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  • … just another busy weekend: MOi!n get’s 8, Frosch get’s 60+. Welcome to Hamburg!

    … just another busy weekend: MOi!n get’s 8, Frosch get’s 60+. Welcome to Hamburg!

    A busy weekend to finish off September, with opportunities ranging from the MOi!n It’s Hamburg Festival (Edition #8) at the Monkeys, me mates Frosch 60+ birthday bash and FCSP playing away at Berlin (with ~ 12.000 Fans travelling, could have been me too). Hard stuff to choose from and taking all of these options somehow would not work out (though i was proven 2/3 wrong later).

    Friday i choose the Monkeys, specifically as it would feature two surprises for me: Los Pepes had been on me bucket list for quite some time and Rotten XIII from Euskadi where something i regretted to have missed at the Indra in April 2022.

    Los Pepes kicked off at the Monkeys quite early, i guess some people simply missed them because it was a footie kick-off at 20:45. They hail from a little niche within the niche of evening, some sort of edge overlap in the wide (warning, euphemism incoming) territory of Oi!:

    The loudest powerpop band on earth… the Motörhead of powerpop! No hit wonder 60s and 70s garage pop melodies drowning in a wall of punk rock guitar. Good Vibrations records served up with a Testors punch in the face. Songs about love, antipathy and getting up to no good. They’ll stick in your head and leave your ears ringing.

    Let’s agree it is Power Pop on steroids, it is indeed the thunder and drive of hard hitting Rock’n’Roll sugar coated with the beauty and twang of Power Pop. And delivered taking a Johnny Ramone memorial stance on stage (at the least by the towering bass and by the 2nd guitar).

    Los Pepes (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    They did not waste time on audience interaction, they rather fast forwarded through their set in a near perfect delivery. And within that, they even got some people moving and a fair share of applause.

    Where they a 100% fit for the evening? I think yes, as much as Alvilda from France would be on Saturday. They both cover some of the softer edges (lol) and indeed they cover that well. I thoroughly enjoyed them and thus they ended up as the record pick of the night (and if you are a regular reader you know what that means).

    #catchoftheweek: Los Pepes – The Happiness Program (Beluga Records, 2021)

    With the City Saints from sunny Göteborg next it was back to more traditional territory. Straight forward working class Rock’n’Roll, delivered rather unpretentious. They sing in Swedish and in English, with some neat sing-a-longs in the latter.

    And as such them Göteborgare got much more of the audience, they also had an easier bonding as they played more than once already to more-or-less the same locals over here. 

    City Saints (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    By and large i liked it, though i have to admit that at some times it was a too simple receipt for me ears. But hey, that is the beauty of such occasions – you get a crisp exposure also of things that are not 100% up your alley. The rest of the by now more and more filled Monkeys gave them plenty of cheers, so i better shut up.

    From the shores of the North it was then all the way down to the middle if Italy, Mad Rollers hail from Rome and musically they trace back the same roots that Giuda took in: Proto Punk, though with less Glam.

    Their debut album was recorded by the Giuda producer as far as i can make out and thus there is some truth that it sounds like a early Giuda record. But hey, what is wrong to play in a successful niche, a niche that has it’s devotees and a niche where you can excel?

    Mad Rollers (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    A review of their record summed it neatly up:

    ‘Bish, Bash, Bosh’, and it’s like the 70s never ended, in the best way. One listen, and you’ll be convinced you’ve known it all your life. Producer Silvestri has mastered the Chinn/Chapman hit factory sound. My heart goes out to any young bands in Rome; the benchmark , for this style, is immense. 

‘Another Night’ adds some cheesy keyboards, but doesn’t stray into the 80s, so if Giuda’s brief flirtation with Duran Duran wasn’t your thing, you’ll be happy here.

    My legs got the beat instantly like me many in the audience. It was namely the female contingent up front, who could not stop their dancing shoes from moving. And right so! Strong beat, driving bass and superb twin guitars and a singer that takes the audience along.

    Great stuff, great live band.

    It was for Rotten XIII from Nafarroako Foru Komunitatea to finish the lot off and boy did they do that.

