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Tag: Monkeys Music Club

  • … 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!

  • … a return of sorts: Claimed Choice, Mess and Lion’s Law!

    … a return of sorts: Claimed Choice, Mess and Lion’s Law!

    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.

    Claimed Choice (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    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.

    Claimed Choice (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    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.

    Mess (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.01.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    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?

  • … No New Friends? Wrong, CMI made plenty of new ones over here!

    … No New Friends? Wrong, CMI made plenty of new ones over here!

    I have to admit that i was doubtful. On more than one front actually. On the one side i got the ticket almost immediately when the show was announced, only to find that about 40odd people where even faster. Smelling like a high attendance for a band without any history other than … that other side. And that being the nagging question in the back of my head “Are they just an internet hype or good for real?`”.

    As ever the answer does require to get your ass off the ground, so back home from work and out to the Monkeys for early doors at 19:00. And an outlook of maybe or maybe not a support. As Sam explained later he got nowhere to get one booked, even up to bands rejecting to support them (most likely for rather odd reasonings, but hey – own choices).

    Arriving early i found already some mates that attended the Imploders on Tuesday too and i found them already armed with merch. And once i was inside i got to know that all 7″ where already gone. As my strict modus operandi nowadays is to buy records only when a band convinces me live i got a wee bit nervous. And once i was tipped off that LP’s where running low that plan went out of the window, i grabbed my dose of vinyl prior to the show.

    And believe me or not, i have never seen a band carrying that large amount of merch into a club and selling it like there was no future. Shirts, Vinyl … go!

    A lot to live up to now for CMI and from the buzz around me i could feel that the 200+ audience in the well filled Monkeys was as eager as much as me and me mates where.

    Came 21:00 and CMI where on stage and took on the lot. The singer was sporting a black German DFB Shirt from Adidas paired with his signature white Adidas trainers. And as surprise the 2nd guitar was manned by the Charlie of Chubby & The Gang and The Chisel fame.

    Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    The kicked in a wee bit slower than expected, i was thinking (dreaming?) of them killing it in high speed gear and facing up to a moshpit of death. Dreams actually, initially they faced a large empty in front of the stage.

    Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    It needed the singer to come down and engage with the lot and indeed the lot responded. To my surprise many where able to sing-a-long (ie. have listened to them over and over) and help with singing.

    Whilst the rest of the band was silent and more on the backdrop side the singer was outgoing, outspoken and happy to dive into the pit, full force.

    Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    More than once he praised how happy they where to find places in Europe like the Monkeys where a considerable large contingent of misfits, outcasts and non conformative would cheer them. 

    Conservative Military Image (Monkeys, Hamburg, 25.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    To my surprise there was no pit violence at all, even though some of the attendees where from out of town. Half of the audience was known regulars for this type of shows at the Monkeys and half seemed people i had not see before – i guess indeed CMI had a considerable pull or lure on people also from out of town.

    Coming back to being convinced musically i gotta admit that they not fully convinced me, but that was less the music (though i expected them a wee bit more on the H of H/C) then the presentation. They had way to many breaks between the songs, too much chatting and tuning.

    Bangers around and below the magic 02:00 mark should come in like 3-round bursts from an A-14, thereafter it is time for drinks, tuning and banter. I guess they stretched their set to about 45 minutes of playing all they had.

    But distilled down to the songs – top notch aggressive hardcore with a casual attitude. And that ain’t bad at all. In contrast! They where good. They where real.

    I was home early like Tuesday, had my dose of vinyl and was ready for a start at work on Thursday without a hangover. And thus somewhat happy!

    PS: And the name of the band`? Just a tongue-in check lift outta an Army manual… effectiveness, pride and self-discipline as a band. What did you think?

    PPS: Bonus Pint for them for making Oliver Kahn subject of a casual Adidas violence single…