It has been a while that i saw a show in a place that was not meant to run live mu-sick. But hey, sometimes opportunities come about and then you gotta grab ’em.
And grabbing Eugen did, he immediately liked The Roxies after they played the Indra last year and was determined to do something for & with them. They had another show in Hamburg supporting the Dead Boys in February at the Monkeys that i also did not attend, but mates were full of praise.
I only ever saw them pre-Covid, when they supported the mighty Maniac down in the cellar of the Komet.
Come June 2024 and Eugen decided to get them over to play … actually in his office, in sync with a yard fest run by his neighboring Coffee Roasters.
His office turned out spacious, he and Mike created a decent stage, got some lights and a small PA ready – and off went a short showcase in best DIY fashion. Remember shows in rehearsal rooms? That sort of thing, but better.
Support was to be Tanju with Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery, but a short notice Covid infection of one band member put a hard stop to it. So it was one band only, early and … crisp.
The Roxies are from Berlin and they seem to have perfected on Power Pop, with heavy borrowing on UK Post Punk (and some Garage i guess). The net result comes across as high-energy (almost old school) Punk with a slick coating of Pop. They call themselves Indie Punk, but that is an odd label for my single minded tastes.
The Roxies (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 08.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
They are 3/4th German and have enlisted Mattew from Yorkshire (“Tha’ can allus tell a Yorkshireman but tha’ can’t tell ‘im much.“) to sing for them. And whilst the others provide the sturdy backdrop, he goes off like being fueled with a radioisotope battery.
The Roxies (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 08.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
They do not dress uniform (always a malus) but they provide unique stage characters (always a bonus) also besides the vocals: An always smiling drummer, a sturdy and almost shy guitar and a towering slender girl on bass – smiling too.
And how did it sound? It sounded like this:
It is Cat Caller and on their 12″ (see below) and it is indeed my loveliest song by them, it will make it onto my 2024 playlist (actually it is already on it, whilst the playlist still grows).
The Roxies (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 08.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
They got a few people dancing and they lured some of the folks of the yard fest indoors. And given they play Power Pop (and that is something straight into the feet) i saw a couple of surprised smiles.
They did not play long but it was a pleasant and crisp set. I did fancy buying their record but eventually let go the idea (as my remaining space for 12″/LP’s is tiny). If they would have had Cat Caller on a 7″ then i would have grabbed it.
I grabbed some stickers instead. But by all means, go and check them out for yerself and if you like it try to grab the Vinyl, it is already sold out at the label i believe.
Nice and early Saturday evening showcase, i wonder if Eugen and Mike try that again with another band. The place would allow for it, being surrounded by largely industry it may take a while before someone raises concerns.
Nice One. Surprise One! Thanks Eugen & Mike for the effort, much appreciated.
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