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?
