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Tag: Hafenklang

  • … Avengers, paired again with a surprise!

    … Avengers, paired again with a surprise!

    Last years April visit by the Avengers was augmented by not so great lights and sound but provided a packed Hafenklang with loads of positive energy from a diverse rooster.

    This year had Penelope and the band returning back to the post-Rebellion pattern in August and a surprise package with Garotos Podres from sunny Brazil.

    And the lads from Brazil initially surprised me not only with a setlist but with some help on the words (at least that is what i think i did look at)…

    Garotos Podres – Setlist etc (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)

    And this is how they kicked off:

    Wow, that was not too bad. And plenty of chorus and sing-a-long compatibility (also thanks to the Porutguese language). Garotos Podres (translates to Rotten Boys) are around since 1982 and, according to their vocalist, had the privilege to be the last band that had a song censored (under the Military Dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985).

    They speak just a little bit of English thus not too much interaction with the audience, though a handful of native Brazilians seemed to be front row and singing every single song with them.

    Garotos Pedros (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The first part of the set i found actually enjoyable, in the middle they did throw in some covers (an outsch cover of Los Fastidos, a classic cover of Symarip) and from there it went somewhat south for my ears. Less sing-a-long Punk Rock.

    Or old & much more simple songs like Santa Claus Is A Bitch (one of the censored ones back then):

    By then i had the the singer almost down as simple old grunt but boy would i have been wrong:

    In addition to his musical career, José Rodrigues Mao Júnior is also a university professor, master and doctor in Economic History. And a staunch supporter of Cuba. And the Revolution.

    Garotos Pedros (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Within the band he is not the only one with a hidden surprise:

    … when the Bass player is proud of his profession (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The Bass sported the best ever knuckle tattoo i have seen (no stupid HATE/LOVE or PUNK/ROCK) ever on stage. Just puuuurrrfect!

    I got to admit that somewhat their set to me was half good, half not so good. For my fellow connoisseurs it was more the latter. But the audience, specifically the South Americans in the front, it looked like they had seen one of their heroes from the past.

    To that extend it wasn’t that bad but just … different. And i guess they were touring anyway on a shoestring so thanks for gracing Hamburgo.

    Different it was with the Avengers too, immediately i noted wow, a new face on bass and after some thinking i got the connect: That’s Hector Penalosa of The Zeros fame aka the Mexican Ramones aka one of the best Bomp! singles ever aka Don’t push me around.

    Wow, stunned.

    And with him Teenage Rebell sounded like this:

    Tight, hard and fast and on top Penelope with her strong voice. And bringing home some really old songs that actually almost all stood the test of time.

    Youth anthems. Desperate calls for change.

    Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And within that context a song like Second To None is getting the message across still today:

    I want to be different and you are not telling me what to do! Sing-a-long to the chorus:

    Mom says I gotta dirty face
    Dad says I’m looking out of place
    Dog says I got shit on my shoes
    What am I supposed to do?


    Well, that’s one. I’m second to none
    And that’s two. I don’t know what to do
    And that’s three. You’re tellin me
    I’m still a baby

    Where Garotos Pedros had their own little home contingent up front the Avengers where facing more an old male audience, though a few “younger” (everything below 50 most likely was young) folks attended too. It was not sold out but for a Monday it felt well filled.

    Although the setlist for the last couple of years remains almost the same there was never bore. Penelope, Greg, Luis and Hector are versed musicians hitting the right tone, the right speed and being well together – and the rest is the class of the songs and Penelopes voice.

    Avengers (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 18.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    On top the sound and lights where so much better than last time, making it just a perfect tight set. In between Penelope was almost in chatty mood, praising the Hafenklang (first ever show for her in Hamburg in the 90s with her solo venture), Hamburg and the audience.

    The set finished with a small encore and sure with Penelopes mantra I Believe In Me:

    … as in I Make My Dreams Real. My take – the Avengers in the current form are simply too good and still too relevant to be missed. Sure thing it is partly nostalgia. But much more i go out and see them because they have been consistent all along on the message and i’d like to support that, period.

