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Tag: Knust

  • … there is always a first: FCSP discouraged, EA80 encouraging!

    … there is always a first: FCSP discouraged, EA80 encouraging!

    Somewhat it felt like a good idea: A late Saturday home game first, gentle stroll over to the Knust and some live mu-sick. But came fate, it is always fate that comes across any grand idea!

    The magical FCSP faced Bremen at home and most likely due to a joint enemy (the long time first league partner of Werder from the other part of town) the two fan groups are more friend then foe.

    This was shown in large prior to the game and in blistering fashion right after the half-time break (though not realizing that the December weather would turn the firework into thick fog – we lost complete sight of the green).

    FCSP vs. SVW (Millerntor, Hamburg, 14.12.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    On the footie side it was really a bad game, FCSP very discouraged and more or less outdone by simple tactics and much more consistency (and striking ability). 3 shots on our goal, two goals. And never really fear on the Werder side that we would score.

    That paired with miserable weather led to much frustration, not the best ingredient for me and me mate (who sits next to me in the stadium) to enjoy EA80 (for both of us a first after all these years they existed).

    We were tempted to sell our tickets for this sold oput show whilst waiting outside the Knust but finally we decided to abandon the obvious and easy way out.

    Inside, much more dry, warm and cozy, it was True Moon from Malmö (in sunny Skåne, SE) who kicked off the show.

    Apparently they are from the ashes of Vånna Inget, who some dubbed as rightful continuation of the sound of Masshysteri (outta Umeå, capital of Västerbotten, SE).

    Already there Karolina Engdahl’s voice was like a signature thing (and i guess gained them a Granny nomination). In True Moon now she not only sings but also plays bass.

    True Moon (Knust, Hamburg, 14.12.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    For my ears it was very much Siouxsie and not bad but not really my cup of tea. The internet (damn internet, never forgets) has some distinct notions on the sound:

    True Moon is truly a satisfying blend of goth rock and Fleetwood Mac. This Swedish dark alt-rock/post-punk band sounds a little like Stevie Nicks fronting Joy Division.

    Not sure if this actually holds true, the voice though carried a lot of the sound.

    They got more than friendly applause and those in the know assured me that EA80 tend to dig out future stars for support (like having the Sleaford Mods for 35rd Anniversary show supporting them in the sold out Markthalle – must have been 2014).

    On record True Moon sound like this:

    Next and with no fuzz on setting up the stage EA80 out of Mönchengladbach.

    For all these years (and i am seeing bands from the genre live since 1979, which is exactly when they started) i happily ignored them. Largely because they are German, sing in German and … uh, äh … i simply ignored them.

    On a side note that holds true for EA80 only, i have the first Ranola LP in my collection, Martin plays Bass on this one (also outta Mönchengladbach).

    My bad, as i already discovered that they have actually some good mu-sick and more so, that most likely they have been true to themselves for much more time than any other band that is still around.

    EA80 (Knust, Hamburg, 14.12.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    Everything is DIY, all of their releases are low profile, they do not rehearse to perfection and they let out their energy as it suits them and where it suits them.

    Live they worked for me much better than on the few records it did listen into (though never bothered to buy one) and delivered a very real, very unpretentious “show” (there was no element of show anyway).

    They even had a couple of songs that i will need to dig into in more detail, sure the one with speed (short and hard) were the ones that appealed with my simple mu-sick-al mind more.

    They played quite long, until the fingers started to bleed on Martins battered guitar. He gave the guitar the plaster, not his finger. Style, very much street smart style.

    After the disappointment of the footie and surprising neat show to finish the day, i did not expect myself to stay to the end.

    But as ever, there is always a first and there is always a place with good music and good company.

  • … bäm, bämbäm: Perfect party bands fueling a dancing party!

    … bäm, bämbäm: Perfect party bands fueling a dancing party!

    Sometimes it is all about correlations. A band hitting a ready audience. A band hitting town on the wrong day. And evening with a thunderstorm, hail and rain. And thus now show on the audience side. And sometimes it is two great party bands for themselves, criss-crossing Europe and having a day to spare before descending down onto Back To The Future in Glaubitz.

    The brave folks of the Knust, Wild Wax Shows and Punk Rock Hamburg sized the opportunity and got both into Hamburg, though due to traffic The Spits where quite late in managing the 500 km between the Plan B in Malmö and the Knust in Hamburg, crossing through Denmark.

    The Briefs kicked off and an eagle eyed friend provided me with the set list whilst i was still outside and chatting. Here is what they set out to do:

    The Briefs – Set list (Knust, Hamburg, 26.07.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    And this is how they stormed into the set with Static:

    Yep, that is Briefs territory: Speed, melody and energy. From where i sit the Glam-to-Punk connection from early UK Punk, deeply rooted in a more traditional rock fashion but with all the speed and umpf needed. Power Pop in the widest sense.

    Plus a great sing-a-long mentality attached to almost all songs.

