Motivation somewhat was low for this Friday and i casually was about to let go this show. On a 2nd thought i was thinking about a mate who thoroughly loves Gimp Fist and decided that i need to support him supporting Gimp Fist.
And ran into many friends, including people travelling from far to enjoy not only one blast of Punk Rock but also next days show with Toxoplasma (since 1983 an very ill-fated relationship for me, so i sure would pass that one).
Support was U.E.D.L. and ever since i saw them on the Blanker Hohn 40th anniversary bash at the Stellwerk i knew that i could be up for a surprise. By the looks they have a new bass player and by the setlist they seemed to have a couple of new songs too. It was a wee bit longer than the 9 songs they had down at the Stellwerk.
It pretty much turned out a mixed bag for me: Some songs, specifically those where Arne but all of his (actually real) working class self in had something, others – for my ears – just where not of the same quality. The style is still hard rocking Oi! and reception was largely positive.
Next The Spartanics from sunny Leipzig, self-proclaimed Streetpunk with 77 vibes. As much as i distrust labels that bands stick on them i was surprised that it was 100% correct.
I missed them when they played the 2nd day of MOi!n It’s Hamburg #8 two years ago due to another commitment and wow, they surprised me big time now.
The Spartanics (Monkeys, Hamburg, 02.05.2025) (c) gehkacken.de 2025
3 guys, simple setup and a wow amount of melodies and an even wowowow amount of vocal harmonies: Their main asset is that all 3 sing and use their vocal capabilities to create a relatively unique sound.
Plus they got most of the female audience up-front and dancing – for me that is always a positive indication of a bands quality.
The Spartanics (Monkeys, Hamburg, 02.05.2025) (c) gehkacken.de 2025
On top they came across well rehearsed and hand-in-glove, though not too much talkative. But their sound and their songs had something, as such my urge to buy some vinyl kicked in. Later i realized that they had a 10″ (the best format in the world) on sale, so after the show i had to score that one.
And yes, they got plenty of cheers and – my guess – convinced many in the audience. I am pretty sure that i will make an effort to see them again, they are worth it!
Gimp Fist next and by now it was full in front of the stage, though the Monkeys was not sold out. They are a busy band, many shows and almost every other year a new record. And they are utmost friendly, utmost humble and utmost … all around nice guys.
As ever when they play Hamburg they don’t have to do a lot to take the audience by storm and get it to sing-a-long. They just have to start playing, smiling and singing and the lot will chime in. Sometimes louder than the band itself.
For my mu-sick-al mind they most likely are the best transformation of ingredients taking references from Clash, SLF and others into something modern. I won’t even stick a label on it, if i had to it would read Gimp Fist.
Great band, great show and plenty of energy flowing back/forth between on stage and off stage. And that is the way it should be. Can’t wait to have them back as having them in the house is a safe bet for an entertaining evening.
As The Spartanics convinced me live i had to score. And as format matters there was no question about what to score:
The Spartanics had a 10″ on sale (and a Best-Of CD thrown in), so that was a must to take home.
I was not the only one to take that beauty home and right so! If you want to check it out for yerself go here:
Thankfully i got a ride home by a mate, so it was late but not too late (as there was a decisive home game on Saturday for FCSP).
And me mate who loves Gimp Fist? He was a happy one, knowing that his love is actually echoed.
Because Gimp Fist do take good care of their supporters!
After the 5th and 6th Edition being bogged down by Covid it was time again for the Monkeys to throw a proper MOi!n It’s Hamburg for the lot from near and far. And as ever i was eager to be there, as there are often hidden (and overlooked) gems to to be found – like on the last full 2 Day event in 2019 with Kaleko Urdangak.
Kick off on Friday was with Strikt from sunny Stockholm. Young lads and already fully in sync with rule #1: A band should dress for the occasion. All white, dark trousers – tick! Despite the Monkeys being more empty than full they where able to lure folks from the bar towards the stage.
