Hard Skin have been regular visitors to Hamburg over the last say 40 years, have made endless close friends over here and as such their Final Hamburg Show was sold out in record time, with demands for more tickets pestering the Hafenklang.
When i arrived my first feel was not only “wow, that’ll be packed” but also i realized that some of the 80’s Network Of Friends where in attendance with plenty of people coming from far (i saw faces from Munich, from Berlin and god knows where else).
Support was from Hamburgs own Jesus Skins, a band that i never got and who also on this slot still did not get me.
Jesus Skins (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 25.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
They sported a good guitar on my side of the stage and the dual vocals had something to it. But the very German (albeit not Rumpel-Oi!) approach to Oi! is just not my cup of tea.
And, on top, the light was shite (not their fault i guess).
Luckily Hard Skin took the stage quickly and here is how they kicked off in typical Hard Skin style (telling the audience how much they love ’em) with Law and Order:
It sounded a wee bit wobbly but nevermind, it was the kick-off to a set with only bangers, a set with almost exclusively sing-a-longs.
And the packed house did. Sing-a-long. And danced like there is no tomorrow.
And, in between, Sean gave the lot some rest and demonstrated how easy story telling is: From him being important via German footie and Cock Sparrer being shite to small cocks in less than 1:40.
Also an achievement and definitely greatly missed in future:
And remember, having a laugh and having a say goes hand-in-glove.
The almost rushed through their set, unfortunately it was not a 2 hour set but only ever roughly one footie half with a bit of extra time.
Hard Skin (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 25.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
But from the start to the end it was pure fun, sing-a-long and in the end of the day brilliantly played and with a surprising good sound.
In the rooster also short & fast bangers like Who’s that Boy? had their place with the lot filling in on the chorus:
Just puurrrfect!
Much too fast it was over, much too fast i had to catch my ride home and give my still hurting foot a rest. Indeed the humor of a Hard Skin show is the one thing i will greatly miss, but only 2nd to the utmost great people in the band themselves.
Next to me also my favorite booker was happy, he had the best working day in quite a while and a sold out house.
And if those that have to work to make me consumer happy are also happy – than it was absolutely a very special show. A perfect farewell for a band with a long lasting love for & by Hamburg.
Oi! yer cunts!
