In Germany the age of 18 is the transition from growing up to being “fully licensed” – you have successfully grown up.
The Razors and their post-Christmas and ahead of New Year tradition has achieved just that – the 18th edition, grown up and it does not feel like the end of the story yet, despite all odds over the years.
Post-Christmas sure means we can burn down the Christmas tree aka Baum (in German), though we better take these precious Christmas baubles off.
And the handbrakes, please.
When hitting the Knust it was immediately a cozy feel, friends from near and far, other connoisseurs of Punk Rock that i did not know but may get to know and the full extend of the Punk Rock Hamburg family.
The only salt was that Dirt Box Disco had to pull out: First they had to cancel a UK show and then the flight to Hamburg as their drummer Maff Fazzo was sick and not fit to fly (let alone to drum). Damn, it had been a while since i got to see them.
Demolition Girls kicked it off and it sounded like this:
From where i stood i was ready, also the audience was ready though it was not (yet) packed in front of the stage. But those in the know knew that it would be uptempo, energetic, using the full space of the stage and all topped by the mighty voice of Barbro.
And turning all of these hit’s and gem’s into punktastic versions.
Demolition Girls (Knust, Hamburg, 30.12.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
They surprised me big time with a song of one of my favorite bands ever (so much, that i struggled to set my phone to camera fast enough) – here we are with a near perfect ALL cover.
And those with eagle eyes can see Christiane from the Razors (Descendents/ALL fan extraordinaire) singing and smiling along in the backstage area.
By this time it was much more full in front of the stage and people already had their dancing shoes polished and made good use of them.
Demolition Girls (Knust, Hamburg, 30.12.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
They slightly adjusted their set towards the end and finished off with a big nod to Richard Blum. Also known as Handsome Dick Manitoba. Of Dictators fame.
Thats a way back nod to 1978 and the great Bloodbrothers album of the Dictators.
Boy, where Demotions Girls good: In sync when needed, some hick ups when warranted and driving absolute great positive energy down from the stage into willing ears.
Here is their plan – not executed towards the end but hey-ho, who are we to complain (though, up north in Kiel, a little complained was filled about dropping “Kids” altogether).
Give them a large stage, give them a perfect sound and give them a support slot – Demolitions Girls will get the crowd going, guaranteed.
Next Razors took the stage and they kicked off with traditional grandness:
Bäng! And specifically bäng as this was like the first full show with Sven drumming with his new shoulder (and still hitting hard).
From the start the Razors where in brilliant form, not even a broken tuning device could stop them (and later also not the replacement device going awol).
Razors (Knust, Hamburg, 30.12.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
From start to effectively finish they provided so much positive energy, joy and fun to the willing audience that quickly everyone upfront was dancing (or, sure, jumping).
That song though triggered some dark clouds, it is one that was co-written by Witte during his 10 year stint in the band. His sudden passing in October 2025 was a huge shock to many, as he made a lasting impact on this little circuit. Be it as musician, as song writer, as producer or as one who provided many bands recording options in his studio.
Razors (Knust, Hamburg, 30.12.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
More than a gesture thus was thus this song, written by Witte and never properly finished by him and the Razors:
The have now finished the song and i guess it will stay in the set list as a deep bow.
There was already a little private farewell for Witte at the Pretty Vacant HQ and next there is a full tribute night for him at the Hafenklang.
If you can, give it a go. Thanks.
It went on hit-by-hit, almost all songs sing-a-longs for large parts of the audience. And it was quite fun to see how individuals reacted when their favorite song came about: Broad smile and immediate movement.
Stoffel kept shredding, Klaus kept towering, Christian kept smiling and Sven kept hammering. And all together kept the beat, and then some!
Razors (Knust, Hamburg, 30.12.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
As Dirt Box Disco had to pull out due to illness short notice and the Razors knew that many of the lot where looking forward to their return to Hamburg they did the next best thing:
Rehearse a Dirt Box Disco song and sign up a Spunk Volcano stand-in:
Boy, that was fun and the lot went almost apeshit.
Could it go better?
Sure it could and it would – as ever when the Baum has been burned down it is time to invite family & friends onto the stage and celebrate a huge sing-a-long to their mashup of Forever Young and Walk On.
Razors (Knust, Hamburg, 30.12.2025)
(c) gehkacken.de 2025
I am not a stage person (i rather have stage fright) but it was absolute fun to see the controlled chaos erupt. Have a lock through the pictures, they have so many small nuggets in them (and plenty of Kiel).
I missed last years proceedings due to the urge to retreat to the quiet of the north with me love. This year, which on many fronts was both fucked (too many losses) and somewhat great, i thoroughly enjoyed being part.
It was a real feel of being among friends from near and far and the rest of the audience also being … great.
The night finished very late for some, frantically dancing away to the sounds of DJ Schaub, for me a wee bit earlier as i was genuinely tired.
I guess this shoot sums it up nicely:
Klick! for downloading the high-res version (opens in new window) and as ever pick your king (i picked mine already).
Thanks Demolition Girls, thanks Knust and big hug to the mighty Razors for keep on keeping on (and staying relevant, ever since).
Happy 2026 everyone, looking forward for Burn Down The Baum 19.0 and … Dirt Box Disco joining it!
