For the Bad Job Boys it was a long awaited date, as they had to push their record release party into 2023 following the release of their debut album in late 2022. Tongue-in-check they recruited Bullshit Boy as support so that the date, attended largely by family and friends, was a boys night out on stage.
Bullshit Boy kicked off and one thing was for sure: They will (and did) look better than the main act. When i saw them last time as support of the Ramonas at the Hafenklang i was least convinced but promised to give them another chance.
The chance came surprisingly quick and i have to admit that this time round the package worked so much better for me.
Bullshit Boy (Indra, Hamburg, 10.02.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
Specifically the rhythm section worked well, sturdy drumming by Carsten and a very versatile bassline by Silvie, delivered with a bright smile. On top of that the very unique vocal delivery by Sabine, at some times screeching, at other times soft spoken.
The only shortcoming was that guitar and vocals where often way too silent, almost inaudible.
They had their good moments when the bass groove was carrying the song and to my pleasure they also now attempt a surf song (a well made mu-sick-al choice actually, right down my alley). The got friendly applause, a wee bit short of enthusiasm.
Quick changeover and this is how Bad Job Boys took the stage:
Thats His Holiness Monseigneur Larsson on drums and vocals, Frank singing, Bodo on guitar and the first show for Piotr, their new bass player. And their little ode towards the first Covid year with an upbeat chorus to sing-a-long:
Denk einfach zurück an den Frühling 2020 Die Sonne schien den ganzen Tag Der Himmel war blau, die Luft war klar Das Leben zu zweit so wunderbar Alle waren locker, alles war cool Man sah die Delfine schwimmen vor Istanbul
That was #1, 16 more to come – almost LL originals. And both in English and German lyrics. And with a wide array of style, almost to the point that it is hard to pin-point a mu-sick-al cupboard for them.
For themselves they stick the following tags onto their sound: Punk, Glam, Hardcore Punk, Ska Punk and Power Pop. In my head (and for me ears) it was both a gift (and a positive choice) and a burden – too frequent sound respective style changes somehow do interrupt the flow of music.
Bad Job Boys (Indra, Hamburg, 10.02.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
Initially they also had a bit of sound problems but luckily an expert from the audience insisted towards Bodo that his guitar needs to be a definite bit louder. How could a guitar player resist that plea?
I have to admit that i somehow had the feeling that most of them concentrated pretty much on getting their delivery right and as a result there was less action on stage. I guess that will disappear with more shows and getting more comfortable with their set (and stage presence).
Towards the end and as a start for an encore they actually scammed Bodo into a cover, so here is Janie Jones from The Clash (and Frank’s voice was already gone):
They got plenty of supportive applause along the way and i think they had done a much better job than their own name dictates.
At good moments i did like the songs, at very good moments i heard a Professionals like guitar and i can see a rock solid rhythm section with expert handling of their instruments. If they now get more relaxed, more audience engaged and maybe their songs into a different sequence it’ll be a neat set.
As i already had their record on hand prior to Christmas all i ever took home was a merch bag (Fanx Anja). But rest assured, their record is actually good and specifically what somehow offended me live does work on the record: Different styles, different delivery. It is a record off the beaten (Hamburg Punk) track, versatile and with a near perfect production.
In short – it is worth to get! Get it now!
With that the lot went on to party, i had to leave early as i had different commitments for Saturday. Checking back with some on Sunday prior to the glorious St. Pauli home win it was a hung over Saturday for them, so it looks like it was a good record release party. And wasn’t that the intent?
