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Tag: Küken

  • … just thankful: The last of a great DIY and LOCAL series!

    … just thankful: The last of a great DIY and LOCAL series!

    Good ideas do not last forever, but good ideas can make a lasting impact. The fine folks that keep the Punkrock Hamburg community going had such a good idea in 2019 and as ever with their ideas they made it real.

    Just DIY.

    2025 and 4 editions done (annual, sure dropped during Covid times) it was now time for the 5th and last edition at its chosen home, the Stellwerk in Harburg.

    Again DIY and local heroes only. And again sold out.

    Blanker Hohn (Harburgs longest standing Punk Band) kicked it off, delivering a short but crisp set of their own Deutsch-Punk variant, up to and including lamenting about yours truly – thanks for that Oile!

    Blanker Hohn (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    It is a genre i still can not relate to but Blanker Hohn by now (compared to 2019) i can relate to: They have modernized sound and delivery and they have a couple of songs that do speak to me. And they had their local fan base dancing in front of the stage, setting precedent for the rest of the evening.

    Next Küken and they kicked off like this:

    Black Air from their 3rd Album, what a wonderful heavy slab to get it going! And from there they took it down the Küken path: Just a full on barrage of their very own, stripped to the bone, bare metal, destilled … you name it, it will fit. As long as it comes with the annotation of “unique” and “Punk Rock”.

    Küken (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    To my surprise they even had some of the lot dancing and i got to admit that indeed it felt like a huge amount of energy coming down and energizing the lot. Kudos, for me a near perfect and to the point set.

    Perfect for the occasion.

    Them Haermorrhoids it took a wee bit longer to setup and once the finally kicked in it sounded … just not as perfect as i would have expected. Not sure what it was, amongst many little bits eg. the drums sounded a wee bit card board instead of “crisp”.

    The Haermorrhoids (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    On top i somewhat had the feel they speeded through their set, tempo slightly upward. Luckily this rather slow song from their recent split EP with Proton Packs showcases what they are good at – here is C.I.A.:

    Whilst i am normally somewhat enthusiastic when it comes to my Haermorrhoids live experience this set somewhat did not make it to the same level. It could also have been me, still mentally suffering from the FCSP loss vs. BVB earlier that afternoon, a loss that in the 2nd half was feeling like the team not having any energy anymore.

    The Haermorrhoids (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Whilst The Haermorrhoids relentlessly pushed ahead, i still had this nag in the back of my head that condensed somewhat to “uninspired“. But it may have been with me only, the rest of the lot was either frantically dancing away or enjoying it as far as i could see.

    And the worst was yet to come: When i wanted to score their brand new 7″ after the show they (and the record) were all gone. Bugger!

    Next the Headliner, the unstoppable Party Machine outta Hamburg Horn, with the following setlist:

    Gerd – Setlist (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)

    And they kicked of with the song that Lemmy stole off them and gave to the Ramones – here is G.E.R.D.:

    Bang! And from there it was like a match from heaven: A band with exclusively known sing-a-longs and a crowd eager to sing-a-long and dance it away, on the floor in front of the stage and beyond.

    Gerd (Stellwerk, Harburg, 01.03.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    For some in the audience it was even too much (of booze) and they flippered along in the pit until a careful friend took them out (or they took themselves out). I happily stayed off booze and enjoyed it. And the joy was way beyond the mu-sick-al experience, the room felt full of joy (though towards the end of the Gerd set felt already no longer packed).

    With some overtime and slightly after midnight Gerd called it a day, to almost triumphant cheers. And, as far as i could make out, Gerd also gained a few new supporters out of the local circuit.

    I guess there could not be a better finish for the show and a better finishing line for that good idea formed in 2019.

    I am damn sure that it will have a lasting impact (DIY and Local!) and i am also sure that we get something else as a surprise next.

    If i could have my wish then it would be another Sommermärchen, in sunny beach setting at the Brewery. That was top notch entertainment in a perfect setting.

    FANX Perry and Arne for pulling this through over the years, much appreciated!

  • … perfect wall of sound vs. enchanted power pop: Küken & The Marked Men!

    … perfect wall of sound vs. enchanted power pop: Küken & The Marked Men!

    That was a wee bit of a surprise: The Marked Men would grace Hamburg again, 10 years after their triumphant Get!Lost!Fest! #2 set. And they got paired with a perfect counterpart:

    Where the Marked Men give the lot catchy power pop, fast and simple rhythm, driving drumbeats and chorus driven song structures Hamburg’s very own Küken are a guarantee for …

    … fast, forceful and simple wall of sound proto punk with perfect twin vocals.

    I was hoping for a packed show, in reality the turnout for this early Sunday show (doors at 19:00, start short after 20:00) was slow to arrive and best “well filled“. Which, under the current struggles of Clubs to fill shows, was ok i guess.

    Küken took some extra time to get on stage and kicked into the set with one of my favorites, that is “RnR Band” for a start:

    Bang, there almost ain’t no better start into a tight and fast set.