    Perfect Monday entertainment and companionship, getting to know something new (i have zero expertise on Brazilian Punk, other than some of me mates) and enjoying continued love for a treasured old love.

    I do not need more in the context of #thereaintnuthinbetterthanlivemusic, honestly.

  • … an evening full of surprises: A first, a mainstay and a blast!

    … an evening full of surprises: A first, a mainstay and a blast!

    It was one of these dates left and right of Rebellion in Blackpool and for those who do not make that pilgrimage (like myself) it was a perfect setting – 3 mu-sick-ally different bands and a first: Shattered Faith never graced Hamburg before i believe.

    Early start on a typical Hamburg Summer day – wet, rainy and largely miserable. And the fear that many would be en route or preparing for Blackpool and as such a low turnout.

    But somewhat the three different bands drew different parts of the scene and some Blackpool pilgrims decided to watch them anyway in Hamburg too.

    Shattered Faith came about in 1978 already and gained visibility through Posh Boy (1981 7″ with I Love America) and their 1982 half live half studio LP on Prophet.

    That’s how they looked back then, and this is how the now incarnation of Shattered Faith took the stage:

    I am not sure about how many original members remain but for sure it is Spencer on vocals. And he was quite unhappy – his voice was almost gone (and during some songs was just a hoarse something).

    Pity, but sometimes that happens when you are a singer.

    EDIT: From Blackpool a mate brought home the message that the voice of Spencer was gone-gone, so he could not sing. Kerry Martinez (thus 2nd original member identified) took vocal duties. Real pity!

    Shattered Faith (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    How did they sound? Definitely not H/C but more of the California pre-H/C Punk with an emphasis on Rock. But with a very different spin than most of the contemporary bands back then.

    I do remember them most for the Posh Boy 7″ and their songs on various compilations. Here are some old 1979 demos:

    Whilst many of their songs had good structures the lack of full vocals and the somewhat a little bit off drummer made it not a full blown positive surprise. But indeed they deserve a 2nd chance, let’s see how the Blackpool pilgrims report back on them.

    Next Sloppy Seconds, a real mainstay over here in the 90s and still going strong. This is how B.A. took the stage (the rest was already there):

    I guess within the surprisingly well filled Hafenklang they had the biggest share of fans, many did sing along and came to the front.

    They positively get away with a biggest hits set easily, the bass throwing smiles and faces whilst being rock solid, the guitar bouncing around and the drummer driving it forward whilst singing along on many songs for himself.

    Sloppy Seconds (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And front, with his typical high pitched voice, B.A. – not too much interaction but definitely more then Spencer.

    And sure they gave the lot their big hit, aptly named Germany (and remember, that ones dates back to 1988):

    More than solid set, drive, umpf and emitting fun – perfect!

    Next T.S.O.L. and they share a lot with Shattered Faith: Starting 1978 in Southern California, first record on Posh Boy and for sure the singer being … currently the one Original.

    Here is how they took ownership of the stage:

    Ups, a lot of new faces (though one definitely known): Ron (Guitar) and Mike (Bass) where out injured, so Jack got help from Tevor (D.I.) on Guitar and Brandon (Head Bored) on Bass.

    And Brandon was fully exposed by Jack on stage: His youngest daughter is with them on tour doing merch, Brandon his her boyfriend and he recently proposed to her.

    Love is in the air!

    T.S.O.L. (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Against these two “newbies” Antonio on drums – a definite powerhouse – is already with Jack and T.S.O.L. for 10 years.

    From start to finish Jack was in a smiling mode, chatty and taking questions from the audience (but only if you properly raised your hand). So we got a bit of learning, a bit of preaching and – for me a surprise – the very friendly side of him.

    T.S.O.L. (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.08.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And very frank, that friendliness paired with super tight, super hard and super pushy play by the others made it a real blast. From start to finish.

    Here is another one, feel the energy!

    What surprised me the biggest was the perfect sound and within that the perfect sound of Trevors guitar, never being off a chord. Wow.

