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Tag: Bullshit Boy

  • … 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!

  • … good Boys, bad and shitty Jobs: A Boys night out.

    … good Boys, bad and shitty Jobs: A Boys night out.

    For the Bad Job Boys it was a long awaited date, as they had to push their record release party into 2023 following the release of their debut album in late 2022. Tongue-in-check they recruited Bullshit Boy as support so that the date, attended largely by family and friends, was a boys night out on stage.

    Bullshit Boy kicked off and one thing was for sure: They will (and did) look better than the main act. When i saw them last time as support of the Ramonas at the Hafenklang i was least convinced but promised to give them another chance.

    The chance came surprisingly quick and i have to admit that this time round the package worked so much better for me.

    Bullshit Boy (Indra, Hamburg, 10.02.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    Specifically the rhythm section worked well, sturdy drumming by Carsten and a very versatile bassline by Silvie, delivered with a bright smile. On top of that the very unique vocal delivery by Sabine, at some times screeching, at other times soft spoken.

    The only shortcoming was that guitar and vocals where often way too silent, almost inaudible.

    They had their good moments when the bass groove was carrying the song and to my pleasure they also now attempt a surf song (a well made mu-sick-al choice actually, right down my alley). The got friendly applause, a wee bit short of enthusiasm.

    Quick changeover and this is how Bad Job Boys took the stage:

    Thats His Holiness Monseigneur Larsson on drums and vocals, Frank singing, Bodo on guitar and the first show for Piotr, their new bass player. And their little ode towards the first Covid year with an upbeat chorus to sing-a-long:

    Denk einfach zurück an den Frühling 2020
Die Sonne schien den ganzen Tag
Der Himmel war blau, die Luft war klar
Das Leben zu zweit so wunderbar
Alle waren locker, alles war cool
Man sah die Delfine schwimmen vor Istanbul

    That was #1, 16 more to come – almost LL originals. And both in English and German lyrics. And with a wide array of style, almost to the point that it is hard to pin-point a mu-sick-al cupboard for them.

    Bad Job Boys – Setlist (Indra, Hamburg, 10.02.2023)

    For themselves they stick the following tags onto their sound: Punk, Glam, Hardcore Punk, Ska Punk and Power Pop. In my head (and for me ears) it was both a gift (and a positive choice) and a burden – too frequent sound respective style changes somehow do interrupt the flow of music.

    Bad Job Boys (Indra, Hamburg, 10.02.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)

    Initially they also had a bit of sound problems but luckily an expert from the audience insisted towards Bodo that his guitar needs to be a definite bit louder. How could a guitar player resist that plea?

    I have to admit that i somehow had the feeling that most of them concentrated pretty much on getting their delivery right and as a result there was less action on stage. I guess that will disappear with more shows and getting more comfortable with their set (and stage presence).

    Towards the end and as a start for an encore they actually scammed Bodo into a cover, so here is Janie Jones from The Clash (and Frank’s voice was already gone):

    They got plenty of supportive applause along the way and i think they had done a much better job than their own name dictates.

    At good moments i did like the songs, at very good moments i heard a Professionals like guitar and i can see a rock solid rhythm section with expert handling of their instruments. If they now get more relaxed, more audience engaged and maybe their songs into a different sequence it’ll be a neat set.

    As i already had their record on hand prior to Christmas all i ever took home was a merch bag (Fanx Anja). But rest assured, their record is actually good and specifically what somehow offended me live does work on the record: Different styles, different delivery. It is a record off the beaten (Hamburg Punk) track, versatile and with a near perfect production.

    In short – it is worth to get! Get it now!

    Bad Job Boys – As i have the record already i only got a bag…

    With that the lot went on to party, i had to leave early as i had different commitments for Saturday. Checking back with some on Sunday prior to the glorious St. Pauli home win it was a hung over Saturday for them, so it looks like it was a good record release party. And wasn’t that the intent?

  • … not just boys fun: Ramonas & Bullshit Boy at the Hafenklang!

    … not just boys fun: Ramonas & Bullshit Boy at the Hafenklang!

    After having two week off (enjoying Danish sunsets and moving back into the vicinity of the Hafenklang) it needed a bit of lure to take the stroll downhill to the Hafenklang. The lure though was easy, one of the best Ramones cover bands was in town, so a neat sing-a-long evening was on the table.

    Next to me they lured about a hundred odd folks down to the harbor front, some with 2020 tickets, some with 2021 tickets … and some with 2022 tickets. The show was moved twice … Covid times, sight.

    Kick-off was with Bullshit Boy from Hamburg, 2 girls on strings and Carsten (Emils etc) on drums. I already came across them earlier in the year and took note of their EP on Bandcamp, as i do like Punk with female vocals and Girrrls in bands per se.

    Sabine, the guitar, used to be around as a one girl band called Dark Horse, now she seems to have expanded and plays her songs under the moniker Bullshit Boy:

    „WE KNOW IT ALL – WE CAN DO IT ALL – WE LOOK SUPER FIT AND WE ARE TALKING RUBBISH ALL DAY – WE ARE BULLSHIT BOY!!!“

    Bullshit Boy (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 13.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)

    Unfortunately this evening i had a negative Déjà-vu – very often i do like bands live but not their recordings, here it was just opposite. I had to let go after a half of their set and was not surprised to meet a couple of me mates outside, who already left and equally did not get the groove.

    By all means check them out yourself, here is their 5 song 10″ (still the coolest format around). I will give them another chance for sure, maybe it was just me or a bad day for them. Or both.

    The Ramonas came next and they have already quite some length under their belt: Started in 2004 as a pure female Ramones cover band they have added since 2016 also own material – all worth to check out.

    With them it was speed, power and sing-a-long – a visible and audible difference to Bullshit Boy. From the first chord they emitted fun and energy from the stage and took the audience on a Ramones memory trip.

    Ramonas (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 13.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)

    Having seen the Ramones 8 times (and every single Hamburg show but the 1978 Markthalle one) and having seen plenty of Ramones cover bands (from killer ones like Hamburgs own Ramones Revical Band aka Ramonez 77, Hamburg Ramönes and eg. Gabba to not so good ones i’d rather not name) i gotta say they are one of the better ones.

    Without a doubt.

    Their song selection from the vast Ramones œuvre is actually on the more clever side (as above with Bonzo Goes To Bitburg), though they missed two of my favorite gems: Highest Trails Above and Strength To Endure unfortunately where absent.

    Ramonas (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 13.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)

    The audience was happy though, so i did not complain. I anyway had zero complaints, the band was energetic enough (and getting the max out of their small amps). And by the smiles traded between them you could see that they like what they do. And when there where errors and mishaps – they just smiled it away and went on.

    Sure thing they covered the cover (the best ever ode by a Band to another Band of a different genre) as their final song, well done.

    If there was any complaint, then it may be my usual one: Dress code on stage. But that is just me and my anal view on stage related items. I guess they have better things to do then wash (or not) their stage attire after every sweaty show (and sweaty it was indeed).

    Ramonas (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 13.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)

    In retrospective i actually would have loved to have gotten more of their own material, i think it was only about 6 songs – the rest was from NYC. But hey, still a great set and and enjoyable Tuesday evening at the Hafenklang, that i guess we left as the last consumers after midnight.

    Next to the short stroll home the best was actually chats’n’drinks with friends and regulars and the simple fact 6 out of 7 musicians on stage where female.

    Not just boys fun, as ever!

    PS: Nothing, nothing at all, can beat this live set from 31.12.1977