Excursions are really something beautiful. Especially when you can learn something valuable from them. During our trip to Halberstadt for the "Zora Summer Festival 2011", for example, we got to experience the cruelly low birth rate in Germany firsthand. We would have really liked to ask for directions to the concert, but the necessary resource (human) was missing, the one we could ask. Fortunately, a girl appeared who could reliably show us the way. We also learned that in the East there are such things as trams, electricity, or the internet. Truly, such a concert trip has its educational aspects as well. Of course, we also don't forget the main thing about the whole affair: the fun! After all, tonight we are graced by "Fliehende Stürme", supported by "Utopia-Banished" and "Mickey the sick". So let's dive into the melancholic pleasure!
Thus, the four of us – Ecki, Eugen, Alisa, and I – found ourselves in front of the… gates of the sociocultural center "Zora" in Halberstadt. We were a bit late, but the time before the start was still enough for a few beers. Although I had drawn the short straw today (= driver), I didn't want to miss out on tasting a barley water. The evening was still young, and it's boring without alcohol... and I can't let poor Ecki drink alone!
When we heard the sounds of the first band "Utopia-Banished", we quickly decided to go inside. At the box office, we were revealed – which practically doubled the learning factor of today's trip – that a woman's handbag can really hold an extreme amount of items. Full bottles, empty bottles, a bottle of sparkling wine (girls don't drink beer), and other stuff that I would rather not enumerate but want to forget as quickly as possible. Disgusted and with full conviction, I permanently delete this memory.
"Utopia-Banished" was announced on the flyer as "Experimental-Industrial-Rock from NRW". We were all quite curious about what that would sound like. Firstly, because we didn't really know what to make of "Industrial-Rock", and secondly, because "Experimental" had something promising and "new" about it. So, doubly interesting.
The performance turned out to be quite unique. There was a singing guitarist, a keyboardist, a drummer, and a bassist. The drummer must have been best friends with the keyboardist, as the two complemented each other quite well and played almost every piece "together". While the keyboard player used the drum sounds often heard in electronic music, the actual drummer was responsible for the rough pounding. The singer and guitarist of the band seemed to be somewhat split. He either impressed with vocal or screaming parts or played his solo or chord program. In the rarest cases did he play the instrument while reciting the lyrics. The bassist was the only one who stood out less through his playing (but certainly through his sandals!). He played his notes comfortably and calmly while tapping his foot to the beat. It's terrible how simple sandals on stage can captivate the audience (Well, at least me...). All in all, I found the band quite okay. The overall mood constantly whispered the words "despair" or "sorrow" to me, although the style could be assigned to something harder due to the screaming. But I wouldn't want to call the band "Screamo" either... how about "Experimental-In..."... uh, never mind. At least we know what the self-designation was about. What I found strange, however, was the audience's feedback. I didn't think the band was bad at all. As a supporting act, they were definitely suitable and surely have their own potential to become a bit more well-known. It's just a shame for them that only a few spectators showed how they felt about the music. With a bit of clapping or cheers, it was unfortunately already over. Strange.
"Oh, look! There are women on stage! Did someone drop their hot plate there?" Yes, indeed, the band "Mickey the sick" consists entirely of female members (And no, I won't name the author of the quote. How else would my friend circle look without Ecki if I massacred him for that? Well then!). And before the review ends here: ONE GIRL HAS SWEATY FEET (at least she said so)! So, now that I've hopefully ensured that the blood has flowed back from the member to the brain with my comment, we can continue.
Even though the petite figures didn't show it at first glance, they played quite good and loud "Punk’n’Roll-Rock". After a short warm-up phase and many (especially male) unbelievably funny comments from the audience, it finally started. What was immediately noticeable and continued until the end was the drums. They crashed and banged with every track and every song, while the bass and guitar contributed their usual sounds. The bass was heavily distorted and was really fun to listen to, while the guitar was more melodic. At times, the good old principle of the "Only three chords!" rule was even reintroduced. Hooray! Simple and hard, that's how it should be! Like the commands of a man to his wife... uh, I better leave that there.
If it hadn't been for the very fitting rock voice of the singer, one could have mistaken the musical background for "Hardcore". But the cheeky voice really delivered what was promised: Punk’n’Roll, baby!!
First dance groups formed, swaying their plastic containers back and forth and emptying their cups to the music. That's how it should be! I had really expected only melancholic bands that evening and less dance or rock’n’roll music, but the three ladies fit very well into the concert picture. Of course, it was about the usual rock themes like "Sex, Drugs and Rock!" and they never let a moment of doubt arise that it could ever be different or should be. The unfortunate thing about it all was, however, that their time was more limited than the freedom of a former East German citizen. Unfortunately, the girls were not allowed to play a few encores, even though they were loudly demanded by the audience. It's a shame, one or two songs would have surely been nice. But no matter, the band definitely convinced and brought some fresh air into the genre!
How long has it been? More than a year, I believe, in Magdeburg. That was the last time I saw the storms and I still remembered everything well. And this time there was even a new album that they could present live. I was as curious as a bow and was also surprised before the performance. The usually so serious and melancholic band actually has a humorous side, which was a bit unusual (but not negatively): "Jens (drummer) needs more volume". "(From behind the drums) You say my name as if you knew me personally". "Sorry, but DRUMMER needs more volume". I really couldn't help but smile.
But soon it was time to go. The keyboard played a little intro and the band could prepare a bit with cigarettes or alcohol until it kicked off with the song "Sterne". Ah, how I had missed this atmosphere! New and old songs were played, and not a minute of their performance was boring. Sometimes they even went back as far as they actually exist... and simply used old songs from their predecessor band. With "Duell der letzten" or "Ein Tropfen im Feuer", they created an incredible amount of nostalgia for old hands and for me. It's as if the band had laid down their new name for those few minutes... insane!
The keyboard issue was elegantly solved from outside: Through the loudspeakers, various inputs from the synthesizer could be heard while the three gentlemen accompanied their songs with the basic instruments. Whether "Satellit" or "Teilzeit", everything was perfectly in place and created a very nice dance atmosphere and invited sing-alongs. In my entire career as a concert-goer, it has only rarely happened that I did not participate in the pogo. This time, there was a very good reason for that: There simply wasn't one. Even though I am only satisfied when I can step off the dance floor intoxicated and half-dead, the unique music of this band ensured that I was completely content just by listening and singing along. However, I couldn't suppress the fact that I still swung my dancing leg a bit. Because despite the heaviness of the songs, there were some tracks that really "took off". Live, the melancholists seem to play a little harder and faster, which fits wonderfully with their style. Those who only know the band from CDs will believe me less (I didn't think it was possible at first either), but I advise you: See it for yourself and you'll know what I mean!
There was even a little encore before it was finally over. Unfortunately, the fact that the police claimed to have heard something about a disturbance of the peace and probably also put the concert under observation was disheartening. Shit! Unfortunately, this meant that the fans could only set fire to half as many trash cans and could only stroll through the streets burping at 110 decibels. That was certainly less nice.
Despite everything, the performance was grandiose and reminded me once again that I should perhaps visit this band more often... yes, that would be good. Very good indeed. Even stormily good! What? ... okay, okay, I'm stopping now...
What a wonderful evening! The atmosphere was somewhere between depressed and very good-natured afterwards and left me with some sort of freedom of movement the next day, as nothing hurt for a change. A complete success then! I look forward to the next time!