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Tag: Mess

  • … a return of sorts: Claimed Choice, Mess and Lion’s Law!

    … a return of sorts: Claimed Choice, Mess and Lion’s Law!

    Back to the Monkeys, back to them beloved French (with a scent of Mēxihco). It was an early show, doors to open right after the ballot for the nationwide election closed. Too early for some, only some 50 people came “on time” whilst just about 300 tickets were sold upfront.

    The early start duty went to Claimed Choice, which for me was like seeing the headliner first. At least they would get a bigger turnout than 2023, where a mere 30 people made an effort to see them.

    The Monkeys adapted the schedule slightly backwards and Claimed Choice came on when it was more than half filled. And they took the audience by storm i guess.

    Claimed Choice (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    Partly it was down to the overall good mood present in the audience, i felt excitement all around for the package tonight despite the ballot results indicating … expected shite. And partly for sure it was driven by the uplifting sound of Claimed Choice.

    Here is their prime example, wandering way beyong the Oi! genre and with quite some capabilities when it comes to song writing, structure, harmonies … you name it!

    Another State Of Mind, un deux trois quatre!

    A short but really good set, already driving some dancing in front of the stage. And providing a little nugget as in a new record of them being right around the corner.

    Claimed Choice (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    I guess having played almost every day on this run with Lion’s Law and Mess across Europe over the last 3 weeks made them both well rehearsed and pretty tight.

    Next Mess, who made their debut in Hamburg at the Hafenklang in 2022. Back then i concluded:

    Much more basic, much more stripped down
    and – with a positive spin – amateurish. Or simply: Authentic.

    Three years later i got to admit that the A-word to be used now needs to be accomplished. I guess they have played a lot and have perfected their sound on the way.

    Much more than at the Hafenklang they came across tight and creating a forceful and pushy wall of sound, topped with multi-vocal chorus singing.

    With that they definitely got the lot in front of the stage moving much more than i expected.

    Mess (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.01.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    Somewhat it is great to see how far they have developed, how much they turned from their initial novelty status to a force to recon state. A definite force!

    Saying Claimed Choice had the best songs and Mess had the best force must result in saying that Lion’s Law had the audience. I guess even before they entered the stage.

    Here is how they kicked off, that is Crucified from their brand new 2025 album:

    From the kick-off they indeed owned the audience, with all elements that go with it: Sing-a-long, fist in the air and dancing, be it male or female. As much as they came as one down from the stage they took the audience as one with them and provided a feel of unity.

    Lion's Law (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    I have seen them a couple of times but not for the last 7 years, because in my ears there was a little growing scent of metal coming into their sound. And that i did not dig.

    Seeing them now in 2025 i guess that was somewhat a wrong judgement, they simply have a much more professional sound (and thus wider), a much more professional delivery mode.

    Not really my thingy today but the way they engage and get the crowd along is top notch entertainment. And frank, even if i do not buy a record of them anymore it ain’t a waste of time to see them.

    Lion's Law (Monkeys, Hamburg, 23.02.2025 (c) gehkacken.de 2025)

    And where me and me mates took that professional delivery with some distance (and still enjoyed it, do not get me wrong) the vast majority of the audience went apeshit and beyond, with broad smiles and all sweaty.

    Lion’s Law had them, big time.

    Early show, early end. Bands playing in order of my preference. A pint upfront and a Cuba Libre afterwards. And surrounded by happy people and mates. And bands delivering.

    Not a bad end for an election day.

    PS: Pity though that i learned after the show that at least one band member i supported on stage happily supports and shares the latest boycott campaign on the Hafenklang due to it’s stance wrt to the conflict in Palestina/Israel. Does not make me happy at all, it rather frustrates the hell out of me.

    Another shook me head moment came when a mate, coming back from a pee, reported that his pissing experience was impacted by band members in need of Colombian marching powder (and choosing the Monkeys toilet to consume).

    There ain’t no business like a traveling show, eh?

  • … UK82 reloaded: Mess, all the way on Intercity from Guadalajara!

    … UK82 reloaded: Mess, all the way on Intercity from Guadalajara!

    Another great Monday evening at the Hafenklang was waiting for me and me mates, MESS all the way from Guadalajara, Mexico, would be in town. Plenty of folks got attracted by their sound, many where eager to grab their vinyl and one even made the effort to see them in Berlin a day earlier.

    Support was local and fitting, the RED⚒BRICKS where providing the warm-up. I have noted their record and i took note of their struggles from the need to replace the singer like the day prior their record release show – but i was yet to see them live.

    I guess thanks to them it was already well filled upstairs at the Hafenklang when they kicked off. Their sound is pretty dense, neither fast nor harsh, and they not fall victim of the trap of putting themselves into an obvious Oi! or Skinhead cupboard.

    RED⚒BRICKS (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 14.11.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)

    Controlled speed, loads of melodies and as an asset a pretty decent signature bass play, sometime carrying the songs that bit further that makes it worthwhile to listen. I am not sure if the singer resp. the vocals is a full fit, but that is just me and me mu-sick-al preferences – i would prefer it harsher and a bit more … dangerous maybe? Adventurous?

    Good tight set, excellent sound and some applause but actually they did not get people dancing.

    With a quick changeover MESS took the stage and took it into a different territory: Much more basic, much more stripped down and – with a positive spin – amateurish. Or simply: Authentic. Whilst many refer to them as “ah, the Mexican Blitz” i don’t think that default provides them justice.

    MESS (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 14.11.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)

    Sure some of the guitar at moments has that Blitz sound but by and large they are a very basic, very energetic and pretty much non-nonsense band that takes inspiration from UK82 (to use their own reference).

    At times they indeed sounded like lads just picking up instruments back in 1982 and screaming it out to friends, at other times they actually proofed that they are close, tight and able to create a sing-a-long wall of sound.

    Just like here with “Street Boys”:

    A great sing-a-long by the way:

    We have been challenged
To hate the whole world
Stand firm, stand proud

We have walked
The streets for hours
Searching for a way out

We are street boys ! X 4

We are different
And we will fight for ours
Struggle while growing old

We are tough guys
And we don't need your lies
Never say why, never say die

We are street boys ! X 4

    I liked it, many of me mates liked it (just one found them too lightweight) and the well packed audience at the Hafenklang liked them too, even beyond the novelty bonus of an Oi! Band from Mexico. I would definitely see them again, they are worth it.

    Worthy was also the shopping experience, being alerted of low quantities of records already ahead of the show i broke my own rules and purchased the vinyl prior to the band convincing me live. And i was lucky to score all i wanted, including the MESS / The Chisel split EP in colored vinyl. Lucky greedy bastard me!

    In case you need it this shit too – which is not only great songs but also great packaging – try local at Sounds Of Subterrania!

    Best shopping for a #recordcollectorbeingapretentiousarsehole

    It is these shows that actually make my day, specifically when that day was spoiled on the work front. Best club, best booking, best companions (many life long by now) and great new music. Luv it, love you (you know who you are).

    PS: Thanks to Beno for the video, i was too busy enjoying the band to shoot one myself.