Back to Brak 2024 | Part 2: New to Me (Love Equals Death, Comeback Kid, The Queers & Cancer Bats)

With extreme giddy anticipation I’ve been looking forward to the 2025 edition of Brakrock on August 1st and 2nd. In true downsideup tradition, the two week lead up to this year’s Brakrock is for reminiscing about the previous edition. And what a year it was!

In part two, I take you with me along some new discoveries. Part one, about the Bridge City Sinners (also known as part 5 in the Clyde McGee and Lightnin’ Luke touralong saga) can be read here!

LOVE EQUALS DEATH (August 2nd 2024)

After strolling around the site and taking in the sights, I venture over to the River stage to take my spot centre stage for the Bridge City Sinners well in advance. I hadn’t put them on the planning, but I am pleasantly surprised by getting to see Love Equals Death.

First off, a little preface of the news that broke nine days after their show at Brakrock.Chon Travis, the band’s lead vocalist sadly passed away in his hotel room, just prior to their show in Stafford. Heartbreaking having just discovered them, along with so many other people who got enamored and hearing about this so soon after.

Chon seems to have been an incredibly beautiful person if the outpour of messages of fellow artists can be believed. I want to honour him and his band with the real excitement of discovering them, so I leave the melancholy and sadness here, and describe the vibrance of their incredible set.

Love Equals Death starts my Brakrock 2024 experience off with a BANG! They’re loud, fast and in your fucking face with boundless energy pouring off the stage, even in this bloody heat! Feeling that drum vibrate through my body is heaven. I’m instantly a fan and thank the purple thread of music guiding me to this moment. I’m certainly not the only one to think so, because little by little, the crowd is growing nicely.

COMEBACK KID (August 2nd 2024)

Comback Kid ringsa bell from my early nillies punk days. I never really looked into them, (I am not always great at discovering music by myself.) but here’s me saying I should well have. Sadly my body has betrayed me from all the stomping around all day, so I take a seat on the side bleachers of the river stage. I wish I had more energy and less aches so I could follow from the pit especially since the vibe there seems lit as fuck.

Well, whatever, it already sounds amazing from afar, one day I will catch up with them on the first row. Another addition to the punk filled playlist, this is! My pen is dying and I can barely see what I’ve written down after this. Suffice it to say I was thoroughly impressed with the energy and sound. It sounds so incredibly nostalgic and I am here for it! I’ll just let the music speak for itself for now and will get back to them next time I see them pass through!

QUEERS (August 3nd 2024)

Kicking off day two a little later than planned since it took me a long while to get my broken body into gear. Made it just in time for the second band I had on my planning for the day. The atmosphere already feels amazing, everyone is as stoked as I am for this new day of festivities!

I’m loving their old skool punk style and bob along to the music happily. It’s a great and pure no nonsense sound, no breaks, just fucking rocking it. Their stamina and intensity rolls over an exhilarated audience.

The guitarist is obviously as amped (ha!) as the crowd and tears over his strings with dedication. Speaking of, at the end of the show he threw some guitar picks in the audience and I only noticed afterwards that my cup had accidentally caught one. SCORE.

After the show, a little drizzle cools us all off before we hit the next landmark gig!

CANCER BATS (August 3nd 2024)

So far so good, aside from missing the start of my day, I am currently still on schedule! Another name that was somewhere stored in the back of my brain from way back when, without any music attached to it. But just LOOK AT THEM GO! They are definitely excited to be here, as are we all!

The wave of sound is intense and so very soothing to my sore muscles. The near wave of sweat dripping off the stage is also a sight to see.

I’m finding it hard to find synonyms for describing the energy of all the Brakrock bands. I don’t think there’s enough words in the English language to describe all of it.

This band doesn’t play around! The bassist is circling like a madman, throwing his bass every which way. He slides all over the neck of the thing at lightning speed. The guitarist shreds his 6 string flying V, the singer pours his heart out and the drumls provide a searing tempo to rile them all up even more.

I’m getting tired from just watching them jump around the stage. Good thing I have a bit of rest before I regale you on the rest of my Brakrock adventure where I get hit hard with a throwback to Punk in Drublic thanks to Ignite and Talco!

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 4th & 5th 2023

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22/07/2025 0

Angry Zeta, Live at Long Last!

Angry Zeta | Wednesday, July 10th 2024, Live @ Bar Bricolage, Ghent.

This is yet another story about connectivity and synchronicity. Of letting the music and the people lead me to more people and music. All these coincidences that somehow feel fated, and me just happily along for the ride.

Around February Jo told me that Rabid Jack was going to play at The Black Flamingo. He insisted I should check out Jack’s episode of Raving with Rua, a full hour interview by Daithy Rua for his YouTube channel. I had yet to discover The Songs from the Rua room, but this broadcast had me hooked, as you can clearly tell from my ode earlier this year.

From the first song Rabid Jack played live on that livestream, I was instantly charmed by his lyrics and sound that is an amalgamation of genres.

At some point he started raving about his love for Angry Zeta, and how they really influenced his music. This was the seedling that led me to discover this lively rag tag of a band and instantly being blown away by their sound. They posted their European tour dates and three shows were near(ish) me, HURRAH. I decided I absolutely had to see them live, because they’re just the type of band that promised to sound even better in person. (Spoiler alert: they fucking do!)

Sadly, one of the dates coincided with the Liege date of Clyde and the Milltailers so I had to scratch that one off the list. That left me with two dates, the first of which I missed as well since my body had not survived my first introduction to Carrie Nation. Luckily the stars finally aligned and I was free and at least somewhat able bodied to catch the last remaining date of the three! The morning of, I looked up the address and I saw that the date of the event was set a week earlier. Damn and blast, this tour-along seemed cursed from the get-go! Fortunately, after a panicked message to singer Zeta Bodrio, it turned out to be a mistake on the event page. Relieved and cheerful, I set off to the sunny sights of Ghent!

I arrive at Bar Bricolage and immediately fall head over heels for this place, with its hidden corners and chill atmosphere under a green canopy. The sound of birds singing a sunset song and a breeze through the trees fills my ears. I find my way to the cosy spot where Angry Zeta will be killing it later, and unknowingly sit down next to Rabid Jack himself!

After doing a double take, I tell him he’s the reason I am here in the first place. If I am excited already, it is nothing compared to him. He’s nearly bouncing up and down from the merch to his seat in pure excitement, in celebration of the show he’d been looking forward to all year. He even manages to to exchange his own Lidl socks for an Angry Zeta pair, causing much merriment for him and amusement to his wife who wonders why anyone would want a worn pair of socks.

The band is filing into the arena and I get a big hug and happy greeting from Zeta, thanking me for making the show. I tell him how sad I am I had already missed them twice, and a little back and forth ensues about all the bands and artists I’d seen that year. It doesn’t surprise me to hear that he ran into nearly all of them during their European tour. Another comment to the first reel I’ll post, this time from Sean K. Preston asking me to say hi. The purple thread and all that, which isn’t done surprising me tonight! In running over to the bar, I spot a happy smiling Noah!