    5 young lads from Larraga and a mate noted immediately after their first song “They must be very angry“. Stance, delivery – all came deep from the heart and all came delivered with all anger & stamina they got.

    And they do not sing in English. 

    Rotten XIII (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    Mu-sick-ally they are broad: Fast stompers, slower and longer songs with some folk like edges and even using outlandish instruments like the saxophone. How did it sound? It sounded like this:

    It is though only one angle, one corner of their wide abilities. They got me and judging by the cheers they got plenty of the by now well filled Monkeys. By storm i’d say. The singer tried to explain bit’s and pieces and more than once apologized that their English was not that good.

    Who cares actually? Even without understanding Euskara there was enough in their songs to a) like it and b) almost feel the urge to sing-a-long. The sing-a-long in the audience was delivered too, i guess they had a couple of mates with them.

    Rotten XIII (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    They did not stun me as much as Kaleko Urdangak did in 2019 but they where a worthy headliner to finish off the first day on a high. The little niche that these two days at the Monkeys would showcase has indeed some high’s in France but that is not all there is – also bands from Euskal Herria continue to deliver on a high.

    Well done boys, specifically as this was only ever the 4th show outside of their own ground.

    Suggest you check out their latest record:

    I was home late and luckily not knackered, as i resisted the thirst most of the time.

    But i still had options for Saturday. Sure not i was going to travel to Berlin and sure i would start the evening at the Hafenklang (a mates invite is always worth more than my 2-day tickets for the Monkeys) but would i sneak out and head back to see The Drowns?

    MOi!n It's Hamburg #8 
(Monkeys Music Club & Indra, Hamburg, 29./30. September 2023)

    Came Saturday and it was a private function at the Hafenklang. And would surround me with some of the Punk Rock Hamburg family, fellow old punks and generally good people.

    The plans to get a last and final stand of Jam Today with some extras though fell through the crack short notice, as their drummer tested positive for Covid. Damn.

    Live music thus was limited to the nameless band (that quickly was christened Frogger by the lot) that was originally only ever to play a few songs as a very personal gift of Nico (one of the guitars and one who helped me mate to to conquer fate).

    They play guitar pop, at some times like early Cure at other times more like 80’s bands from the UK. Within that they also threw two Jam covers, namely to please the lot (and lot was pleased).

    Frogger (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 30.09.2023) (c) gehkacken.de 2023

    It was a nice surprise over some of the more obvious choices me mate could have made and i recon it was his return for the support provided. And within the short set they also covered the very personal song that Hedwig penned for him for his 40ties birthday:

    Yes, they call him Frosch. Less Pogo now, as the knees are utterly ruined but still attending loads of shows, much more than i do. And holding the season ticket next to me a the Millerntor.

    Happiest Mate! (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 30.09.2023) (c) gehkacken.de 2023

    Frosch gave a little speech and reminded people that fate can strike anytime, anywhere (something our little community has experience more than once recently) and that you must enjoy the moment.

    And that the lot did, with DJ Starry Eyes perfectly providing the soundtrack to a couple of hours of chatting, dancing, drinking and … enjoying the result in Berlin. Top of the league, as much as this party. And as much as the people around me.

    For those who don’t know that song, here is the beauty i did for his 40s birthday following the drunken guarantee to Hedwig & me mate “… if you record the song i’ll put it out as a picture disk“. Said & done, back then in 2003.

    Demolition Girl & The Strawberry Boys – They Call Him Frog
    (Holy War Records, 2003, limited to 500 – last copies on sale!)

    And here is how the original sounds like:

    Happiest Mate, it is a privilege to be on your side and it is a pleasure to have you around, continued.

    The options on Saturday? I did not take them but one of the lot was so brave to take a taxi, see The Drowns and be back (with companions) for some more dancing. Well done Mao, well done.

    And Sunday? Lazy.

    Perfect weekend i’d say. Welcome to Hamburg i’d say.

  • … FCK RBF, here is real joy: A tale of Broncos, Oi Boys and a surprise return!

    … FCK RBF, here is real joy: A tale of Broncos, Oi Boys and a surprise return!

