As an intro the Rejects set the scene:
After much thought and consideration dear pals, we have decided that 2023 will be our last year as a touring band. Don't worry though - For the next 20 months we will be giving it everything at venues all across the U.K and the world. We will still be around on the festival circuit, but as of the end of next year our touring days are over. Hoping that you can all come out to support us in the next 20 months, you have all made the last 43 years the best days of our lives. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
But it is for me, who is also facing retirement from the job next (and in a profession that makes me utmost happy), a sure understandable sentiment. At one point in time you got to step out, you got to finish things at your leisure, at your call. Not to be told that you ain’t ‘ave it anymore and better bugger off.
Support started with On The Rampage from the lowlands of Dutchistan. First thing i noted was the strange visual: The guitar with a Tech Nine shirt (a long gone dutch street core band), the drummer with a Ramones shirt, the bass in Skinhead gear and the singer … with a big belly and massive sideburns.
Mu-sick-ally they started out on a rather simple and bumpy Oi! sound, almost to my dislike. It was rescued though by the banter of the singer (and the eye play of the guitar in return). The bass actually was all smiling and providing great backup vocals, to the extend that a female member of the audience asked for the singer to step down and only ever let the bass sing. Ups.
On The Rampage (Monkeys, Hamburg, 14.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
Exactly at the middle of the set though they grabbed my attention: A near perfect cover of A Forrest (from The Cure) in Oi! Sound. This was a a first in this little niche genre for me and – not sure if by design – from there both songs and presentation only ever went uphill.
I would not buy a record but i also would not turn down seeing them again. They are able to bring some fun across (once warmed up).
Next another French band from my bucket list, Nineteen Eighty Four (or 1984) have come across my playlist a couple of years back. Within that was a near perfect sing-a-long that almost defies genre setting:
That’s from their 2018 effort called “Never Forget” and it is a top-notch song if you ask me. Go!
I remember when we were young remember when we were dump remember when we were care free I remember when we were hopeful remember when we were cheerful remember when we believed The world was our it was a dream there were no peril We were carefree We weren't afraid by the future We were carefree We weren't afraid by the future
The initial itch in my silly single-minded musical head was “… almost the Social Distortion of Oi!” but that is most likely beyond the fact.
1984 (Monkeys, Hamburg, 14.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
Plenty of of great dual guitar work, plenty of multi-vocal singing and all of that paired with a girl on drums to fall in love with (because of Lisa’s hard hitting drumming) and and agile bass player. They really have something special and by all means i’d love to see them back at the Monkeys for some real headlining!
I somehow knew what was to expect but both myself and people around we were still surprised by the delivery. To the point. Top notch. As often with French bands the only item on the downside was interaction, they seemed a bit shy to speak in English (and may even struggle with it).
1984 (Monkeys, Hamburg, 14.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
I thoroughly loved it, many of me mates loved it and i was full set to get a record after the show (only to realize way after midnight when i left the Monkeys that almost all of their merch was gone and only the split with Red Alert was left). Damn but also maybe somehow lucky, as i had to cycle home through rain and not sure if i would have been able to keep the record dry.
Great band, great presentation.
By now it was 22:50 and time for the lads from the East End. And this was how this years (and the 5th) stint at the Monkeys was set:
All the classics, selected new stuff and by and large stuff that would make the sold out Monkeys go apeshit (and it would, trust me). Same line up like 2022 and thus high expectations for the show.
Cockney Rejects (Monkeys, Hamburg, 14.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
From start to finish Jeff engaged with the lot and the backdrop came hand-in-glove from Mick, Vince and Joe. I found the sound and presentation ok, though less raw than last time.
One of me mates (who had seen them back then at the Bridge House and sure in the 2000’s in Blackpool) though complained it sounded too much Rock. Not sure if i buy that one, but hey – that exactly the spread that makes live music enjoyable.
And yes, in retrospective i would have loved a wee bit more raw. But that is complaining on a high.
Cockney Rejects (Monkeys, Hamburg, 14.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
From start to finish the lot at the Monkeys was also upfront, singing, dancing and giving it back to the Cockney Rejects. And upon the all-time faves basically the full dance floor erupted and the crowed moved like a sea in the storm (up to and including washing up poor souls onto stage).
The Rejects took it professionally, relaxed and asked for bottles being removed (sure, it is stupid anyway to store your drink on the edge of the stage) or took upon themselves to mop the floor in case of spilled beer.
Cockney Rejects (Monkeys, Hamburg, 14.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
They played for about an hour and gave the lot what the lot wanted. And they gave that with a smile, not excusing themselves for their call on touring, but simply explaining it again.
4 out of 5 times at the Monkeys i was able to see them, every time they delivered upon their promise.
Last time i finished my write up of the show with:
If this was the end, it was a perfect ending.
And this still holds true. And is testament to the work ethos of the Rejects. And, that said, also of Sam & the Monkeys crew (for making it happen in the comparable small setting, yet again).
Luv’d it!
On top i was a tad bit surprised to learn that Ireland went out vs. the All Blacks and that after the weekend England was the only team from the northern hemisphere left for the semi finals of RWC 2023. But that is a different ball game.
