For the fifth time, the Psychomania Rumble took place at the Lindenpark in Potsdam. The first festival was already able to attract the absolute giants of Psychobilly & Rockabilly to Potsdam. This has not changed over the years. The high standard has been maintained, and so it is no wonder that the festival has now become a staple in the scene.
Even on the way to the Lindenpark, it was noticeable how many cars from outside were parked along the street. There were even some camper vans among them.
The festival, featuring eight bands per day, was scheduled to start at 6:30 PM. When we arrived at the Lindenpark at 7:15 PM, there was already a considerable line at the entrance, blocking the street. However, when a car came, the visitors, eager to push open the gates to hell that evening, willingly made way. While waiting in line, it was clear that many attendees had traveled a long way, with talk of a 6-hour journey, and one could hear Saxon, Rhineland, and broad Hamburg dialects.
Upon entering the hall of the Lindenpark, LUNATICS were just finishing their last songs.
We missed the first band, The Bodybags.
LUNATICS demonstrated with their last songs that they can play a solid, forward-driving melodic Psychobilly that is quite enjoyable. The hall was already well-filled, and the friends of madness present also liked the band.
What immediately struck upon entering the hall was the humid heat that hit you hard. The climate was surprising, as the Lindenpark has a decent ventilation system that usually ensures a comfortable atmosphere even in a sold-out hall. What had happened? Just in time for the festival, the ventilation had failed. The emergency service had probably already been called, but would they manage to repair the ventilation, or would one be able to say for the first time in two hours, “Music, live from the sauna”?
After overcoming the initial climate shock, and with LUNATICS from Cologne leaving the stage, the beer garden was targeted, where all sorts of tattooed Psychobillys were already hanging out, enjoying beer, steak, and bratwurst. The atmosphere was exceptionally peaceful and very relaxed. People were looking forward to the evening, reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, and simply enjoying the time.
As the third band of the evening, the Berliners from BONSAI KITTEN prepared to entertain the sweating crowd. Singer Tiger Lilly Marleen looked enchanting in her red, tight glitter costume. Since most of the audience was still outside in the fresh air, the band started in front of perhaps 150 people. The band hit the gas from the very first moment, and Tiger Lilly Marleen immediately captivated especially the men present with her sexy poses. However, they were exactly the same poses as at the band's record release party, perhaps even identical, which left a somewhat stale aftertaste. Overall, it was a bit too much show. It felt a bit overdone and came across as somewhat forced. It wasn't bad, but if you know the band, it was nothing special. Of course, the new hit songs like “Done with hell” or “Don’t mess with me” were included in the Berliners' set, and these were well received by the numerous audience present after a few songs, but personally, it didn't blow me away. I preferred to calmly check out the merchandise on offer and enjoy the fresh air outside. Inside, it was already pushing the limits of sauna conditions, and I seriously wondered when my circulation would give out. The heat naturally boosted the drink sales, and so drinks were consumed as much as the bar and thirst allowed. Those who know Psychobillys know that a lot goes down.
Meanwhile, BONSAI KITTEN had finished their set. The stage was being prepared for the first highlight of the evening, SIR PSYKO & HIS MONSTERS from Austria. With their current album “Reapers Tale,” which was mixed by P. Paul Fenech, they have made a name for themselves in the Psychobilly scene. The Austrians are the spearhead of the young wild guard, combining fast, hard Psychobilly with melody.
The performance by SIR PSYKO was a complete celebration. The concert hall was very well filled with around 500 people, and in the middle of the hall, a proper wrecking pit formed in no time, where no prisoners were taken. It was just as intense in the pit as it was on stage. Singer and double bassist Sir Psyko gave it his all, just like the rest of the band. Since the ventilation was still broken, the air was thick. Many muscular male torsos were on display, showcasing some very cool tattoos. By the middle of the set, Sir Psyko was more gasping than speaking during his announcements. The air was terrible, but the band persevered, and Sir Psyko even played two songs with the accordion at the end. It was madness! The band proved that evening that they are one of the best bands of the young wild guard.
…Psychobilly is not a fashion. Psychobilly is our passion. Psychobilly is our life, the dark side of Rock´n´Roll…
These lines are taken seriously by the band without a blink.
So it is no wonder that they are playing this year at the Psychobilly Meeting in Pineda de Mar in Spain.
When the band went outside for some fresh air, the crowd followed. It had become uncomfortably muggy in the hall. It was like being in a steam room, only with clothes and alcohol.
Thus, the break that most took was longer, and the next band of the evening had to start in front of about 50 people in the hall. They were THE GRISWALDS.
The band relaxed the heated atmosphere. They played Rockabilly with a lot of influence from the good old Rock´n´Roll. They wore Hawaiian shirts and gave the overall impression that they didn’t take themselves too seriously and could carry the Billy with humor. This was, of course, a strong contrast to the previous band. Nevertheless, the band was a lot of fun, and the hall gradually filled up again. Climatically, it didn’t feel worse, and indeed, the ventilation had been repaired, giving hope to survive the evening with all the freaks.
Freaks is the right keyword, as after THE GRISWALDS came the performance of the legendary Psycho-Clowns, KLINGONZ.
The band came on stage in truly impressive clown costumes, but the best part was really the horn of the singer, which he always carried around in his way-too-large pants, honking playfully. The hall was logically very full, and the pit was also quite lively with the English band. The whole show was heavily over-the-top, but musically flawless. Quirky Psychobilly with a lot of circus and plenty of humor.
If you like to be on a psychobilly Circus, go to KLINGONZ! It was a celebration!
And there were still two bands left on the playlist.
We missed the beginning of LONG TALL TEXANS because we enjoyed the mild evening air after the English bands and fortified ourselves with delicious bratwurst for the last two bands.
LONG TALL TEXANS had already been playing for a while when we re-entered the warm and crowded concert hall. There were at least 600 people in the hall, maybe even more. The wrecking pit was a bit smaller, perhaps also because some visitors were already at the end of their strength. The sound of the UK combo was characterized by catchy melodies, pleasant Rock´n´Roll, and rock influences. Melodic Psychobilly that especially lives from the singer and double bassist Mark Carew. Mark is an extremely good slap bass player and incredibly charismatic on stage. That evening, he also made quite an impression visually with his perfectly trained, athletic upper body. So there was not only something for the ears. LONG TALL TEXANS are always a delight. A band you shouldn’t miss.
Just as little as the headliner of the evening, the kings of Psychobilly, THE METEORS!
Nothing more needs to be said about the band led by mastermind P. Paul Fenech. They have managed to become a cult during their lifetime and have not only influenced many bands with their style but have probably invented Psychobilly and thus sustainably shaped a style. No question that the room was now completely full. Everyone wanted to see, hear, and enjoy the band. THE METEORS captivated the audience from the first riff and led them into the depths of the soul, horror, and dark dreams. The wrecking pit filled up. It was intense, but rarely unfair. There were a few scuffles, but that was probably more due to the alcohol of some fans than to any genuinely aggressive intentions. THE METEORS played mostly older songs, captivating both young and old, and showed that evening once again why they are rightly the kings of Psychobilly.
For those who still hadn’t had enough, the DJ entertained with danceable Billy until dawn.
It was a great evening! Great bands, great atmosphere. Overall, an almost perfect concert evening in Potsdam!
If personal matters hadn’t prevented me from spending the second day in Potsdam, I could have reported on the second day as well. With Frenzy and Skitzo, two great headliners were on stage:
See you next year at PSYCHOMANIA RUMBLE No. 6!