    The Briefs (Knust, Hamburg, 26.07.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    And, always a bonus, they dressed for the occasion, giving away individual stage personas (whilst not really interacting with the audience a lot). But as they have a lot of good music to give to the audience, that one was not a downside.

    They almost rushed through their almost 25 years of mu-sick, spanning also all the way back. Here is Stuck On You, which dates back to a 2005 7″:

    The audience loved it, already some dancing was going on but then the party was spoiled a wee bit: As much as i could make out a drink was spilled on stage, on the left side behind the PA and that somewhat not only created a little lake but took out part of the electricity on stage. Amps where off (thanks to the invention of circuit breakers).

    And off went the band, to give room for RCA.

    The Briefs (Knust, Hamburg, 26.07.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    It took the technical folks of the Knust some minutes to identify the problem, isolate the offending circuit and get it all going again.

    The Briefs came back and went on just as if nuthin’ had happened. And also got some real fan favorites out, like Silver Bullet:

    This songs gets it condensed in it’s 1:00 and bit glory and this little rhyme from the songs pretty much goes all the way back to their 1976 connection i guess:

    When i think of you you know i think of rotten fruit
The world would be a better place if you were born a mute

    Correlations. It is all about correlations.

    And now sing-a-long: Kill Bob Seger right now! Surprisingly Bob Seger is still alive when i last check (though not at best health).

    All-in-all a perfect show by The Briefs fueling the audience well and setting a high bar for the further proceedings.

    For The Spits it was a wee bit tougher, arriving late they had to do the sound check on the spot, after the stage was changed over for their definitely different setup. That tune in of sound, monitor sound and all the rest took a bit and was in full view of the audience but thanks to the expert sound people of the Knust it went faster than feared.

    And once they had changed into their stage uniforms and personas (a robot and three child molesters dressed in trench coats) they kicked off with Remote Control:

    And this took the baton offered by The Briefs up and onward. All the way from Power Pop to … actually a splendid mix of rough, dirty and sleazy Garage Punk mated with Synth Punk and, believe it or not, Dance Muzak.

    The Spits (Knust, Hamburg, 26.07.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    And besides the mu-sick the stage setup indeed makes them stand-out: The robot on the keyboards stands up on the drum podium, the rest of bass, drum and guitar is lined up to the front of the stage. Lovely and welcome different view point for the audience.

    That said, the guitar putting down the trench coat triggered a friend next to me: “This is how a child molester looks, if he stops by on the street i will ruuuuuun” – and indeed she was right. He looked all the way evil with his old school glasses and the fishnet shirt.

    But the audience did not run away, in contrast, the short and dance-able bangers of The Spits did creep into large parts of the audience forming a wide sea in front of the stage that moved around, all the way back to the bar area.

    And the best was that they attracted all ages, all genders – it was far off from a stereo typical old punk show. Wow.

    And i can not even explain what secret ingredient they use to get that effect, in my simple mu-sick-al mind it is the combination of short songs, drum machine like drumming and … voila, the feeling of sing-a-long (whilst actually you can’t).

    The Spits (Knust, Hamburg, 26.07.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    It got my feet moving, it got plenty of other feet moving, it got even more bodies moving and – by and large – all people smiling. And frank, it has been a while that i had that feeling (to be exact 3 days). No, honestly, it was a near perfect party soundtrack that converted the Knust – not full enough but ok filled – into a dance hall.

    And this is how they closed out the show, with their robot flying into the audience (an earlier and more uncontrolled attempt made him hit the dance floor hard):

    Stunning set, topping the already excellent one by The Briefs.

    And – frank – i was not aware that so many people in Hamburg actually dig The Spits.

    Or was it just coincidence? Very capable bands hitting a very willing audience on a Friday evening? Whatever it was, it was a show that with me qualifies for the short list of show of the year.

    Yes, it was that good, yes it was that sorta fun. A real party. Fueled by party bands.

  • … of Gerd and a Perfect Cousin to dance with (and booze off a wee bit)!

    … of Gerd and a Perfect Cousin to dance with (and booze off a wee bit)!

    Gerd, Hamburgs very own stadium rockers, are never afraid to throw a party. Anybody suggesting a reason? Mhhhh, maybe 33 1/3 (not yet 53rd and One 3rd) is a good one?

    Deal!

    And as a party needs companionship, they took the Perfect Cousin along, just like in 2016. And some 250 other members of the Punk Rock Hamburg Family, most from near – some from far.

    The Perfect Cousins obviously traveled from far (Derry in Norther Ireland would be my wild guess) and came with the following gifts:

    Perfect Cousins – Setlist (Knust, Hamburg, 16.03.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    It is custom knowledge in Hamburg that a party failing to get momentum only ever needs an Undertones song (below the magic 02:00 mark) to get the lot onto the dance floor and dancing.

    And as it was to be Family Entertainment they choose their entry wisely:

    Perfect Cousins, actually not seen for a while. Hence i was a wee bit surprised that they did shrink to a 4-piece but it did not hinder them at all (in contrast, they had a near perfect sound).

