From the outset this was a wee bit a strange mixture: Local support, best in class. Often outshining the main act. American all-time favorites and heroes, but being confined to smaller and smaller venues. And then English loudmouth lads, offensive and … let’s say talkative.
Trusted Shitshow kicked off the proceedings, as early as 19:30. Also the Hafenklang now treats the elderly with due respect, so that the next work day starts with less of a hangover.
This is what they set out to deliver, unfortunately initially to a rather empty room.
And it started like this:
I didn´t love to but i will I will make it!
Bäng!
It did set the scene for another near perfect support slot delivery, full of energy, full of (self-proclaimed) kiss-ass powerpunk. And kick-ass powerpunk they delivered to perfection.
The only downside: The light was shite to the max and thus most of the visuals went drenched in a flood of red.
Shitshow (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024
If you have not scored their two singles, do it now.
But be aware, they try to scam you every once in a while: A mate went over and said “the two singles” and got two singles. After the show, on the final sundowner sip, he took stock of all records bought (which included just another Hard Skin record) and realized … two times same.
Luckily they got their merch still on the table and with a blushed smile it was corrected. Charming band, i’d love to see them grow much bigger.
Next the Avengers, who in their new incarnation since 2004 are by now also a 20 years going force. With them the room was much more crowded and sure their all-time hits from 1977 – 1979 still trigger plenty of sing-a-long.
Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024
Delivery was a bit on-off, the sound varied between not so good and … bad. And the drummer – as on previous occasions – was hitting it too hard (and thus too loud). But the energy flow from the stage (and back) made up for it.
And in front of the stage it was a largely female (and happy) contingent, also that did add positively to the energy flow. For me this is most of the times that is a sign for a good show.
How did it sound? It sounded like this (and not exactly the type of more mellow delivery that should have been there for the song):
But however the sound is, the songs still touch (and btw the newer ones work too). And very frank, the songs from the Steve Jones produced White Noise EP are even today so relevant.
As the internet (damn internet, never forgets) has it:
The Avengers, featuring singer Penelope Houston, helped lay the groundwork for political punk while giving the nascent musical form one of its first dynamic frontwomen.
And thus American In Me, Uh-Oh!, Corpus Christi and Gold Digger (avoiding the innocently choosen original name White Nigger) are still the skeleton of todays Avengers set, also at the Hafenklang:
Touching set, not the best sound but still one of the most convincing packages from 1977 still around. And still taking the time to tour Europe, big thanks for that.
With that the room was fully energized and actually fully packed, 250 good people downstairs at the Hafenklang.
How to top that?
Invite Hard Skin and let them have a go at the lot.
The last time that try ended in a real mess (thanks to the (in)capable hands of Riebe), this time it went dramatically different.
For a start Sean looked much more healthy and for a finish Exhibits A, B, C and D where absent from the show. So the only confrontation came from the stage and by Sean, trying to take the piss out of Bremen eer Hamburg.
What he did not account for was that from time to time he will be meeting someone with a witty mind – when he tried to place the old joke of “why do we think we are here” and finish it off with the scoreline of “because of the money” he was cut short by a tongue-in-check reply from the audience “because you want to get your teeth done“.
Thanks mate, that was masterclass challenge/response. Even on stage all three Hard Skins fell apart laughing.
And whilst be chatty they also managed to delivery stupid little sing-a-long gems like this one:
Sing-a-long:
Sitting in the corner, cookin' up a ruse Laughing with the Hard Skin, drinkin' lodsa booze Along comes the old brill, stinking up the drum Talking fuckin' bollocks, talking' out his bum Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce Accusing us of this, accusing us of that Fuckin' stupid bastard, pork scratchin' twat You're down the road johnny, fuckin sort him out If you need some muscle, give the boys a shout Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce Fuckin' sort it! Sort it! Fuckin' sort it! You know you better sort it out! Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce Law and Order - up your arse You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' FARCE! Shove it up your ass! Fuck off!
Whilst i was a bit skeptic with giving Hard Skin the headlining it simply turned out as the winning receipt. And to my surprise the packed house stayed for them, was glued to them and laughed with them.
On top of that the female contingent in front of the stage did grow and entered into serious dancing – influencing most of the room into getting going.
Just purrrrfect!
Hard Skin (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024
It is quite stunning how much Hard Skin are still appreciated in Hamburg, obviously their humor works for the Hamburg lot. So big fanx to them and hopefully Riebe is able to persuade them back again once they have rested a wee bit (and again are out of money).
And if that was not enough, Hard Skin also had an additional surprise in the pocket (respective in the van). As you may know myself (and some of me mates) are always looking after buying vinyl at shows, for me it always comes from the fact that a band either surprised or convinced me live.
Upon chatting with one of me mates, who had his hands already full of two Shitshow singles and the Hard Skin Live At Dijon LP, Ben (Hard Skin guitarist) noted that he had his Solo Album with him and offered that with the words “and it is quite different“.
My mate was interested and Ben disappeared (for some time). Coming back he held three records, that where immediately taken away from him (against hard european currency). He added the advise to listen to it with headphones on and closed eyes.
The internet (damn internet, never forgets) states with respect to the LP:
Hard Skin’s JT presents an album of alternative, accidental instrumentals that are not for the faint-hearted or hard of hearing. Described as “delicate”, “thought-provoking” and “emotive”, this unexpected cluster of melodies offers an unwitting nod toward Eno and the like. It’s easy to pander to the mob. JT has veered away, confirming this record as an irregular punk classic.
I gave it a spin a couple of days later and Ben was spot on: The songs are near perfect soundtrack parts and closing your eyes and firing off your brain cinema makes it click. Click big time actually. Well done for getting something that wide done, Ben!
If you dare, score the vinyl here from JT Classics (mind you, post-Brexit import cost).
Great evening, rounded off with a final Cuba-Libre.
Great bands, great companions up to and including Rudi K coming all the way from Munich. Gave me a cosy, warm and home feeling after doing my 60’s birthday alone, up and away with the love of me life.
And further to that, it was stunning to see that a show with diverse bands from three different corners could sell out a Monday evening and that a show with non-perfect lightning and non-perfect sound can put so much positive energy into the room.
I bet ya almost everybody left on a high.
I did, happy me.
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