Strikt (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 30.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
I would not count them strictly into Oi! territory, they rather have a nice balance of sing-a-long, slower stuff and more old Swedish Punk annotations. The singer sported a nice KSMB tattoo – can’t be a coincidence. They did not have their brand new record yet but in best DIY did some self burned CD’s with the songs (a highly limited edition you #recordcollectorsarepretentiousarseholes). How did it sound? Check out their ode to their hometown: Stockholm.
Next The Bois, originally from Singapore. They date back to 2001 but if i understood correctly they are now a slightly different band, with members from SG, UK and DE. With them it was more traditional Oi! with a proud and clear SHARP message.
The Bois (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 30.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
The songs are sometimes musically heavy and loaded (with complexity) but still carry simple messages (like in Till I Die). They sure had the Hamburg lot in front of the stage, singing along and dancing. Not particularly my cup of tea but by all means check out their stuff. Their old stuff is available here as a nice compilation.
The Analogs where on next and for them it was a return to the Monkeys following their support slot in 2018 for Bonecrusher. The have a long history but i take technically they are no longer that band from the 90s.
The Analogs (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 30.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
They play Punk Rock with an emphasis on Rock and have a shitload mu-sick-al complexity in their songs. And seeing them on stage you note that they all seem to be experts with their instruments, specifically the drummer has a very unique style. The only think that was strange was the language – my ears are just not accustomed to hear lyrics in Polish, it all sound very harsh to me. But hey, it’s their mother tongue, so sure ok.
I liked them, to a certain extend also because they are indeed different (and great musicians).
Headliner for Friday was Giuda and i have not seen them live for quite a while, mainly because i had the feeling they where on the way to hit big. Not sure if they did, though i saw a couple of praises in the mainstream mu-sick press.
Sam as been giving them one of the first opportunities in Germany, dating back to 2014 with a stunning show at the Indra. They sure have grown beyond that, i was told they now employ professional management and a team for touring. In front of the stage you could note it by the simple fact that they now have a stage entry sound being played.
Giuda (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 30.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
I was not sure if i still like them but from the first chord the songs, the stomping and the smiles of the singer got me into it, again. Not sure if the feeling was right but i took they concentrated on the older stuff more – sing-a-long galore for the lot. They also employ some orchestrated stage movement (and the bass player got some strong looks for being out of sync and too wild).
8 years after seeing them for the first time i have to admit that they did dig themselves a unique niche, filled it with old tube amps and great 70s glam rock sound (with stomping rock being key) and just do that very professional.
The audience loved it and it was a great finish for the first day, way after midnight (though Giuda did not play overly long).
Day 2 started early (with attending a Brunch thrown by a mate that just passed 60ty), lead on to the decisions to pass the St. Pauli home game (that oddly was timed for 20:30 kick off) and be at the Monkeys rather.
And it was a good choice to be early has the hidden gem was right there as the start of Day 2: Complete Loss hail from Dülmen in North Rhine-Westphalia and they hit my mu-sick-al nerve from the first chord.
Almost on the total opposite of the MOi!n spectrum they play very modern Skinhead Hardcore in an American style. Hard hitting, fast paced. Just right up my alley. On top the singer cultivates a “grabbing my ass” style whilst singing right out of the Milo Auckerman playbook (and thus hitting another nerve).
Complete Loss (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 01.10.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
I was quickly sold on them and was so engulfed that i did not take note how many more people actually took them in (it felt open in front of the stage though). You got to check out their first vinyl that just has seen the light: It carries for example hit’s like Needle Park. I am now looking forward to see them again, maybe in a more hardcore setting at the Hafenklang?
After that high came … not a low but something that i could not get into that much on this evening. Bull Brigade from Turino play just another sound, a wide mixture of sing-a-long Oi! mixed with modern US styles from H/C. Loads of rhythm and tempo changes, loads of chants.
Bull Brigade (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 01.10.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
As far as i could make out there was footie in the mix too and the singer had like 3 faces & gesture that he mixed throughout the set, for me and some around that was a wee bit … posing? Boring? Nevermind, they do their thing and they seem to do it good – plenty of applause actually.
