Slowly the circuit is taking up traction again, though times are still tough and that 2nd wave not only ripples through other countries but also through Germany. Plus continued issues with some bars, clubs and locations on the entertainment circuit that do not adhere to the rules and good practices to keep themselves and their customers save making it harder for the clubs to put on shows.
The Knust did open air and seated indoors, the Monkeys does the same (though took a month out now), the Hafenklang given size stays shut (though has a Kiosk thing going) and the Molotow uses the open-air backyard to enable some seated live shows.
The Razors family came from near (that is obviously Hamburg) and far (that is as far as another hanseatic city on a shallow river to the south-west).
Folks where eager and happy, though procedures still suck: As me mate Luke experienced prior to the show you can only get a beer from the nearby pub if you are seated. And in the Molotow you are guided to your table. 8 per table, split into 4 vs. 4 with a segregation made from plastic. Not really the most sexy setting but at last it is “live and loud” and i can chat with fellow #thereaintnuthinbetterthanlivemusic connoisseurs.
First off Never Wanted, a young 3 piece from Hamburg. Following rather odd jokes around “where is their bass player” we realized it is intended to be Vocals, Guitar and Drums alone. Strange stage visual, specifically as the stage was set for a 4 piece, so it had a wide open left side.
Never Wanted (Molotow, Hamburg, 23.09.2020)
I always try to be fair but i also always stick to write up what i saw, heard – experienced for myself. And here the setup just did not work: German humpta-punk with a much too dominating rock guitar (up to and including axe wanking and a way too large effect board on the floor).
Sorry, did not make click for single minute, just only ever for seconds. At least the lyrics where above humpta slogans occasionally, though still had elements of it. Not my thing, sorry.
Next the Razors, 2nd gig with Stoffel on Guitar. And Gott locked away behind a wall of plastic, one of the new normal we gotta accept time being. Prior to the show they all emitted quite some joy of playing life again so quickly and that joy was transported over in the show.
To the max. See them “Jump”:
For me there was a large part of feeling “back home”, same feeling i had during the Punk Rock Hamburg weekend last month. Boy did i miss this: Chatting with friends, having a drink, surprising mates with a drink, being surprised with a drink and the friends on stage pushing great loud and fast mu-sick into me ears.
Razors (Molotow, Hamburg, 23.09.2020)
Whilst the outdoor setting still sucks the Molotow backyard is a rather cozy place, with lots of parasols and that gives an almost indoor feeling. And whilst the Razors plowed ahead both the band and the audience had their smiles growing: This is what we thrive for, collectively.
And with new blood the Razors indeed have turned around very old songs and upgraded them to almost hardcore smashers. Whilst i value that attempt (to the max actually), i did complain with the band after the show that where not able to clock this in below the 02:00 mark – i’d say that should be a first goal.
And if i have a wish free (and i guess a paying customer always has a wish free) then they should attempt to clock one in below the 01:00 mark even.
Take it Stoffel:
Perfect mid-week entertainment at a very early timing (doors at 18:30 and close-down by 21something) with loads of friends. With that energy i do look forward to the year end procedures (the annual BURN THE BAUM DOWN at the Knust). When closing down Danker unintentionally (i believe) seem to have given away that this year they not only do 30.12. but there will be a 31.12. Year End show too.
If that is true than without me, both because of the natural hangover from 30st but also as i tend to enjoy my YE changeover in privacy with me love. But if such a YE show happens it’ll be a grand finale for a fucked up year on the live mu-sick circuit in Hamburg.
At the start i captured “one mask missing, two masks surplus“, here you have “two masks missing, one mask surplus” and the sheer joy of friends loving live mu-sick singing along to the Razors.
Sing-a-long, with or without mask but with a JEVER!
And that is, what still provides hope in all of this shit.
And this is what you will be missing if you don’t put in something extra for you loved band, your loved record label and your loved clubs. As said 2nd wave is coming there is literally no hope that touring bands from abroad will come around and clubs will be able to put a solid rooster up.
So please be generous. Support your scene, now!
