Actually i do not know where to start nor to finish. Whilst many of me mates where in Blackpool the other week they brought home only good stories about Jeff (doing a spoken word performance) and Cockney Rejects (doing a great show). For me as a regular Blackpool absentee it did not matter too much, i was just keen to see them again (having had to miss the 2019 edition of the Sauna event).
Just like 2019 they where paired with This Means War from Belgium, who technically took the stage 2nd, as there was a short Book presentation in the pub for starters. I preferred to stay outside, enjoying plenty of chats with people from near and far, watching them brothers Nickel applying liquid drugs through the eyeballs on Matthias and trying to stay out of the sauna – it was damn hot in Hamburg.
This Means War kicked off to an already well filled Monkeys and they play Oi! with a definite scent of Hard Rock, though not leaning too far into that territory.
This Means War (Monkey Music Club, Hamburg, 13.08.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
For me it was a mixed bag, i sometimes felt a wee bit offended by them trying to bond with the audience. Not sure what did offend me, because i guess they just tried to be friendly and with the audience, rather than fronting the audience.
Within their rooster they do have one or the other quite melodic song with sing-a-long qualities, overall most of them without “speeding”. They played for about 30 minutes i take and they got some cheers (and even some folks singing along).
This Means War (Monkey Music Club, Hamburg, 13.08.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
For me there was one ill-fated choice though, but again it may just be stubborn and selfish me: If i would do support for Cockney Rejects i would not cover Cock Sparrer in my set and if i cover Cock Sparrer then definitely not “Suicide Girls”. Period.
With a quick changeover it was all ready for the Rejects and by now the Monkeys was well filed (though i believe not sold out). And what was awaiting the lot? A mixture of old and new, classic Oi! anthems and selected songs from their later efforts.
They took the stage totally unpretentious and stormed into their set as a well oiled engine. And the engine got some new extra horsepower, the young lad on drums was pushing them forward a wee bit more than in the past (at least it felt like that).
Cockney Rejects (Monkey Music Club, Hamburg, 13.08.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
As always Jeff was the engagement manager and due to the smaller stage he could not do as much sparing as he does on bigger ones. He was having a little chat here, a little smile there and consistent messaging: We are the Cockney Rejects and we do what we like to do. Period.
The lot from start to finish went with the band, and then a bit more and then over the top. And it was mostly fun in front of the stage, thanks largely to the absence of the football faction. Even more, there was a large female contingent front row and one individual specifically with non-stop dancing, not bothered by male bodies throwing themselves around.
Great view that pit, great view.
Cockney Rejects (Monkey Music Club, Hamburg, 13.08.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
They gave 75 minutes i guess, came back for some encore and in all honesty thanked the club and the lot for having them. As someone noted it may just be that Bridgehouse feeling that they need from time to time.
For me the best ever Cockney Rejects show in Hamburg and a total teardown as we say in German. And the best is that them Brothers Geggus are still consistent with their 1981 attitude.
It is worth to add that they only ever flew in & out for this club show, so big thanks from the Hamburg lot for that effort (in times of travel disruptions left, right and center – as many of the Blackpool Pilgrims experienced on their way home). I also heard some folks saying that most likely they will not do this small stints anymore and instead will concentrate on bigger festival like appearances, if only.
What is definitely true is that their last ever album, Power Grab, is about to come in September. Whatever route they choose will be right for them, i am damn sure. For what they have injected both into Punk (and that little niche Oi!) and into Hamburg at the Monkeys i am forever grateful.
If this was the end, it was a perfect ending.
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