I’d met him over a year ago after The Devil Makes Three and right at the time the idea of the Purple People was incubating in my brain. Random luck finding him on the terrace, because he didn’t even know that Angry Zeta was about to perform. Turns out he’s a big fan so there’s another bout of merrily jumping up and down before running toward the stage. Before getting back to my seat (Too exhausted to dance right now *sad face*) I see yet another familiar face, I’d met thanks to the music. It’s Natasha, who I’d encountered at Kiel Grove & Gipsy Rufina’s gig at De Floeren Aap. I might often set off alone, but the music always surrounds me in an embrace of familiarity.

OK! After this entire tangent of the people, it’s finally time to hear the music come alive. A violin (Of course, this IS the year of the violin), a standing bass, a leopard printed banjo, a guitar, a washboard and one shared mic front and centre, all foreboding one hell of a show.

Pictures courtesy of Jozef Durnez

This, this is something else entirely. Angry Zeta’s vibrant charisma and love for their art radiates off of the stage and lights a fire under the crowd in front of it. Like pied pipers, they draw everyone in and make them lose all sense of reality. Note by note, the audience swells with more and more joyously dancing bodies. I’ve only seen this level of frenzied, feisty and impassioned playing once before in Gogol Bordello. I also haven’t seen so many Belgians dancing as enthusiastically since then. This band is like a drug, an infectious virus that induces a trance-like state, wherein you forget about everything aside from what is happening on that stage.

Midway through we get some reprieve to come up for air when they announce a little break before part two. More bands should be doing this because I refuse to get up during a set. One of these days this determination on my part is going to lead to a dizzy dehydrated fainting spell or a painful UTI. Plus it’s a win win, more time for the band to sell their merch and the venue is happy because there’s more room for drinks sales. Take note!

A few of the band members have returned and instead of waiting for the others, they just start playing to lure their mates in from wherever they’re at. They start off the second part of the set with an unexpected Johnny Cash cover, with a searing violin solo, as befits this year of the violin. They end the night by breaking up the crowd and going in for an ecstatic acoustic encore topped with some insane but expertly executed five finger fillet. (No artists were harmed in this video!)

The moving mob in near worship of this band is an incredible sight to behold and I am living vicariously through their dancing delight. Every fibre of my being is begging me to join the celebration, but I somehow manage to keep my wrecked body sitting on the sideline to spare myself for the shows yet to come. At this point I am wondering if I’ve brought enough paper to cover this performance. In the end I fill up the last page of my notebook just before the end of the set. In hindsight though, 90% of my rambling notes boil down to the following:

HOLY SHIT / WHAT THE FUCK
Happy smiles, happy faces
That ENERGY
Crowd goes WILD
What even is this?
Unfinished borderline indecipherable nonsensical sentences

The above full length video, courtesy of photo- and videographer Jozef Durnez, can fill in the blanks where my words and reels fail to convey just how extraordinary it is to witness Angry Zeta live on stage. To top it all off, they are extremely humble and just an all around warm bunch of beautiful humans! When I ask to get my poster signed they pass it around and make sure they’re all represented, after which they rally everyone around for the obligatory post-show selfie.

Suffice it to say, this band is fucking special and will from now on be a calendar priority for me when they come back. The energy hangover they must feel coming home, with this level of intensity night after night must be epic. I know I was reeling and revelling in it for some days after.

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21/08/2024 0

On the road with Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy, a trilogy in one part | Live in Aarschot, Turnhout and Herselt.

She can write short form like a one part series too? Absolutely, I do whatever I damn well please! Though I must admit that this band most definitely deserves more parts than I can give them at this time. Envisioning a few hefty series in the near future, I swore to take off my journalist hat and just enjoy the music. Fat chance when the music is THIS GOOD. So I danced and didn’t write anything down. But the memory is enough to sustain at least one blog, with a solemn promise to do better the next time they wind up on our shores again.

It all started with a recommendation, as all good things tend to do these days. Since meeting Ann and Dev last year during the WhiskeyDick/James Hunnicutt tour (and many more thereafter), I’ve learned we are kindred spirits in our love of music. So when either of them tells me I NEED TO see X or Y, I know to listen. (Re: Shawn James!!!) So, no ifs or buts, I tentatively circled two possible dates in my calendar for this band I had yet to discover.

SPOILER ALERT: One minute into show one and ‘tentatively’ became definitely and I added another in between.

That fateful first performance was in the city of Aarschot, which had left me with a bad taste in the mouth after some regrettable life choices as a teen. (Read: awful techno parties where I felt so out of place, I turned to alcohol to get me through them. Which led to MORE regrettable choices, but I digress.) Aarschot however proved its worth, it turns out to have another side to it, full of dazzling music and wonderful people.

Foto’s met dank aan Ronny Van Casteren

On a nice summer evening with just a sprinkling of rain, I arrive at the barn where over the course of the night, a lot of sweat was shed. A little bit of a bummer that the promised showers had made the actual circle outside a risky bet, after which the organisers decided to choose certainty in a roof over our heads. No matter, on with the show!

With the first sounds emanating from the stage, my body starts involuntarily dancing. Limbs go this way and that and I lose myself completely in the music and barely notice the world around. Except for that band, their impossibly magnetic tunes that put some sort of spell over me. It had been a at least a year since my limbs had done their wacky waving inflatable arm flaily tube man thing but fuck me if the adrenaline from it didn’t render me incredibly ecstatic.

Smiling and sweaty I start to stumble outside, but not before yelling at (and probably alarming) drummer Bryce who’s calmly gathering his things on stage. “HOLY FUCK MAN. I mean… HOLYYYYYY FUCK!’ I later catch up with him outside to let him know I am not a madwoman, I just get really REALLY excited sometimes.

*Shiny happy Julie with the wonderful drummer man Bryce*

Sometime after that, I regain my composure and connect with a few of the lovely people in the audience, new and old friends alike. I meet Carine and Gerrit, who’ve apparently unknowingly crossed my path a few times in the past already. I’m intensely moved by their story that led them to be here. Their son Jens was in a horrible motorcycle accident and passed away years earlier. To keep his memory alive, Carine and Gerrit decided to follow the music along the venues and artists their son had loved.

*Carine’s patched up vest, with a lot of names that ring a bell!*

Much later, after most people have filed out, with the last hangers-on we set off into the night, for a good time that will lead us into the early hours.

Sidenote: Thanks to my unexpected and erratically uncoordinated dance moves, I managed to damage my body so badly, I could hardly get out of bed for two days after. This unfortunately meant I had to miss Angry Zeta who I’d enthusiastically planned to see the day after at Lou’s bar in Liege. Fortunately for me, I would get another chance, a night not easily forgotten, which will be immortalised after these ones here!

After having just gained back control over my limbs, I endanger my body some more by risking the dance inducing sorcery that is Carrie Nation once more. Hey, I’ll live while I’m alive and dance as long as I can stand up, right? This time I roll up in Turnhout, at the scenic site of Barzoen.

In the middle of the terrace, wrapped around a huge tree, the striking (though apparently impractical) stage in the warm outside air, the location lends a distinctly different vibe to the show. Again I am completely enamoured and enraptured by that fun, frantic and full sound.

Lastly I end up at Café Pallieter in Herselt for the first time ever, exactly a week before my Clyde & Luke tour-along would set off there.

