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So around 9:30 PM at the Wild at Heart in Kreuzberg, not much was happening. When I entered the club, it was still very empty. A few people were sitting at the bar, but that was about it.
When the bands arrived around 10:00 PM, there was a reunion with my Czech favorite friend and tour bus driver Mr. Tchichiman. He was driving the band from the USA and looked quite worn out. After the concert on Saturday, things had gotten quite wild, and sleep, as often on tour, was in short supply.
Unfortunately, the Berlin street punks BITE THE BULLET had canceled at short notice, so the replacement band PUNCH UP POGOS got to heat up the club. Fortunately, the band had also brought a few fans along; otherwise, there would have really been a dance of death at the Wild at Heart. PUNCH UP POGOS from Elstal in Brandenburg made an effort to play a set that should excite. Effort alone is often not enough, and that was the case here as well. The band played a few nice pop punk songs, then changed course and played a few hardcore punk pieces only to then croon a few ska-punk songs. It was too unrefined. I have no idea where the band wants to go. I believe they don't know that themselves yet. However, their own fans seemed to enjoy it. I wasn't thrilled by the mix, nor were the people who, like me, were there for RAT CITY RIOT.
When the guys from San Diego took the stage around 11:00 PM, all the visitors of the Wild at Heart were in front of the stage. With good will, there were 50. Really sad. The band's current album has received great reviews, and yet only 50 people showed up. Okay, it was Sunday, but one can also go to bed early on Monday morning, and then the sleep deficit is balanced out again.
However, RAT CITY RIOT didn't wear long faces but immediately hit the gas. Singer Noah jumped off the stage right after entering and left it to his bandmates. He danced, jumped, and leaped in front of the stage like a dervish, encouraging the audience to join in. Noah was incredibly energetic. The audience engaged with Noah, and the atmosphere rose from song to song. The sound was really good. The band's style is reminiscent of BORN TO LOSE, although they are a bit rougher. Powerful, raw voice combined with a fat guitar sound and a punchy drum set characterize the punk rock of RAT CITY RIOT. The atmosphere was fantastic up front. After completing their set, the audience enthusiastically shouted “Encore,” prompting the band to prepare for an encore after a brief consideration, and it was going to be something special. After two songs were played, the band began their last song. It was a cover song. It didn't even sound bad. In fact, it sounded quite good. RAT CITY RIOT played a cover of “Looking for Freedom” by David Hasselhoff. I never thought a band would ever attempt that.
Even though it was a Sunday, the band was definitely worth it, and I hope they won't be deterred from coming back to Germany and the Wild at Heart in Berlin. Those who weren't there missed out.