I have to admit that i was doubtful. On more than one front actually. On the one side i got the ticket almost immediately when the show was announced, only to find that about 40odd people where even faster. Smelling like a high attendance for a band without any history other than … that other side. And that being the nagging question in the back of my head “Are they just an internet hype or good for real?`”.
As ever the answer does require to get your ass off the ground, so back home from work and out to the Monkeys for early doors at 19:00. And an outlook of maybe or maybe not a support. As Sam explained later he got nowhere to get one booked, even up to bands rejecting to support them (most likely for rather odd reasonings, but hey – own choices).
Arriving early i found already some mates that attended the Imploders on Tuesday too and i found them already armed with merch. And once i was inside i got to know that all 7″ where already gone. As my strict modus operandi nowadays is to buy records only when a band convinces me live i got a wee bit nervous. And once i was tipped off that LP’s where running low that plan went out of the window, i grabbed my dose of vinyl prior to the show.
And believe me or not, i have never seen a band carrying that large amount of merch into a club and selling it like there was no future. Shirts, Vinyl … go!
A lot to live up to now for CMI and from the buzz around me i could feel that the 200+ audience in the well filled Monkeys was as eager as much as me and me mates where.
Came 21:00 and CMI where on stage and took on the lot. The singer was sporting a black German DFB Shirt from Adidas paired with his signature white Adidas trainers. And as surprise the 2nd guitar was manned by the Charlie of Chubby & The Gang and The Chisel fame.
Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
The kicked in a wee bit slower than expected, i was thinking (dreaming?) of them killing it in high speed gear and facing up to a moshpit of death. Dreams actually, initially they faced a large empty in front of the stage.
Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
It needed the singer to come down and engage with the lot and indeed the lot responded. To my surprise many where able to sing-a-long (ie. have listened to them over and over) and help with singing.
Whilst the rest of the band was silent and more on the backdrop side the singer was outgoing, outspoken and happy to dive into the pit, full force.
Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
More than once he praised how happy they where to find places in Europe like the Monkeys where a considerable large contingent of misfits, outcasts and non conformative would cheer them.
Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
To my surprise there was no pit violence at all, even though some of the attendees where from out of town. Half of the audience was known regulars for this type of shows at the Monkeys and half seemed people i had not see before – i guess indeed CMI had a considerable pull or lure on people also from out of town.
Coming back to being convinced musically i gotta admit that they not fully convinced me, but that was less the music (though i expected them a wee bit more on the H of H/C) then the presentation. They had way to many breaks between the songs, too much chatting and tuning.
Bangers around and below the magic 02:00 mark should come in like 3-round bursts from an A-14, thereafter it is time for drinks, tuning and banter. I guess they stretched their set to about 45 minutes of playing all they had.
But distilled down to the songs – top notch aggressive hardcore with a casual attitude. And that ain’t bad at all. In contrast! They where good. They where real.
I was home early like Tuesday, had my dose of vinyl and was ready for a start at work on Thursday without a hangover. And thus somewhat happy!
PS: And the name of the band`? Just a tongue-in check lift outta an Army manual… effectiveness, pride and self-discipline as a band. What did you think?
PPS: Bonus Pint for them for making Oliver Kahn subject of a casual Adidas violence single…
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