Don Winslow – City Of Dreams (HarperCollins, 2023)
Gelesen: 28.09 – 29.09.2023, 10.10. – 12.10.2023 (netto 352 Seiten). Mit Leseunterbrechnungen wg. RWC2023, großartigem Fußball, Konzerten und anderen Ablenkungen.
Übersetzt von der wunderbaren Conny Lösch, ein Qualitätsmerkmal.
Der zweite Teil der kleinen Mafia-Saga von Don Winslow und damit nur noch ein Buch weg von seinem literarischen Ende.
So eine richtige Saga ist das aber nicht, James Ellroy hätte das in einem Band mit 700+ Seiten verarbeitet. Das wäre dann eine Saga gewesen.
Der erste Band war ganz ok, der zweite Band kackt mir leider einen Continuity Fehler direkt ins Gesicht:
Prolog in City Of Fire:
(c) HarperCollins 2022(c) HarperCollins 2022
Und der Start in City Of Dreams:
(c) HarperCollins 2023(c) HarperCollins 2023
Fällt euch was auf? Wer kann mir das erklären?
Diese Irritation mal beiseite gewischt geht die Geschichte um Danny Ryan tatsächlich spannend weiter. Er und seine kleine Rest-Crew schaffen es weg von der Ostküste, weg von den korrupten Cops (die ihn tot sehen wollen), weg vom FBI (das ihn einfach … Magie! … verschwinden lassen würde) und weg von der Italienischen Familie (die in auch tot sehen wollen).
Kalifornien, Westküste, ist das Ziel. Da kommen sie heil an und Ryan bekommt den Deal seines Lebens hin: Einen Job für die DEA (einen mexikanischen Drogenboss um sein Taschengeld erleichtern, ein Teil der Beute behalten und den Rest als Schwarzgeld an das CIA abgeben). Und dann sind er uns seine Crew frei, mit genug Kohle ums nicht mehr zu arbeiten. Aber bitte unter dem Radar bleiben.
Sie bekommen das hin und spazieren in die Freiheit. Zumindest wird keine Polizei, kein FBI und auch nicht eine andere Behörde mehr nach ihnen suchen. Aber bitte unter dem Radar bleiben.
Hollywood, Las Vegas … unter dem Radar? Nicht wirklich, spätestens als Danny sich in einen veritablen Hollywood Star verliebt und die Paparazzi ihn ablichten ist nix mehr mit “unterm Radar”. Und Hollywood? Gehört einem Nebenzweig der Familie von der Ostküste (und dem Outfit). Und deren Geschäfte stört Danny dann auch mal im vorbeigehen (und dank seiner Geldwäsche über einen Film in dem es … um sein Leben geht).
Ziemlich verrückte Geschichte aber aus jeder Sicht irgendwie völlig denkbar und sehr real. Und natürlich gibt es in der City Of Dreams eine böses Erwachen. Und Tote. Und natürlich ein – überraschend gutes – Ende mit Cliffhänger.
Bin echt gespannt in welche Richtung Don Winslow Danny in seinem letzten Buch ever führt. In erste Linie wohl mal wie Gott Moses durch die Wüste. Aber dann?
Sometimes it helps to wind back the clock. If you have your DeLorean at hand then set the dial to 28.11.1978 and location to the Bezirkskrankenhaus Suhl in what was back then East Germany tucked away behind the iron curtain (and Suhl specifically tucked away in a distant & empty corner of that country).
You’d be a lonely new born boy, locked in during a catastrophic winter, including power cuts.
If the DeLorean still works reset it to 11.12.1978 and set the location to the Airport Club in Hamburg (in what was back then West Germany).
You’d be a happy as a fuck youngster, as you would see the first show of The Buttocks, most likely the first German hardcore band ever (at least according to experts that like to stick labels on items).
DeLoreans are no longer available, so the Bad Job Boys took 2nd best – the M/S Hedi aka Frau Hedis Tanzkaffee. It holds more passengers than a DeLorean and it allows for a gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) ride on the mighty river Elbe. And you can play music on it. You can load your friends in, in numbers.
And that is what Bodo, Frank, Piotr and Stéphane did.
Bad Job Boys (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 04.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
But having the M/S Hedi all for themselves was not their thing so they invited some special guests along. And all of these special guests would get special tasks within the 2nd set of the jolly.
Bad Job Boys with their specials guests (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 04.10.2023 (c) Bad Job Boys 2023) From right to left: Luke (Spitfire Stevens), Sabine (Bullshit Boy), Barbro (Demolition Girls), Arne (C³I, Nasser Hund and many more), Bodo (BJB), Frank (BJB), Mike (ex-Buttocks), His Holiness Monseigneur Larsson (BJB), Piotr (BJB), Dennis (Nix Da)
Round One was to be more or less their standard set, delivered to what should have been a packed showboat (as only 5 tickets where left). In reality it was much more spacious, by the looks a couple of folks dropped out in fear of weather (a wee bit colder and in the morning strong winds).
Bad Job Boys - Setlists (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 04.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
Round Two was to be the fun part, nicely hidden from the view of the fans. Only rumors of surprises came via whispers (and bread crumbs spread within the press).
