Last years April visit by the Avengers was augmented by not so great lights and sound but provided a packed Hafenklang with loads of positive energy from a diverse rooster.
This year had Penelope and the band returning back to the post-Rebellion pattern in August and a surprise package with Garotos Podres from sunny Brazil.
And the lads from Brazil initially surprised me not only with a setlist but with some help on the words (at least that is what i think i did look at)…
And this is how they kicked off:
Wow, that was not too bad. And plenty of chorus and sing-a-long compatibility (also thanks to the Porutguese language). Garotos Podres (translates to Rotten Boys) are around since 1982 and, according to their vocalist, had the privilege to be the last band that had a song censored (under the Military Dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985).
They speak just a little bit of English thus not too much interaction with the audience, though a handful of native Brazilians seemed to be front row and singing every single song with them.
Garotos Pedros (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
The first part of the set i found actually enjoyable, in the middle they did throw in some covers (an outsch cover of Los Fastidos, a classic cover of Symarip) and from there it went somewhat south for my ears. Less sing-a-long Punk Rock.
Or old & much more simple songs like Santa Claus Is A Bitch (one of the censored ones back then):
By then i had the the singer almost down as simple old grunt but boy would i have been wrong:
In addition to his musical career, José Rodrigues Mao Júnior is also a university professor, master and doctor in Economic History. And a staunch supporter of Cuba. And the Revolution.
Garotos Pedros (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
Within the band he is not the only one with a hidden surprise:
The Bass sported the best ever knuckle tattoo i have seen (no stupid HATE/LOVE or PUNK/ROCK) ever on stage. Just puuuurrrfect!
I got to admit that somewhat their set to me was half good, half not so good. For my fellow connoisseurs it was more the latter. But the audience, specifically the South Americans in the front, it looked like they had seen one of their heroes from the past.
To that extend it wasn’t that bad but just … different. And i guess they were touring anyway on a shoestring so thanks for gracing Hamburgo.
Different it was with the Avengers too, immediately i noted wow, a new face on bass and after some thinking i got the connect: That’s Hector Penalosa of The Zeros fame aka the Mexican Ramones aka one of the best Bomp! singles ever aka Don’t push me around.
Wow, stunned.
And with him Teenage Rebell sounded like this:
Tight, hard and fast and on top Penelope with her strong voice. And bringing home some really old songs that actually almost all stood the test of time.
Youth anthems. Desperate calls for change.
Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
And within that context a song like Second To None is getting the message across still today:
I want to be different and you are not telling me what to do! Sing-a-long to the chorus:
Mom says I gotta dirty face
Dad says I’m looking out of place
Dog says I got shit on my shoes
What am I supposed to do?
Well, that’s one. I’m second to none
And that’s two. I don’t know what to do
And that’s three. You’re tellin me
I’m still a baby
Where Garotos Pedros had their own little home contingent up front the Avengers where facing more an old male audience, though a few “younger” (everything below 50 most likely was young) folks attended too. It was not sold out but for a Monday it felt well filled.
Although the setlist for the last couple of years remains almost the same there was never bore. Penelope, Greg, Luis and Hector are versed musicians hitting the right tone, the right speed and being well together – and the rest is the class of the songs and Penelopes voice.
Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
On top the sound and lights where so much better than last time, making it just a perfect tight set. In between Penelope was almost in chatty mood, praising the Hafenklang (first ever show for her in Hamburg in the 90s with her solo venture), Hamburg and the audience.
The set finished with a small encore and sure with Penelopes mantra I Believe In Me:
… as in I Make My Dreams Real. My take – the Avengers in the current form are simply too good and still too relevant to be missed. Sure thing it is partly nostalgia. But much more i go out and see them because they have been consistent all along on the message and i’d like to support that, period.
Perfect Monday entertainment and companionship, getting to know something new (i have zero expertise on Brazilian Punk, other than some of me mates) and enjoying continued love for a treasured old love.
I do not need more in the context of #thereaintnuthinbetterthanlivemusic, honestly.
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