After a long time, we felt drawn to S.O. 36 in Kreuzberg again that evening to enjoy some live music of the heavier kind.
When we arrived in the hall around 8:30 PM, it was still quite empty with maybe 80 people, giving us time to leisurely check out the extensive merchandise. The Casualties had a whole range of shirts available. The T-shirt featuring the Statue of Liberty particularly caught our eye, adorned with a skull. Underneath it read “No Liberty here.” I wonder if one can enter the USA wearing that T-shirt at the border?
The hall slowly but steadily filled up, so that ONE TRAX MINDS didn’t feel completely ignored as the opener. There were some fans of the band in front of the stage at the start of the gig, creating a good atmosphere with the band.
ONE TRAX MINDS played solid, mass-appealing street punk reminiscent of Social Distortion or The Bones, with hints of The Clash. The band, originally from Italy but now fully based in Berlin, delivered a decent set. As an opener, the band was enjoyable, but they still lack a bit of charisma to really stick in people's minds.
As the first band finished, it was clear that the audience present, which consisted of all subcultural layers of the heavier kind, especially hardcore, metal, and punk, was looking forward to the following bands much more than to ONE TRAX MINDS.
After a short changeover, the trash rockers from Rügen took the stage.
C.O.R.
Trash rock terror, a counter to the mainstream! This statement (and lyric line from “Trashrock Terror” from the album “Since I Met People, I Love Animals”) of the band was lived out for the next hour with the 300 - 400 attendees.
The crowd present was hot, hot for trash rock from Rügen!
Before singer Friedemann entered the stage, the instrumental section played a little intro that was already enthusiastically received. When Friedemann then jumped onto the stage, a noticeable jolt went through the audience, and as he started, a third of the audience joined in. Pogo dancing, loud singing along, and enthusiastic participation quickly turned the club into a small cauldron.
C.O.R. blasted three fast songs into the audience to warm up, without taking a break.
The brutal sound, perfectly mixed that evening, not only created many dancing people but also goosebumps. Rarely was the sound at a concert of the island boys so good.
The band was in great spirits that evening, which was evident not only from their socially and politically engaged announcements. C.O.R. also played perfectly together. It was a damn blast that the band pushed through the speakers that night. The pogo became increasingly exuberant.
Among the several wheelchair users present, one dared to move to the front row before the gig. When the band started, he bounced and jumped in his wheelchair in the front row, and it was a joy to watch him. Despite the exuberant pogo, care was taken to watch over him. Singer Friedemann also made sure to lean down to him several times and sing with him. Encouraged by this, the wheelchair user asked the guys standing next to him to lift him onto the stage, which was promptly done. On stage, he and Friedemann then sang a duet that anyone who saw it will likely remember for a long time. Naturally, it went down just as gently as it had gone up. A great action from the band, the wheelchair user, and the fans in the front row!
That evening, C.O.R. played one of the best concerts I have ever seen from the band. They made you feel like you were not alone.
After calm returned to the hall, and fresh drinks were acquired at the bar, everyone eagerly awaited the headliner of the evening, THE CASUALTIES.
About 500 people had made it to the Kreuzberg club by now.
The band from New York City took the stage in their familiar style and launched into their set as if there were no tomorrow. It didn’t bother anyone that the lyrics were often unintelligible. It also didn’t matter that the band looked a bit like they came out of a punk rock mail-order catalog. THE CASUALTIES did what was expected of them. They played loud, fast, passionately, and engagingly.
The audience went even more wild than at C.O.R., and often hundreds of voices sang along enthusiastically. That was hardcore punk at its best in a club that is simply one of the best clubs ever.
All in all, it was a wonderful evening that provided strength during the dark (seasonal) time and showed that you are not alone, even if you are different from others.
Photo credit:
http://www.montecruzfoto.org/