Another sidenote: I’ll find out later that these two had met Carrie Nation in the interval between the two Pallieter shows. Aside from that Kiel Grove (yet another one of Ann’s recommendations) sends me a message to say hi to his mates in Carrie Nation for him, much like James Hunnicutt & Joey Henry commented the same when I saw Kiel in Mechelen. And even though it’s my first time at the Pallieter, I already spot more than a few familiar faces here. The kindred spirits in music weave themselves into an ever growing net of kinship. Everything is interconnected, the purple string of music intertwining through my life and soul. Anyway, philosophical ruminations aside, back to the band at hand.

For the third and final time I see them, and I am again wholly bewildered by the way the instruments sing alongside the vocals in a harmony of their own. How seemingly effortlessly they all play off of each other, blending into a true feast for the senses. The force of that hoarse voice, the comfortable ease of Bryce’s drumming meshing with that deep bouncing bass and exhilarating brass. It’s a true speakeasy spectacular!

Special shout out to Tyler who not only switches seamlessly between his trombone and that divine mandolin, but plays them both so well and with so much soul and fervour you can not help but float away in mesmerised delight. The emphatic way the newest addition to the ranks, Eric McMyermick on harmonica completely loses himself in the music is truly captivating to behold.

So yeah, all of this to say I feel an instant love for this band with their killer instruments and overwhelming passion for playing them. The combination of the trombone, trumpet, harmonica, the essential standing bass and most alluring mandolin, topped by a guitarist with an unparalleled voice, makes it a ridiculously pleasurable performance. All of these instruments and vocal cords, attacked by musicians with ferocious fire fuelling through their veins. Sparks shooting from their eyes, while basking in the moment of their music. All of this of course mirrored by the crowd in front of the stage who’re left gobsmacked and delirious from the ride.

Next time they’re in my part of the world, I’ll be there for another tour-along and subsequent superlative filled series. You can bet on that!

CARRIE NATION & THE SPEAKEASY LIVE, JUNE 2024

Circle of Strings – Aarschot – June 22nd 2024
Barzoen – Turnhout – June 26th 2024
Palieter – Herselt – June 27th 2024

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17/08/2024 0

Luke, me and Mister McGee. Tour-along journal, a trilogy in five parts. | Part 5: Apotheosis at Brakrock /AND/ Back to Brak: A continued love song to my favourite festival | Part 1: Bridge City Sinners

Tying up one series and starting on the next, this post is a double whammy! After seeing the guys solo four times, I get to see them in action with the incomparable Bridge City Sinners at my beloved Brakrock. The purple thread of music keeps stringing me along and tying up all the threads into a glorious amalgamation of sound, people and places. Prepare for the final instalment of my tour-along journal which is also part 1 of the 2024 edition of my love song to Brakrock.

I have been counting the months, weeks, days and minutes in eager anticipation to this moment in time! My first Brakrock day starts off at the River stage where I am anxiously awaiting Bridge City Sinners to take the stage. During their soundcheck I can already feel my heart rate spiking (144 bpm and counting!) for the show I’ve been looking forward to the most on day one of the 2024 edition of Brakrock. The best festival in all of Flanders, shaded by foliage, filled to the brim with beautiful people and with a picturesque ruin as a backdrop. I AM HERE FOR IT.

Photo courtesy of Peter Verstraeten of Event Photography Peter
Photo courtesy of Peter Verstraeten of Event Photography Peter

Time to fawn over those magnificent musical instruments as they get tuned up to perfection. Strang’s gorgeous guitar (HEARTS!) Libby’s cute pocket banjolele & Clyde’s big black one and that stand out stand up bass, plus the fiddle and its stick that’s been played so hard it’s hanging on by a thread! Meanwhile, tour manager Joey is looking all serious and focused as fuck, making sure every little detail is put into place to perfection for his band, as is his modus operandi.

When the soundcheck already has the crowd all riled up, you just know this promises to be a GOOD time! I might just be a little biased, but I note down that I truly don’t understand why they’re playing so early. I can confidently say this is going to be one of the best bits of Brakrock, before even having seen the rest of the bands. In hindsight too, I was totally fucking right in that assumption. Bridge City Sinners immediately take the crowd by storm! In saying that, I get the sudden realisation that programming them early on does get everyone fired up for the day and sets a high bar for all the bands to follow! Smart move Brakrock!

Having seen them just under a year ago at Trefpunt in Ghent I was at least a tiny bit better prepared for what I was about to witness. Still, memories are one thing, reality is another and I let out a shrill FUUUUUCK YES and a lot of WOOOOOO’s. (Apologies to the eardrums around me, I seriously cannot help myself.) I am in AWE and LOVE (exactly like last time) with Libby’s absolutely electric stage presence! One HELL of a voice too, which lends itself amazingly to the Sinners’ unique style.

Photo courtesy of Peter Verstraeten of Event Photography Peter
Photo courtesy of Peter Verstraeten of Event Photography Peter
Photo courtesy of Peter Verstraeten of Event Photography Peter

It’s impossible to box them into one or even several genres of music, since nearly every song and album they bring out has a feel of its own. It’s what I adore most about them, the limitlessness of what they bring, from jazzy speakeasy sounds, to punk with hints of bluegrass, dark folk and much much more.

My notes are again insufferably insufficient and damn near useless in describing in any way, shape or form how fucking fantastic I feel living in this moment, up close to this stage. The band is just such a well attuned entity, with one of a kind harmonious strengths that directly amplify each other. These five people radiating talent and passion for what they do, the sum of their individual skills heightening the whole. Their energies feed off of each other and flow into the crowd that just spews it right back at them, which makes Bridge City Sinners one of the best live bands you’ll ever experience.

Bridge City Sinners’ new album ‘In the Age of Doubt’ has been out for a little over a month now and the response to it is phenomenal. They hit the Billboard charts full force and already amassed over 3 million streams on Spotify alone. No doubt a bunch of those can be attributed to me because I’ve been playing this record front to back ever since it came out. I vehemently recommend you to do the same.

Check out the first video for one of the most heart wrenching songs on the album.

After unexpectedly acquiring a spiffy second hand record player at the end of July, I saw it as a sure sign that this album should be the first vinyl I’ve ever bought. No doubt starting a very expensive hobby my wallet, though never myself, might come to regret.

As evidenced above, I might have yet again gone a little overboard at the merch table, but hey, at least it’s not another black band shirt, amirite? Plus it’s always worth it to support artists and get something tangible to catapult you back into those memories every time you come across it.

In conclusion, whenever Clyde, Luke and any or all of the other Sinners cross the pond again, I will never not be front stage and centre. And you dear reader, will not be disappointed if you follow me there.

THE BRIDGE CITY SINNERS LIVE AT BRAKROCK,
August 2nd 2024

And so falls the curtain on this tour-along series which will from now on hold a special place in my core memories. However, it is just the start of the Brakrock 2024 series, which will be continued after I tie up a few loose ends of some events that transpired in July. Stay tuned!

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15/08/2024 0

A love song to Brakrock 2023 | Part 6: Ode to the wondrous women of Brakrock! (The Venomous Pinks, Jen Razavi and Bad Cop / Bad Cop.)

With extreme giddy anticipation I’ve been looking forward to the 2024 edition of Brakrock on August 2nd and 3rd. Perfect time to look back on the previous year and get you guys equally excited with my tribute to the best festival in the world. The best bands, most idyllic location and greatest organisation made for two days that won’t easily be forgotten!

