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Tag: Hafenklang

  • … 8 years later and even better: No Time, best in class Oi! ctd!

    … 8 years later and even better: No Time, best in class Oi! ctd!

    It’s been a while.

    Actually 8 years since they graced the Hafenklang in a K-Town Fest wind-down event. And frank, i lost sight of them and somewhat thought they dissolved. Then in 2022 a little nugget appeared, and late in 2023 the great news of a new record made it onto my screen.

    And thus i was happy as a fuck when the Hafenklang appeared as their first date on a short run through Europe in 2024.

    Support was by True Gloom from Hamburg, a new band (having just played their first show on the ill-fated Booze Cruise Fest) with some known faces. They kicked off with loads of feedback and noise and then went to deliver H/C with a decent scent of Rock (at least to my single-minded mu-sick-al ears).

    True Gloom (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 07.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    For myself the amount of pedals, effects and what have you in front of the guitar player somewhat created a wee bit of a dislike, though he managed to use some of them to positive effects.

    Pity though that the singing (and thus the words) was barely audible, so i could not really make out what the crisp set actually delivered.

    True Gloom – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 07.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    Luckily they have put their demo up on Bandcamp including the lyrics, so you can both make up your mind about them and get the message – this is the song i liked most:

    I was a bit torn with them, they had some good moments where they sounded like a fright train and the vocals fitted into that, they also had bad moments when the guitar took way too much of a metal approach.

    Still, they came across as a tight package, well rehearsed and thus i’ll be happy to see them again. Even if it is not 100% up my mu-sick-al alley.

    Next No Time, nicely wasted from long travel. This is what they set out – a good mixture of old and new stuff.

    No Time – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 07.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    From the start they were back at where they left us in 2016: Same stage personas, same drive, same aggressiveness by Adam. But very much improved on the ability to deliver the music. Back then we all envied them for their ferocious mix of classic Blitz influenced OI! and Hardcore (to quote me mate Frosch) but now they have widened their sound to carry an undercurrent.

    No Time (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 07.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    And that undercurrent – surprise – is full of hidden melodies. Even on this banger from their 2013 EP. Here is Perpetual War:

    Bang! They got something right almost ahead of time, that Oi! H/C crossover currently seems to be on of the fastest growing niches of the last few years. I do hope No Time eventually are able to capitalize now on having been there almost first.

    The more they pushed forward, the more they got a bit of action in front of the stage. Sad though that only about 80 good people attended downstairs, with that number it would have felt better upstairs in the smaller room (though that was booked with another event). 

    No Time (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 07.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    Sure thing they also got their signature tune back on the map, this is the song that got me hooked onto them when i got to hear the tape in 2016:

    And how did it sound in 2024? It sounded like this:

    Still, a top notch song with a definite stance.

    They got plenty of cheers and they even got pushed for an extra once they had left the stage. After that they where thoroughly exhausted – great start for their tour!

    The only pity was that they screwed up on the merch side, their new LP Suffer No Fool made it to Hamburg somewhat … but then the parcel got returned to Euskal Herria to Menedeku Diskak.

    No Time – Suffer No Fool LP (Mendeku Diskak / TKO Records)

    I will now have to wait until my trusted local dealer, Sounds of Subterrania, gets his delivery from Euskal Herria. In the meantime i can already listen to this:

    Almost perfect show i’d say, a great return of No Time and hopefully towards more output from them. And from where i sit i would even want them to branch wider mu-sick-ally, i think they have a great recipe at hand:

    We love a lot of '80s American USHC, a lot of international punk and Oi!, anarcho-punk, and lots of the classic rock 'n’ roll bands like AC/DC, The Sweet, Slade, KISS, etc. We try to mix things in a thoughtful and cohesive manner and I hope that while we wear a lot of those timeless influences on our sleeve, at the end of the day we still sound somewhat fresh and exciting.

    Keep it coming No Time, keep it coming.

    PS: Shitty lights, shitty pictures. No really my bad.

  • … nothing!

    … nothing!

    There is nothing more damnable than using the speed, anonymity and force of the internet (damn internet, never forgets) to blackmail. What was supposed to be a great pairing (Puffer supporting Negative Approach) turned into just Negative Approach and a hastily thrown in support.

    I guess not just because of below comment on the Puffer Instagram account Puffer pulled out of playing but this i bet you is just the glimpse of an iceberg (that could kill a club, a promoter or an distributor – financially).

    I always wonder why people demand to take sides, in e.g. the conflict Hamas-Israel-Palestina (and happy to throw in other groups and countries) i bet you there is no road to be taken without massive potholes. But whatever on that front, trying to kill a trusted venue from abroad without insights … is outright wrong.

    Nothing, absolutely nothing that i will accept. And sure thing it leaves the Q why they believed the internet (damn internet, never forgets) and did not try to speak with the club.

