On Friday the great Hamburg Punk offer “HH-Soundtrack” was far from sold out but The Bronx and Frank Carter sold out the Logo in record time months ago. And whilst everything on Friday dragged on it was very advisable to be early as the Logo operates on schedule! And indeed at 20:00 was kick off!
First on where “Pounded by the Surf”, just another side project by The Bronx. This time round it is the classic Western/Surf sound that provided the backdrop to endless 60s movies.
As a connoisseur of Surf and a true believer that Surf and Punk/Hardcore go well together i was thrilled and not let down. Great stage looks and laid back atmosphere…nice one, here is a snippet:
and within 25 minutes that was done. With the least amount of change Frank Carter (of Gallows fame) and his Rattlesnakes came on – rumors of their apparently fantastic Reeperbahn Festival show had made town and people indeed looked forward to it.
I for myself was a wee bit disappointed but without any regrets – Frank was plagued with a cold, mike problems, being drowned in beer and the fact that their bass player had to fly back to the UK on an errand. So they got emergency help by two bass players from the travelling circus they where with.
At the end they tried to get it across with everything they had to give and for that they for sure deserve credit. They did not play long but had the crowd going, including Frank being intimidated by that large bloke named Karsten.
I do love The Bronx but the few times they had played Hamburg i ditched the option to see them for whatever reason. Boy was i wrong! They are just a perfect piece of hardcore punk fucking rock with a heavy scent of Schweinerock thrown in.
And against that they have a singer that not only controls the audience but roams it left right and centre – slamming, singing and taking any possible (and impossible) other elevated space of the room as a stage.
And that got me and me mates actually “onto stage” at this show, sans backstage pass. Just great and so full of energy. And a band that does not have any limits – they night was declared “Bradfest” as bass player Brad not only played in “Pounded by the Surf” but also helped out with “The Rattlesnakes” before serving standard duties in The Bronx on his fucking birthday (cakes and sloppy audience singing included!)
And that is infamous Karsten slamming off the stage – Matt cooled him with a bouquet of flowers.
All in all that Bronx set was most likely the most energetic and inclusive show that i have seen 2015: No holding back on sound, no holding back on singing and for fucks sake no holding back on Matt singing from the audience. The Bronx both stoked and soaked the crowd and the Logo (respectively) to the max: Sweat was dripping from low ceiling like rain and quite some equipment (lights) got torn down from the ceiling by slamming and ceiling walking (upside down).
We had a couple of beers after the show, watching the bands packing up until the Logo was completely empty. And whilst doing so we tallied 2015 and came to the conclusion that Bradfest 2015 was THE SHOW in 2015 (at least so far and not too many to come)!
Well done The Bronx and Frank Carter for winning that title preliminary!
As it was too dark and too much action (and i was too thrilled) i did not take too many videos and pictures, so here is my fav song:
And the great words to yell along:
hey got you working on the weekdays They got you working on the weekends too And now you're swallowing your paycheck Like it's what you always dreamed you'd do When you look into the mirror Does your fate get any clearer? Are you hanging on your last hope When you look under the microscope? Are you the anti-Christ or the holy ghost? Do you wanna die or just come real close? They got you rotting on the spotlight Thinking everyone knows who you are And now you're talking like a prophet Hustling money from a shooting star Will you shake into the sunset? Will you run from your judgment? Will you trip across the tight wind? Will you fall into your own shrine? Is it heaven or hell inside your mind? Are you the anti-Christ or the holy ghost? Do you wanna die or just come real close? Are you the anti-Christ or the holy ghost? Do you wanna die or just come real close? Oh Are you the anti-Christ or the holy ghost? Do you wanna die or just come real close? Are you the anti-Christ or the holy ghost? Do you wanna die or just come real close?
And they have a secret other other side you may not believe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YpnSbHtHDg
And the best? My hangover was cured by a 2:1 away win on Sunday. Love it!