Sure we all know stuff from Asia, specifically Punk and utmost brutal H/C from Japan. But Korea, that still divided peninsula, ain’t ever came across my mu-sick-al geography.
Slant (Korean: 슬랜트) are from Seoul and came across my screen in 2021 when Iron Lung released their first LP, aptly called Album 1. Hard, fast and plenty of screams by that tiny girl on vocals.
And on top this video snippet sure added visuals to it:
Yep, that sounds and looks interesting. And that was not only for me, also for many others. To no surprise their boat trip show on the tiny MS Hedi was sold out upfront and to an even bigger surprise everybody showed up.
As such the MS Hedi was packed. Once it set sail into the surprisingly mild evening and calm river the lot packed the space around the setup … and no band to see.
It took a while until Slant manned the rigs and performed their first set. And i would guess within 12 minutes that was over. From where i stood the sound was sub-optimal and for me it came across as very basic H/C.
The MS Hedi did not more between sets, simply kept sailing and DJ music floating for the lot. After, let’s guess 30 minutes, Slant took the helm for a 2nd set and that one made much more click with me (maybe because i relocated): Drive, umpf and less basic hardcore but a very modern sound (though they performed only as a 4 piece with one guitar).
It sounded very much like on their recent demo (for the 2023 Japan tour):
But also the 2nd set was over just within minutes (let’s say 11), though to much cheer from the audience.
I had a bit a fear that people would only ever dig them because of the novelty status (a band from Korea over at these shores) but in hindsight i take it that was wrong. Slant proved a genuine and well oiled band.
Where they really suited for the MS Hedi? My take would be – nope. I would rather want to see them upstairs at the Hafenklang with a 25 minute set.
It was entertaining but way to … crisp. As in short.
But luckily i had friends around me, so we could chat at length about age, sicknesses and retirement.
I guess by now it is an annual tradition: Showboating with the Bad Job Boys. Two hours of entertainment on the mighty River Elbe (a board of an not so mighty vessel), with one set dedicated to favorites plus new songs and the other one to crowd and band favorites (as in covers with Guest singers).
Unfortunately the start was more somber, 25% of the ticket holders seemed (or where confirmed) off sick, the soundman had to de-board (being sick) needing a replacement and some of the lot hoppled to the MS Hedi. And yes, we traded doc stories but kept our x-rays out of the discussion.
And on top the weather was perfect wet Hamburg autumn.
Sure this did not deter fans (who came as far as from sunny Bergamo, home of the finest DIY festival in this galaxy) nor band, off it went into the dark (and frank, these tours make more fun when the sun is up to say 21:00).
The Bad Job Boys kicked off with quite some energy, early on gave the lot new songs that, despite being showcased for the first time, sounded perfectly polished.
Bad Job Boys (MS Hedi, Hamburg, 08.10.2025) (c) gehkacken.de 2025
Knowing that Frank was out some time with his foot i wonder how often they where able to rehearse together. More then ever they came across perfectly in sync, not a slip of chord or break.
Bad Job Boys – Setlist (MS Hedi, Hamburg, 08.10.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)
Sad thing though during the 2nd set that none of the audience took the challenge to jump in and sing a cover with them (instead of those planed in but absent due to sickness).
So that job went solely to Mike, Denis (of Nixda! fame) and Sabine (of Bullshit Boy fame) gave umpf to sing-a-long hits like Waiting Room, Gotta Getaway or Bodies. And for sure one of the biggest sing-a-longs that ever came out of Hamburg: Nein Nein Nein!
Bad Job Boys (MS Hedi, Hamburg, 08.10.2025) (c) gehkacken.de 2025
The evening started with chatting about sickness and injuries, at the end of the 2nd set it also haunted the Boys. Piotr had issues with (my guess) the tendons in his play arm and could not play the bass anymore. After a short rest he tried again, but the pain was too big.
That somewhat cut the planed noisy return into the harbor short, it was a more silent return unfortunately. Let’s hope it ain’t serious, speedy recovery!
Nice one again, though a spacious sold out feels a wee bit off. But it remains a great fixture, provides perfect showboating with friends and provides hope that some of the new songs have actually been penned down to be recorded.