The first part went almost too fast, besides the anyway to-be accepted fact of the impossibility to get a perfect sound on that tiny dinghy they came across fully rehearsed, in sync and with steady feat (though both Bodo and Piotr did not move around a lot in fear of surprise waves).
Bad Job Boys (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 04.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
And then the fun part descended upon the lot: First Luke provided guest vocals for his very own praise “Luke Kocht” (Frank did write this song as a praise for the vegan cuisine cooked and served by Christiane &Luke), then Dennis joined in for two songs.
Bad Job Boys - Guests (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 04.10.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
Next was for Barbro to lend her great voice to “Delfine” and giving it indeed some extra umpf (though the vocals where almost non-audible).
From there the baton was passed by Stéphane like this:
… and it left the lot stunned. The Bad Job Boys normally do not cover songs but technically speaking these where not covers, this was the maximum you would ever get that would smell like a Buttocks re-union (that anyway never ever will happen).
And within that the proof that Mike still has it and that songs like “You” and “Law and Order” are able to stand the test of time. The amount of joy this provided to most of the lot was unfathomable and there where silent smiles all around.
But the Bad Job Boys did not leave it there, for the next song Arne joined in, leading into a grand finale with “Jet Boy Jet Girl” being sung in 3 languages: First verse in French by Stéphane, 2nd verse in English by Sabine and the 3rd verse by Arne in German.
And the lot: Sang the chorus, as loud as possible.
And whilst the M/S Hedi was almost back moored they played a final song, i think it was “No Winners” yet again. Great show, great idea to have friends sing-a-long and a moment to forever remember with Mike singing the old Buttocks burners. It did not even feature in my bucket list, i guess i need to rewrite that one now!
One of the most enjoyable trips i ever made on the M/S Hedi and almost coming left field.
Thanks indeed Bad Job Boys for that showboat trip, well done!
And that little lonely boy from eastern Germany? He survived the winter, he survived growing up as young punk in a toxic environment and he battled through hospital this year … with the Buttocks being his biggest love in Punk from Germany next to Schleimkeim.
And on this early autumn evening he joined the sail for the 2nd round, sat on the bench of the M/S Hedi holding his crutches and was made a very very happy bunny thanks to Stéphane, Mike & the rest of the Bad Job Boys.
This was his view on “You”:
followed suit by “Law and Order”:
I thoroughly believe that these goodies will help him to recover even faster as good music simply heals, the energy of good music simply is flooding your blood with euphoria and the broad smile it creates makes you happy.
#thereaintnuthinbetterthanlivemusic
And happy he was, 45 years later.
The only downside? How the heck will the Bad Job Boys ever top this night?
And yes that damn new vintage crash cymbal, but that is another story from a book yet to be written. Holding title is “How to ruin your ears in 1978 seconds”. Anyone in for it?
A busy weekend to finish off September, with opportunities ranging from the MOi!n It’s Hamburg Festival (Edition #8) at the Monkeys, me mates Frosch 60+ birthday bash and FCSP playing away at Berlin (with ~ 12.000 Fans travelling, could have been me too). Hard stuff to choose from and taking all of these options somehow would not work out (though i was proven 2/3 wrong later).
Friday i choose the Monkeys, specifically as it would feature two surprises for me: Los Pepes had been on me bucket list for quite some time and Rotten XIII from Euskadi where something i regretted to have missed at the Indra in April 2022.
Los Pepes kicked off at the Monkeys quite early, i guess some people simply missed them because it was a footie kick-off at 20:45. They hail from a little niche within the niche of evening, some sort of edge overlap in the wide (warning, euphemism incoming) territory of Oi!:
The loudest powerpop band on earth… the Motörhead of powerpop! No hit wonder 60s and 70s garage pop melodies drowning in a wall of punk rock guitar. Good Vibrations records served up with a Testors punch in the face. Songs about love, antipathy and getting up to no good. They’ll stick in your head and leave your ears ringing.
Let’s agree it is Power Pop on steroids, it is indeed the thunder and drive of hard hitting Rock’n’Roll sugar coated with the beauty and twang of Power Pop. And delivered taking a Johnny Ramone memorial stance on stage (at the least by the towering bass and by the 2nd guitar).
Los Pepes (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
They did not waste time on audience interaction, they rather fast forwarded through their set in a near perfect delivery. And within that, they even got some people moving and a fair share of applause.
Where they a 100% fit for the evening? I think yes, as much as Alvilda from France would be on Saturday. They both cover some of the softer edges (lol) and indeed they cover that well. I thoroughly enjoyed them and thus they ended up as the record pick of the night (and if you are a regular reader you know what that means).
With the City Saints from sunny Göteborg next it was back to more traditional territory. Straight forward working class Rock’n’Roll, delivered rather unpretentious. They sing in Swedish and in English, with some neat sing-a-longs in the latter.
And as such them Göteborgare got much more of the audience, they also had an easier bonding as they played more than once already to more-or-less the same locals over here.
