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Tag: Krawall 3000

  • … a record release party amongst friends!

    … a record release party amongst friends!

    The return of the rehearsal room shows ctd:

    C³I, thanks to Power It up Thomas, have a new record out, a split with Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA from sunny Bruswick. And Eugen & Mike provided the Pretty Vacant HQ (or, as some dub it, the Krawall 3000) for the release party deep down in Rothenburgsort.

    First Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA. A naming choice that does not exactly lends itself to entry for a nationwide US tour these days. And also triggers with me nothing more than raised eyebrows initially.

    But upon learning that one (or some) also play with the mighty Torpedo Harms i got much more interested.

    What did i get? Fast paced hardcore with a slight metallic overtone on the guitar and a mighty humping double-bass drum pedal. And a very outgoing & roaming singer.

    Jimmy Pelz Fistfuck USA (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The songs are mostly in German and short&crisp. It is not 100% up my mu-sick-al alley but delivered with force and in a fitting style. And some songs even have sing-a-long quality of sorts.

    As extras they provided some covers, here is a notable one:

    Very entertaining and actually much more than i expected.

    Next C³I and for them it was more than a record release show, it was also the first live performance with Stéphane (of Bad Job Boys and other fame) on drums (as Jens moved away from Hamburg).

    C³I – Setlist (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    And in a positive way it was no surprises: Very modern, stripped down, Punk sound with great German lyrics (and sure the unique sound of Arnes voice). And whilst Stéphane used a little scribble helper the drumming sounded both in sync and fitting.

    C³I (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 29.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    The only item i noted and later Rudi questioned the audience was sheer volume: It sounded loud, very loud (for the rather small room). As the majority wanted it that loud, it stayed that way (aka The Kids Will Have Their Say).

    How did it sound? It sounded like Niemals so wie du:

    I love it, despite all of them engaged in other bands too this little venture has a very unique sound that is almost 100% according to my likes. And with the replacement on the drums it hopefully continue to thrive.

    Lovely evening, many friends and sure a record to score (and Thomas even took some limited colored editions along).

    Get this beauty upon market release from Power It Up!

    And the topping? Someone very gracious individual provided some free catering (that elsewhere would have landed in the bin) that tasted excellent.

    And allowed me to award a symbol of praise on a trusted mate:

    The Red Ball of Praise goes to … Sonny Vincent!

    This DIY and small scale setting continues to be a fun one, i sincerely hope a couple of more showcases can come around until the surrounding development eats up that part of the street too.

  • … Krawall 3000 DIY: Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery at the Pretty Vacant HQ!

    … Krawall 3000 DIY: Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery at the Pretty Vacant HQ!

    Another DIY show at the Pretty Vacant HQ, this time with a young band from south of Hamburg and Tanju with his Racoonery, they missed the bill at the first one due to Covid.

    Büller Bü from Schneverdingen kicked off the early evening and it was their first show. Ever. And then facing largely – next to a home town contingent – a bunch of old farts that have seen it all. Twice. But luckily the Pretty Vacant HQ is all about low key, all about DIY and a chance for everybody.

    Else there would have never been a Krawall 2000.

    Büller Bü (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 28.09.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    For me they still have a long way to go, the drummer seemed more a liability than an asset and by and large they have not found their sound, their unique whatever that glues them together. Some of the songs did not work at all for me, some had actually well crafted elements (and worked best when i had my eyes closed).

    Not a surprise to the expert lot was their sole cover song, their name somewhat gave away that they have a liking for Hüsker Dü. They got friendly applause and support and i guess they where happy to have mastered the first ever gig.

    Next Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery, Tanju’s current vehicle for music. Some of my friends have been full of praise but also noted that it may not be down my mu-sick-al alley. But as the Racoonery is made up half by people i have trusted in the past, when it came to music, the venture did have some credit with me.

    Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 28.09.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    What did i get? First and foremost Tanju, dressed like a Gentlemen that has fallen out of time, taking the lead. And Rudi, Michael and Malte as expert addition towards the creation of something that is indeed slightly different.

    The internet has it down like:

    [Tan]...was was called Gothic Soul, Glam Dub, weird indie folk, psychedelic freestyle, baroque pop, a total piece of art, a punk rock Van Morrison.
Tan would contradict it all. He is long enough in the game to know old school power pop to electronica, young enough to still have the urge and hunger to go out there and create something new.

And and on top this incarnation of the Recoonery has the sound much more bare bone, edgy and Rock'n'Roll (of the NYC dirty side), much more Power Pop and less Folk (though it still carries the more silent elements).