And whilst i was still mentally moaning i got hit by a 2 miles long fright train full of Canadian wheat heading for the US of A. Say hello to Reckless Upstarts (not Americans, as they pointed out) from Windsor, Ontario. It is the southernmost city of Canada, just opposite of Detroit. It’s called the City of Roses and what a beautiful mu-sick-al rose these Upstarts are!
Reckless Upstarts (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 01.10.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
16 strings with great guitar work to the front, all singing, and a heavy hitting drummer in the background. Their main asset is “being tight” and indeed they pushed forward like as a joint force. Their songs are about work, working class and about grinding down fascists. Check out Dying For A Living Wage or all of their output. Good Stuff, delivered perfectly live.
Next on Brutal Bravo from sunny Friburg im Brisgau and i never saw them live prior but based on their output i was keen to. They have some really cool bare to the bone songs out there and with “Brutal Bravo Über Alles” they have a tongue-in-check scene hit with pointed lyrics:
We corrupt morals and vitiate the air
And we are the resurrection of your saviour
We speak truth and we demand surrender
You`re ours for now and you will be forever.
You`re the lambs, we`re the birds of prey
We make the rules and you are forced to play
If you wanna make us happy, get down on your knees
This reign is unjust and we don`t kill to eat
It is pretty simple. a law of nature
If you don`t obey your master, you`ll be treated as a traitor
There are no more options, no more possibilities
God has no need for diplomacy.
We created evil and we created good
Brutal Bravo Brutal Bravo Über Alles
We bring the drought and we bring the flood
Brutal Bravo Brutal Bravo Über Alles
We turn day into night and night into day.
Brutal Bravo Brutal Bravo Über Alles
We are the mightiest and we rule - okay!
Brutal Bravo Brutal Bravo Über Alles
Brutal Bravo (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 01.10.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
I guess next to me many more where eager to see them, just like with Giuda it was packed, though less dancing but more physical in front of the stage. And whilst, when playing, it was really great hard hitting stuff there was a feel of discomfort with me. And soon i had the impression that somehow they are a dysfunctional band, at least this evening.
Debates about what (and how to play), raised eyebrows across the stage and a singer that either forgot the lyrics or was too intoxicated to call them from memory. And whilst resorting to printed lyrics he threw them around on stage and was soon unable to locate the right sheet.
And when it looked to go sour they somehow choose to play “Brutal Bravo Über Alles” to please the audience. Not once, not twice but three times. From where i stand no surprise that the band just a couple of days prior announced the end of the venture, i guess one more show and that’s it. Mhhhhhh, not what i expected.
With Gimp Fist at least the final headliner was far away from dysfunctional, to me they seem the friendliest people on earth and a well oiled machine. And this is what they set out for the lot:
Gimp Fist – Setlist (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 01.10.2022)
And on most of these songs the audience did sing-a-long almost louder than the band and both in front of the stage and on the stage there where plenty of smiles. My smile was big when they played my current favorite song – the starting one of their Isolation LP is a versatile hit, packed into 1:32 and still offering a cinematic intro. Check out Ambition and sing-a-long: Well i don’t give a fuck!
Gimp Fist (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 01.10.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
Where Giuda as headliner threw a professional headlining show on Friday it was Gimp Fist as the headliner for Saturday to thoroughly break down the barrier between on and off stage and united everyone in the Monkeys. Simply by being unpretentious, honest and open – and with a message. They are the essence of humble and thus i had not even a slightly raised eyebrow for a mate who sported a Gimp Fist T-Shirt (that takes us back to rule #2: Never wear a shirt of the band that plays). Still loving you mate!
And much faster than anticipated it was over, two great days at the Monkey, two new discoveries, one disappointment, a St. Pauli home draw that turned out not to be that bad (though we simply need to score, more) and still a long weekend to recover as Monday would be a public holiday in Germany.
I had no hangover, as i stayed off booze both days and that indeed was a refreshing feeling. And frank, seeing some folks in various stages of drunkenness on Saturday it felt right.
Big Thanks again to Sam & the Monkeys crew for making this possible, much appreciated. Count me in in 2023 too!
It was that time of the year again: End of September, end of a lovely summer, and thus time again for mOi!n it’s Hamburg. A little gem in that little gem out in the danish part of Hamburg, two nights full of sing-a-long street punk and dance-a-long ska and reggae.
