BURN? That NYHC band that basically had one single in 1990 and that’s it? OK, there was more output later but that was already re-union type of efforts. And their mu-sick anyway never fitted that one NYHC sound that people at least over here had in their mind. But now they are back for good and en route to Oslo did a quick stopover and early show in Hamburg.
Support where Gust from sunny Trollhättan, SE. They place themselves as “metal d beat hardcore hardcorepunk punk“, a nice set of boxes to place them. Very polite young dudes that explode in a 24 Minute set of noise and energy.
Gust (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 11.03.2018) (c) gehkacken.de)
Great visuals (including traditional Swedish Björn Brog underwear) , exceptionally hairy chested guitar dude (first Spinal Tap sighting) that had plenty of gear (2nd Spinal Tap sighting) to sound very harsh and an angry staring singer. My type of mu-sick? Nope. But they where tight as a band and they pushed it out with quite some energy. And even if i do not dig the sound that makes it worthwhile.
Burn provided the next Spinal Tap sighting:
A set list that provides the name of city they are playing in. Well done. Or was that for the die hard collectors that take set lists home and archive it? Then signatures where missing (and that would be a Spinal Tap Bonus point).
Burn (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 11.03.2018) (c) gehkacken.de)
And how did they sound? Complicated is the very first word that comes to my mind and it ain’t meant to sound negative. They do have a very unique sound, with loads of little breaks, speed changes, bridges, flirting guitar and what have you. And they have presence in the middle of the stage – Chaka Malik is a hell of a singer and get the message across big time.
Listen to him talking about the old days:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_CsxBq4wLg
There was also another Spinal Tap sighting with them: They guitar player had an unbelievable amount of effect devices and pedals lined up to create his guitar sound – specifically the flirting parts. He also had his eyes mostly down there and most of the time one of his feet on a pedal. And yes, it was not all Spinal Tap – he could play too, boy could he play!
Some of the songs where just perfect and spot on, others where just too complicated to my immediate liking (and tended to be too long too). But indeed it was worth it come out and see them, actually only 70 odd good folks did so. Star of the day was one guy who apparently already appeared at the club in the afternoon, fully drunk, managing his way in appearing like belonging to either of the bands. And then falling asleep. The good folks at the club woke him up at the end of the soundcheck and asked him to leave and went into tears “did i miss the concert?” – Spinal Tap sighting yet again!
For me a good show, slightly excessive at the door but needed to get both bands and club to make the required margin. So fine by me. I’d love to see Burn again in a slightly different setting eg. support a bigger band on a bigger stage – i think that would fit even better.
How did they sound back then – here is the classeffort from 1990:
And why are they together again – listen up youth: