I had a bad week: First off sick, in parallel palliative care for a loved one and some tough work related items. I was basically yearning for a mind change. The promise of Wonk Unit returning to Hamburg and a Friday evening thus was too good to be missed.
Support was from The Snouters, a name that i had not heard before. One of me mates guessed them towards Dutchistan, when they entered the stage they looked much more southern and quickly revealed that they are from Italy.
The Snouters (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 27.03.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
They play Ska with some scent of Rock (too many solos by the Guitar) and a good dose of Surf (too few surf reverbs by the Guitar). And have a girl singing.
In good moments it was energetic, uplifting and inspiring the lot to move, in not so good moments it was a wee bit too much show (but that is a typical stoic northern complaint).
The Snouters (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 27.03.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
Some folks compared them to The Interrupters but that would a too simplistic match, they where not even half as annoying with their live performance – i did dig them, they where entertaining and emitted joy from the stage.
And they had a great Ghost Town cover, well done.
If you like Ska, go and check them out:
Next Wonk Unit, in a slightly adjusted fashion: Only one guitar and the original drummer back behind the kit. According to Alex the best incarnation in a while.
The last time they graced Hamburg was in 2023 at the Knust, that one was for me like the best ever Wonk Unit set at our shores.
Three years on at the Monkeys it was less full than i expected, i take too many other shows on the same night.
It did not deter Alex, always the entertainer and giving it all, nor the band as they rushed through their quite large set list (that would carry the lot across all of their nine albums from 2009 to 2024).
Wonk Unit (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 27.03.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
In between they simply left it to the audience to pick and choose and finished off with plenty of sing-a-longs like Je M’appelle Alex:
Sing-a-long:
Do I look Rich? Do I look Rich? And I would love to indulge your ego But suddenly, you appear dead to me And I would love to indulge your ego But suddenly, you appear dead to me
That one is an at par (if not even better) ode to the infamous Guest List already referenced by P&TTB. The one that you should never need to or dare to ask to be on!
And remember that Alex has more good choices and advice ready! BIN HIM!
Dare to sing-a-long:
Bin him before you end up in a bin In a bin Oh god he's gonna hit me Oh god he's gonna hit, gonna hit me Like fuck are you gonna hit me Fuck are you gonna hit, gonna hit me
I guess they played 1,5 hours and had the lot going non-stop. They are just fun to watch when they banter on stage, they are fun to listen to live and they are simply uplifting.
To that extend the promise by Alex prior to the show was met, my fucked up week was done with with the help of The Snouters, even more help from Wonk Unit and some help of mates (up to and including some pints of Guinness).
And as ever when a band convinces me live i need to buy something off them, my choice was the neat Black Flag themed Wonk Unit shirt!
Good evening, though they should have gotten a larger installment of good people in front of the bar & stage.
From where i sit they can come back on a more regular basis, it is always worthwhile to speak to Alex and listen to Wonk Unit.
And the best? A quick lift by a mate all the way home.
Purrfect and fun Friday evening!
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