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Tag: Hafenklang

  • … a tale of cunts, hanging bollocks and a 40 year mutual love: Goodbye Hard Skin!

    … a tale of cunts, hanging bollocks and a 40 year mutual love: Goodbye Hard Skin!

    Hard Skin have been regular visitors to Hamburg over the last say 40 years, have made endless close friends over here and as such their Final Hamburg Show was sold out in record time, with demands for more tickets pestering the Hafenklang.

    When i arrived my first feel was not only “wow, that’ll be packed” but also i realized that some of the 80’s Network Of Friends where in attendance with plenty of people coming from far (i saw faces from Munich, from Berlin and god knows where else).

    Support was from Hamburgs own Jesus Skins, a band that i never got and who also on this slot still did not get me.

    Jesus Skins (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 25.09.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    They sported a good guitar on my side of the stage and the dual vocals had something to it. But the very German (albeit not Rumpel-Oi!) approach to Oi! is just not my cup of tea.

    And, on top, the light was shite (not their fault i guess).

    Luckily Hard Skin took the stage quickly and here is how they kicked off in typical Hard Skin style (telling the audience how much they love ’em) with Law and Order:

    It sounded a wee bit wobbly but nevermind, it was the kick-off to a set with only bangers, a set with almost exclusively sing-a-longs.

    And the packed house did. Sing-a-long. And danced like there is no tomorrow.

    And, in between, Sean gave the lot some rest and demonstrated how easy story telling is: From him being important via German footie and Cock Sparrer being shite to small cocks in less than 1:40.

    Also an achievement and definitely greatly missed in future:

    And remember, having a laugh and having a say goes hand-in-glove.

    The almost rushed through their set, unfortunately it was not a 2 hour set but only ever roughly one footie half with a bit of extra time.

    Hard Skin (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 25.09.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    But from the start to the end it was pure fun, sing-a-long and in the end of the day brilliantly played and with a surprising good sound.

    In the rooster also short & fast bangers like Who’s that Boy? had their place with the lot filling in on the chorus:

    Just puurrrfect!

    Much too fast it was over, much too fast i had to catch my ride home and give my still hurting foot a rest. Indeed the humor of a Hard Skin show is the one thing i will greatly miss, but only 2nd to the utmost great people in the band themselves.

    Next to me also my favorite booker was happy, he had the best working day in quite a while and a sold out house.

    And if those that have to work to make me consumer happy are also happy – than it was absolutely a very special show. A perfect farewell for a band with a long lasting love for & by Hamburg.

    Oi! yer cunts!

    … and a historic cunt!
  • … Avengers, paired again with a surprise!

    … Avengers, paired again with a surprise!

    Last years April visit by the Avengers was augmented by not so great lights and sound but provided a packed Hafenklang with loads of positive energy from a diverse rooster.

    This year had Penelope and the band returning back to the post-Rebellion pattern in August and a surprise package with Garotos Podres from sunny Brazil.

    And the lads from Brazil initially surprised me not only with a setlist but with some help on the words (at least that is what i think i did look at)…

    Garotos Podres – Setlist etc (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)

    And this is how they kicked off:

    Wow, that was not too bad. And plenty of chorus and sing-a-long compatibility (also thanks to the Porutguese language). Garotos Podres (translates to Rotten Boys) are around since 1982 and, according to their vocalist, had the privilege to be the last band that had a song censored (under the Military Dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985).

    They speak just a little bit of English thus not too much interaction with the audience, though a handful of native Brazilians seemed to be front row and singing every single song with them.

    Garotos Pedros (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The first part of the set i found actually enjoyable, in the middle they did throw in some covers (an outsch cover of Los Fastidos, a classic cover of Symarip) and from there it went somewhat south for my ears. Less sing-a-long Punk Rock.

    Or old & much more simple songs like Santa Claus Is A Bitch (one of the censored ones back then):

    By then i had the the singer almost down as simple old grunt but boy would i have been wrong:

    In addition to his musical career, José Rodrigues Mao Júnior is also a university professor, master and doctor in Economic History. And a staunch supporter of Cuba. And the Revolution.

    Garotos Pedros (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Within the band he is not the only one with a hidden surprise:

    … when the Bass player is proud of his profession (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The Bass sported the best ever knuckle tattoo i have seen (no stupid HATE/LOVE or PUNK/ROCK) ever on stage. Just puuuurrrfect!

    I got to admit that somewhat their set to me was half good, half not so good. For my fellow connoisseurs it was more the latter. But the audience, specifically the South Americans in the front, it looked like they had seen one of their heroes from the past.

    To that extend it wasn’t that bad but just … different. And i guess they were touring anyway on a shoestring so thanks for gracing Hamburgo.

    Different it was with the Avengers too, immediately i noted wow, a new face on bass and after some thinking i got the connect: That’s Hector Penalosa of The Zeros fame aka the Mexican Ramones aka one of the best Bomp! singles ever aka Don’t push me around.

    Wow, stunned.

    And with him Teenage Rebell sounded like this:

    Tight, hard and fast and on top Penelope with her strong voice. And bringing home some really old songs that actually almost all stood the test of time.

    Youth anthems. Desperate calls for change.

    Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And within that context a song like Second To None is getting the message across still today:

    I want to be different and you are not telling me what to do! Sing-a-long to the chorus:

    Mom says I gotta dirty face
    Dad says I’m looking out of place
    Dog says I got shit on my shoes
    What am I supposed to do?