    And that is their custom anyway, not a lot of chitchat but pushing out songs one after the other. Given that all songs are well below the 02:00 mark the focus anyway is on the continuous barrage of chords and the driving drums.

    Küken (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 03.11.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    That paired with the same voice twice dual singing is simply a perfect niche in this vast genre. Call it Punk, call it Garage, call it Proto Punk … or simply stick Rock’n’Roll to it.

    Here is the finishing touch, more on that RnR side of things:

    It was not a surprise that Küken came across absolutely tight and near perfect, as this show was the topping of a short run from Leipzig via Berlin back to Hamburg.

    Oh my, for my ears this was a perfect set!

    Get your dose of Küken below and make sure you order all of their records. Even Jeff Burke scored Kücken III after the show at the merch table!

    Next The Marked Men and in classic unpretentious style they took next to nothing to set themselves up and kicked off with one of their classic hymns:

    Thanks indeed for giving us again the chance to spend “A little time” with you guys and sing-a-long to this beauty of a pop (like in popular) song:

    Just give a little bit of time
    'Cause you know that you can never live before you die
    Get out of the way
    You know a little spilled blood will make a nice distraction

    Can’t cap your lid, but booze that mind
    I don’t care you know it’s not a loss if it’s not our dime
    It’s just a little hit
    You gotta grow up with the X on

    [Bridge]

    It’s just a little bit of time outside
    With the ones who care on our side
    Just a little bit of time outside
    Just a world of
    You’ll get your life to say
    Just a little bit
    Just a little of it

    (c) 2006 The Marked Men / SESAC

    The Internet (damn Internet, never forgets) has the simple truth on this one:

    It’s a perfect song: the way everyone comes in a split second before the vocals hit, the way everything drops away for the guitar lead and the bass drum, the way it breaks after the chorus where the guitars start dueling each other with clean chords being picked at note by note.

    Alex Barett for Razorcake (2012)

    The only item that felt a bit off was somewhat the sound: In front of the stage it sounded less powerful than i would have expected, though overall at the end it felt ok.

    My wild guess: The perfect and loud wall of sound by Küken set a precedence that anyway The Marked Men with their style would never reach.

    The Marked Men (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 03.11.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)

    What the lot got was skillful guitar work, melodies and multi-vocal singing, slower songs and faster ones – a happy mix from the overall Marked Men Œuvre.

    Listening to all 4 long players prior to the show for something like a warm-up i was stunned (though i should have known better) how consistent they sound. Some may say “everything sounds the same” but i rather call it a consistent sound across a rather short period (2003 to 2008).

    Here is another one, showcasing the solid rhythm section, the twin guitar work and vocal harmonies – a perfect chemistry:

    On top i was also happy to see that in front of the stage yet again a large (and largely younger) female contingent was both enjoying it and happily dancing along. It was a great reminder on what type of mu-sick is being played: (Power) Pop Music like in Popular Music.

    Somewhat many folks where happy that the early show ended – unsurprisingly – early on a dark November Sunday evening, i continued to hang around, chatting with friends and having a post show beer (or two).

    And ended up saying two times “good bye” to my favorite (and overworked) booker – thanks yet again Fab for running this shit against all odds.

    And as unpretentious as both bands delivered and enabled a great evening i realized that this show actually qualified for my shortlist of Show Of The Year.

    Rightfully!

    Fun thing: Franz from Otis Tours bumped into plenty Punk Rock Raduno regulars from Hamburg with a broad smile…
  • … why does it take Harburg to get the lot dancing? Killer Punk Rock Hamburg Fest down south!

    … why does it take Harburg to get the lot dancing? Killer Punk Rock Hamburg Fest down south!

    Another year has passed and the fine people that fuel the Punk Rock Hamburg community invited to another showcase of what Hamburg has to offer under the banner of Punk Rock – a superb and wide variation of styles.

    Location would again be the Stellwerk in Harburg, down south over the might river Elbe (and factually just a short train ride from the heart of the most beautiful City of Hamburg).

    It was an early start already short after 1910, i bet you this was to not have too many people fall out drunk after the mighty home win of the FCSP on the afternoon.

    The hardship of the first slot fell to Violent Instinct, the Stellwerk by this time was not yet full. Aga used the free space in front of the stage to roam during the first song, then she managed to lure more people forward.

    Violent Instinct (Stellwerk, Hamburg, 03.02.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    Their mid-tempo style of street punk did work well for me, specifically as it is being carried by Aga’s vocal abilities. If there was one item that did nag me it was a wee bit a lack of speed variation, but hey, that is complaining on a high. Within their rooster they have hits like People With No Problems (mind other peoples business), a great sing-a-long build on the strength of Aga’s voice.

    They lured folks to the stage and finished towards an by then much better filled Stellwerk.

    From that Street Punk niche the baton was handed almost years back to a niche that may be called Proto Punk or maybe Glam Punk. Stuff for older folks that like their Saints, their Dictators or their Hellacopters.

