Summer is back in Hamburg and plenty of shows ahead, bands do like to tour in summer. On a warm and pleasant Sunday evening it was Good Riddance who finished their almost 3 week run through central Europe in Hamburg.
Support was to be from Slaughterhouse but short notice they pulled out and thus caused confusion (as to who is going to play with GR).
I was actually keen to see them and, greedy record collector scum that i am, i was keen to score their single-sided 12″ (with eachings).
They got something and they sport a female contingent, always a positive thingy.
I finally got to understand that Loaded would be the support and in my head it triggered “Duff McKagan’s Loaded” but not a German band. But that was far off, Loaded are from Mannheim, have 30 years under their belt, and …
… a mate referenced “Ska” in their context. Not really a good trigger for me. As with many German bands i guess i happily ignored them over 30 years, so i was bit reluctant at first.
In reality they turned out as a lovely 3 piece with their main asset being their always smiling, always laughing and hart hitting drummer Julia. The positive energy she emits, boy – it does make up for the occasional ska interlude.
Loaded (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.06.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
I guess by and large they have morphed into something that is much more on the punk side, the guitar sounding more rock and the bass (manned by an exiled American) is more on the hardcore side.
Somewhat a surprisingly interesting set, at moments even with right amount of umpf to take the audience along. They got a fair share of applause beyond their fans in row one. And they deserved it, short notice they opted for the slot and endured a “7 hour hell drive” back to Mannheim.
I will now check their output in more detail, I also guess i will not pass the option to see them again should it arise.
Not seeing Good Riddance on the other hand is not an option, in my single minded mu-sick-al head they are one of the few of the US (and specifically Californian) bands of the early 90s that are still relevant (and that still have a say).
Here is what they set up for Hamburg for ending their Europe 2025 tour:
And this is how they kicked off:
From the start i had the sense that we would be lucky and GR would be going ALL IN for the final slot in Europe. Energy, fun and loads of forward pushing power.
Loaded (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.06.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
They Hafenklang was not completely full but there where enough folks to fill the room and have a decent going in front of the stage, including plenty of sing-a-longs for many of their old hits.
Best thing – next to Chucks banter with the audience – was the guitar sound. Luke not only shredded it like hell (and with relentless energy) but it sounded near perfect. That was a real “wow” throughout the set!
Loaded (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.06.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
The same relentless energy by the way came from Sean on the drums, he was hitting it hard at any speed, much like a human metronome.
Loaded (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.06.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
I guess nobody in the sweaty but happy audience noted that time flew and GR should have gotten a speeding ticket.
The finished their set and came back for some extra fun:
Just puuurfect! Ever since they are back at it they come on a regular basis to Hamburg and every time they have been utmost convincing. Lets hope that indeed they have a new record in the making, because that would bring them over yet again.
Great evening at the Hafenklang and i was lucky to capture the essence of a GR show in a single shot (though Sean is hidden).
So this is for you:
There was no vinyl to score but a grateful mate not only did hit me up with a ride but also with the last ever Effigies record (“Burned”, a loving memory for John François Kezdy who tragically died in 2023 before the record could be completed). So was not only home early but also with black gold in tow.
Perfect summer Sunday!