    How did it sound? It sounded like this:

    Within the set they also had a veritable hit: A steady single strong chord played by the band on top of a steady mechanical drumming – stretched out “forever” to allow Tanju to venture back/forth/up/down.

    That was a cool one (and damn, forgot to ask what the name of the song was). It sounded a wee bit like this old beauty out of Dutchistan:

    Ivy Green is considered to be one of the very first Dutch punk bands. Singer Tim Mullens wrote the song “I’m sure we’re gonna make it (Wap Shoo Wap)” in 1972. At the time he was only 14 years old. Living in the small town of Hazerswoude-Dorp he unknowingly created a proto-punk masterpiece using just one guitar chord (and a half).

It fitted the band perfectly and if it was a nod off the Ivy Green song than hats off to Tanju for the idea and delivery (and the sole Dutchie in the audience loved it!).
    Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 28.09.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    At the end Tanju closed the set with a very personal, very heartbreaking song for a fellow old punk from Hamburg about to loose a long health battle. As many in audience know him, the chorus was carried on by the lot.

    Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery – Setlist (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 28.09.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    Whilst ending somewhat on a sad moment, it was another super friendly DIY showcase, another worthy effort that Eugen (congrats, Granddad) and Mike put together. Thanks for your efforts, outside the beaten track.

    Whilst some scooted over to the Hafenklang for more live mu-sick, i scooted home to have a final sundowner on the surprising away win of the mighty FCSP.

    All together – a grand day!

  • … the return of the DIY shows: The Roxies!

    … the return of the DIY shows: The Roxies!

    It has been a while that i saw a show in a place that was not meant to run live mu-sick. But hey, sometimes opportunities come about and then you gotta grab ’em.

    And grabbing Eugen did, he immediately liked The Roxies after they played the Indra last year and was determined to do something for & with them. They had another show in Hamburg supporting the Dead Boys in February at the Monkeys that i also did not attend, but mates were full of praise.

    I only ever saw them pre-Covid, when they supported the mighty Maniac down in the cellar of the Komet.

    Come June 2024 and Eugen decided to get them over to play … actually in his office, in sync with a yard fest run by his neighboring Coffee Roasters.

    Eugen introducing The Roxies at the Pretty Vacant HQ ( (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    His office turned out spacious, he and Mike created a decent stage, got some lights and a small PA ready – and off went a short showcase in best DIY fashion. Remember shows in rehearsal rooms? That sort of thing, but better.

    Support was to be Tanju with Tan LeRacoon & Racoonery, but a short notice Covid infection of one band member put a hard stop to it. So it was one band only, early and … crisp.

    The Roxies are from Berlin and they seem to have perfected on Power Pop, with heavy borrowing on UK Post Punk (and some Garage i guess). The net result comes across as high-energy (almost old school) Punk with a slick coating of Pop. They call themselves Indie Punk, but that is an odd label for my single minded tastes.

    The Roxies (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 08.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    They are 3/4th German and have enlisted Mattew from Yorkshire (“Tha’ can allus tell a Yorkshireman but tha’ can’t tell ‘im much.“) to sing for them. And whilst the others provide the sturdy backdrop, he goes off like being fueled with a radioisotope battery.

    The Roxies (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 08.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    They do not dress uniform (always a malus) but they provide unique stage characters (always a bonus) also besides the vocals: An always smiling drummer, a sturdy and almost shy guitar and a towering slender girl on bass – smiling too.

    And how did it sound? It sounded like this:

    It is Cat Caller and on their 12″ (see below) and it is indeed my loveliest song by them, it will make it onto my 2024 playlist (actually it is already on it, whilst the playlist still grows). 

    The Roxies (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 08.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    They got a few people dancing and they lured some of the folks of the yard fest indoors. And given they play Power Pop (and that is something straight into the feet) i saw a couple of surprised smiles.

    They did not play long but it was a pleasant and crisp set. I did fancy buying their record but eventually let go the idea (as my remaining space for 12″/LP’s is tiny). If they would have had Cat Caller on a 7″ then i would have grabbed it.

    I grabbed some stickers instead. But by all means, go and check them out for yerself and if you like it try to grab the Vinyl, it is already sold out at the label i believe.

    Nice and early Saturday evening showcase, i wonder if Eugen and Mike try that again with another band. The place would allow for it, being surrounded by largely industry it may take a while before someone raises concerns.

    Nice One. Surprise One! Thanks Eugen & Mike for the effort, much appreciated.