The fine folks that run the Limited Edition just don’t stop, two editions in September are a surprise (though two weeks ago technically it was out of town bands only). And the much bigger surprise was that the hosts would greet guests and bands with … a song.
That is cool as fuck i’d say. Here you go:
Thats Koma Kombo on Drums (Eugen), Buttocks on Guitar (Mike), Kaltfront on Bass (Jörg) and Nancy on Vocals. Ever since i have been seeing Punk Shows (1979 ’till today) i did not spend a second on thinking such thing could happen.
Well done and if three chords are indeed enough you are now a band!
Fat Flag kicked it off and kept it equally brief for the start:
And that’s also how they continued, upbeat, fast, plenty of breaks and multi vocal singing. A very modern, very American approach to Punk Rock.
They also had a rather juvenile fan base in attendance that pretty much enjoyed itself and could sing-a-long (much more then us old farts).
Fat Flag (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 26.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
The only downside on their set was the the vocals where not fully understandable (too silent i guess) and that the heat emitters called stage lights burned both the band and the neck of the audience. If only the crew could pilfer some less heat emitting LED lights…
Besides that an energetic set, well received by the audience (and enthusiastically supported by the fan base).
Youth Of Altona next and they are not just a band covering songs from the Wipers, they are a band that play the Wipers. Both on stage and off stage i’d say:
On stage they started, as ever, with Return Of The Rats:
From the start it was simply this feeling of joy of playing that came down from the stage, in full speed and taking no prisoners.
But playing the Wipers is not all they do, trust me. They also preserve the simple fact that – give or take – the first three Wipers records (spanning from 1980 to 1983) are simply flawless beauties with songs that stand the test of time. And much more than other bands most of the songs are A1 material, there is almost no weak spot.
And for those who are connoisseurs they also have hidden some Easter Eggs, like the Karl Alvarez intro to Same Old Thing (that has an Karl style bassline for a start, dating back to 1979).
Killing a nod to two loveliest bands in one stone throw – near perfect!
Whilst Youth Of Altona lacked the juvenile fan base of Fat Flag they still had the audience on it’s toes and moving. And those who did not move at minimum had a huge smile on their face and simply did enjoy.
Because the songs are simply great.
Youth Of Altons (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 26.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
Youth Of Altona are also a peoples band, hence they invited half of Demolition Girls to sing D7 with them to make up for earlier show planed but not happening.
It is a wee bit a complicated and lengthy song and many people name it their least liked song on Is This Real?. I guess largely for 01:30 slow burning intro … but then the firework starts!
Sing-a-long:
Straight as an arrow
Defect, defect
Not straight, not so straight
Reject, reject
Towards antisocial
Dull, dull, so dull
Standing on the stairs
Cold, cold morning
Ghostly image of fear
Mayday, mayday
Gonna leave this region
They'll take me with them
Dimension Seven
Dimension Seven
Straight as an arrow
Defect, defect
Not straight, not straight
Reject, reject
Towards antisocial
Dull, dull, so dull
Past astral borders
Zeno lies waiting
Past gaseous remains
Intrigue, such intrigue
Gonna leave this region
They're taking me with them
Straight as an arrow
Defect, defect
Not straight, not so straight
Reject, reject
Towards antisocial
Dull, dull, so dull
Dimension Seven
Dimension Seven
Dimension Seven
Dimension Seven
Dimension Seven
Dimension Seven
Dimension Seven
Perfect adaption with two voices, also presented in a class way. The icing on that cake would follow suit as the setlist indicated: The “encore” would entail the all time favorite Over The Edge plus Youth Of America and finally Nothing to prove (also a lesser known song but dating back to 1986 and Sub Pop 100.
As said, Youth Of Altona play the Wipers.
Youth Of Altons (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 26.09.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
Have i seen a tighter set by Youth Of Altona prior? I don’t think so – they grabbed the opportunity to excel in the small and private setting, amongst friends. Are they a cover band? Never. They play Wipers!
Boy, what a great evening. Surrounded by largely friends, from diverse background and enjoying two crisp sets by local bands. In a full DIY setting, up to and including another great physical DIY ticket:
With a broad smile (and a wee bit of less pain on me foot) i took the subway ride home, humming a Wipers tune and looking forward for another Limited Edition. The mark is getting higher, i wonder how the good people making this happen will top it.
And guess what: I know they will.
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