be complete without a playlist, here are 189 songs that keep you sane, that keep you urging (for the vinyl) and that should have been big (but yet again never made it).