In this final post I look back on the inspiring performances by some of the mighty women that took the stage at Brakrock in 2023. Where are my female role models? HERE THEY FUCKING ARE!

THE VENOMOUS PINKS

In carefully planning which bands I wanted to see at Brakrock 2023, I got really excited when I came across The Venomous Pinks. Marked and highlighted with several exclamation marks, I decided this was a MUST SEE on day two. And booooy, was I in for a treat!

I had almost missed the mark waiting for Sidekick to kick off, so I had to run like hell from the Ruin to the River stage and made it in the nick of time. I glide through the crowd, already slick from the pouring rain and set up shop in the front row. I can barely keep up with the energy that’s thrown at me from on stage. Their savage set leaves me so breathless and wordless, I can hardly make out the few bits I managed to write down.

Suffice it to say I was very impressed with their enthusiastic spirit and their bad ass stage presence. If I loved their recordings already, it is nothing compared to the live version. With a fierce and passionate intensity they attack their instruments and put on quite a true punk rock powered party. With their fast paced songs, empowering lyrics and rebellious attitude they made a fan for life here!

It’s only mid afternoon and I’m already fired up like there’s no tomorrow. The Venomous Pinks are an absolute highlight out of all the amazing performances I got to witness at Brakrock 2023!

JEN (POP) RAZAVI UNPLUGGED

Only a little rest for the wicked and then off I go to the next highlight of the day, Bombpop Jen Razavi’s intimate solo set in the cosy (and dry!) atmosphere of The Belgian Beer bar. Got there 40 minutes early to beat the crowds, but only just made it in time to claim the last and quite possibly best spot right next to the little stage. Good foresight because a lot of late arrivals were left out in the rain, craning through the windows of the pop up dive bar to catch a glimpse.

I had seen Razavi a year earlier with The Bombpops at Punk in Drublic and I already knew she was someone to look out for. I was however NOT at ALL prepared for what I was about to witness. I am immediately blown away by her striking and powerful voice that takes centre stage without the din of a back up band behind it.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to take away from the brilliant live performance of The Bombpops, which absolutely rocked my world a year earlier. I only emphasise this because my notes are littered with amazement at the stripped down version of that voice over the delicate tones of her guitar.

Which brings me to the fact that she never even intended to accompany herself and tour as a solo artist before the pandemic. We have Stacy Dee (Bad Cop / Bad Cop) to thank for encouraging Jen to go acoustic and go out there on her own. All because she’s addicted to touring and loves it so much, she wanted to maximise her opportunity to play.

So she taught herself acoustic versions of her band’s songs and then went on to record some of her own. The mix between her own material, a couple of acoustic versions of The Bombpops and a few well reworked covers is splendid! She’s tells the crowd still finding her courage as a solo artist, but no need to be modest Jen, your talent shines through in what you do and how you do it! Pure magic this one.

And look, she even gave me a pic featuring her extremely cute puppy Saloon! Who’s a good boy? 💜

BAD COP / BAD COP

Speaking of Stacy Dee and friends, it’s time for some Bad Cop / Bad Cop action! Women to the front, y’all! Now, if I’d make a wordcloud of my Brakrock notes, I’m pretty sure the word energy would be front and centre. AND THESE LADIES HAVE IT IN ABUNDANCE! The same fuck you attitude as their friends The Venomous Pink and and such a kick ass stage presence too!

I immediately fall madly in love with Linh’s beautiful bass and Stacy’s gorgeous pink guitar. More importantly though, their grainy voices and rebellious lyrics win me over in mere seconds. These women breathe the punk rock spirit, womanarchists indeed! I’m too busy dancing and enjoying myself to make further notes, but trust me when I say that I’ll be front row if I ever see them playing again near me! Meanwhile, I’ll let the music speak for itself, check out the above videos (and playlist below) for a little idea of why I got so excited!

This is where I decide that the women of Brakrock should have their own space in this Brakrock series. And of course, where I note to PUT ALL THE SONGS IN THE PLAYLIST!

That’s it for my throwback to Brakrock 2023, now it’s time to eagerly await the 2024 iteration. See you there!

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 4th & 5th 2023

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01/08/2024 0

A love song to Brakrock 2023 | Part 5.2: Front Row Madness! (Day 2: The Lucky Trolls, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Toy Dolls!)

On to day two of Brakrock 2023 where I discover two new favourites and finally get to check off Toy Dolls from my bucket list! Let’s get this party started!

LUCKY ENCOUNTER WITH THE LUCKY TROLLS

After enquiring after and finding my friend’s lost phone, I get sidetracked from my planning again. What’s this I hear emanating from the Wood Stage? The line-up says it’s CF98 but a glance at the backdrop tells me something different. Turns out I am unwittingly at the right place at the right time for a new discovery. Apparently there’s been a last minute change and I AM HERE FOR IT.

At two am on Friday, The Lucky Trolls were invited to fill in for CF98 who sadly couldn’t make it to the festival. I say sadly, but I’m pretty stoked with the switch up if I’m being completely honest. After a moment’s confusion I am sucked in by that feel-good energy blasting from the stage.

I’ve been meaning to check out the Walloon music scene, and what an introduction I get with The Lucky Trolls. This magnificent band from Liege has that brilliantly unhinged Gogol Bordello and trashy, folky Days N’ Daze vibe, but with a Celtic punk rock twist. From the moment their first vibrant tones penetrate my ear drums I fall head over heels in love. Day two of Brakrock is starting off with a party, and my feet can’t resist bopping along to this colourful sound. It started raining at this point, but their cheerful music is more than making up for that.

Straight into my playlist they go, and I immediately run off to the merch hill to add some gear to my ever growing band themed attire. (One of my favourite hoodies to date, I might add!) After having a lovely chat with their friends and demanding they tell the band how they absolutely made my day, I bump into one of the members.

It’s their 5 string bass player François! In true enthusiastic Julie fashion run up I yell out: ‘HEY, aren’t you a Troll‘ and without waiting for an answer start gushing about how much fun I had randomly encountering them on stage. They are firmly on my radar to check out again!

VEMEHENTLY VIBING TO THE VOODOO GLOW SKULLS

Thanks to a friend’s recommendation I wrote up The Voodoo Glow Skulls as a must see for day two. Good decisions all around and I’m promptly pressed into the hedges front row! The crowd is going wild in conjunction with the zealously euphoric buzz the band projects onto them. The band is clearly soaking up the animated reaction from the steadily growing audience in front of them and reflecting it right back.

I’m in awe of singer Efrem Schulz’s relentless intensity in dancing and his lungs out while darting around wildly across the stage. He’s seriously dripping in sweat while simultaneously not missing a beat singing along perfectly in tune. I can’t fathom how they manage to keep up that impossible pace for the entire set, it’s truly out of this world! He’s not the only one breaking a sweat however, the band is equally energised and seemingly inexhaustible in providing a great back up to the pumped up singer’s antics.

Much thanks again to Silvère Vasselin who captured most of my favourites from Brakrock 2023

Even though the rain keeps trying to spoil the party, I eventually have to shed most of my layers because I’m sweating so much from bouncing along to their lively set. I started the day off pretty exhausted after the first day of the festival but the adrenaline is kicking that fatigue to the curb. Eventually even the sun makes its appearance again, lured out by this band of ferociously engaged artists.