Day One had the tighter rooster and in hindsight that four band mix worked smarter than the full-on six band assault on Saturday (as Day Two lacked some of the relaxed Ska/Reggae sounds).
Kick-off was with Trench, a secret love of mine since their debut at the Monkeys earlier this year. We are still waiting for their debut EP (now slanted for December release) but in the meanwhile they continue to be a worthwhile enjoyment.
Trench (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 28.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
They are tight, hard, well paced and aggressive. All you actually need in that little cupboard labled “Streetpunk”.
The studio outtakes for said EP should actually water yer mouth or make yer ears eager to hear more. I’d love to see them more often in Hamburg, let’s hope that the good people running that great little venture will book them more often for support.
With a swift changeover the style also changed – The Hacklers from sunny Ireland took the stage with everything to put a dance party on: 6 lads inclusive of keyboards and sax. And for sure that’ll be Ska and Reggae and it was provided in the best possible way.
The Hacklers (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 28.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
Where Trench had some people dancing, The Hacklers now had everyone in front of the stage moving. That’s indeed the distinct advantage of that different cupboard: It lends itself so much easier to both the female and the male contingent enjoying body movements (and you can’t stop yer feet mate, you can’t stop ’em).
“Out on the Streets” – a real gem of a hit! If you need a bit of party sounds and keep the people dancing – go and score their debut LP, it’s a worthy catch!
Next on the Arch Rivals and they were greeted by the lot with loads of cheers – they had conquered the Monkeys before and they speeded up the the proceedings a wee bit: Their little cupboard is working class Oi! and they command the proceedings both with their sound and through Mike, who mans the ramp.
Full frontal from the start they scored goal after goal and won over the crowd (that actually did not want anything else than to be won over). And tongue in check they finally gave way to their own sing-a-long ode (to them fucking self).
I bet you i was not the only one who did continue the sing-a-long when strolling home in the we of the night with a bit of slippery feet (due to too much beer). Great, just perfect. All people ever need to get out of their mind!
Arch Rivals (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 28.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
And at the end they put a final mark with a sing-a-long on loan from that other band that just played over here and all of the crowd did sing-a-long with loads of energy and loads of enthusiasm.
Arch Rivals? Bring ’em on, anytime.
On that high it was hard to keep the momentum but Berlin’s one and only Party Machine was the very right choice to finish up the already all sweaty party crowd. After some hickup with the keyboards (a broken cable finally was identified as the culprit and eliminated from the proceedings) there was no stopping to and endless hit party.
Arthur and The Spooners (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 28.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
Yet again it was the Monster Sound of Ska that made lame dance again and mute sing again. It most likely made blind hear again but Arthur ain’t no Jesus – he rather wants to be a Saturday Hero:
Bang! Boom! Done. All sweaty the crowd just gave in and danced the night away. It could have been endless but at the end everybody was done: On stage, off stage – just done.
Me myself and I where done too, to much of the black gold made it’s way into the pint and into me humble self. But that is the way it should be and that Friday mix of bands and style was just puuurfect.
Perfect Mix: Beer and live Punk fucking Rock!
Thus that picture had it all: Hamburg – Punk Rock City, with a beer and a stage and some choice live music. It can’t be better mate, it can’t be better.
With a neat hangover it joined the 2nd day, with 6 bands in front of me. Faces in the club slightly changed compared to Friday and some even did join the DJ Tour through the harbor. For me that would have been too much, i am to old for that shit and me body needs a good rest after a hangover.
Very early Ultra Razzia from Montreal had to take the stage, i think half of the club was still empty. As they – at least for me – turned out as a great surprise i was happy that i made it in time.
Ultra Razzia (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
Just another cupboard was opened here, Oi! with a deep root in Punk i’d say. For me just perfect French Punk Rock and as ever with a problem of language as i don’t speak a single word of French.
Wow – for me the biggest surprise on both days. Very much to my liking and very much in sync with some of my favorite stuff. Please check them out, they have a neat demo for free!
