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Tag: Yard Bomb

  • … back in time to be blasted: Yard Bomb, Guitar Wolf and Hard-Ons w/ Jerry A!

    … back in time to be blasted: Yard Bomb, Guitar Wolf and Hard-Ons w/ Jerry A!

    When the show was announced i was a wee bit in tears, as i was to be up North in our 2nd home. But the love of me life, knowing my desires all too well, agreed to scoot home a day earlier, despite the great weather up there.

    Yard Bomb kicked it off to an already well attended (but not yet filled in front of the stage) Hafenklang. Why the heck they choose to give the smoke machine a full bloom i have no clue but it completely ruined the visual for me.

    Yard Bomb (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.06.2026)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2026

    Still, their American, Californican and Olschooligan approach to H/C is very relevant and i guess there is no other band from say … Schleswig-Holstein, that does it that good.

    They choose to bite the audience a wee bit, wasted a bit of time with banter and finished their short & crisp set like this:

    Always great too see & listen to, always a bit different (this time round i would have loved the guitar to sound more heavy, more distorted) but by and large simply a great band.

    Why there are still people without their 12″ is beyond believe to me, whilst online sold out the last few copies are sold at gigs – do it like me mate Frank, get this beauty without hesitation!

    Next the leather clad jet rockers from 東京都. Another visit from Japan at the Hafenklang, only a couple of days after The 50 Kaitenz took it by storm (and made a shitload of folks happy & fans).

    Guitar Wolf had the room packed and … nuthin’ happened. They needed their Intro mu-sick and somewhat playing that through the PA was a problem. Once on stage, it took the guitar plenty of time to get the amp going. And then they bursted into … a lengthy and chaotic intro themselves.

    I take it was show and their approach to showmanship but for me it was rather just that … show.

    When they finally kicked into their first song it sounded like this:

    Sure they where wild, sure they where loud (the young rhythm section rather than the guitar) and sure they can blast. And, yes, they did not make use of the smoke machine thankfully!

    In good moments it was fast forward garage trash rock with a capital R, in bad moments it was too much show and too little substance to me, including ritualized stage dive and a lengthy feedback orgy with a “surprise” select from the audience.

    Guitar Wolf (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.06.2026)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2026

    For me it simply did not make click in the same way as with the lads from Osaka, within the audience though was a large fan base who all seemed to enjoy it right-away. As perfect contrast point to both Yard Bomb and the Hard-Ons it was though spot on, so i will not complain at all.

    The headliner was much awaited … and finally came about, though apparently a bit jet lagged as this was the first show in their North-European and Scandinavian run.

    Last year Hard-Ons and Jerry already collaborated and created quite some interest with the resulting 7″:

    It sound almost as good as the collaboration Jerry did with them Spaniards under the moniker Black Bacon, and outlook of more like that with the Hard-Ons both gave hope and, frank, also some doubts. How would this work live?

    Other than the jet rockers from Tokyo sticking to their leather the Hard-Ons quickly dropped the shirts after their Intro and … took the lot (and i take Jerry too to an extend) by storm.

    Hard-Ons w/ Jerry A (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.06.2026)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2026

    I am not sure if they where able to rehearse together in person prior to the Hamburg show, my guess would be that they only did it remote. To that extend they asked for forgiving, as most of the songs played where played live & on stage for the first time.

    My high hopes rather than doubts where matched and my feeling was that both the packed Hafenklang and me mates around did dig it.

    It is a pity that the LP that should come out of this collaboration is not yet available and the band itself has not real clue when pressing & distribution will happen. Some of these songs indeed have something special, be it more on the pop side (like Radio ready) or even almost spherical.

    They are sure way off the earlier treasured Hard-Ons singles that we greedy #recordcollectorsarepretentiousarseholes all collected in the later part of the 1980’s but boy, they are now venturing much broader than what i would have guessed (but it still offers the chance to refer back to one of me lovelist Hard-Ons songs anyway).

    Great set, almost 100% together and giving indeed an urge to score that LP once it is out. The audience was seemingly enthusiastic too and dancing a lot, quite a surprise to me.

    Great evening again at the trusted Hafenklang and that Hard-Ons-with-Jerry-A thingy was in hindsight a positive surprise (as they matched my hopes indeed).