I am elated when after the show I get to hand my rainbow pillow over and get it signed by this sensational addition to my ever expanding Brakrock playlist. I’m milling around trying to catch my breath after this magnificent performance, when I run into guitarist Eddie & bassist brother in arms Jorge Casillias, whose bass got run over at the airport and graciously got to borrow one from The Venomous Pinks. (More on them later in the next and final part on Brakrock 2023!)

I let them know they’ll be getting a raving review for their epically enrapturing stage presence and manage to commemorate the moment with this fun shot.

DIGGING THAT TOY DOLLS GROOVE, BABY!

It’s raining heavily on my parade by now but that won’t spoil the fun of finally getting exposed to the dynamic trio that makes up the Toy Dolls. Let me preface this by saying that after hearing one of their songs for the first time, I immediately added their back catalogue to my playlists. I’d missed their passing through Belgium a few times already and this time I would NOT rest until I could check them off my all time bucket list of bands yet to see. And let me tell you, gruesome though it had been, it was well worth the wait and anticipation.

The Toy Dolls celebrated 44 years of rocking out as the happy go lucky punk phenomenon they so obviously are. What a pleasure to be part of this spectacular anniversary tour. Well, pleasure doesn’t even begin to describe the feelings rushing through my body and soul while seeing them play. From their magnetic stage presence, to the raging riffs, over the hilarious lyrics, all the way to their mad synchronised choreography, there is nothing about this band that won’t put a huge grin on my face. (See picture above.) Of course this is only amplified by seeing it manifest in real life, only a few measly metres away.

Careful observers can spot me right up front having a blast, singing and moving along with the masses of fans and security alike, who don’t even mildly care that the flood gates have now opened. I put up the hood of my raincoat but immediately drop it back down to just weather the storm and not muffle one bit of the set of these uproariously animated legends of punk.

After this brilliant display I am frolicking around (rather painfully, but still) on cloud nine. The rest of the night passes in a blur, as nothing would compare to what I have just witnessed. Day two of Brakrock was an endless party for me, as evidenced clearly by the smile that was plastered on my face throughout.

Next up: The Women of Brakrock, the last but certainly not least recap of Brakrock 2023 before I gear up for the 2024 edition!

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 4th & 5th 2023

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30/07/2024 0

A love song to Brakrock 2023 | Part 5.1: Front Row Madness! (Day 1: Good Riddance and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes)

Ready for episode one of part five in my love song to the Brakrock festival? Read all about day one of securing a prime vantage point for one (of two, there’s a pattern here!) of my all time favourites, and having HEAPS of fun in the process. Not to mention being being yelled off stage by a vigilant roadie.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Well ok, that might be a lie because I’ve already touched on them a few times on this blog, in anticipation to the 2023 edition of Brakrock and the recap of Punk in Drublic by the same wonderful organisers. I make a point of trying to catch them whenever they tour Europe. Alas, this year I missed their passage through Belgium, because I was already too busy with my recent tour-along series. No worries though, as I can revel in the amazing memories from their set on the River Stage at Brakrock in 2023. Here goes!

OFF TO A GOOD START WITH GOOD RIDDANCE

*Crappy screenshot of the story Brakrock posted at the beginning of the year where you can see me recording the video linked below!*

To make sure I can get as close to the stage as possible, I decide to get there good and early, long before Good Riddance is set to play. In the process I nixed poor old Joe McMahon, who’d play an intimate set at the Belgian Beer Bar, and the last notes of the Satanic Surfers from my carefully curated planning. I’d love to say I am sorry for that, but I cannot in good conscience, as the rest of the night was just too damn fun.

Good Riddance launches into their set with an energetic vengeance I am sure is felt many miles away. I start off centre stage on the second row, but the crowd weaves and waves so much, keeping my position is nigh impossible. Writing down notes is a bit problematic in that press as well, but who cares when you’re having this much fun. The audience is getting more excited by the minute and the atmosphere is beyond phenomenal. The security folks seem a bit taken aback by the absolute chaos at first, but start visibly enjoying themselves thanks to the love from the people radiating in the direction of the stage.

In the press of the dancing masses I hear Good Riddance go through all their classics, a slew of new material and the crowd, so obviously full of fans, is eating it up! At this point my bruises have bruises, but I can’t emphasise how much I don’t care and how great it feels to be a part of this party. The crowdsurfers are relentlessly careening over the audience, young and old alike.

A word of gratitude for the way the security team anticipates picking up the crowdsurfers and making sure they get down safely. (As evidenced below by the post Me First and the Gimme Gimmes later shared on Instagram.) It also helps me be more aware of the incoming flailing limbs which makes it that much easier to enjoy the show.

Right near the end of the set I get pushed to the front row by accident, but do I mind? FUCKING NOOOO! (Though my battered knees kinda do at some point, but again, WHO CARES, bruises heal and memories are forever.)

I am elated and exhausted and am now even more eagerly awaiting my highlight of day one! Before that though the lovely security guy (Again, can’t stress enough how much I admire the organisation and the people behind it!) secures my infamous rainbow pillow so it doesn’t get smashed to bits in the pit and then manages to get it signed by the band. Hoorah! 💜💜💜

ON TO THE MAGIC OF THE GIMMES

See this ridiculously broad smile? Yeah, I was WAAAY beyond thrilled for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes to take the stage. In reviewing my little booklet of notes, I see that I only managed to write down after the fact that I didn’t write anything down. Nice. I was just too damn busy singing, dancing and trying to survive the pandemonium of an exceedingly excited crowd. I also have ZERO pictures or videos, so I scoured YouTube and found this glorious 15 minute clip! Thank you to my friend I haven’t met yet, Silvère Vasselin, for capturing this.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a class act and you just KNOW you will get a fantastic performance out of them everytime, the entire time. Their up-tempo covers of all sorts of classic songs that are seared into the collective memory of generations, never fail to put a smile on my face. I always have to make sure to not have any important vocalising to do the day after their performance, because I can guarantee my voice will be useless.

The River stage area is packed front to back and from all sides. The crowd is equally as ecstatically yelling and bouncing along as I am! Well worth all the bumps and bruises I obtain and which I honestly don’t even really register through the adrenaline rush that is a Gimmes show. They cycle through some amazing tunes when just before the encore Spike belts out ‘Straight up now tell me, do you really wanna love me forever…Or are you just having fun?’ Well, why can’t it be both? Definitely both!

*Cheeky use of a pic of the previous year. I’m sure no one will notice. 😉*

The Me First mayhem was so gratifying, it’s stashed safely into my core memories. Much like the aftermath which is most definitely something I will not forget. I aim my best puppy dog eyes at the security for the umpteenth time, and ask to guide my rainbow pillow toward the man who sparked the idea for having it signed by ALL THE PEOPLE at Brakrock in the first place.

*The Punk in Drublic version of my magical rainbow pillow, as signed by Spike Slawson himself.*

Sadly the band had already rushed off stage, but not to worry because I get hoisted over the barricades and lifted up on stage by my now favourite Brakrock surveillance people, allowing me to try and scurry off backstage. Unfortunately my uncoordinated self can’t find the entrance quickly enough, when the Gimmes’ roadie spots me maniacally looking for it and rushes toward me menacingly. He furiously roars at me to ‘GET OFF THE FUCKING STAGE’. I’m caught like a deer in headlights and fully freeze up so he bellows at me again.