Whilst Ultra Razzia where a surprise the next cupboard to be opened was a surprise by the sheer label tucked upon it: To me plain hardcore! And it was Concrete Elite from Austin with some self proclaimed Brick Wall Music.
Concrete Elite (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
Very fast, very hard and the singer roaming like a H/C kid. Left, right, left, right and in between growls of anger and hate (as much as i could make out). They sounded like this:
A wee bit left field for this event but as ever there is nothing bad in stretching mu-sick-al boundaries. One thing is for sure though – they will not be voted as crowd favorites, i guess they even where too offensive for some.
What was great though was to see and hear that lead guitar (back there in the white shirt): He did hide away and did little moves but i bet ya he writes all the songs and his great guitar play carries all the songs!
Luckily next on some more mellow sounds, Bromure from Paris with some known faces. Their sound was clearly and deeply rooted in 80s French Punk and the addition of the sax makes it indeed special.
Bromure (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
They had more people in front of the stage and they had people dancing (no wonder vs. the break neck speed of Concrete Elite). I am not to sure with the sound though, to my ears that one did not sound as perfect and something felt lost in the mix (at least for my ears).
I dig them and i dig them specifically because they are different (and somehow are like having been fallen out of time). Class effort!
Where all the changeovers on stage earlier had been rather quick it took Menace a wee bit more time to be ready. That provided at least me and some around me with some frustration and that frustration did grow when they started.
Menace (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
From crowd reaction they seemed to have a top status, both the Oi! faction and the Blackpool Pilgrims had them down as great. I did see them a couple of times in the last 10 years and i have to admit i was never satisfied live.
This time round it was drawn into two directions: Once they where together on stage and sounded ok i realized that they have taken on power and speed and actually sounded very modern and up-to-date. On the other hand i did miss the bare Menace sound of all their early output and thus could not really enjoy the old favorites in the new sound.
But i was pretty much alone with that feel – around me a lot of happy people where singing and dancing and thus Menace did everything right (and i guess for once i was wrong). But that it how it is: For every band you have a sound in your brain and it is difficult to adjust your bearings.
Many people took it as the perfect set, i took it with some reservation though i guess the crowd can’t be wrong.
Next Bad Co. Project, forever with the burden of eg. “…from the ashes of Oxymoron“. Just like Menace it took them a wee bit to be ready but then they took the audience, with plenty of folks from Berlin, by storm.
BAd Co. Project (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
It’s not that i don’t like them but it is just that their mu-sick just does not resonate with me. Nothing wrong with that, it resonated with many people in the crowd and as such they seemed to have delivered what the crowd waited for (and i think it was the first ever time they graced Hamburg, so the crowd did wait for some time). Bonus: Their bass player, centered on the stage, did seem to smile through all songs and choruses – so it looked like they had fun.
Finally and quite late Gimp Fist and thus the perfect encore for the two days event. Straight on Punk Rock with some scents of early Newtown Neurotics (at least for my ears) and an ever friendly (off and on stage) Jonny Robson.
They have nothing fancy and that makes them so special. They did not even need a long setup, a few twangs and a nodding “that’ll be alright“. Menace were the loud crowd favorites – Gimp Fist were the silent majority i guess. Yet again they bring it all together and match up many sides: Be it the Blackpool Pilgrim, be it the Cock Sparrer Maniac or be it the Football, Skinhead Punk’n’Roll Fan.
Gimp Fist (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 29.09.2018 (c) gehkacken.de)
They hail from the North East, from the lovely county of Durham and as lovely as the area they are themselves. And they sure know about footie:
Perfect closure of the night i’d say. And a lot of happy faces in the audience (and one big fan almost in tears – you know who you are mate!).
Perfect two day, as said with the first day sporting a perfect setting and great variety and the 2nd day a wee bit too long (for me and me hangover). And on the next day i realized that my two days ticket had a magic number that was to help the magical FCSP through the local derby (which i skipped, for many reasons).
1(83)910 – a magic number for free!
Thanks to all bands and fans and deep thanks to the good folks at the Monkeys for making this happen and providing a shelter for this type of Music. Your endeavors are duly noted and at least i keep you in my morning prayers!
