Early show, hence perfect for finishing off a hot and sweaty Sunday and still not being too tired for the work shift on Monday.
As with many others that first Verbal Abuse record still is a special one – it was a hard and ultra fast surprise back then. I never saw them live and once they changed course (and the complete line-up) into what in my ears was more Trash Metal i lost interest, whilst still treasuring “Just An American Band”.
Gracing Hamburg 40+ years later i was somewhat interested how it sounded today. And that they got paired with Yard Bomb was a bonus, as their very American, very Californian 1980s sound is just near perfect and would even alone justify attendance.
And here is how Yard Bomb kicked it off:
Pity that only ever about 50 folks got off (with some regulars being away at Punk Rock Raduno #8 in Bergamo).
Yard Bomb featured Rolf sans hair on vocals and their original drummer Rüdiger, himself being a devoted Verbal Abuse fan.
Yard Bomb (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
It has been a while that i saw them live and i am not sure if they are still really active. Frank, it does not matter as long as they are able to hand a beauty (and in my head their signature song) like this.
Turning Up Milhouse, forever:
For me this is in the Top 10 of all songs bands from Hamburg (and near) ever penned down. It comes as near as a homage to Minor Threat as i could think of.
And if you do not have their perfect 12″ then most likely you will not have a chance to score, the last 4 copies got sold that evening. That’s it. Gone.
Yard Bomb (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
They did surprise some in the audience up to and including Verbal Abuse singer Nicki Sicki. For me they where yet again convincing, it would be great if they do Shows more regular (despite all of their other mu-sick-al ventures).
Here is how they finished off their set, clocking in at a whopping 19:30 for the 14 songs:
They not only convinced me, also – like Casey Royer in 2019 – they convinced the headliner to wear a Yard Bomb T-Shirt. Well done boys, well done!
Fun fact: Their setlist can be turned into fun sentences…
.. like “(The) beach patrol (is) turning up Milhouse down in the sewer” or “(We) need more invisible naked man” and “Modern kids feeling high about a man“. Honestly, it made me giggle!
And whilst giggling about that setlist we also sneak previewed into what Verbal Abuse set out to give the lot.
That is drawing both from their 1984 debut and from their later endeavors like the 2011 thingy with Scheisse Minelli. My guess is that on purpose they avoid the in-between, in my head the right choice.
And this is how they kicked off:
Mhhhh, two minutes of an Intro but luckily then kicking off into a one minute banger. I somewhat, at this point, was a bit reluctant still if this would turn into an enjoyable set.
In hindsight that maybe was also because i was expecting the band to look different. In real they simply looked … real. Aged according to life.
And eg. for Nicki life included being locked away for a considerable amount of time related to speed found on him.
Verbal Abuse (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
Most of the songs where in same vein, around or below the 2 minute mark and very real. Just like this one:
To my liking the double-bass on the drums could be let gone but by and large they delivered an entertaining set with a good mu-sick-al spread.
Verbal Abuse (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
And sure thing they finished off with American Band:
And the lot chimed in, even in small numbers. Their set was well received, the applause increased song by song actually. And though it turned out a niche show somewhat the turnout was largely experts.
Good one for a Sunday, a friendly ride home thanks to a mate and a feeling of somewhat having seen two bands of value.
Lovely!
