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  • … a record release party amongst friends!

    … a record release party amongst friends!

    The return of the rehearsal room shows ctd:

    C³I, thanks to Power It up Thomas, have a new record out, a split with Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA from sunny Bruswick. And Eugen & Mike provided the Pretty Vacant HQ (or, as some dub it, the Krawall 3000) for the release party deep down in Rothenburgsort.

    First Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA. A naming choice that does not exactly lends itself to entry for a nationwide US tour these days. And also triggers with me nothing more than raised eyebrows initially.

    But upon learning that one (or some) also play with the mighty Torpedo Harms i got much more interested.

    What did i get? Fast paced hardcore with a slight metallic overtone on the guitar and a mighty humping double-bass drum pedal. And a very outgoing & roaming singer.

    Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The songs are mostly in German and short&crisp. It is not 100% up my mu-sick-al alley but delivered with force and in a fitting style. And some songs even have sing-a-long quality of sorts.

    As extras they provided some covers, here is a notable one:

    Very entertaining and actually much more than i expected.

    Next C³I and for them it was more than a record release show, it was also the first live performance with Stéphane (of Bad Job Boys and other fame) on drums (as Jens moved away from Hamburg).

    C³I – Setlist (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    And in a positive way it was no surprises: Very modern, stripped down, Punk sound with great German lyrics (and sure the unique sound of Arnes voice). And whilst Stéphane used a little scribble helper the drumming sounded both in sync and fitting.

    C³I (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The only item i noted and later Rudi questioned the audience was sheer volume: It sounded loud, very loud (for the rather small room). As the majority wanted it that loud, it stayed that way (aka The Kids Will Have Their Say).

    How did it sound? It sounded like Niemals so wie du:

    I love it, despite all of them engaged in other bands too this little venture has a very unique sound that is almost 100% according to my likes. And with the replacement on the drums it hopefully continue to thrive.

    Lovely evening, many friends and sure a record to score (and Thomas even took some limited colored editions along).

    Get this beauty upon market release from Power It Up!

    And the topping? Someone very gracious individual provided some free catering (that elsewhere would have landed in the bin) that tasted excellent.

    And allowed me to award a symbol of praise on a trusted mate:

    The Red Ball of Praise goes to … Sonny Vincent!

    This DIY and small scale setting continues to be a fun one, i sincerely hope a couple of more showcases can come around until the surrounding development eats up that part of the street too.

  • … get out, get something new!

    … get out, get something new!

    As i am currently being swamped with other duties than enjoying shows i had to kick myself in the butt: Get out, get to see something new!

    The outlook was 2x new and 1x local and by the looks a wide spread of sounds, so give and take it should entertaining.

    And entertaining indeed it was!

    Early kick-off was with Starving Wolves from Austian, TX. Their promotional material makes some rather big reading:

    Starving Wolves embrace traditional punk elements like aggressive drumbeats and gruff vocals, while blending melodic guitars and singalong campfire choruses.

    To my big surprise they turned out as a well rehearsed, hand-in-glove unit that pushed relentlessly forward without sacrificing melody.

    Starving Wolves (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    They got a lot going on on stage, had good messaging and a near perfect guitar sound (largely fueled by the guitar player sporting the neat Dayglo Abortions shirt).

    Starving Wolves (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    No clue how they ended up on tonights show playing first, they could as well have filled the role of the headliner.

    The most cool albeit slower song was the one with the trumpet, which to no surprise is the A1 on their recent LP:

    I did not score a record but i guess i will checkout them out more now. Short and crisp set, great start.

    Next local heroes Bullshit Boy and with them it was not only by stage design and outfit a stark contrast but also a very different interpretation of Punk.

    But as ever, it is such contrast to help you to maintain a wide view (and acceptance).

    Bullshit Boy (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The set felt a wee bit long (and pushed some of the audience to the bar) but for me it was by and large a good one. And specifically because it included some fitting covers (eg. like a wonderful female redemption of Bodies).

    And that gave way for the headliner, here is how Split Dogs kicked it off:

    And this is what they set out for the lot (and i do like the unpretentious headline of the setlist):

    Split Dogs – Setlist (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.05.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    And with them just another viewpoint on Punk hit the stage. In an interview they phrased it like this:

    “I think we appeal to people differently because we look so different on stage. Harry’s on stage in a sequin outfit, dancing like Tina Turner with a full-pelt rock’n’roll band behind they/them, and I don’t think you often see that in 2025, especially from a new band. It’s curiosity; not morbid curiosity though.” (laughs) – Mil.

    Someone else noted that they are an unholy stew of Punk and Rock’n’Roll mix of Tina Turner, Slade & Status Quo and boy that sentence has a lot in it.

    Status Quo? Yes, specifically Status Quo-like riffs i noted from the aptly chosen Flying-V Guitar strummed by Mil. And, yes, against all odds it worked like a charm!

