The good folks at the Hafenklang are just good folks – not only the opportunity for a K-Town warm up is being used year-on-year but this year they also got a bit of a wind down show together, initially themed more “Oi!” – from France Rixe and from the US No Time (a current favourite with some fellow folks in Hamburg and big time with my humble self).
Ahead of the show the Hafenklang announced that Protester and Red Death where to join too (without raising the bargain ticket price of 7€) because of them needing to travel through Hamburg anyway to finish their EU tour.
And Protester gave it a go: Wow, just another change – They lost their bass player en-route from K-Town and the singer took bass duties. Some in the audience made jokes like “… he needed to fly home, school restarts” but these where odd jokes actually! Or?
They kicked off like this:
Ok, also sans that bass player quite some neat sound. They looked no way tired and the guy on guitar yet again did a stunning job. They played a handful of songs and where quite thankful for yet another stage time at the Hafenklang. They also lowered the price tag for their LP from 15€ to 12€ and that was just another bargain on that day.
And as Protester where there sure that other band with 2/4th of Protester was there too and with little change Red Death kicked off:
A wee bit more to the metal side of things compared to Thursday but still a tight set and with some great enjoyment on stage – less so in front of said stage as a) not too many people did show up on this lovely Sunday evening and b) the OI! contingent present was rather waiting outside to see Rixe and No Time (and maybe c) even where taken by surprise by the two late additions). Never mind, that combination of Protester and Red Death being almost one touring band is a neat idea indeed.
And that did lead into the proposed setting, Rixe from France (with Wattie from Lions Law on bass) and No Time from Pittsburgh, PA (as in the US of A) were to kick some ass! And it was for Rixe to kick the audience into a complete reset of sound:
Old style Oi! with french vocals, so hard to make out what the actually sing about (as i just do not speak no fucking french). No to bad but also not too driving – think “Chaos en France” 1984ish – and in stark contrast to the two predecessors on stage. But sturdy, indeed sturdy.
They got their fair share of applause from the now more crowed space in front of the stage and they sure set a great marker in the more traditional Oi! sphere.
Them having played K-Town H/C Fest is just a cool confirmation that people do love and accept the wide range of good music in our little genre of the overall genre of rock mu-sick.
And then it was time for No Time, eagerly awaited by many. Me mates Frosch and Markus where so eager that they actually did drive up to Kiel to see them on the previous Tuesday (in front of less than 30 people, though tally of the number people at the Schaubude in Kiel is not fully confirmed). Other members of the audience went as far as ensuring to wear Blitz gear, something that the singer of No Time did mimic.
And they blasted into their set as follows:
Wow – from the first chords we where in a different league. Melodic but hard, tight and full front assault on the audience! One of the quotes if saw on them was “This stomp-feast is loaded with constant power-chords, rock-fused guitar leads, driving bass and drums and throaty vocal grunts.” Oh boy, that is indeed so true!
And a great setting on stage: Left a beard and long hair on guitar, next a bald bass player, a normal dude on drums and a guitar on the right again bold and tattooed to the max. And fronted by someone who prior (and after) to the show is mild mannered normal guy and with the first chord turns into an aggressive beast and bellows out the quite harsh lyrics.
Stunning, just stunning. And really delivered on a high level of mu-sick-al quality. And you could also sense that some in the audience where already in possession of their LP, as many did sing-a-long with No Time and had their fists in the air.
When they entered into their secret hit “Anti-Social” there was no more holding back – just listen to the folks getting aroused:
Hit, Hit, Hit! Now listen and repeat!
I'm giving up on today Aint nothing gonna go my way Damned if I do, damned if I don't You say it's gonna get better, it fucking won't I just wanna be left alone I'd be better off just staying at home Even the simplest things seem so involved I just wanna say fuck it all I'm anti-social Just stay away I'm anti-social Anti-social today Can't get this monkey off my back I'm a loose cannon, about to snap There's too much pressure, too much stress My life's in shambles, my heads a mess Got no hope, I'm at the end of my rope The week just started and I'm already broke Walk down the street with violent thoughts in my head Today the only thing I'm seeing is red I'm anti-social today
Just puuuuurfect!
No Time (Hamburg, Hafenklang, 19.06.2016 (c) gehkacken.de)
The only odd thing was that they only perfected like 13 (or 14) songs for the tour (and i wonder if they have more) and where done quite quickly. People would have loved more, and then some. So what they got was a nice “Fuck You”:
… and sure thing a Blitz cover to finish the set off:
Did the kids feel alright? Yes they did! Did some one die that night? Nope. Was it razor sharp? Indeed! So all in all a perfect Sunday that closed off what started on Thursday and what gave Hamburg as much exposure to the content of the K-Town H/C Festival as possible. Next we will see all US bands that play Rebellion in Blackpool, also playing left and right of that date in Hamburg (if only JFA would do the same).
And for many folks the night ended with some serious shopping, No Time LP’s went the bucket full and also Protester did sell some more. T-Shirts did not sell that well as the designs where – in my and some other views – imperfect.
But hey, yet again we are complaining on a first world problem i guess. We got perfect life music delivered by bands who love it, live it and enjoy it – what else do we want? Thanks again to Hafenklang for making it happen twice this year, much appreciated!