    T.S.O.L. left many in the audience stunned and most people after the show chatted about Shattered Faith having something (but not being able to bring it really across) and T.S.O.L. most likely having delivered their best ever set in Hamburg.

    For me it was simply one big enjoyable surprise with T.S.O.L. providing the icing on the cake. Now it is not a surprise to me that over in Blackpool they play a top spot, 2nd but last on Sunday at the Empress Ballroom.

    Great Punk Rock show! Thanks yet again Hafenklang…

  • … that DeLorean thingy: The return of Yard Bomb and Verbal Abuse!

    … that DeLorean thingy: The return of Yard Bomb and Verbal Abuse!

    Early show, hence perfect for finishing off a hot and sweaty Sunday and still not being too tired for the work shift on Monday.

    As with many others that first Verbal Abuse record still is a special one – it was a hard and ultra fast surprise back then. I never saw them live and once they changed course (and the complete line-up) into what in my ears was more Trash Metal i lost interest, whilst still treasuring “Just An American Band”.

    Gracing Hamburg 40+ years later i was somewhat interested how it sounded today. And that they got paired with Yard Bomb was a bonus, as their very American, very Californian 1980s sound is just near perfect and would even alone justify attendance.

    And here is how Yard Bomb kicked it off:

    Pity that only ever about 50 folks got off (with some regulars being away at Punk Rock Raduno #8 in Bergamo).

    Yard Bomb featured Rolf sans hair on vocals and their original drummer Rüdiger, himself being a devoted Verbal Abuse fan.

    Yard Bomb (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    It has been a while that i saw them live and i am not sure if they are still really active. Frank, it does not matter as long as they are able to hand a beauty (and in my head their signature song) like this.

    Turning Up Milhouse, forever:

    For me this is in the Top 10 of all songs bands from Hamburg (and near) ever penned down. It comes as near as a homage to Minor Threat as i could think of.

    And if you do not have their perfect 12″ then most likely you will not have a chance to score, the last 4 copies got sold that evening. That’s it. Gone.

    Yard Bomb (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    They did surprise some in the audience up to and including Verbal Abuse singer Nicki Sicki. For me they where yet again convincing, it would be great if they do Shows more regular (despite all of their other mu-sick-al ventures).

    Here is how they finished off their set, clocking in at a whopping 19:30 for the 14 songs:

    They not only convinced me, also – like Casey Royer in 2019 – they convinced the headliner to wear a Yard Bomb T-Shirt. Well done boys, well done!

    Fun fact: Their setlist can be turned into fun sentences…

    Yard Bomb – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    .. like “(The) beach patrol (is) turning up Milhouse down in the sewer” or “(We) need more invisible naked man” and “Modern kids feeling high about a man“. Honestly, it made me giggle!

    And whilst giggling about that setlist we also sneak previewed into what Verbal Abuse set out to give the lot.

    Verbal Abuse – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    That is drawing both from their 1984 debut and from their later endeavors like the 2011 thingy with Scheisse Minelli. My guess is that on purpose they avoid the in-between, in my head the right choice.

    And this is how they kicked off:

    Mhhhh, two minutes of an Intro but luckily then kicking off into a one minute banger. I somewhat, at this point, was a bit reluctant still if this would turn into an enjoyable set.

    In hindsight that maybe was also because i was expecting the band to look different. In real they simply looked … real. Aged according to life.

    And eg. for Nicki life included being locked away for a considerable amount of time related to speed found on him.

    Verbal Abuse (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Most of the songs where in same vein, around or below the 2 minute mark and very real. Just like this one:

    To my liking the double-bass on the drums could be let gone but by and large they delivered an entertaining set with a good mu-sick-al spread.

    Verbal Abuse (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And sure thing they finished off with American Band:

    And the lot chimed in, even in small numbers. Their set was well received, the applause increased song by song actually. And though it turned out a niche show somewhat the turnout was largely experts.

    Good one for a Sunday, a friendly ride home thanks to a mate and a feeling of somewhat having seen two bands of value.

    Lovely!