City Saints (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
By and large i liked it, though i have to admit that at some times it was a too simple receipt for me ears. But hey, that is the beauty of such occasions – you get a crisp exposure also of things that are not 100% up your alley. The rest of the by now more and more filled Monkeys gave them plenty of cheers, so i better shut up.
From the shores of the North it was then all the way down to the middle if Italy, Mad Rollers hail from Rome and musically they trace back the same roots that Giuda took in: Proto Punk, though with less Glam.
Their debut album was recorded by the Giuda producer as far as i can make out and thus there is some truth that it sounds like a early Giuda record. But hey, what is wrong to play in a successful niche, a niche that has it’s devotees and a niche where you can excel?
Mad Rollers (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
A review of their record summed it neatly up:
‘Bish, Bash, Bosh’, and it’s like the 70s never ended, in the best way. One listen, and you’ll be convinced you’ve known it all your life. Producer Silvestri has mastered the Chinn/Chapman hit factory sound. My heart goes out to any young bands in Rome; the benchmark , for this style, is immense.
‘Another Night’ adds some cheesy keyboards, but doesn’t stray into the 80s, so if Giuda’s brief flirtation with Duran Duran wasn’t your thing, you’ll be happy here.
My legs got the beat instantly like me many in the audience. It was namely the female contingent up front, who could not stop their dancing shoes from moving. And right so! Strong beat, driving bass and superb twin guitars and a singer that takes the audience along.
Great stuff, great live band.
It was for Rotten XIII from Nafarroako Foru Komunitatea to finish the lot off and boy did they do that.
5 young lads from Larraga and a mate noted immediately after their first song “They must be very angry“. Stance, delivery – all came deep from the heart and all came delivered with all anger & stamina they got.
Rotten XIII (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
Mu-sick-ally they are broad: Fast stompers, slower and longer songs with some folk like edges and even using outlandish instruments like the saxophone. How did it sound? It sounded like this:
It is though only one angle, one corner of their wide abilities. They got me and judging by the cheers they got plenty of the by now well filled Monkeys. By storm i’d say. The singer tried to explain bit’s and pieces and more than once apologized that their English was not that good.
Who cares actually? Even without understanding Euskara there was enough in their songs to a) like it and b) almost feel the urge to sing-a-long. The sing-a-long in the audience was delivered too, i guess they had a couple of mates with them.
Rotten XIII (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
They did not stun me as much as Kaleko Urdangak did in 2019 but they where a worthy headliner to finish off the first day on a high. The little niche that these two days at the Monkeys would showcase has indeed some high’s in France but that is not all there is – also bands from Euskal Herria continue to deliver on a high.
Well done boys, specifically as this was only ever the 4th show outside of their own ground.
Suggest you check out their latest record:
I was home late and luckily not knackered, as i resisted the thirst most of the time.
But i still had options for Saturday. Sure not i was going to travel to Berlin and sure i would start the evening at the Hafenklang (a mates invite is always worth more than my 2-day tickets for the Monkeys) but would i sneak out and head back to see The Drowns?
MOi!n It's Hamburg #8
(Monkeys Music Club & Indra, Hamburg, 29./30. September 2023)
Came Saturday and it was a private function at the Hafenklang. And would surround me with some of the Punk Rock Hamburg family, fellow old punks and generally good people.
The plans to get a last and final stand of Jam Today with some extras though fell through the crack short notice, as their drummer tested positive for Covid. Damn.
Live music thus was limited to the nameless band (that quickly was christened Frogger by the lot) that was originally only ever to play a few songs as a very personal gift of Nico (one of the guitars and one who helped me mate to to conquer fate).
They play guitar pop, at some times like early Cure at other times more like 80’s bands from the UK. Within that they also threw two Jam covers, namely to please the lot (and lot was pleased).
It was a nice surprise over some of the more obvious choices me mate could have made and i recon it was his return for the support provided. And within the short set they also covered the very personal song that Hedwig penned for him for his 40ties birthday:
Yes, they call him Frosch. Less Pogo now, as the knees are utterly ruined but still attending loads of shows, much more than i do. And holding the season ticket next to me a the Millerntor.
Frosch gave a little speech and reminded people that fate can strike anytime, anywhere (something our little community has experience more than once recently) and that you must enjoy the moment.
And that the lot did, with DJ Starry Eyes perfectly providing the soundtrack to a couple of hours of chatting, dancing, drinking and … enjoying the result in Berlin. Top of the league, as much as this party. And as much as the people around me.
For those who don’t know that song, here is the beauty i did for his 40s birthday following the drunken guarantee to Hedwig & me mate “… if you record the song i’ll put it out as a picture disk“. Said & done, back then in 2003.
Demolition Girl & The Strawberry Boys – They Call Him Frog (Holy War Records, 2003, limited to 500 – last copies on sale!)
And here is how the original sounds like:
Happiest Mate, it is a privilege to be on your side and it is a pleasure to have you around, continued.
The options on Saturday? I did not take them but one of the lot was so brave to take a taxi, see The Drowns and be back (with companions) for some more dancing. Well done Mao, well done.
And Sunday? Lazy.
Perfect weekend i’d say. Welcome to Hamburg i’d say.
