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Tag: Spitfire Stevens

… weggeblazen door aanstekelijke punk rock uit Amsterdamned: The Covids!
Football Euro Championship opening game with Germany, 50.000 on the Heiligengeistfeld plus many in pubs all across the Reeperbahn – all of no interest for the few that made their way to the Komet. Still, the almost empty streets gave the stroll over to the Komet an unreal feeling for a Friday evening.

I was keen to enter the cellar (that i more dislike for shows than like) not only because my last Spitfire Stevens show was a long time ago but even more because the hottest shit from Dutchistan was to grace Hamburg.

These two created enough pull for me, pity though that the turnout was far from packed, specifically the energetic show of The Covids should have had a packed house (or rightaway a packed bigger house and stage).

A somewhat negative surprise awaited us, at least that was the initial feel, in the simple message that a US 3-piece had bragged it’s way onto the stage as support for the support. And no, it wasn’t Green Day.

When we finally got down from the bar into the cellar that unspecified band had already started, 2 guys on strings, a girl on drums. And loaded with negative energy it sounded initially like an open rehearsal. Though quickly i had the feeling that my brain was about to betray me.
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Nauseaters (Komet, Hamburg, 14.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
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After the set, lasting about 30 minutes, the negative feeling though had turned. Because they had a cool (and tricky) name as in Nauseaters and they had a wee bit a Power Pop undercurrent of the better side.

Undercurrent as much as the guitar tended towards the heavier side (Flying V model, most likely can not be played non-heavy) but still you could make out the sugar coating somewhat.

After their set we got to understand what got them onto the stage – they had a free slot within a a DIY trip across central Europe and had taken residence in Hamburg.

It was not fully up my alley but it had enough pop nuggets scattered across to keep me entertained. If you come across them – go and check them out.

Next Hamburgs own and only Spitpunk band and Spitfire Stevens set out to give the lot (including family and friends) the following classics and newbies:

Spitfire Stevens – Setlist (Komet, Hamburg, 14.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de)

As ever the band was well dressed, uniformly (always a bonus), and well behaved. But from the start there were sound problems, Luke was barley audible. And frank, the guitars were way too loud, giving even some of the more mellow songs a very rough edge.
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Spitfire Stevens (Komet, Hamburg, 14.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
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Yannick, of Haermorrhoids fame, who does sound at the Komet tried to persuade both guitars to reduce volume but somewhat that felt between the cracks or on already deaf ears – it only ever improved slightly.

Luckily a large portion of the audience knew the songs and thus was able to lip-snyc with Luke, who neither could hear himself nor see the audience (as he was standing exactly where an LED sport was soaking colorful light onto the stage).
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Spitfire Stevens (Komet, Hamburg, 14.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
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Strange set somewhat, it was far from the balanced sound they normally are able to get across. A mate noted that it felt to him like a totally roughed up set and thus a unique positive experience. I definitely missed the softer, more mellow sound structures and i was not alone with the feel that it was not their most stellar delivery.

That said, i bet you they come back from this unharmed and their next show … will be their best. Have faith, fans!

The Covids next and this is how they took residence on the tiny stage of the Komet:

Bang! And proof that the sound can be good, if everything is set in concert.

What do we get here? A hard hitting girl on drums that holds them together and adds vocals, a sturdy bass that secretly sings along to every song, a guitar that finds the right balance between too hard and too soft plus a singer that roams the audience and is a real front man.

Cudos, Covids – you got a very fitting and very modern mixture here!
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The Covids (Komet, Hamburg, 14.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
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What surprised my even more was that the three in the back managed to keep their position on the tiny stage and specifically them strings not falling into the trap of moving (and either falling off and/or hitting their head).
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The Covids (Komet, Hamburg, 14.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
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The music they play is full of drive, energetic and borrows a lot: Their self proclaimed references include ’77 punk, punk, garage punk, glam, proto-punk, punk rock and rhythm & blues and that is not far off from reality.