    And to a singer that has even more umpf on her voice – say Hi to Hamburgs own Demolition Girls.

    Demolition Girls (Stellwerk, Hamburg, 03.02.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    They sure started of with the song that gave their name (and comes all the way from Down Under) and from there blasted through history.

    Plunder here, steal there and actually not giving a shit on that it must be from the 70s – here is Sweden, 2016:

    Wow, Barbro’s voice indeed fills the room and sends shivers down the spine.

    The other top-notch asset is the guitar, super-duper bad ass sound delivered in perfection. And all that, paired with the rock solid rhythm section (sporting a Demolition Bass), forced the lot to dance along, almost like no tomorrow.

    And youth and age united in front of the stage. Cool.

    Demolition Girls (Stellwerk, Hamburg, 03.02.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    It definitely felt like all of the energy coming down from the stage was sucked up by the audience and reflected back in dancing, sing-a-long and cheers. I can assure you that at the end of their crisp set a wave of enthusiasm went through the room.

    How to move on from that high?

    Simple. Thrown in Küken and get the most unpretentious blast ever. Blasting the lot ten levels higher.

    They took only a couple of minutes to set themselves up, played 30 seconds to assure overall sound and then …

    … you get a perfect “RnR Band” (from Küken II). And that set the pace for their set.

    No frills. No fills. No cheap borrowed time. Nothing wasted on addressing the audience (though i heard a simple thank you along the way) – it was a sheer blast of energy that made everyone dance (at least in front of the stage).

    Küken (Stellwerk, Hamburg, 03.02.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    With Küken i though i always knew what i was getting but here and tonight they took it to the next level. I already came to the show with the idea to buy their new record released in late December but that idea turned into determination: I must score their 3rd LP, no matter what.

    Küken – s/t (III) (Alien Snatch! Records 2023)

    And as always when a band convinces we me live i sure scored their new long player after the show and in contrast to some reviews that where traded on anti-social media it is a total worthy effort. You get Küken, 100% real and authentic.

    As ever their set was crisp to the max, speedy to the max and short (as their songs). And as ever it left me yearning for more.

    Slanders where supposed to start next but it took them ages to set up and be ready. Whilst waiting for their drummer (who went AWOL without completing setup) Greg looked almost helpless, shrugged his shoulders and asked the audience “My gosh, what was that blast by Küken“. He, as a fellow musician, seemed as much taken by surprise as the audience was.

    Once Slanders where ready they kicked into gear like this:

    Say Hi to yet another niche, the ever friendly, ever speedy Pop Punk with a Ramonescore undercurrent. 4th band, 4th different genre. Still, they got the lot dancing and sing-ing-along again.

    It was also cool to see Gregs bandmates from his other band in the audience, all smiling and humming away to the Slanders. And it was utmost cool to see the audience sending them hearts (…melting away).

    Slanders (Stellwerk, Hamburg, 03.02.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    They got plenty of cheers and the longer they played the better they got into it.

    High speed stuff at par with their American contemporaries and i would bet ready for a Punk Rock Raduno stint. At least one PRR Hoodie was present in the audience, setting the right scenery.

    Once Slanders finished, i sensed a bit of exhaustion in the audience. 4 bands in almost quick succession – for some it seemed too much (and specifically for those on booze).

    I also sensed the same exhaustion with me mates who support the other team in Hamburg, their late (and delayed) away game was underway with varying results over the 2nd half, sending them into despair and joy (at the end).

    The last slot was for Arrested Denial, who just supported Buster Shuffle at the Knust in a return from a longer hiatus. For me they are bit of a mixed bag, i would not go as far as a friend did (“My gosh, they are Deutsch Punk – i am outta here“) but their style of Street Punk with some Ska and Trumpet thrown in just does not klick as much as others do for me.

    Arrested Denial (Stellwerk, Hamburg, 03.02.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024

    They had their fans present, they also had sing-a-long in front of the stage but it did feel a bit more empty than with the other bands that night. It may not have worked for me, it should not discourage you to check them out for yerself.

    Overall a great – if not the best – Punk Rock Hamburg Festival. The only downside was that throughout all set the lights where … shite. Actually less than shite. I guess there was not a single second where the stage got proper light to have the band visible.

    But besides the light (that was shite, ctd) it was a real cool showcase of local Punk Rock Hamburg capabilities, on and off stage. And that paired with both Hamburg teams winning their footie games … made many many people really happy.

    My happiness was with Demolition Girls, Küken and Slanders and the relentless dancing in front of the stage. Just puurrrfect and with loads of applause from the audience. My happiness was also with the simple fact that it was sold out, a definitive prove of the power of the community.

    As such do remember that the applause went too to those fine people who orchestrate the Punk Rock Hamburg community and the folks of the Stellwerk: Without them … we would be not be having it! And we had it, big time!

    NB: Extra cudos to the young punk up front for dancing and smiling throughout all the night – stick into it my friend, stick into it!