Another Limited Edition show at the Pretty Vacant HQ, aptly limited to 77 tickets. Average age of attendance was also much nearer to 77 than to 18, though many of the good folks attending where praising the DIY feel it had, much like “back then” (which in Hamburg would be Krawall 2000 times and 1979).
The rooster was almost a Sounds Of Subterrania (just another DIY venture) exclusive, all the way north from sunny Ålborg came the migthy Columbian Neckties and venturing north from sunny Kölle where the Cellophane Suckers. Two bands destined for raunchy, sleazy and fast paced Punk’n’Roll.
And both bands share the same fate: I have records of them but i can not recall to ever have seen them live. So easiest choice for me to get out, despite the sorrow of a family loss and an injured foot.
The Cellophane Suckers kicked it off and from the start delivered in top form: Solid backline of Drum & Bass, dueling guitars and a singer leaning all in (and going shirtless in 1,2,3 … 4).
Cellophane Suckers (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
Their career spans since 1993 i think and within that they have ventured criss-cross many mu-sick-al lables, exploring the boundaries within our little niche (with a tendency to what people may dub Garage Rock, Sleaze Punk or simply … Punk mutherfucking Rock).
The songs differ in length, my loveliest one was this short banger that effectively showcases all of their abilities within a 01:30 limit…
… Rise Up!
No chord spared, no unnecessary reprise, verse or chorus.
There where also other songs that stretched much longer, if i am not mistaken the rest of the band on one took the piss out of the singer (who suffered under the 12 600 watts emitters called stage lights) by extend one song almost into oblivion (just by encouraging each other with quick looks and eye brow nods the singer did not realize).
Cellophane Suckers (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
They had fund on stage, the audience had fun and despite the heat emitters it was a near perfect sound. Spinal Tap moment: Turning the Marshall Amp Beer Fridge on stage to … 11.
They know what they do!
Columbian Neckties next, hampered though by they bass player being off sick and having to short notice recruit and train a tour replacement. According to Jeppe that took Torben only one hour … though on stage he got a little chord helper laid down on the floor.
With them, the Punk’n’Roll had less speed but more depth (at least my mu-sick-al receptors decoded it that way), relentless driven forward by the guitar.
Columbuian Neckties (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
It felt a wee bit like a wall of sound and that feeling was utmost good. And just like the singer of the Cellophane Suckers Jeppe succumbed to the heat emitters and went 1,2,3 Oberkörper Frei in due cause.
Their approach has been summed up almost perfect like this:
This is Punk – Punk and not Rock in disguise. Garage will always be Garage and that means getting your hands dirty. Their shows never fall short from being total revelations and are cramped with energy to an extent, that you could illuminate the Autobahn at night, if we were able to feed that energy into our power circuits.
Most of all, Columbian Neckties are real! Not just Students jamming around, No Dressmen, no ‘we’ll-do-whatever-the-industry-can-sell’ – types, but rather the boys from nextdoor who happen to play mindblowing Garagepunk.
And boy, there is nothing to add to this!
Columbuian Neckties (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
They got the lot even more engaged than the Cellophane Sucker, more dancing and i guess even more cheers. And frank, they where a 110% fit for the makeshift DIY stage at the Pretty Vacant HQ.
Very real!
Once they where done the whole thing was not done yet, the good folks that throw this had organized a little raffle and every ticket could win. I was lucky, my (normally unlucky) #34 got me some Schnaps, a Dream Boogie LP and as the highest value item a professional air guitar plectron.
The only pity was that my hurt foot started to be very painful whilst the Danes played and i had to sit down. I should have taken painkillers and drop the beer thingy.
Looking forward to the next edition of PVHQ Limited Edition (that comes fast with Fat Flag and Youth Of Altona), it is utmost fun, done by utmost nice people and attended … by friends.
Just like back then!
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