Oh my, end of February almost and only by now i got to see my first show at the Hafenklang. Somewhat frustrating but as the time went towards loved ones in need of care it is somewhat all fine (though not ideal).
The package was cool, both bands sporting almost the same idea: Uptempo, Punk Rock and a heavy scent of Power Pop. And whilst the early show (doors 1900) at the start felt empty it turned into a nice packed upstairs at the beloved Hafenklang.
First the Bern contingent, last time over in 2023 as support for Chelsea. Back then i was somewhat full of praise, this time round some of me mates where. They got something going but this evening it sounded to me “too much the same”.
I have no clue why this feeling somewhat was paired with an undercurrent of “lacking inspiration” … as they did have a good tempo, an almost good sound and got people somewhat moving and smiling.
Guess it must have been me, on this evening: They are in the end pleasant to listen to. Still, i won’t add a record of them.
After some shuffle and a revive of the Bass Amp it was time for the Leeds contingent. And with them it was an even better sound (thanks to a 2nd guitar with a perfect clear twang), a wee bit more variation and entertaining orchestrated stage movements (always a bonus in this household).
And, as ever, they are a near perfect party machine, well rehearsed and no-nonsense. In that vein they speeded through their set like no tomorrow, little breaks and almost no chit-chat or banter with the audience.
Did the lot like it? Yes, the lot did like it – broad smiles, shy movements but overall a great and joyful feel. They finished so quickly that they just immediately came back and gave some extras.
This turned out a bit of surprise combination (at least for those who got a Cyanide Pills only ticket initially): The Power Pop of the lads from Leads, who are a mainstay upstairs at the Hafenklang, paired with the Vancouver Street Punk from Bishops Green (who would grace the Hafenklang for the first time).
But joining two different corners together resulted in a packed and sold out upstairs, to that extend a neat move by the Hafenklang.
The Cyanide Pills kicked off at 21:14 and for me with two surprises: Their Norwegian guitar player no longer is, as such Phil did sling a guitar. And the on bass there was a new recruit too. But that did not change a thing – they kicked off with the same drive as ever. Power Pop, with sufficient speed.
The last time i saw them was prior to Covid and i have to admit that i did not bother to check out their new LP, aptly named Soundtrack To The New Cold War. But as the new setup looked and sounded convincing i guess it is only a matter of time until i get my ears on it.
For the Cyanide Pills it was not only the post-Covid but also post-Brexit return to Europe, they are happy to be back and take the new obstacles as something to just deal with:
How do you think the government are doing, happy with the Tories still?
The government are doing a marvellous job! Encouraging us all to return to old traditions like starvation, destitution, hopelessness, and despair. Let’s hope the guillotine makes a resurgence too.
You finally managed to make it into Europe for your Covid-postponed gigs. What were the best and worse things to happen on the tour?
Touring will always be fun, a bit more bureaucracy and self-inflicted bullshit to deal with but it’s soon forgotten when we get to play for our punk brothers and sisters in Europe.
They played for about 45 minutes, included some fan favorites and had many (and the female contingent in front of the stage specifically) singing along. The only bit that i was missing to a certain extend was audience interaction. There was little audience engagement down from the stage, they choose to let the mu-sick speak for itself.
Great, tight set. And plenty of fun in the audience. Could this be topped?
That indeed was the question for me, as i somehow avoided Bishops Green in the last couple of years, i think it was like 2015 at the Monkeys that i saw them live. So i was not convinced and i have to admit that if it would have been Bishops Green only on this Friday i may have skipped it …
… and that would have been the wrong decision. And here is Another Door to prove it:
I guess i was wrong. Greg and the lot proved it with ease. And as i was sooo wrong (and got taunted by a mate more than once for it) i even did break my custom to only have a beer once the show is over – Bishops Green got me singing-along and drinking along. And right so!
Bishops Green (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 24.11.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023
And as most of their songs are well aged hits known by the audience Greg could command the lot with ease, ever the perfect front man. And the next well aged hit was just around the corner, here is Alone:
All of my fears and perceptions went out of the window, as much as the lot was singing, dancing and throwing fists. It felt indeed great in the packed room and it carried not only me away, smiling. And it was good to see that the female contingent was still up front, the show nicely passed without big bald males making a nuisance.