    On the day prior to the show i had to run an errand to get some medicine for our cat Toni and stumbled through early extends of the damn Reeperbahn Festival: Also bars in side streets had been booked by – i guess – Event Managers for entertainment of Mu-sick Biz Cool People. In short, i had to side step my way on the pavement through a bunch of indie whores.

    Boy was i glad that my outlook was not queuing to see a band marketenders hype as the next big thing but a real club with real people. A place not participating in it. A place where i would get to see something unknown (welcome Bronco Libre from Leipzig) and something unusual (welcome Oi Boys from Metz).

    Bronco Libre kicked off, a 3 piece from Leipzig with i guess a French singing in … quelle surprise, French. I have not come across them prior, namely because i tend to ignore Bands originating from Germany (and ever more eastern Germany).

    I know it is a shortcoming but somehow it is hard to overcome. I know also that i am wrong, simply because i loose out on good music.

    Like this one, here is Déchirures (Tears) from Bronco Libre:

    And the lyrics are worth to look at too:

    Sous les ordres de son pays
C'est lui-même qu'il assassine
Sous le joug de son bourreau
C'est lui-même qu'il massacre

    Under the orders of his country
It is himself he murders
Under the yoke of his executioner
It is himself that he massacres

    Unfortunately the vocals where not well audible, though as non-French speaking person that would not have made a large difference. I can only urge you to take in their 2018 LP to figure everything out – it is worth it!

    For me the mix of the hard hitting drummer, the very cool bass carrying loads of melodies and the high pitched voice (and somewhat high pitched hectic guitar for a lack of better description) worked very well and to my surprise i indeed liked it.

    Bronco Libre (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    As they did not have the LP with them i resorted to download it and as much as their short set it is a more than worthy effort. They got plenty of applause, though down from the stage their where largely quiet (shy?).

    Good stuff, i guess i will need to train my blind spot!

    Next Oi Boys and with them it would be going into a very different territory. Those in the know eagerly inspected the setlist, so here it is:

    Oi Boys – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    They tag themselves as #oi #punk #synthpunk #coldwave #wave but that does not do them justice. It may for the vinyl but live they are much more wild, much more raunchy and much more outgoing than introvert.

    How did it sound live? It sounded like this:

    And the most convincing item: The smile of the drummer (aka human beat machine) at the beginning of the song. That smile carried through the whole set, as much as all made the impression to be utmost happy to be there, on stage.

    Communication with the audience was hampered by a lack of fluent English on their side but that was easily overcome (and some in Hamburg do speak French, indeed).

    Oi Boys (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    They got drive, they got some interesting soundscapes and they definitely got the audience (a shameful 66 people only) dancing, mainly the strong female contingent upfront.

    Somehow it reminded me of seeing Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft 1981 at the Markthalle for the first time and ahead of them breaking big as DAF.

    I did read a review somewhere and it had a fitting phrase:

    They manage to find a perfect balance between nostalgia and anger, and their up-beat and melodic songs can definitely become anthems on our way to an uncertain future.

    Another quote i captured makes neat sentiment too:

    Everything’s here to make us feel the unique over-wintering chills of disapointement.

    Oi Boys (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    Gosh, their set went like a fly and those attending where utmost happy, i would even say they all had a bright smile on their face. As much did the band, they loved the appreciation and many time provided a real and humble Merci.

    I think they also sold plenty of Merch (the LP, a cool Poster and some cool T-Shirts), exactly as it should be after a great set.

    Among the audience though was one person carrying the broadest smile: He had been battling health in hospital for many weeks and is on a long (and exhausting) road to hopefully full recovery.

    For him the evening was the first time out of hospital or home for like 3 months and for him it was nothing less than being a child in a wheelie enjoying it to the max.

    … the happiest person in the room! ( (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    Big hugs big man, these evenings continue to be your evenings!

    Great show with a wide mu-sick-al spectrum, all DIY and a nice middle finger to what is happening up the road at the Reeperbahn Festival. I know that some who attended will also pick selected showcases there to see bands but i for myself just don’t need that.

    I’d rather see happy kids throwing fists in a wheelie. Makes me happy. As a fuck.

    And as a double bonus next morning my early rise gave me a beautiful sun rise.