    As it was late and i was already somewhat tired i scooted home and within that made sure that a mate gets home safely too, though our conversation about stage uniforms and Douglas Adams must have irritated the other passengers on public transport somewhat.

    But hey, do we care? Off course we do!

  • … that DeLorean thingy: The return of Yard Bomb and Verbal Abuse!

    … that DeLorean thingy: The return of Yard Bomb and Verbal Abuse!

    Early show, hence perfect for finishing off a hot and sweaty Sunday and still not being too tired for the work shift on Monday.

    As with many others that first Verbal Abuse record still is a special one – it was a hard and ultra fast surprise back then. I never saw them live and once they changed course (and the complete line-up) into what in my ears was more Trash Metal i lost interest, whilst still treasuring “Just An American Band”.

    Gracing Hamburg 40+ years later i was somewhat interested how it sounded today. And that they got paired with Yard Bomb was a bonus, as their very American, very Californian 1980s sound is just near perfect and would even alone justify attendance.

    And here is how Yard Bomb kicked it off:

    Pity that only ever about 50 folks got off (with some regulars being away at Punk Rock Raduno #8 in Bergamo).

    Yard Bomb featured Rolf sans hair on vocals and their original drummer Rüdiger, himself being a devoted Verbal Abuse fan.

    Yard Bomb (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    It has been a while that i saw them live and i am not sure if they are still really active. Frank, it does not matter as long as they are able to hand a beauty (and in my head their signature song) like this.

    Turning Up Milhouse, forever:

    For me this is in the Top 10 of all songs bands from Hamburg (and near) ever penned down. It comes as near as a homage to Minor Threat as i could think of.

    And if you do not have their perfect 12″ then most likely you will not have a chance to score, the last 4 copies got sold that evening. That’s it. Gone.

    Yard Bomb (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    They did surprise some in the audience up to and including Verbal Abuse singer Nicki Sicki. For me they where yet again convincing, it would be great if they do Shows more regular (despite all of their other mu-sick-al ventures).

    Here is how they finished off their set, clocking in at a whopping 19:30 for the 14 songs:

    They not only convinced me, also – like Casey Royer in 2019 – they convinced the headliner to wear a Yard Bomb T-Shirt. Well done boys, well done!

    Fun fact: Their setlist can be turned into fun sentences…

    Yard Bomb – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    .. like “(The) beach patrol (is) turning up Milhouse down in the sewer” or “(We) need more invisible naked man” and “Modern kids feeling high about a man“. Honestly, it made me giggle!

    And whilst giggling about that setlist we also sneak previewed into what Verbal Abuse set out to give the lot.

    Verbal Abuse – Setlist (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025 (c) gehkacken.de)

    That is drawing both from their 1984 debut and from their later endeavors like the 2011 thingy with Scheisse Minelli. My guess is that on purpose they avoid the in-between, in my head the right choice.

    And this is how they kicked off:

    Mhhhh, two minutes of an Intro but luckily then kicking off into a one minute banger. I somewhat, at this point, was a bit reluctant still if this would turn into an enjoyable set.

    In hindsight that maybe was also because i was expecting the band to look different. In real they simply looked … real. Aged according to life.

    And eg. for Nicki life included being locked away for a considerable amount of time related to speed found on him.

    Verbal Abuse (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    Most of the songs where in same vein, around or below the 2 minute mark and very real. Just like this one:

    To my liking the double-bass on the drums could be let gone but by and large they delivered an entertaining set with a good mu-sick-al spread.

    Verbal Abuse (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 20.07.2025)
    (c) gehkacken.de 2025

    And sure thing they finished off with American Band:

    And the lot chimed in, even in small numbers. Their set was well received, the applause increased song by song actually. And though it turned out a niche show somewhat the turnout was largely experts.

    Good one for a Sunday, a friendly ride home thanks to a mate and a feeling of somewhat having seen two bands of value.

    Lovely!

  • … the invisible naked man appears: It’s Yard Bomb record release party!

    … the invisible naked man appears: It’s Yard Bomb record release party!

    The record has been in circulation for a while though the official release was only end of September. As such the record release party was set for 02.10., which meant next day would be a public holiday and thus nobody should have had an excuse for not showing up.

