Oh my, end of February almost and only by now i got to see my first show at the Hafenklang. Somewhat frustrating but as the time went towards loved ones in need of care it is somewhat all fine (though not ideal).
The package was cool, both bands sporting almost the same idea: Uptempo, Punk Rock and a heavy scent of Power Pop. And whilst the early show (doors 1900) at the start felt empty it turned into a nice packed upstairs at the beloved Hafenklang.
First the Bern contingent, last time over in 2023 as support for Chelsea. Back then i was somewhat full of praise, this time round some of me mates where. They got something going but this evening it sounded to me “too much the same”.
I have no clue why this feeling somewhat was paired with an undercurrent of “lacking inspiration” … as they did have a good tempo, an almost good sound and got people somewhat moving and smiling.
Guess it must have been me, on this evening: They are in the end pleasant to listen to. Still, i won’t add a record of them.
After some shuffle and a revive of the Bass Amp it was time for the Leeds contingent. And with them it was an even better sound (thanks to a 2nd guitar with a perfect clear twang), a wee bit more variation and entertaining orchestrated stage movements (always a bonus in this household).
And, as ever, they are a near perfect party machine, well rehearsed and no-nonsense. In that vein they speeded through their set like no tomorrow, little breaks and almost no chit-chat or banter with the audience.
Did the lot like it? Yes, the lot did like it – broad smiles, shy movements but overall a great and joyful feel. They finished so quickly that they just immediately came back and gave some extras.
Back to the Monkeys, back to them beloved French (with a scent of Mēxihco). It was an early show, doors to open right after the ballot for the nationwide election closed. Too early for some, only some 50 people came “on time” whilst just about 300 tickets were sold upfront.
The early start duty went to Claimed Choice, which for me was like seeing the headliner first. At least they would get a bigger turnout than 2023, where a mere 30 people made an effort to see them.
The Monkeys adapted the schedule slightly backwards and Claimed Choice came on when it was more than half filled. And they took the audience by storm i guess.
Partly it was down to the overall good mood present in the audience, i felt excitement all around for the package tonight despite the ballot results indicating … expected shite. And partly for sure it was driven by the uplifting sound of Claimed Choice.
Here is their prime example, wandering way beyong the Oi! genre and with quite some capabilities when it comes to song writing, structure, harmonies … you name it!
Another State Of Mind, un deux trois quatre!
A short but really good set, already driving some dancing in front of the stage. And providing a little nugget as in a new record of them being right around the corner.
I guess having played almost every day on this run with Lion’s Law and Mess across Europe over the last 3 weeks made them both well rehearsed and pretty tight.
Next Mess, who made their debut in Hamburg at the Hafenklang in 2022. Back then i concluded:
Much more basic, much more stripped down and – with a positive spin – amateurish. Or simply: Authentic.
Three years later i got to admit that the A-word to be used now needs to be accomplished. I guess they have played a lot and have perfected their sound on the way.
Much more than at the Hafenklang they came across tight and creating a forceful and pushy wall of sound, topped with multi-vocal chorus singing.
With that they definitely got the lot in front of the stage moving much more than i expected.
Somewhat it is great to see how far they have developed, how much they turned from their initial novelty status to a force to recon state. A definite force!
Saying Claimed Choice had the best songs and Mess had the best force must result in saying that Lion’s Law had the audience. I guess even before they entered the stage.
Here is how they kicked off, that is Crucified from their brand new 2025 album:
From the kick-off they indeed owned the audience, with all elements that go with it: Sing-a-long, fist in the air and dancing, be it male or female. As much as they came as one down from the stage they took the audience as one with them and provided a feel of unity.
Lion's Law (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)
I have seen them a couple of times but not for the last 7 years, because in my ears there was a little growing scent of metal coming into their sound. And that i did not dig.
Seeing them now in 2025 i guess that was somewhat a wrong judgement, they simply have a much more professional sound (and thus wider), a much more professional delivery mode.
Not really my thingy today but the way they engage and get the crowd along is top notch entertainment. And frank, even if i do not buy a record of them anymore it ain’t a waste of time to see them.