The tiny stage though felt like an artificial limitation, they should be allowed to roam around, thus i hope their next visit to Hamburg gives them a larger audience and a bigger stage.

When it came to encore, i was lucky, as they started with my loveliest Covids song: Light A Match (Farmboy) from their really cool LP. Go and check it out loud:
<a href="https://wapshoowaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/bust-to-bits-album">Bust to Bits (album) by The Covids</a>
That is indeed a real cool banger that has it all, near to perfection. Whouah!

Luckily for the lot they did not stop there and added a couple of more songs, almost enthusiastically received and people danced along with the singer.
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The Covids (Komet, Hamburg, 14.06.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024)
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Perfect show by The Covids and i guess indeed they are currently the hottest shit from Dutchistan. Can i have a whish? Make it like Nauseaters, brag you way into a support the support slot at the Knust on 26.07.2024, supporting The Briefs and The Spits.

Alsjeblieft! Bedankt!

As ever when a band convinces me live i score vinyl, here we go with the LP and the “Banned from the USA” single. Go and click on the pic, it gets you to Wap Shoo Wap Records were you can order it rightaway!

The Covids on Wap Shoo Wap Records (from Amsterdamned)

Because of the 3 bands the evening turned out longer than expected but surrounded by like minded connoisseurs i could finish it off with a cold beer.

Nice one.
2024/06/16
… Spitfire Stevens & Nasser Hund: All local, all in!
This was to happen ages ago at the Molotow but was pulled during the end of Covid due to lack of advanced tickets sold if i am not mistaken. So both bands took it down the Große Freiheit to the Indra where they double headlined a “local for the locals” show.

First on Spitfire Stevens with their unique Spit Punk. I somehow sensed they where somewhat nervous and frank the first couple of songs where not fully on the mark. Here is one example, Here And Back Again from their 2017 10″ (still the coolest format around):

The more they played, the more self assured they got – also because they got their share of support from the audience (that was anyway 100% local friends). Still, at some times i had the feeling that especially the drummer drifted away (either into his own world or into sleep).
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Spitfire Stevens (Indra, Hamburg, 31.03.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
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Towards the 2nd half of the set they where in full swing, only the sound and light was not fully optimal (light actually was not ok at all but as far as i understood nobody was really looking after it anyway).

They also inserted something untypical that was meant as a nod to Sonny Vincent – much appreciated actually:

Whilst Spitfire Stevens are sure not the most customer (consumer?) engaging entity and their sound is also not too much ear pleasing for the average Tom, Dick or Harry i stay by the fact that they have something. On this occasion though it did not shine through all the time, but i was more than happy to see Luke and his comrades again on stage.

With a quick changeover Nasser Hund took the stage and Arne strummed them with his signature bass sound into Alle Erbsen Sind Gezählt:

Is your view blurry? Get new glasses… Not. My bad, i somehow de-focused that song.

From the start their songs where more upbeat and had more speed than Spitfire Stevens. And where Spitfire Stevens cover a wide spectrum, Nasser Hund nail it down as perfect Power Pop with a deep grounding in Punk Rock.

Plus: Almost all of their songs feature great storytelling and all of their lyrics are worth to listen into.
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Nasser Hund (Indra, Hamburg, 31.03.2023 (c) gehkacken.de 2023)
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In addition all three are near perfect musicians on their instruments, allowing them to also throw in random differences (licks, breaks, chords – you name it) that give the songs so much more life on stage.

Here a perfect live version of Sie Lächeln Nur Auf Fotos:

Throughout the set they even enlisted the big voice of Barbro (Demolition Girls) to give two songs some extra Chorus-umpf, not sure if it was rehearsed or an on the spot idea. But it gave the whole presentation some additional and welcome strength – maybe an idea that can be extend further?

They got loads of applause and had many smiling faces in front of the stage, though further back the Indra felt a wee bit empty.

But good to see that local bands still get locals out and that it does not always have to be a support slot. Around midnight it was over and thus time for gentle stroll home, as #nineinarow was waiting around noon on Saturday.