    Split Dogs (Monkeys, Hamburg, 26.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    What stood out for me, next to the relentless energy of the band and the outgoing persona of singer Harry, was the sheer fact of 4 completely different personas bringing it together in a very unique way and sound.

    New. Fresh. Exiting (though thoroughly grounded in all the stuff i dig).

    They entertained the lot in the most positive sense you can appropriate to the word Entertaiment. And where Bullshit Boy felt a bit long, the Split Dog set felt a wee bit short (for a headliner).

    Here is how they finished up (though they came back for an extra extra):

    Wow, they did not fall short against all the praise i noticed upfront. 110% energy, 110% real. 110% entertaining.

    A very modern and almost both un-British and classic Brit Rock approach to Punk in the very same moment.

    Here is one more, both a great song with good lyrics and a great visual…

    I did not score a record at the show but i guess it is only a matter of time that i’ll add their stuff to my collection.

    I guess it was a bit less than half-full at the Monkeys on this Wednesday evening, specifically the Split Dogs would have warranted a bigger turnout.

    Will they be able to hit it big like eg. The Meffs or Amyl & The Sniffers? If that happens than i’d be happy for them, i think they have all the ingredients ready.

    Great show, perfect companions and a couple of drinks. Good that i choose to go out!

  • Bücher, schnell gelesen: 1.762

    Bücher, schnell gelesen: 1.762

    David L. Ulin – Die Frau, Die Schrie (Polar Verlag, 2025)

    Gelesen: 20. – 24.03.2025 (netto 210 Seiten plus ein kundiges Nachwort von Chris Thornton Harding)

    Aus dem Amerikanischen von Kathrin Bielfeldt.

    Zufall? Bestimmung? Da hab ich gerade ein etwas anderes aber großartiges Buch von Ivy Pochoda gelesen, dann kommt dieses Buch aus L.A. und auf dem Klappentext steht:

    “Eine Meisterklasse des Noir, die das Genre sowohl ehrt als auch aufwertet: Thirteen Question Method (Die Frau, Die Schrie) ist eine Kategorie für sich.” (Ivy Pochoda)

    Das sind mal Vorschußlorbeeren.

    Und was sagt der Autor?

    I wanted to write a novel that operated without pity or forgiveness. I wanted to write a novel that left its characters and its readers no way out. I wanted to write a novel that used the parameters of noir to reflect on the isolation of living.

    That novel, 30-some years later, would become “Thirteen Question Method,” an existential thriller, set in Hollywood, in the vein of noirists such as David Goodis or Charles Willeford — written to be short, sharp, shocking; trafficking in neither hope nor redemption; as bleak and pointed as a stiletto’s blade.

    In an aspirational city, what happens when you don’t get what you want? What happens when you make bad choices, when you allow the chaos to take hold?

    These are the questions at the heart of noir, of every literature of alienation. I wanted to write about a character whose desire was to disappear.

    David L. Ulin in der L.A. Times 2023

    Keine Hoffnung. Keine Erlösung. Genau mein Ding!

    Das macht dann mal mehr als Hoffnung auf eine Lesevergnügen. Und, ja, ich wurde nicht enttäuscht.

    Und die Story ist so gut, so fesselnd das ich nicht spoilern möchte. Das Buch musst du dir selbst gönnen!

    Und natürlich sind die Fragen von Chuck Berry die Kapitelüberschriften…

    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one to use
    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one to use
    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one
    To use when you want to go have some fun
    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one to use

    Question number one: let’s have some fun
    Question number two is: what to do ?
    Question number three is: will you dine and dance with me?
    Question number four: out the door?

    Question number five: I want you to know jive
    Question number six: how long to get fixed ?
    Question number seven: should I pick you up at a quarter to eleven?
    Question number eight: is it a date ?

    Question number nine is: where to dine ?
    Question number ten: can we get in?
    Question number eleven: it’ll be just like heaven
    Question number twelve when we’re by ourselves

    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one to use
    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one to use
    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one
    To use when you want to go have some fun
    The ‘thirteen question method’ is the one to use

    Thirteen Question Method lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Music Services, Inc

    Ganz ehrlich: Eine echte Perle. Ein echtes Einzelstück. Eine großartige Story, genial verpackt.

    Definitiv ein Kandidat für “Buch des Jahres”.

    Soundtrack dazu: The Bellrays – Power To Burn, was sonst?

    PS: Das Cover – wie gut ist denn Bitte das Original und wie unpassend das Polar Cover mit seinem L.A.-Surfer-Beach-Bus Stockfoto (obwohl es natürlich so besser in die Polar Serie passt).

    Wenn ich dürfte…dann nur das Original, bitte.

    David L. Ulin – Thirteen Question Method (Outpost 19, 2023)

    PPS: Und David L. Ulin so?

    PPPS: Der titelgebende Song von Chuck Berry geht so…