Lion's Law (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)
And where me and me mates took that professional delivery with some distance (and still enjoyed it, do not get me wrong) the vast majority of the audience went apeshit and beyond, with broad smiles and all sweaty.
Lion’s Law had them, big time.
Early show, early end. Bands playing in order of my preference. A pint upfront and a Cuba Libre afterwards. And surrounded by happy people and mates. And bands delivering.
Not a bad end for an election day.
PS: Pity though that i learned after the show that at least one band member i supported on stage happily supports and shares the latest boycott campaign on the Hafenklang due to it’s stance wrt to the conflict in Palestina/Israel. Does not make me happy at all, it rather frustrates the hell out of me.
Another shook me head moment came when a mate, coming back from a pee, reported that his pissing experience was impacted by band members in need of Colombian marching powder (and choosing the Monkeys toilet to consume).
There ain’t no business like a traveling show, eh?
Now thats a fun coincidence: I finished the mu-sick-al year with Tanju and his Racoonery and a wee bit late in February i got a kick-start into shows yet again with them.
From set to set they seem to become more glued together, more defined and – in my head – more energetic.
Down in the cellar of the Komet and for the support slot of The Sleeveens they choose a crisp, uptempo and to-the-point set.
Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery (Komet, Hamburg, 21.01.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)
What they do might not be 100% down my mu-sick-all alley but their songs are full of little references, nuggets and just neat chords and harmonies. On top of a solid back line of drums, bass and guitar Tanju is giventhe ability to front, wander around with guitar and vocals.
I got to admit though that this condensed form somewhat works best for me, for the surprisingly rather low number of folks on this friday around me it seemed to work too:
Plenty of applause!
Next The Sleeveens from Nashville, Tennessee. They got a critically acclaimed debut out on Dirtnap Records in 2024 and sport “77 dublin nashville punk rock & roll garage pop pub rock punk rock n roll milwaukee” in their references resp. stickers on their cupboard.
Check it out here:
Fun fact: The Sleeveens had dancing girls at the front (but did not give them regards).
And this is how they kicked off:
First impression:
Very Unamerican (in terms of musical style). This is mainly fueled by the accent of Stef Murphy and i guess his own upbringing as a musician in Dublin (eg. with his Power Pop outfit The Subsoncis around 2000).
Seeing an interview with Stef on the Internet (damn Internet, never forgets) it looks like he is also very self-aware and has a solid reflection on being a touring musician:
It all sounds very glamorous, but the reality of being a touring musician – and Murphy and his band tour a considerable amount to stay financially afloat – is what he called “15 per cent glamorous and 85 per cent extremely hard work.”
“It puts a terrible strain on your family,” he says, nodding somberly. “My family are terribly supportive, but it’s very tough on your own mental health, and I find that particularly hard.”
The Sleeveens (Komet, Hamburg, 21.01.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)
Their sound indeed varies between Power Pop, Pub Rock and early Punk and next to Stef’s voice (and vocals) it was the Bass (DeeDee Ramone style through and through, including downstroke galore) and the Drums (very precise and hard hitting behind a wall of hair) that made an impression.
They rounded their set, about an hour long, off with two covers, one not very surprisingly from the mighty Undertones:
Get Over You is sure thing a safe bet. Much better and surprisingly was the 2nd cover as an extra – a long forgotten 1980 gem by the Jim Carroll Band:
Into that one specifically Stef put a lot of energy in – that was indeed a good selection and great cover version.
Did i buy a record? No, i did not. But it was nevertheless an entertaining set and The Sleeveens are worth a listen.
Is solid the word i am looking for?
Besides that i was surrounded by friends, had chats and a beer or two and was a wee bit surprised that the smokehouse below the Komet was not full.
It was Friday, what else do the kids need to come out?
nb: Following the short stroll home the love of me live indeed complained that i smelled full of smoke – it is probably a Rock’n’Roll coolness thingy that the cellar under the Komet is a heavily used … smokehouse.
