That was destined to be a tough Monday: First FCSP DFB-Cup away game at the Monkeys Pub, then 3 bands on a Monday evening. The we go out in round one of the cup vs. a lower league team is also destiny and so it happened. A very frustrating game and not the best entry into the proceedings.
First on The Sideburns from Sankt Petersburg and the young lads had the tough support the support spot and faced … an empty club at 20:45 with 12 people in front of the stage and some where friends of the bands. Tough.
And much to my surprise they blasted straight forward Skinhead Rock’n’Roll without to much humpty-bumpy: Actually they delivered quite a fine set and had definitely some mu-sick-al abilities.
Really sad that it was Monday and it was early. And that it was August, the month of Blackpool, pre- and post-Blackpool and general overkill on live music. A couple of more folks came later but it did not change the impression of a rather empty show, much to my frustration.
Next on The Welch Boys from sunny Boston and me mate went as far as pointing out that they are at a space where the Dropkick Murphys left it after the first LP. I am not sure on that one but sure thing they come with melody, chorus, hocks and great sing-a-long.
But also for them it must have been sheer frustration to play a rather empty space in front of the stage though initially they seem to put everything into it. And they have a great rooster of songs and a band that has a hockey themed record cover can’t be bad at all. Here they are gently covering The Who:
I’d love to see them in a packed Monkey, people high on Guinness, Monkeys Red or Cider and everybody moving and singing along. I think they would deserve that setting and then they would not just shut down as i had the feeling towards the end of their set.
I do share their frustration but that is sometimes the hardship of touring. You hit a town on the wrong day and after the potential audience already had a weekend full of live music under their belt and just choose to let go this opportunity. It is actually the F.U.’s who can claim that one on me, as i did not have the energy to see them on Sunday and make it three days in a row to be out.
An then it was time for Bonecrusher, eagerly awaited by i guess 50 odd people. And they kicked off like this:
And being kick-ass working class they did not care about how many people where there but just took off to deliver what the fans asked for: Hit by hit by hit and then some more. They were tight, together and well rehearsed and just gave a full on!
Bonecrusher (Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, 14.08.2017) (c) gehkacken.de)
By now i guess everybody has accustomed to Bonecrusher being fronted by a different face and i hear a couple of folks mention something along the lines of “he just fits perfect”. And guess what? Folks where right.
What was even more stunning was the fact that they just did not stop, did not let go and pushed forward. And they crowned their performance with a heavy heavy interlude of two-gun duel of the guitars, inclusive of some stunning guitar wanking solos.
Wow, that indeed was kick-ass! They played until midnight and then did send people home, quite a few took advantage of the well stocked merch table from actually all three bands – mine sure thing was a Bonecrusher shirt for me love.
And whilst cup and low turnout where frustrating we were greeted outside by a stunningly calm and warm summer night (Hamburg did not have a lot of these) and i could enjoy a gentle bike ride home.
I do hope next time round the bands a re more lucky on the date and the turnout – they and the club deserve it!