    Sunrise over Hamburg ( (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
  • … dancing the night away with Dead Years and Red Dons!

    … dancing the night away with Dead Years and Red Dons!

    As the Red Dons are not only a club favorite but also a fan favorite i was expecting a sold out Hafenklang downstairs. But unfortunately the new reality is that is was only ever a decent filled upstairs, not even sold out. So much for post-Covid reality. I was keen to see them, up to the point of cutting short work in NL and flying back on Wednesday in time get down to my favorite club.

    Little did i know that i was actually to get a double headliner, as the – to me and me mates at least – unknown support band from the town that does not exist got the lot dancing as much as the Red Dons would do later.

    Dead Years hail from Bielefeld, are a trio and tag themselves as #PopPunk #Punk #PostPunk. Little did i expect, also once they entered the stage. But from the first chord i was like “woho … wow” … a very welcome surprise did hit my mu-sick-ally single-minded ears.

    Their tagging may be right but in real they much better than these tags. They play a very modern mix of great spherical guitar work (though with umpf and drive), dual vocals with challenge/response effect and effectively a very dance-able sound.

    Dead Years (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 13.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    After the initial surprise i started to listen with much more attention and have to admit that they got almost all ingredients right. On top they seem pretty much in-sync, giving the impression that they have played their set often enough to know it insight out.

    How did it sound? It sounded like this:

    They appeared a bit shy (or maybe only humble?) to me, did not move a lot on stage and between songs did not do a lot of interaction. But letting their music speak for them served them well, they got a lot of applause and they got plenty of people dancing.

    They surprised me positively and they also surprised me mates. In my little sphere alone 4 records and one tape was grabbed from their merch table after the show, i hope they have been able to sell even more of their excellent record.

    Next Red Dons in their 2023 incarnation, eagerly awaited by some die hard fans. As such the setlist was inspected by more than one – here is what they where up to:

    Red Dons – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 13.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    And this is how they kicked off:

    I am not a die hard fan, effectively i do not have a record in my collection. But i do enjoy them as an energetic live band. Even more so than Dead Years most of their songs are going straight into the legs, often paired with plenty of harmonies on the vocal side.

    They also moved much more on stage, though the small stage upstairs did not allow to much moving around. Still, energies flow from the stage and is echoed back from the audience, where a large part was all but standing still.

    Red Dons (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 13.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    Ever since their first EP in 2007 they have been putting out records with plenty of line up changes and collaborators, despite partially being a globally dispersed band. Still, they managed to keep their sound consistent.

    In January 2015 they reconvened in Portland to record “The Dead Hand of Tradition” at Buzz Or Howl Studios, the same establishment where they recorded the album’s predecessor. “The Dead Hand of Tradition” features ten new tracks of their signature dark, driving, melodic punk rock sound. 

The formula of their distinctive songwriting hasn’t changed, but has matured as a result of having five more nomadic years under their belts. These new experiences have only added to the themes of alienation, emigration, and loss present in their music.

    Words of truth, here is “Pyrrhic Pyrrhic” from that record:


    They got the lot dancing and to my enjoyment it was much more female in front of the stage than male. And across the room i saw much more smiling faces then consumers just taking it in.

    … dancing the night away!

    They did not play that long and in-between songs they had little interaction with the audience. Still, they got off the stage for sake of playing some encore. I liked it, though at few moments it a little itch of “it feels a wee bit non-inspirational” (but that again is my silly mu-sick-al understanding). People who know them much though also took some few points off from a 100% rating. By and large though they delivered a solid set and the lot liked it throughout.

    Great evening, despite not being a 250+ sell out. And as ever when a band convinces we me live i took home vinyl, as Dead Years convinced me more i did leave the Red Dons East/West Collection on the table and grabbed the Dead Years LP.

    Dead Years – s/t LP (My Ruin, Dirt Cult Records, 2023)

    It is a worthy buy, suggest that you check them out yourself – best live. Great stuff, i do hope they return quite fast to Hamburg!

    PS: Continued recovery wishes go out to the face still missing, though he has been able to leave hospital and continue recovery from home.

    Big hugs big man, these evenings are your evenings!