Bishops Green (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 24.11.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023
One complaint though i heard – with a smile: The drummer dropped his sweaty shirt and a female audience member (coming all the way from Berlin) commented “in Berlin the show now would be stopped” – i asked to stay shut about it, then we could continue to enjoy the show. And that we did!
They played for a bit more than an hour, Greg did steal a beer from me mate Beno (who sported a dodgy t-shirt anyway) and Dead Heroes came last:
Thanks Bishops Green, you surprised me. Well done! I’ll take ya back for good!
Bishops Green did not spend a lot of time mingling, they packed up quickly to hit the road towards Eindhoven, Revolution Calling was to be their next call. Same did some of me mates – the first car left also on Friday, the other one on Saturday morning. And that car was not so lucky, icy conditions on Saturday morning and an odd crash on the motorway.
Luckily no-one but the car was harmed. Puh, close call. And all of the joy of the show would have been gone. Sight.
A rainy Thursday evening is actually the least best day for a crowded show, specifically if there is other entertainment in town too. Crowds where either drawn to the Fabrik (to see MC50 and Wayne Kramer) or to the MS Hedi (to see Nothington) … or upstairs to the Hafenklang in order to get ears ready for more serious power pop with the Undertones on Friday.
Me and many friends decided for the Hafenklang and whilst initially it felt empty it later was decently filled (though not sold out). First on Jitterbug from sunny Blackpool (that seaside town up north that is subject to the annual pilgrimage by many of the Hamburg lot).
Jitterbug play fast paced punk with some great bass play (and an almost hyperactive bass player) and less great singing. One of me mates noted “the guy on guitar seems to have too much on his plate when he also sings” but for me it was still on the ok side.
Would i go the extra mile for them? Nope. Did i appreciate their set? Yes indeed, at times their sound had some great speed variations and – as said – some great bass lines. In most of the songs actually the bass did carry the melody, something that only few bands make their unique selling proposition.
What did stand out too was their merchandise, brilliant T-Shirts and a killer T-Shirt for all UK Punk literate collectors:
… one of the greatest T-Shirts recently!
#1 Love for 1977, #2 A Tape and – with all tongue in check needed – #3 A Porky Prime Cut (and those who can not relate to that never ever called records from the hey days of Punk in the UK their own). Well done mates, well done!
Without too much hassle the stage was turned over to them Pills . If you don’t know them – here is how they set themselves:
Biography
Born a loser
Alcoholic, substance abuser
Hated, loathed with no fixed abode
Jinxed, given a curse
To never be best, always the worst
A peasant who wants to be king
PHIL PRIVILEGE attempts to sing
Bad tempered, aggressive
music obsessive
Never the banquet
Only the crumbs
CHRIS WRIST bangs the drums
Glassy eyes, greasy skin
Constant depression is a state he’s in
A dirty, nasty rat faced critter
Runt of the litter
SY PINKEYE guitar picker
Petty criminal
Small time crook
Broken home, bad neighbourhood
The human race hates his pretty face
ALARICK ‘THE TRICK’ plucks the bass
Liar, faker, liberty taker
Sleazy vain, a wannabe stud
A rotten piece of Norwegian wood
A drunken lout with insatiable greed
ALEX ARSON strums the lead
A gang of c***s from a desolate land
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the band….
CYANIDE PILLS
And they stormed into their set like this:
Just perfect: High energy power pop, scent of glam and and undertone of punk. And 5 different stage personas with unique schemes, grins and … sound. I felt victim to them a long time ago and i am always stunned that they are able to re-surprise me. In principle i know what will happen but when it happens i am still stunned.
They blasted song after song, had fun on stage and fun off stage and made a lot of people in the audience smile (and some even to dance). To many outsiders they may look like a degenerated lot but in fact they are there to remind people that music is relevant for quite some time (when repacked every once in a while).
And after blasting through 20something songs they ended the set on another highlight:
Conquered! Though forever i will put forward the request that actually they do play my loveliest song! Please!
When the lot dissolved after the show it was a lot of “see you tomorrow at Undertones” and that is exactly what i will do. Just to get more of those 2:00 long power pop pearls!
