That was a wee bit of a hectic Friday – first kick-off for the last home game at 18:30, then hopping into a taxi and speeding over to the Monkeys to make sure we get to see all bands.
For those with a good eye indeed this is 1/2 of Gerd playing just another style of classic mu-sick in a wee bit speedier and harder style: Some say it’s “Soulpunk” some say it’s “Garage” and i don’t care as long as it is done in style, with heart and live. And on all counts it was “YES, SIR!”
To that extent it was excellent and and i did feel sad to miss them supporting the mighty Bellrays earlier the year. Great selection of classics put forward in a perfect modern way (that is another way of saying “they are (not) a cover band”).
Next on The Manics from sunny Norrköping (that is way up North but south of Stockholm) who not only claimed to have been in the car for 22 hours to get to Hamburg (i think it is mere a 11 hours job) but also sported a swede on vocals who sounded very British. And they kicked off like this:
They also claim to play “Rickenbacker Rock’n’Roll“, a claim that i would consider to be actually true. For my liking they could vary speed some more (as in sometimes up it more) but for the rest it was almost a perfect set. And well received actually, well received: Some would even sing-a-long to known songs!
And stage attire? Ok, they could do some more there, esp. the bass player should (a) shave and (b) be smarter with his tie. The drummer was all cool, the main man Peter just choose the wrong shirt (was giving away too much sweating). But a really great set and i am sure there is more to come. From Norrköping. Sweden.
Next on The Movement, who have played like 13 times in Hamburg over the years and at 12 different locations. And what was supposed to be a typical Movement set turned out slightly differently as they took the stage:
Wops, did someone play around with the speed dial? Yes indeed – The Movement slightly speeded up their sound and it turned out to be setting of the night (and to be in stark contrast to both the other two bands and previous sets).
To me it almost felt like a wall of sound (and that ain’t bad) that overshadowed both the classic “mod punk” style but also Lukas vocals (not to say that he sometimes had problems to match the speed).
Thats indeed “Control your temper” that was rushed in 1:50 (instead of 2:37 on record) and somehow did feel odd (though i like my mu-sick hard, fast and loud). But not for the The Movement, where style and classic sound provide the message and the music so much better.
Still, they played some old songs, some new songs and actually i managed to miss my favorite one: “Truth is” was the extra encore i did let go.
I was 50/50, some others did like it, me loved one did not like it (though she had been happily chatting with the smart bass player prior to the show) and thus it somehow added to a slight frustration that had started earlier with that odd home loss of FCSP.
Nevermind, still a great show and for me the far better choice over Peter at the Markthalle. And, not only the last FCSP game of the year but also the last show for me as i need to let go “Burn down the Baum 9.0” in favor of a Year End holiday up north. I’ll let that Father Christmas know that the Nordics still made a good impression at the Monkeys, a place full of good music and great shows happening and yet to come in 2016 (let’s say i am a Giuda fan).