My brain shifts from freeze to flight mode in an instant, and I jump off to safety. Being the Clumsy Crane I am, I am very surprised I did not get hurt on the way up or down that podium which had to be at least two metres high. I dispiritedly run away from the stage and hide in the bushes beside it. I burst into tears from the juxtaposition between the glowing ecstasy induced by the show and almost getting backstage, to being ferociously yelled at.

*Thank you Joost, you are a (Toy) Doll!*

Joost, who I’d met minutes before Me First’s set, followed me there and consoled the blubbering mess I turned into. In the emotionally flexible state I was, I swiftly burst out laughing at myself and the absurdity of my tears. I was also genuinely moved by a near stranger checking up on me after seeing the display unfold. Such are the ways of the fantastic Brakrock people. Admittedly I had no business stumbling around the stage and the roadie was understandably protective of the band’s gear, so I quickly got over my disappointment at the situation. Sorry for being a perceived nuisance dear vigilant roadie, I promise to be good from now on.

Be sure to check out Me First and the Gimme Gimmes’ 2024 live album where they ¡Blow it…at Madison’s Quinceañera! following a tradition they started by Ruin(ing) Jonny’s Bar Mitzvah in 2004.

Curtain call on Day 1 of the Front stage Madness. Next up: DAY TWO!

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 4th & 5th 2023

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25/07/2024 0

Luna en de Maanstenen – Deel 2 | Cafee Cabron, Antwerpen

Deel 2: Luna en de Maanstenen | Cafee Cabron, Antwerpen, 11 februari 2024

Deel 1: The Black Flamingo, Nijlen – 29 juli 2023

Anderhalve maand in het nieuwe jaar en toch alweer acht optredens achter de kiezen. (En nog veel meer op de planning.) Een dag eerder nog in The Black Flamingo voor Rabid Jack en Ellis Mane. (Hierover later meer, ooit ofzo.) Op een zalige zondag vliegen een Zwarte Flamingo en een Kraanvogel richting ‘t Stad.

*Een kraanvogel, Flamingo & Berang de nog te besprekene artiest*

Wie komen ze daar tegen? DE Berang, muzikant die twee weken voor De Maanstenen in de Flamingo speelde met Freddie Webber. (Jaja, ook dat komt ooit nog. OOIT!) Hij die gisteren ook meegenoot van Jack & Ellis in diezelfde Flamingo. (En medemuzikant is op de plaat van Ellis Mane die binnenkort van de persen rolt.) En die ook luistert als Jo zegt: KOMT DAT ZIEN. As everyone should, zoals we ondertussen weten.

Luna en De Maanstenen - Foto credit Briek Verdoodt — *Luna en De Maanstenen – Foto credit Briek Verdoodt*

Maar liefst 28 weken na datum en nog geen woord gerept over het geweldige optreden uit juli. Schande! Dan mag het geheugen al eens worden opgefrist. Alsof dat nog nodig was eigenlijk, na hun passage in The Black Flamingo. Maar goed, elk excuus is goed voor een portie Luna en de Maanstenen.

Verrassing, oh verrassing, Julie draait alweer op een slaaptekort van al enkele weken. Dat doseren heb ik dus nog altijd niet geleerd. Anderzijds weet ik dat ik er soms over moet gaan, om boenk op energiepeil 100 te belanden, dus ik neem het zekere voor het onzekere en sleep mij doorheen de dag en richting Nijlen, alwaar ik dankbaar kan meeliften met Flamin’Jo.

Het zal u ook dubbel niet verbazen dat ik ondertussen ook weer het quota aan gsm-opslag had bereikt en dus eerst nog grondig plaats moet maken op mijn telefoon.

Eens aangekomen in het geweldige Caffee Cabron zijn we meteen gewonnen voor de fijne vintage look van bruin café met sterke bierkaart, Tiffany lampjes tegen oude stenen muren en rode fluwelen gordijnen waarvoor de Maanstenen zullen schitteren.

Luna treedt aan met een waanzinnig coole prinsessenjurk en gooit haar bas over de schouder. De Maanstenen beginnen met een knaller van een nieuw nummer, met een heerlijk hevige gitarist Jitse op zang. Het nieuwe nummer klinkt nog net iets ruiger dan we gewoon zijn en de toon is meteen gezet. Het kot moet hier kapot! Er volgen nog nieuwe nummers, waaronder eentje met kraaien en onderstaande over de betweterige luide man die zo nodig zijn mening moest delen met Luna.

Wat een feest! Zitten heb ik de laatste tijd al genoeg gedaan, dus vandaag haal ik mijn beste (HAHA) dansmoves nog eens van onder het stof. Dansen, zweten, zweten en dansen. En ook nog een beetje zweten. Het is daar héét in de Cabron, letterlijk zowel als figuurlijk. Net zoals in de Flamingo spelen ze overigens de akoestische & punkversie van mijn lijflied Gewoon Gewoon.

Gewoon, omdat ze dat kunnen. Opnieuw sta ik versteld van het ongelooflijke bereik van Luna’s stem. Parker beukt lekker op zijn drum en ook Jitse ramt zijn er snaren bijna van af. Wat een afsluiter van een topweekend! Ondanks de korte nacht sta ik maandag op, bomvol nieuwe energie, en stuiter ik enthousiast de dag door. Muziek zal mij altijd blijven opladen.

Ook benieuwd: Zak op 27 april af naar de Costa!

Volg Luna en de Maanstenen

14/02/2024 0

Luna en de Maanstenen – Deel 1 |The Black Flamingo, Nijlen

Deel 1: Luna en De Maanstenen | The Black Flamingo, Nijlen – 29 juli 2023

Afgelopen zomer stond alles in het teken van de vogels. (Nu ook nog, maar toen nog net iets meer.) Ik begin mijn notities hier dan ook met de profetische zwaluw die langs rakelings langs de auto scheert bij het inrijden van de yellow sand road. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes knallen van I believe I can fly uit de speakers, terwijl ik de auto parkeer. 24 u geleden dans ik nog de ziel uit mijn lijf bij hun Belgische tegenhanger, The All Star Wedding Band. 48 uur geleden zwalpen mijn dansbenen nog vrolijk door de Mechelse Kruidtuin op de tonen van Funeral Dress en de punk dj die de avond daar afsloot. Het is weer synchroniciteit al wat de klok slaat.

Deze twee optredens liet me echter lichtjes (ZEER) uitgeput en met een resem spieren die prettig (PIJNLIJK) nazinderden. De week erna zou Brakrock de fantastische Joey Henri opvolgen dus moest ik een beetje doseren. (HAHA) Aldus beloofde ik plechtig van voor een keer niet gelijk een gek in het rond te dansen. Moeilijk, moeilijk, moeilijk. Gelukkig was er daar Jo die speciaal voor mij een relax had gereserveerd, meteen mijn ego én rug in een keer gestreeld!

Snel wat ruimte maken op mijn gsm (afgeladen vol na een hele lente en halve zomer vol muzikaal hoogtepunt na muzikaal hoogtepunt), want ja ik weet nu al dat ik hierover ga schrijven. (Hoewel ik er totaal geen tijd voor heb en ik al hopeloos achter loop, getuige deze vertraging van 6.5 maanden.)