    Well, that’s one. I’m second to none
    And that’s two. I don’t know what to do
    And that’s three. You’re tellin me
    I’m still a baby

    Where Garotos Pedros had their own little home contingent up front the Avengers where facing more an old male audience, though a few “younger” (everything below 50 most likely was young) folks attended too. It was not sold out but for a Monday it felt well filled.

    Although the setlist for the last couple of years remains almost the same there was never bore. Penelope, Greg, Luis and Hector are versed musicians hitting the right tone, the right speed and being well together – and the rest is the class of the songs and Penelopes voice.

    Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    On top the sound and lights where so much better than last time, making it just a perfect tight set. In between Penelope was almost in chatty mood, praising the Hafenklang (first ever show for her in Hamburg in the 90s with her solo venture), Hamburg and the audience.

    The set finished with a small encore and sure with Penelopes mantra I Believe In Me:

    … as in I Make My Dreams Real. My take – the Avengers in the current form are simply too good and still too relevant to be missed. Sure thing it is partly nostalgia. But much more i go out and see them because they have been consistent all along on the message and i’d like to support that, period.

    Perfect Monday entertainment and companionship, getting to know something new (i have zero expertise on Brazilian Punk, other than some of me mates) and enjoying continued love for a treasured old love.

    I do not need more in the context of #thereaintnuthinbetterthanlivemusic, honestly.

  • … an evening full of surprises: A first, a mainstay and a blast!

    … an evening full of surprises: A first, a mainstay and a blast!

    It was one of these dates left and right of Rebellion in Blackpool and for those who do not make that pilgrimage (like myself) it was a perfect setting – 3 mu-sick-ally different bands and a first: Shattered Faith never graced Hamburg before i believe.

    Early start on a typical Hamburg Summer day – wet, rainy and largely miserable. And the fear that many would be en route or preparing for Blackpool and as such a low turnout.

    But somewhat the three different bands drew different parts of the scene and some Blackpool pilgrims decided to watch them anyway in Hamburg too.

    Shattered Faith came about in 1978 already and gained visibility through Posh Boy (1981 7″ with I Love America) and their 1982 half live half studio LP on Prophet.

    That’s how they looked back then, and this is how the now incarnation of Shattered Faith took the stage:

    I am not sure about how many original members remain but for sure it is Spencer on vocals. And he was quite unhappy – his voice was almost gone (and during some songs was just a hoarse something).

    Pity, but sometimes that happens when you are a singer.

    EDIT: From Blackpool a mate brought home the message that the voice of Spencer was gone-gone, so he could not sing. Kerry Martinez (thus 2nd original member identified) took vocal duties. Real pity!

    Shattered Faith (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    How did they sound? Definitely not H/C but more of the California pre-H/C Punk with an emphasis on Rock. But with a very different spin than most of the contemporary bands back then.

    I do remember them most for the Posh Boy 7″ and their songs on various compilations. Here are some old 1979 demos:

    Whilst many of their songs had good structures the lack of full vocals and the somewhat a little bit off drummer made it not a full blown positive surprise. But indeed they deserve a 2nd chance, let’s see how the Blackpool pilgrims report back on them.

    Next Sloppy Seconds, a real mainstay over here in the 90s and still going strong. This is how B.A. took the stage (the rest was already there):

    I guess within the surprisingly well filled Hafenklang they had the biggest share of fans, many did sing along and came to the front.

    They positively get away with a biggest hits set easily, the bass throwing smiles and faces whilst being rock solid, the guitar bouncing around and the drummer driving it forward whilst singing along on many songs for himself.

    Sloppy Seconds (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And front, with his typical high pitched voice, B.A. – not too much interaction but definitely more then Spencer.

    And sure they gave the lot their big hit, aptly named Germany (and remember, that ones dates back to 1988):

    More than solid set, drive, umpf and emitting fun – perfect!

    Next T.S.O.L. and they share a lot with Shattered Faith: Starting 1978 in Southern California, first record on Posh Boy and for sure the singer being … currently the one Original.

    Here is how they took ownership of the stage:

    Ups, a lot of new faces (though one definitely known): Ron (Guitar) and Mike (Bass) where out injured, so Jack got help from Tevor (D.I.) on Guitar and Brandon (Head Bored) on Bass.

    And Brandon was fully exposed by Jack on stage: His youngest daughter is with them on tour doing merch, Brandon his her boyfriend and he recently proposed to her.

    Love is in the air!

    T.S.O.L. (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Against these two “newbies” Antonio on drums – a definite powerhouse – is already with Jack and T.S.O.L. for 10 years.

    From start to finish Jack was in a smiling mode, chatty and taking questions from the audience (but only if you properly raised your hand). So we got a bit of learning, a bit of preaching and – for me a surprise – the very friendly side of him.

    T.S.O.L. (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And very frank, that friendliness paired with super tight, super hard and super pushy play by the others made it a real blast. From start to finish.

    Here is another one, feel the energy!

    What surprised me the biggest was the perfect sound and within that the perfect sound of Trevors guitar, never being off a chord. Wow.

    T.S.O.L. left many in the audience stunned and most people after the show chatted about Shattered Faith having something (but not being able to bring it really across) and T.S.O.L. most likely having delivered their best ever set in Hamburg.

    For me it was simply one big enjoyable surprise with T.S.O.L. providing the icing on the cake. Now it is not a surprise to me that over in Blackpool they play a top spot, 2nd but last on Sunday at the Empress Ballroom.

    Great Punk Rock show! Thanks yet again Hafenklang…