The last time i saw Jerry A. was i think in 1994 when his short living outfit Gift graced the old Knust at Brandstwiete. I’d say an underrated band that had – to my liking – a great album on Tim Kerr Records going. But folded quickly. And then Jerry A. and Poison Idea disappeared from view somehow, though news of “Pig Champion” sadly passing away arrived and news got around that “Thee Slayer Hippy” was taken in by the police and got a sentencing for robbery. And remains in jail.
Whilst they disappeared from view the music never did, “Blank Blackout Vacant” remains a top effort with myself and songs like “Star of Baghdad” or “Punish Me” remain just top notch hit’s, recorded in an excellent production whilst keeping the “edge”. In contrast “We must burn” has a perfect production with equaly great songs but lost some of that edge. Aaarrgggh … sod it – both remain just perfect albums, period!
As such i was pleasantly surprised to see not only a new album (that turned out to be a worthy effort) but also a tour. As such the show at the Hafenklang was not to be missed. What i missed though was Nasty Pack from Leipzig as i do not dig their sound. So intro into the evening where Terrible Feelings from Sweden, a harsh contrast to Poison Idea and as such a perfect setting.
A rather dark, driving sound dominated by drums and bass, a female singer and a guitar that it did dislike from the first view. Most likely it was the haircut, the glasses or the sideburns/beard. But they had something. Their “Shadows” LP somehow made it into my collection, a good effort in typical SE guitarpunkpop or whatever lable you want to stick to it. Good live performance and it made a couple of people smile.
Me got smiling big time when the drummer announced “…last song and then we need to hurry up as we have to drive home to Malmö and i need to be at work on Monday at 8 o’clock.” Given that Malmö is an 6 hours drive from Hamburg he most likely will be knackered at work, but that is rock’n’roll arbetarklassen svårigheter (and we like it).
Next on Poison Idea, with a strange stage entry – but another good one for my growing collection of “first song of a show” (that is often then song that “makes” or “brakes” a show):
But that already had great signs of what was to come: A mix of old and new stuff, delivered with a typical Poison Idea sound. And boy, with great looks on stage – 5 people and 5 completely different looks: A guitar on the left that looked typical punk rock. A bass that looked, quote from the audience, “…like a serial killer from a death rock movie” and a drummer that was young and a thin stick, long hair and strange glasses plus desperate to score weed – but would be able to fill any open seat in a speed metal band.
Then there was Jerry A being Jerry A (regained size and giving the impression to be a wee bit short of lung volume) and on the far right a sliver V Axe that was gray and did return after 25 years away from PI. Just class i do tell you!
They took no prisoners and Jerry A was not moving a lot but did bellow out the lyrics and had a good eye on detail: A short fight in the audience of a guy wearing a Menace shirt vs. a mohawk punk was ridiculed by chanting “Last Years Youth” all over and giving reason: “It was an accident, i saw the whole thing“. And then it was back to hardcore punk!
And more of it.
And the audience got going and thoroughly enjoyed the fine display of american musick, Portland style. Just lovely!
At the end Jerry A was checking his watch and noted we have time for one more, on came another strange stage entry and an encore (of class).
And that left me buying a T-Shirt for my loveley wife (who prefers Poison Idea shirts) and taking off for home. I was at bed at 01:00 and my alarm got off at 06:25. I graced the office for work at 07:45 and hopefully did beat the Terrible Feelings drummer to it. And Poison Idea: Worth a visit and the new record is worth to complement the collection (and mine is pretty complete incl. 7″, 10″, LP and CD thanks for asking).
Great night at a great place with a great renewed Poison Idea. A great way to end a great weekend. And now lets do it all over!