Luna noemde haar eigen verzonnen genre bubblegum punk (al zou kleinkunst-punk ook een treffende benaming zijn) en Jo had me al verteld dat de paarsheid er van af droop. Kan dat dan nog mislopen? Ik denk het niet. (Spoiler alert: it fucking didn’t.)

De energie die van Luna afstraalt en de smack talk die ze verkoopt tegen en over haar maanstenen is verfrissend. De basdrum zindert door de zetel en doet ZO deugd aan mijn pijnlijke rug.

De nummers knallen Nederlandstalig uit de boxen. De humor en zelfspot van de teksten doen me heel sterk denken aan Nele Needs a Holiday, which is always a great thing.

Wat een topstem heeft Luna trouwens, van lieflijk zacht naar lekker ruig zonder verpinken. En een out of this world outfit in haar paarse zijden jurkje met Duvelsokken piepend vanuit haar Doc Martins. Ahja, en de maanstenen Jitse en Parker waren ook wel tof. (Kidding gasten, jullie waren beestig goed!)

Eerlijk is eerlijk, Luna is wel mijn rolmodel. De band verpersoonlijkt overigens wat ik altijd al met mijn droomband zou willen doen. De attitude, de sound en verhalende teksten, YES, meer van dat. En dat zal ik krijgen, een dikke 6 maanden later! Wordt vervolgd.

Voor ik vertrek mag alter ego Polexia nog haar allereerste handtekening plaatsen op Will de metal krokodil. Bij mijn vertrek onder een prachtige sterrenhemel hoor ik vanaf de overkant van de polders Zap Mama zingen. A perfect end to a great night.

Volg Luna en de Maanstenen

13/02/2024 0

Gogol Bordello, a story about music and people | Part 3: Post-Show Purple People

Kay and Victoria of Puzzled Panther and Julie at de Roma

Part 3: Post-Show Purple People

So, I have been hinting at this so-called review in a few posts now. I labelled it a concert review, but it has turned into so much more than that. It’s an ode to music, punk spirit, Purple People and community. My notes started off in Dutch, but then quickly veered into English because of all of the people who touched the experience. (I’m sorry if this is confusing, but this is just how my mind works.)

Plus there’s another part to Gogol Bordello that isn’t even about the music or the people but is highly relevant in the world right now. By this I mean their activism and support for Ukraine. (I will definitely touch on that , but will have to expand on that subject in yet another post because there is just SO much to tell). So in saying all this, English makes my little voice louder, and that can amplify their message too. So there. Another three parter. Plus a Fourth. Which will really be the Fifth. (Hey, did I just declare a triology in five parts. Speaking of kindred spirits, I mean!)

Anyway. Enjoy Part three where I meet more of the Purple People!
Read: Part Zero, Part One (-ish) and Part Two!

It was done. Gogol Bordello has left the stage. I am left behind very fulfilled, wandering around smiling a bit, before checking out my coat and finding the merch stand. I had already decided on the t-shirt I was going to get while waiting before the show. (Sadly I have yet to wear ANY of my merch since June was so FUCKING HOT. But it’s fine, new threads for Autumn, when my body can handle sleeves again!)

I quickly tell my preference to the lovely lady behind the stand and note Eugene walking back there. Sadly he is on his way backstage again, probably completely knackered after such an energetic show. No matter, I had been lucky enough as it was in the last week and months, I wasn’t planning on making band friends that night. I also add one of their lovely (and super practical) totes to my purchase, after seeing the proceeds go to support Ukraine.

Sergey Ryabtsev and Julie at de Roma — Sergey Ryabtsev and Julie

I turn around and who do I bump into but Sergey Ryabtsev aka mister electric violin himself! I manage to get him to sign my bag in pink sharpie, (Yes, I might never use this beautiful, practical bag again for irrational fear of it washing off. I will still very much enjoy and cherish it.) and have a quick picture taken. After ‘smoothly’ blurting out how much I loved the show and his playing in particular, I leave him to enjoy his after-show breather.

On my way out the door, I suddenly decide to turn back. During the show, the opener Puzzled Panther came on stage for one of the songs, and it just registered in my brain that they were the lovely ladies behind the merch. I venture over there and swiftly bond with Victoria Espinoza and Kay Buontempo who hail from NYC and have just been picked up by Gogol Bordello’s label.

I tell them how sorry I am to have missed two seemingly bad ass women on stage and promise to listen to their music. As is usual with Purple People, they aren’t mad I missed their show, but really enthusiastic to tell me all about it. At this point, there haven’t yet been any releases, (that I am aware of, correct me if I am wrong in the comments!) but I am anxiously waiting to tell you about it when they do release something!

What I did find was this lovely excerpt from a live show they did with two of their songs. I’ve also seen bits and pieces on the Puzzled Panther Instagram as well, so give them a follow and wait with me to add them to all the playlists!

Dumb European as I am, I comment to Kay: ‘Oh, you’re from NYC, like all cool merch people I meet. Do you know Joey Steel and Van Tastik?’ Of course she doesn’t, because one isn’t even from NYC (Van Tastik, he lived in the NY area but has since moved all over and now lives in the Netherlands) and NYC itself has a population nearly the size of Belgium, but I just get so excited.

Like I didn’t already think there had been too many weird coincidences that week, Kay drops the bomb on me when subsequently asking me if I normally speak French because I have a French accent in my English. The same question one of those broad NY area merch people, Fallen Reverend Van Tastik, had asked me not two days earlier. Feeling like this is synchronicity nudging me along, I end up buying a Puzzled Panther shirt as well. I thank these amazing Purple People, tell them I will write about their music and almost hop skip out of de Roma, drunk on music and life yet again. It is right then and there that the idea to Polexia Miller is born. I will write my own Almost Famous story. Let’s see how this ends! But first, read on about how it starts!

At this point, I am floating on clouds through the streets of Antwerp, back to the car that had eventually been parked about a half an hour walk out. It is a nice night and as soon as we leave the Turnhoutsebaan, it gets pretty quiet and we don’t see any passersby. A few silent streets into our journey I hear some English from a street corner and turn my head. I turn back. I do a double take. This CANNOT be. It is the three Brits I lost between the encores. This is Polexia’s time to shine!

Let’s finish what we barely started here. I begin an on the road type interview and try to take as many notes as I can. (I fail miserably to write anything down coherently, but I still got the gist of it all. Note to self, use recorder.) I ask them if it’s their first time in Belgium, which as it turns out, it is. Not only that, but they hadn’t really thought about a visit and had just followed Gogol Bordello because they rocked their socks off. They saw them a week earlier at Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds (For all that is holy, look at that line-up. I need to incorporate festival vacations!)

They came back from the festival, went on a leisurely trip to their friends in Normandy to eventually end up in Belgium for the show. It had been a good but also very rough week on them since they told me they had been drinking since the previous Wednesday. (The night this takes place is Friday in case anyone wants to do the math.) Though the conversation and information is a scattered chaos at best, I must say they hold their drink well. (I would have toppled over somewhere on the first Thursday probably.) And I thrive on chaos, so this is my ‘normal’ and I am enjoying every minute of our half hour walk. Because yes, they need to be in almost the same place as we do, because the universe has made it so.

