Initially it was Cyanide Pills only and 19 lucky guests got a slightly cheaper ticket for only them. But later The 50 Kaitenz from hot & humid 大阪市 where added and would be gracing the upstairs of the Hafenklang too.
A rather wild but, as far as i am concerned, interesting mix. I do dig settings that face value do not match, it is by and large a good recipe for an entertaining evening and often a setting that exposes something new and/or a surprise.
The Cyanide Pills kicked it off, on time and without any fuzz:
Their shows in Hamburg almost never differ, i take they are consistently themselves. That included almost speeding through the set and little to no chit-chat with the audience.
Cyanide Pills (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 21.05.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
They simply deliver. And what they deliver is upbeat, fast forward, fun and hand-in-glove. Even the sound was great, just the lights – as often – where shite. Most of the time all was saturated in red, D’oh!
My guess is that they punched through the 21 songs on the set list in less than 45 minutes, including a brief walk off the stage and back for extras, like this one:
On top of everything else cudos to them for maintaining a single consistent stage uniform over all these years. It is always a bonus if a band dresses for the occasion.
What did the lot get for their bucks? This rooster…
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
I am happy to see them once a year, this time round they even had their brand new double LP with all their A & B sides with them, hop over to Damaged Goods to score it (or your favorite dealership). I was temped but choose to let the opportunity go by.
The Japaneese Beatles Ramones Rockers next, here is how they greeted Hamburg and introduced themselves:
Wow, that’s a lot to take in. First, perfect stage uniforms (front white shirt, black trouser – back black shirt, white trouser). 2nd: Beatles haircut. 3rd: It’s showtime!
And sure thing a somewhat “… we’re all crazy now!” attitude, which was mirrored by the almost exclusive female first row that flew in from Japan. With at least one lady sporting a The 50 Kaitenz fan scarf. Stunning!
The 50 Kaitenz (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 21.05.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
Their sound ventures from what people dub as 60’s Punk (thus the set includes a Surfin’ Bird on speed) to Ramones (thus the set includes their very own Ramones appreciation song).
They where fun, they where fast (50 RPM!) and they had a perfect show. Rock’n’Roll at it’s bare best. Last time i saw such a perfect setup was RFTC in the 90s!
They got plenty of cheers from the packed room, plenty of smiles and even sing-a-long. And the devoted fans? Kept the front row and smiled like there would not be a tomorrow.
Here is the set list, what a beauty!
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
And – not really a surprise – as an extra there was also a Ramones cover:
Boy, what a fresh take on something chewed over so many times. And, what a great show to go with it. Gregor from Sounds of Subterrania indeed is a truffle pig when it comes to bands that are … different. And outlandish. But fit perfectly. As such get your dose of The 50 Kaitenz vinyl over at our trusted local dealership!
Great show, early start, best companionship, a vinyl gift from the best booker in town and reasonable early home to take on the last working day before me and the love of me life scoot north to our 2nd home.
50 Kaitenz, arigatō! Odorokasa remashita!