    Florry are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the US of A and they play … Cosmic American Music (a synthesis of country, blues, rock and soul). And to them fell the short notice option for playing live.

    Florry (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 21.05.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    Here they came in the form of two, equipped with guitar, harmonica and steel guitar.

    On record they sound like this:

    For me this was not a fit, both in sound and setting. Still, they rightfully got applause from the few who choose to stay inside.

    Negative Approach sure would be the maximum possible other side of the mu-sick-al spectrum and this is how they kicked off:

    Ever since they came together in 2006 they kept true of what was deemed their unique style back from inception to early glory on Touch & Go (1981 – 1983): 

    Negative Approach's brand of hardcore was savage and nihilistic, exuding frustration, pessimism and rage. 

    Negative Approach (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 21.05.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    And this is what the lot got, a savage blast of screeching vocals, fuzzed distorted bass, high speed guitar and heavy hitting drumming (to some extend too hard, at times it overshadowed the rest too much).

    On top all four of them come with their individual stage persona, up to and including the guitar constantly turning it’s back to the audience. (Con-)Fronting the audience anyway is the job of John, he still does that very well.

    Negative Approach (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 21.05.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    Sure a set from Negative Approach got to have their signature song. And here it is:

    Ever since it came to the record bin of the Konnekschen Record Store in Hamburg, in the form of the Tied Down LP on Touch & Go, it was for me one the all time favorite US H/C songs. Next to the SST stuff that Uli Rehberg imported he also got his hands on Touch & Go, i think i got both (effectively T&G #3 and T&G#2) Tied Down and Conquest For Death (Necros) on the very same Saturday from Uli.

    And it has forever been a sing-along for me:

    You try to make things work and gain something
It's all no use, it's all worth nothing
Complete satisfaction, too impossible to believe
Nothing's ever fucking gonna work for me

Tomorrow seems so hopeless
Can't keep it off my mind
Another day of nothing
I'm running out of time
I've got nothing I can look forward to
I'm always left with nothing

I'm always told things I don't want to hear
My destiny's become quite clear
Life's never fucking given nothing to me
It's just stood by and watched me bleed

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing

    The original version is a wee bit more bare, as you can see above it now comes much more as a wall of sound.

    Frank, i am still sold on this song.

    They played for about 45 minutes and i have to credit them that it was not just delivering old hits in the sound it had back then, they very consciously chose to bulldoze all of the songs, including some covers and a longer noise period. 

    Negative Approach (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 21.05.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    Kudos to them, this was a very consistent delivery and deeply rooted into what is a Detroit wall of sound. If you want more of that turn also to Easy Action, a much more Detroit Rock (and fucking Roll) adventure of John and Ron (Bass).

    Great evening, somewhat hampered by the drop out of the support and the sad news of blackmail on the Hafenklang. From where i sit the Hafenklang is least dodgy / fencewalkers but a safe place for plenty of different mu-sick. And grown up and free minds respecting other positions (bur rightfully demanding vice-versa).

    I am damn sure the Hafenklang continue to enjoy the support of the locals and travelling bands, despite blackmail. In that context friends – your turn to support them!

  • … 3 corners, 1 full room: Diversity wins!

    … 3 corners, 1 full room: Diversity wins!

    From the outset this was a wee bit a strange mixture: Local support, best in class. Often outshining the main act. American all-time favorites and heroes, but being confined to smaller and smaller venues. And then English loudmouth lads, offensive and … let’s say talkative.

    Trusted Shitshow kicked off the proceedings, as early as 19:30. Also the Hafenklang now treats the elderly with due respect, so that the next work day starts with less of a hangover.

    This is what they set out to deliver, unfortunately initially to a rather empty room.

    Shitshow – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    And it started like this:

    I didn´t love to but i will
I will make it!

    Bäng!

    It did set the scene for another near perfect support slot delivery, full of energy, full of (self-proclaimed) kiss-ass powerpunk. And kick-ass powerpunk they delivered to perfection.

    The only downside: The light was shite to the max and thus most of the visuals went drenched in a flood of red.

    Shitshow (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    If you have not scored their two singles, do it now.

    But be aware, they try to scam you every once in a while: A mate went over and said “the two singles” and got two singles. After the show, on the final sundowner sip, he took stock of all records bought (which included just another Hard Skin record) and realized … two times same.

    Luckily they got their merch still on the table and with a blushed smile it was corrected. Charming band, i’d love to see them grow much bigger.

    Next the Avengers, who in their new incarnation since 2004 are by now also a 20 years going force. With them the room was much more crowded and sure their all-time hits from 1977 – 1979 still trigger plenty of sing-a-long.

    Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    Delivery was a bit on-off, the sound varied between not so good and … bad. And the drummer – as on previous occasions – was hitting it too hard (and thus too loud). But the energy flow from the stage (and back) made up for it.

    And in front of the stage it was a largely female (and happy) contingent, also that did add positively to the energy flow. For me this is most of the times that is a sign for a good show.