Great entertainment surrounded by friends. Perfect setting and another show where i stayed away from booze – works!
2023/04/04
… the return of boozing and dancing in front of the stage – don’t let it stop here!
It has been a while (since i attended a show standing) and it took a while until our local government set the new rules under a higher (but not high enough) vaccination quota. And then it took a while for clubs, regulars and bands to get their head around it and come to a conclusion.

The Molotow decided for 2G, specifically as their backyards counts as “outdoor” and thus allowed for standing, drinking and … no masks. The only funny (or odd, if you will) item was that i could stand unconstrained with the lot in front of the stage but should we be in need of a pee we had to wear a mask, as the loo is indoors. But an easy price to pay for that time travel back almost two years!

First on THIAVV, who are not really from my circuit but in their little corner of the mu-sick-al universe are treated as hot shit. I have seen all bands they originate from (Plastic Propaganda, Cavity/Search, Violent Instinct) and was surprised that THIAVV is not just a blend of everything but something unique (though like fallen out of time, eg. straight from 1985).

What did i get? Pounding drums managed by the Animal. A driving bass with almost feminine vocals exercised by the towering Pablo Boredom. And across all of that an overtone of high pitched flirting guitar, i guess full of effects, delivered by Julian Human Capital.

See for yerself how it looked and sounded:

They came together in 2017, took stage in early 2020 with the intend to go strong … and got cut short by Covid. As they did not give in, they seem to be earnest with what they are doing and continued to practice and get new songs under their belt.

It is not exactly what i look for in mu-sick but as ever i do recognize effort and determination and for that they got my applause. Their little niche is a niche that i avoided post punk, whilst others took that path i took on H/C rather.
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THIAVV (Molotow, Hamburg, 21.09.2021 (c) gehkacken.de 2021)
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They played a crisp set, did not wander off into endless soundscapes and by the looks of it they had fun. I guess as much fun as the audience in front of the stage, where everyone enjoyed live mu-sick with maskless walking around, direct social interaction and drinking – be it booze or not.

On came the headliners and local heroes Spitfire Stevens. They still are at odds with a single mu-sick-al cupboard, the best i ever heard is that Luke and his vocals stretch them between Ian Curtis dark room and GG Allins hate chamber. Indeed – he is a kind of a personality. By the way one of the most charming and positive persons around and the only one i know that can do the gum-knee-dance.
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Spitfire Stevens (Molotow, Hamburg, 21.09.2021 (c) gehkacken.de 2021)
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They delivered all of their spread: From slow, post-punk and Joy Division like all they way to short crisp snotty punk smashers. Here is a rather mellow song from their 2017 10″ (and you got to love them for their preferred vinyl format choice):

They played much longer than i thought, though both myself and other noted a little bit of stretching within it. Where other bands go bang-bang-bang, they take their time and enjoy their breaks.
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Spitfire Stevens (Molotow, Hamburg, 21.09.2021 (c) gehkacken.de 2021)
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They had the audience anyway but given the circumstances the audience had an almost normal setting back and was thus super-duper happy. That said i would guess that for quite a while we will continue to enjoy local heroes rather than traveling bands, as touring across all the various patches of rules is almost impracticable.

At the end both band and fans where happy and the net result could be seen scattered around the Molotw backyard tables …

And whilst the first young folks entered the place for a Friday night out dancing to indie mu-sick the Oldpunk lot kept bragging, drinking and largely enjoying the evening.

Many of the lot got ready to see Sixteen Again, Kücken, Sheep On A Tree and Razors the day after outdoor in the Harburg Harbor, i had to turn to a family thingy and had to let that opportunity go by. My hangover on Saturday anyway asked for a break though that little sun that started growing again on Friday did warm my day.

Now i want more of these G2 gigs, it is the right way forward as far as i am concerned. Next Stop: Jam Today / Sixteen Again on the MS Hedi, who luckily also starts to set sail again. And, double lucky, the Hafenklang also is open again.

Happiness.
2021/09/19