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Tag: Pretty Vacant HQ

  • … another pretty, vacant and DIY show!

    … another pretty, vacant and DIY show!

    Another Limited Edition show at the Pretty Vacant HQ, aptly limited to 77 tickets. Average age of attendance was also much nearer to 77 than to 18, though many of the good folks attending where praising the DIY feel it had, much like “back then” (which in Hamburg would be Krawall 2000 times and 1979).

    The rooster was almost a Sounds Of Subterrania (just another DIY venture) exclusive, all the way north from sunny Ålborg came the migthy Columbian Neckties and venturing north from sunny Kölle where the Cellophane Suckers. Two bands destined for raunchy, sleazy and fast paced Punk’n’Roll.

    And both bands share the same fate: I have records of them but i can not recall to ever have seen them live. So easiest choice for me to get out, despite the sorrow of a family loss and an injured foot.

    The Cellophane Suckers kicked it off and from the start delivered in top form: Solid backline of Drum & Bass, dueling guitars and a singer leaning all in (and going shirtless in 1,2,3 … 4).

    Cellophane Suckers (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Their career spans since 1993 i think and within that they have ventured criss-cross many mu-sick-al lables, exploring the boundaries within our little niche (with a tendency to what people may dub Garage Rock, Sleaze Punk or simply … Punk mutherfucking Rock).

    The songs differ in length, my loveliest one was this short banger that effectively showcases all of their abilities within a 01:30 limit…

    … Rise Up!

    No chord spared, no unnecessary reprise, verse or chorus.

    There where also other songs that stretched much longer, if i am not mistaken the rest of the band on one took the piss out of the singer (who suffered under the 12 600 watts emitters called stage lights) by extend one song almost into oblivion (just by encouraging each other with quick looks and eye brow nods the singer did not realize).

    Cellophane Suckers (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    They had fund on stage, the audience had fun and despite the heat emitters it was a near perfect sound. Spinal Tap moment: Turning the Marshall Amp Beer Fridge on stage to … 11.

    They know what they do!

    Columbian Neckties next, hampered though by they bass player being off sick and having to short notice recruit and train a tour replacement. According to Jeppe that took Torben only one hour … though on stage he got a little chord helper laid down on the floor.

    With them, the Punk’n’Roll had less speed but more depth (at least my mu-sick-al receptors decoded it that way), relentless driven forward by the guitar.

    Columbuian Neckties (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    It felt a wee bit like a wall of sound and that feeling was utmost good. And just like the singer of the Cellophane Suckers Jeppe succumbed to the heat emitters and went 1,2,3 Oberkörper Frei in due cause.

    Their approach has been summed up almost perfect like this:

    This is Punk – Punk and not Rock in disguise. Garage will always be Garage and that means getting your hands dirty. Their shows never fall short from being total revelations and are cramped with energy to an extent, that you could illuminate the Autobahn at night, if we were able to feed that energy into our power circuits.

    Most of all, Columbian Neckties are real! Not just Students jamming around, No Dressmen, no ‘we’ll-do-whatever-the-industry-can-sell’ – types, but rather the boys from nextdoor who happen to play mindblowing Garagepunk.

    And boy, there is nothing to add to this!

    Columbuian Neckties (Pretty Vacant HQ, Hamburg, 13.09.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    They got the lot even more engaged than the Cellophane Sucker, more dancing and i guess even more cheers. And frank, they where a 110% fit for the makeshift DIY stage at the Pretty Vacant HQ.

    Very real!

    Once they where done the whole thing was not done yet, the good folks that throw this had organized a little raffle and every ticket could win. I was lucky, my (normally unlucky) #34 got me some Schnaps, a Dream Boogie LP and as the highest value item a professional air guitar plectron.

    …surprise raffle win – Dream Boogie LP on Sounds Of Subterrania

    The only pity was that my hurt foot started to be very painful whilst the Danes played and i had to sit down. I should have taken painkillers and drop the beer thingy.

    Looking forward to the next edition of PVHQ Limited Edition (that comes fast with Fat Flag and Youth Of Altona), it is utmost fun, done by utmost nice people and attended … by friends.

    Just like back then!

    100% DIY VIP Ticket!
  • … 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!