    How did it sound? It sounded like this (and not exactly the type of more mellow delivery that should have been there for the song):

    But however the sound is, the songs still touch (and btw the newer ones work too). And very frank, the songs from the Steve Jones produced White Noise EP are even today so relevant.

    As the internet (damn internet, never forgets) has it:

    The Avengers, featuring singer Penelope Houston, helped lay the groundwork for political punk while giving the nascent musical form one of its first dynamic frontwomen.

    And thus American In Me, Uh-Oh!, Corpus Christi and Gold Digger (avoiding the innocently choosen original name White Nigger) are still the skeleton of todays Avengers set, also at the Hafenklang:

    Avengers – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    Touching set, not the best sound but still one of the most convincing packages from 1977 still around. And still taking the time to tour Europe, big thanks for that.

    With that the room was fully energized and actually fully packed, 250 good people downstairs at the Hafenklang.

    How to top that?

    Invite Hard Skin and let them have a go at the lot.

    The last time that try ended in a real mess (thanks to the (in)capable hands of Riebe), this time it went dramatically different.

    For a start Sean looked much more healthy and for a finish Exhibits A, B, C and D where absent from the show. So the only confrontation came from the stage and by Sean, trying to take the piss out of Bremen eer Hamburg.

    What he did not account for was that from time to time he will be meeting someone with a witty mind – when he tried to place the old joke of “why do we think we are here” and finish it off with the scoreline of “because of the money” he was cut short by a tongue-in-check reply from the audience “because you want to get your teeth done“.

    Thanks mate, that was masterclass challenge/response. Even on stage all three Hard Skins fell apart laughing.

    And whilst be chatty they also managed to delivery stupid little sing-a-long gems like this one:

    Sing-a-long:

    Sitting in the corner, cookin' up a ruse
Laughing with the Hard Skin, drinkin' lodsa booze
Along comes the old brill, stinking up the drum
Talking fuckin' bollocks, talking' out his bum

Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce
Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce

Accusing us of this, accusing us of that
Fuckin' stupid bastard, pork scratchin' twat
You're down the road johnny, fuckin sort him out
If you need some muscle, give the boys a shout

Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce
Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce

Fuckin' sort it!
Sort it!
Fuckin' sort it!
You know you better sort it out!

Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce
Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce

Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' farce
Law and Order - up your arse
You make me laugh - you're a fuckin' FARCE!

Shove it up your ass!
Fuck off!

    Whilst i was a bit skeptic with giving Hard Skin the headlining it simply turned out as the winning receipt. And to my surprise the packed house stayed for them, was glued to them and laughed with them.

    On top of that the female contingent in front of the stage did grow and entered into serious dancing – influencing most of the room into getting going.

    Just purrrrfect!

    Hard Skin (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 29.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    It is quite stunning how much Hard Skin are still appreciated in Hamburg, obviously their humor works for the Hamburg lot. So big fanx to them and hopefully Riebe is able to persuade them back again once they have rested a wee bit (and again are out of money).

    And if that was not enough, Hard Skin also had an additional surprise in the pocket (respective in the van). As you may know myself (and some of me mates) are always looking after buying vinyl at shows, for me it always comes from the fact that a band either surprised or convinced me live.

    Upon chatting with one of me mates, who had his hands already full of two Shitshow singles and the Hard Skin Live At Dijon LP, Ben (Hard Skin guitarist) noted that he had his Solo Album with him and offered that with the words “and it is quite different“.

    JT – The Hill To Die On (JT Classics CLASS016 2022)

    My mate was interested and Ben disappeared (for some time). Coming back he held three records, that where immediately taken away from him (against hard european currency). He added the advise to listen to it with headphones on and closed eyes.

    The internet (damn internet, never forgets) states with respect to the LP:

    Hard Skin’s JT presents an album of alternative, accidental instrumentals that are not for the faint-hearted or hard of hearing. 

Described as “delicate”, “thought-provoking” and “emotive”, this unexpected cluster of melodies offers an unwitting nod toward Eno and the like. 

It’s easy to pander to the mob. JT has veered away, confirming this record as an irregular punk classic.

    I gave it a spin a couple of days later and Ben was spot on: The songs are near perfect soundtrack parts and closing your eyes and firing off your brain cinema makes it click. Click big time actually. Well done for getting something that wide done, Ben!

    If you dare, score the vinyl here from JT Classics (mind you, post-Brexit import cost).

    Great evening, rounded off with a final Cuba-Libre.

    Great bands, great companions up to and including Rudi K coming all the way from Munich. Gave me a cosy, warm and home feeling after doing my 60’s birthday alone, up and away with the love of me life.

    And further to that, it was stunning to see that a show with diverse bands from three different corners could sell out a Monday evening and that a show with non-perfect lightning and non-perfect sound can put so much positive energy into the room.

    I bet ya almost everybody left on a high.

    I did, happy me.