    RECORD RELEASE DAY!
    RECORD RELEASE DAY!

    In the end downstairs at the Hafenklang turned out as a space too large for the party, above beauty was celebrated by less than 100 people i guess, a bit of a downturn.

    First on Last Line Of Defense, who jumped in for Suck who could not make it due to their singer being ill. It was an easy and obvious choice, as they share home and people with Yard Bomb.

    Last Line Of Defense (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.10.2019)

    On average i am not a big fan of their songs, too often they sound just odd to my ears without being able to pin-point exactly what offends me. The best moment came at the end when they grabbed a 2nd singer from their circle of friends and gave us what i believe was a great cover version … check it your for yerself:

    As ever don’t get offended by my mu-sick-al tastes and receptors, check them out on your own. For me not the best start into the proceedings.

    Next on the Razors, who a couple of days ago had just played on the river Elbe on the MS Hedi, now back on-shore and a stone throw away from the Elbe. They had been invited specifically for this occasion by Yard Bomb and sure wanted to give cudos to their great seminal effort of a first record release.

    Razors (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.10.2019)

    For the Razors it was a bit of a 40 year comeback, their first 7″ (out in October 1979) was recorded at the old Hafenklang Studios, right here at this location. Some say it was the first DIY Punk 7″  by a German band – some doubt it. I am not sure about the statement but that does not matter – here is  “Madhouse Meeting” from their 1982 12″ on Konneckschen.

    They had shorted and speeded up their set and almost matched up with the so much younger Hardcore bands. For the encore, as ever “Because you’re young” they got members of the Hamburg City Punk Rock Singers on stage and gave a nice sing-a-long finish.

    Razors with Choir  (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.10.2019)

    Next stop for the Razors will be “Burn down the Baum 13.0” on 30.12.2019 at the Knust, with Sixteen Again (finest Buzzcocks covers from Hamburg) and Knock Off (finest Oi! from London).

    Then it was time for Yard Bomb and what i thought another speedy run down of their songs (they can play 14 songs in 21 minutes). But this time round it was a bit more mellow, they took more time to … twist again:

    For me they are the hottest shit currently, specifically in that little genre of CA Hardcore 1980s build. Perfect speed, great and very capable guitar work, solid back line and a singer so full of energy. Relentless energy.

    Yard Bomb  (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.10.2019)

    For this occasion they even re-worked their hit “Turning up Milhouse” into a longer version with a a groovy extra minute, see yerself…

    They got a good reception but given that it was only like 1/3 packed it was not bodies flying everywhere and people jumping up and down. I guess upstairs that would have been a much easier thing and, in hindsight, a better place for the party.

    Yard Bomb  (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.10.2019)

    They also played some covers as encores and got their old drummer back up for that occasion. And with that encore even the slowest brain would realize where they pull the mu-sick-al ideas from.

    Great set to celebrate a great record. Let’s hope they put some touring behind it in order to sell it off quickly. They deserve to be seen so much wider than just Wedel or Hamburg, can someone please put them into a bus to support a larger US band?

    The invisible naked man watching Yard Bomb ( pic by Fab)
    The invisible naked man watching Yard Bomb ( pic by Fab)

    But Yard Bomb did not finish off the party, late in the night we got something extra. Rolf, who has some Finland connections, was to surprise the lot with some Finish Country Death Metal Banjo or whatever mu-sick-al cupboard you would like to pass onto them.

    They actually claim: “Dark Bottle is doombilly, psych-country, alt-punk and krautstoner at the same time.” There you go!

    The “crowd” by now was a mere 30 people but they all enjoyed the surprise of something completely different. Sure it was late and sure the day off next day had lured some folks into booze – and on booze this was indeed a fun thing to watch. And that fun the audience provided back to the stage.

    Dark Bottle  (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 02.10.2019)

    But Dark Bottle (from sunny Tampereen kaupunki) had a wee bit more: The songs had meanings and besides the uptempo stuff it also has surprisingly good lyrics. Go and check them out, it may be worth it!

    Great and late evening, though not really a record release party per se. It missed the feeling of “packed” and “everybody going nuts” but as said the Yard Bomb 12″ gets that across for a start. Go and score it! Now!