    Perfect Cousins (Knust, Hamburg, 16.03.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    Sure that near perfect sound had it’s icing with Arne and his voice – if there ever was someone with the same type of nasal vocals as Fergal it is definitely him, Period. And on top Arne was jumping around the stage full of energy – the same energy that the others took into their gear.

    Together with Jan on Guitar, Kai on Drums and Lui on Bass he continued almost down the Wrong Way:

    Beating the original by 13 seconds, puuurrrrfect!

    But also above the magic 02:00 mark they are able to score, because they didn’t let go:

    Poor Little Jimmy (Jimmy), one of the saddest hit songs i actually know. And a real banger that stands the test of time, easily. And as ever, was one of the biggest sing-a-long within the set – maybe next to Teenage Kicks.

    Perfect Cousins (Knust, Hamburg, 16.03.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    But as a Perfect Cousin they also had an Angry surprise gift in tow all the way from Samoa:

    What a perfect finish, they even did threw Lights Out next towards the audience (though Arne needed a little cheat sheet for the lyrics). I guess that one was a message from Lui that he needs yet another job in an Angry Samoans cover band.

    But as said, there ain’t no better way to infuse a dance party than throwing in an Undertones hit. Thus, the party was already going when it was time for Gerd.

    Gerd – Setlist (Knust, Hamburg, 16.03.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    Their œuvre speaks for itself – like in those words on the right. Clues needed? Come on, you are part of the Punk Rock Hamburg family, you do not need no fucking clues!

    Hold tight - Now we're on our own
Cue lights - Now it's ready to roll
Tonight  How I've waited for i've competed for years

It's fun - Oh I just can't wait
Hold on - Do I look up to date?
You're on - I'll do anything if it's the right thing to see

There's one - Born every day
Same song - Then they fade away
Ding-dong - What's the future in the pop music industry

All right - So you made the grade
Hold tight - To the buck you made
Just wait - You've been rated for constipated peak viewing time

    And putting enthusiasm over stage entry grandness Gerd went about to Kick Out The Jams:

    But hey, there is a new face! Led Zeppelin could not lure him, but Gerd (with all of the money from their stadium tours) got him signed. Welcome Henry (who still has a little side hustle with Boy Division, Hamburgs best dressed cover band)!

    Gerd (Knust, Hamburg, 16.03.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    The last time they graced the Knust for one of their club shows was 2021, it was sheer luck that their busy schedule allowed them back so early – the lot did only expect them in 2031 for “40 years of GERD”.

    The lot largely anyway was happy, i ran into a number of good people that had a bright smile on their face following the grown-up-controlled-play-like-a-champion away win of the FCSP at Nürnberg in the afternoon.

    Gerd took on to continue that party on the lawn:

    Boy, they had this one in 1967 for 10 weeks in the German single charts (and it was single in our household that i could hum along to as a little boy). Good to see that Gerd have left that la battaglia del denaro long behind.

    Gerd (Knust, Hamburg, 16.03.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    But still, they can beat anybody when it comes to mu-sick. Twice this songs has been robbed from them and re-used with different words. And still they can hammer home their ode to G.E.R.D. in the exact 1:17 that it took that other band from NYC (that never paid their dues to Gerd):

    The only item that was surprisingly not at par with their performance was the sound. It sounded less good than the Perfect Cousins and less good than last time at the Knust (where by and large most bands sound excellent, thanks to the good PA and experts at the sliders). 

    Gerd (Knust, Hamburg, 16.03.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    But Gerd being Gerd just went over that with not even a blink in the eye. They rather took on to keep the dancing audience … awake and dancing. And they made them choose.

    And the lot choose to be Foxes, on the run:

    Far more people than the obvious offenders actually had their dancing shoes on, here is a snippet from the audience proving it:

    Pick your king, as Poison Idea suggested. The lot picked Gerd, for sure.

    As every family thingy it started early (doors 19:00) so that the elderly could have the most of it. Most of the elderly (and frank – the only sad of that show actually – it was almost exclusive elderly in attendance) where thankful, easily and early loaded (one so much that he was shown the way off the dance floor in a perfect choreographed ballet) and had as much fun as the bands.

    The icing on the evening then was more booze at the bar to the blaring sounds of DJ Hollyholetsgo, where the stadium hardened stars and fans mingled and danced even harder.

    2/3rd Happy fans and 1/3rd photo bombing new Gerd member (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    I was home not too late (and not too loaded) around 02:00, so that i was able to make the most out of the joy of both the FCSP win and the fantastic Gerd party on sunny Sunday.

    Only one wish went unanswered: More people and specifically younger people putting on their dancing shoes and descending onto the Knust – both bands and club would deserve it. And once there, knock it back and ‘ave another one.

    So everyone – next time bring a younger friend along! And ask for him/her to also bring someone younger along.

    I will try hard! Or even harder. But please not hardly.

    PS: My perfect moment of the evening below – click for high-res!