The Hamburg lot tends to dig regular fixtures. Be it the Razors with their year end “Burn Down The Baum” at the Knust, be it the Punk Rock Hamburg Fest at the beginning of the year … and now it looks like the Bad Job Boys giving the lot another annual event: The October Showboating on the MS Hedi.
Last year they set sail early in October and gained plenty of critical acclaim, most likely also for the idea to not enlist a support band but have friends from other bands jumping in and sing with them.
This year was 2nd verse, same as the first: A first trip on the Hedi with only their songs, followed by booze replenishment and a 2nd trip with a mixture of own and covered songs, up to and including guest singer choices.
Rounds One thus gave the lot the following set:
Bad Job Boys – Setlist (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 23.10.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
Different songs compared to last year and also slightly different in presentation: Much more together, much more coming through that they have made steps forward on the mu-sick-al front. And this includes new songs too, though sometimes the songs seem a wee bit too long, a wee bit too much extra bridge/verse etc. thrown in.
Bad Job Boys (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 23.10.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
But that complaint comes from an ignorant who likes it hard & fast and below the 2:00 minute mark by definition, so do not trust my judgement necessarily.
Bad Job Boys (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 23.10.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
Round Two, just like last year, was looking to be the fun one, upon gazing onto the setlist i was already thinking about who would join and what song he/she would be taking – some obvious choices, others not so obvious.
Bad Job Boys – Setlist (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 23.10.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
Babro from Demolition Girls made the first stance jumping in for Faye Fife with an all-time favorite sing-a-long and a song that lends itself perfectly to a male-female back/forth singing.
And the use of sunglasses after dark.
Watch the skies above the horizon For the spies who have no flies on When they appear through the stratosphere Better lock yourself inside
Flying Saucer Attack I'm never coming back Oh, oh oh Until it's over
And here is that Scottish beauty back in 1978 on TV:
Perfect start into even more fun to come.
And this time round they fast forwarded into the mid-80s, covering Dag Nasty and giving the lot another all-time favorite sing-a-long that the audience was able to get into, single-handedly.
Twelve ounces of courage Makes the world look better You love the attention You never had it You never had it before
Under your influence, right goes wrong Under your influence, crossed my mind Under your influence, right goes wrong Under your influence, you crossed my mind for the last time
Dag Nasty, in the almost brief period with Dave Smalley, did it like this:
Boy, that was a fun one indeed! And a stark reminder that once i have my DeLorean fixed up D.C. in 1986 is worth a visit.
Not all invited to sing with the boys could make it: Sabine from Bullshit Boy was off sick, Diggen from Slime had conflicting commitments. But Yannik from The Haermorrhoids, who also does sound on the Hedi, jumped into and did a short & fast song with them.
Bad Job Boys (M/S Hedi, Hamburg, 23.10.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
For the final Mike, old Buttocks pale of Stéphane, joined in. And surprised us big time not only with his outfit (a cool The Unknowns shirt scored just the other week at the Komet) but also with his choice of a one-hit-wonder:
1, 2, 3, 4!
I don't read sounds or NME I know what I like, it's good enough for me You say you just wanna be free I say bullshit anarchy
It could be me, it could be me It could be me, it could be me It could be me, it could be me, it could be me, it could be me, it could be me
The Killjoys, sporting soon to be Midnight Runner Kevin Rowland in his 2nd attempt to get famous. I’ll fated, but leaving behind a great single on Raw Records.
And just another all-time favorite sing-a-long of the lot. Here it is in a staged setup (remember, 2nd attempt for fame):
Sure thing Mike topped it up with another class redemption of the Buttocks classic Kill The Pigs, much to the liking of the audience – who was close, upfront and dancing along.
Perfect Showboating trip again, though the contrast between the two sets almost was too big. But the open question from last year (“How the heck will the Bad Job Boys ever top this night?“) was answered with ease: By just doing it again, slightly different.
Well done Bad Job Boys, you pushed the mark to high tide – next year you will need to flood!
PS: Big hugs to Frosch for the videos! Enjoy the Spanish sun!
PPS: Thanks for all those checking back with me re. my loved ones – they are out of hospital but it is still a struggle. Hopefully uphill.
Next show for the Bad Job Boys is on 16th of November over in sunny Osnabrück at the Trash:
