Last year it was a sweaty June Saturday to celebrate the Cockney Rejects in that small club in the danish part of Hamburg, Volume II had an even sweatier setup in one of the hottest summers over here ever. The Monkeys used the occasion to throw a little yard party and arranged for drinks, food and footie outside of the club. For some footie was already the past (“let’s concentrate on the league“), for others their team rose to occasion and defeated … a 5th league team.
Nevermind, everybody was happy and everybody had good vibes for the Rejects – loads of talking prior to the show and yet again one of these days where it felt that you know most of the people in the audience (and some for 35+ years).
To much surprise the Monkeys did ask in public for a support band just a few days prior to the show, i can only guess if that was because another idea had fallen through or because some local backline was needed. Nevermind, it was for Case 39 from Lübeck to open.
Case 39 (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 18.08.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
They do Punk with an emphasis on Rock, they do linger in Motörhead territory as much as they do pull some AC/DC in. For me it was sometimes too much of that but a fitting mix for supporting Cockney Rejects. And their guitar player, who also did the main vocals, actually had a perfect voice. They got a good share of applause and where watched by a large contingent of the audience.
That they are an amateur band came through after the set, whilst the roadies from Cockney Rejects wanted to setup the gear they took time to pack up, no hassle, no need for speed. They even opened a little shop on stage, trying to sell merch. At the end one of the roadies just had enough and packed up for them and shoved the gear into their hands (and them off the stage). Funny moment of professionals meeting amateurs, just like the footie prior to the show
And without too much fuzz the brothers Geggus and Vince Riordan took the stage, together with a young lad on drums. If there is anything as a single word that sums it up it is unpretentious: They know were they come from, they know how many hours of labour one has to put it to earn the money for a ticket and a pint – and they appreciate it.
The show itself was unpretentious too – sold out, packed, party mode to the max. And people enjoying to the max too, without even the tiniest scent of a brawl (though an exhibit was in attendance whom i would have liked to setup the wrong person and get some – but that is a different story from a different show)
Cockney Rejects (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 18.08.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
They sounded ok, though one semi-professional musician from the audience did complain “vocals like Undertones mixed with a Professionals guitar sound” – i rather take that as a compliment that Jeff never ruined his voice and Micky actually is in full control of his guitar.
And what did they play? They played a nice cross of old (Vol. I and Vol. II) sounds paired with some Power & Glory:
For myself it was just pleasure, for many around me it was the same amount of fun. And the lucky number this time was 6 instead of 5 but i was able to cope with that…
It was singing, sweating, dancing and – once the Rejects where done (and actually cutting the gig short by two songs) it was drinking. I guess up on the stage it was even hotter performing under the stage lights – so replenishing with isotonic drinks was a sheer requirement for health and safety!
I had a couple of pints and some extra booze (too much) and some nice talks. Just a perfect Saturday (and having the football loss on Friday already behind me) and yet again the best reason why you should endeavor to enjoy your mu-sick live and loud, in front of a stage.
Thanks to all for making this possible and enjoyable. You know who you are!
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