The concert was almost the conclusion of an anniversary week that the Thomas-Weisbecker-Haus celebrated with various events. It was a celebration of 40 years of Tommy Haus. 40 years is a long time, especially for a squatted building that has become an established leftist free space. Even though the instruments of the state and politics have spread in the immediate vicinity with the German Pension Insurance, Knappschaft, and SPD headquarters. Tommy Haus has always been loud and different. Hopefully, it will continue to be so.
This Friday was supposed to feature 5 bands going into the night. A PONY NAMED OLGA and THE BOTTROPS unfortunately had to cancel. So there were only three bands, but that did not detract from the atmosphere.
Already with the first band BLUE ROCKIN´, the hall was quite full. There was an interesting mix of the audience. In addition to some punks and fans of BAMBIX & JOHNNIE ROOK, many rockabillys were present. Many of them were familiar faces from Wild at Heart.
BLUE ROCKIN´ is a trio from Berlin. They play the good old Rock´n´Roll sound of the '50s, spiced up with a bit of old-school rockabilly. The band performed quite well. The attending rockabillys enjoyed what the three offered on stage. There was even some dancing. The atmosphere was very good, although it was clear who was there for which band. After a few songs from the band, I moved to the back part of the hall and shortly after to the courtyard. BLUE ROCKIN´ is a band for purists. Anyone who likes the sound of the '50s will definitely enjoy this band.
In the courtyard, despite the cold night air, it became increasingly crowded. Friends met, chatted with each other, and also waited for the second band to start.
JOHNNIE ROOK had announced that they would play a new set for the first time that evening, which would include some songs from their new album “Stimmungsgerät.” I was curious about this, as were many others present. The new album is more powerful, aggressive, and louder than all previous albums of the band. It is an album that blows you away. The review of the album can be read at ramtatta.de here: http://www.ramtatta.de/reviews,id-1421,go-johnnie+rook+stimmungsgeraet.html
The fate in which the concert took place that evening was very full at the beginning of JOHNNIE ROOK's performance. People stood closely packed next to each other up to the bar in the back. Most of the rockabillys had left. The band took the stage, so it could have started. But where was singer Franziska? She should be somewhere, after all, her band was on stage and the audience was eager. They wanted it to finally begin. Franziska did not come. The band did not know what to do, so bassist Jan took the initiative and told a little story to entertain the audience. And lo and behold, suddenly Franziska was on stage and it could begin.
The band did not take a breath during the first songs. The first four songs were blasted through the speakers with so much pressure and tempo that it left everyone speechless. People immediately started dancing and singing along. It was really awesome. You stand in the middle of an audience that is having a great time. You see a band that is really enjoying themselves, and you know you are in the right place at the right time.
The new setlist of the Pankow band was impressive. Almost only fast songs. Hardly any announcements, hardly a pause for breath. This was not the JOHNNIE ROOK you know. It was almost a new band. So powerful, fast, perfectly playing together with so much joy in what they were doing, it was magnificent. The audience felt the same way, having a great time. During the performance, the hall was sold out, which the band had never achieved before.
From “Stimmungsgerät,” the announced new songs “Kryptonit,” “Punkrockmädchen,” and “Freundesammler” were also played.
When the five-piece finished, there was still one band left on the list: BAMBIX. A band that is very good friends with JOHNNIE ROOK and has played many concerts together, and will continue to do so in 2013.
I thought that BAMBIX would have a hard time after the Pankow performance, that it might even get emptier. Neither was the case. Even though there was less pogo, it was hardly emptier and the atmosphere was hardly worse. The Dutch were in great spirits, played a solid, entertaining set that was well received. BAMBIX did not have quite as heavy a sound, were not quite as fast, but it was definitely melodic, entertaining punk rock. Why BAMBIX has had a loyal fan base for years was impressively proven again that evening.
After the end of the Dutch set, we headed to the nearby pub “Linie1” to continue dancing and drinking or to go home to put up our sore feet.
JOHNNIE ROOK and BAMBIX together make a great package. You can always go there without hesitation. Anyone who likes melodic punk rock with female vocals cannot miss either band, but BLUE ROCKIN´ was also good, although they did not quite fit musically into the evening.