As a beer loving Belgian, I can’t help but ask how they’re liking our beers since their version of Stella is watered down. The poetic words ‘I wouldn’t poke Stella with the dick of an enemy’ were followed by the second ode to Pimm’s I had heard in ever. (Apparently it is like the nectar of the gods. So much so that when The Rabids played the coronation party at the British store Stonemanor, they ran out and there was a public outcry. Which was then followed by the first ode to Pimm’s by an amazing British woman I still need to tell you about. Anyway.)

Lasse Nystedt via Unsplash — *A great tit sits at the top of a pine tree – Lasse Nystedt*

A lot of other amusing profanities are thrown around that I won’t repeat here, because some things are better off the record. Speaking of record. That part I forgot, to take an actual picture of the guys. At some point I had tried to shoot a video of their rendition of ‘Start wearing orange’. (My incapacity to do three things as well made me fail this miserably.) Well, Ian and Toby’s rendition. Tim mentioned that they had been changing the word Purple for whatever they could find the whole trip and it had been bugging him to bits.

Then, out of nowhere they give up on the Gogol and go straight for MMMbop. (Read here why that song/band is so important to me.) In my confusion (also, I was trying to cross a street and not get run over) I missed filming it. Lucky for me they pretend-believed me when I said my camera was off. If only for 15 glorious seconds.

Tim, Ian, Toby (and also deceased asshole cat Ralph), it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you on my musical travels again! Have fun going viral, maybe!

Looks like we made it to the end! There will still be a part four, about the Gogol Activism, but I have another live music story to tell that needs to come first. I am not yet sure how many parts it will contain, but it is also FILLED TO THE BRIM with the Purpleest of Purple People.

GOGOL BORDELLO – Saturday June 3rd 2023, De Roma Antwerpen

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26/06/2023 0

Gogol Bordello, a story about music and people | Part 2: LIVE!

Gogol Bordello @ De Roma | Photo : Mathias Verschueren – June 3rd 2023

Part 2: Gogol Bordello: LIVE!

I had made it in time. The show was about to start. To contain myself, I start typing basic notes. As usually happens when seeing bands, I discover they made new music since I got to know them. (I am very lax in following up on things that are not hyperfixations. That does not mean I love something less, it just means it hasn’t seared itself into my brain yet for some reason.)

Always good to see new music! Solidaritine is the full studio album from 2022. Even better to see is that, in true punk spirit, it is not just a collection of nice sounding notes and chords to dance to. It is a rebellion to the Russo-Ukraine War, taken on tour even as far as the actual frontline. (That’s that WHOLE other blogpost I was talking about. I am not going to go in it, because by now you must be sick of me bait-and-switching you. Just be aware at this point, new music exists. I feel I have to mention this fact on my honour as a journalist, because I will not be able to be neutral when I go on.)

I quickly rush over to the bar to get hydrated before dancing my ass off, but to no avail. The line is too slow and the first tones of Gogol Bordello are sounding out. Oh well, I follow the music, skipping into the beautiful hall that is de Roma and I am instantly smiling.

The energy is purple today. Gogol Bordello radiates something unique from off of that stage. A vibrant life energy, as strong as the sun. You are drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Rhythmically moving your body to the tones, as if controlled like a puppet on a string. It takes you over. Their unique sound, their full-on enthusiasm, mixed in with what looks like absolute chaos. That’s the way I like my music! It is exhilarating. It breathes life into a whole room full of people who are transfixed in happiness. It is a sight for sore eyes.

It’s just an instant party from note one, is what I am saying. We are all the Purple People here and you can’t help but feel a part of something bigger. Unlike most Belgian crowds, this one dances and screams with joy. It’s all that purple, it bleeds out.

Meanwhile, the interval workout my Fitbit is telling me I am in, is wearing me out. These guys play no slow songs, I really have to work on my cardio for next time. But it’s all good, I have some notes to take to try and explain what is going on and why I am so ecstatic here.

A lot of my notes are about beautiful instruments again. Firstly I notice the gorgeous seafoam green archtop (not resonator) guitar that singer Eugene is handling. Then I go on to mention the electrical violin with a resolute ‘fuck yeah’ behind it. I am impressed by a solo the violinist Sergey was playing which I wrote down was a painful song that reminded me of El Tango de Roxanne from Moulin Rouge. (A huge plus in my book, I cannot tell you how much I love that movie and that soundtrack.)

I also get pretty excited about the ‘fucking accordeon lady, yeah’ further on in my notes. I also note she strapped a giant drum to herself and banged her heart out. Unfortunately, I was too far off to see who I was mentioning and my pictures are not helping. I also wrote ‘see X rocking the Banjo‘ but also have no photographic proof of banjos on stage to reference the great X. I am sorry for not being able to name these, clearly amazing, musicians. YOU ROCK so much I have no way of finding out who to shout this at!

There’s nine people on the stage dancing around the fire. The lung capacity of Eugene is impressive, how he can sing, jump and bellow out the words is an impressive feat to witness. This band has the same breaking-down-the-house energy as SONS did in this very same room. No wonder I had to be reminded of them pre-show. When the band is just as drenched in sweat as their audience you know it’s a good show. Insert teaser pic from the last post:

During show selfie up the top of the stairs at de Roma — During-show-selfie up the top of the stairs at de Roma. Sweating and smiling. (THE sign of good music!)

The best mosh pit breaks out, people are surfing across the heads like there’s no tomorrow, so I run upstairs to the balcony to get a better look. I stop to take above selfie of my happy face and head in. What an amazing aerial view of the party of bobbing heads and bodies below! I sit myself down, (mostly because a nice man asked me to get out of the aisle, but happy to grant my body a little much needed rest.) and enjoy a few more songs like this. Excuse this crappy video quality below, but it serves to just to give you an idea of the mayhem and beauty of it all.

Then I hear it. I get up and thrust my Roma Feestbier in the hands of my compatriot. (Literal HOLD MY BEER moment.) I run up the aisle and see a like minded spirit doing the same. I call her out: ‘we have the same idea, you’re doing exactly the same thing’. We smile broadly, both rush downstairs and start dancing to ‘Start wearing Purple’. I dance so fast as to blur the reds and blues of my dress into pure purple. I lose her in the crowd. Besties for life, still, nameless person. ❤

There’s a little lull in the music. Is it over? A break? Someone saw that I was unsuccessfully trying to Soundhound a song, and comes over to help me out. (Somewhere in the dancing confusion, I lost track of where I was in my notes, so I had to go full on investigative journalist on myself to find out what song I was even referencing. Turns out it was the song I compared to El Tango de Roxanne earlier and is an Angelic Upstarts cover called Solidarity.)

Alright, thanks again Joris from Ruddervoorde for helping me out. I asked him if he’d ever seen a Belgian audience go wild like that and if he had danced himself. And he agreed he hadn’t yet seen that level of enthusiasm and he’d danced himself. He is a big fan and his last time at de Roma had also been for Gogol Bordello. The encore starts up and we lose eachother in the sea of happy, sweaty people.

More hopping around ensues and I keep stepping on my dress that is really too long for this. It’s all good and well. (I notice my preferred personal space circle gets a lot smaller in a happy dancing crowd, oddly enough. I don’t even mind the people bumping into me or getting drinks poured over me (usually). It’s just what happens when we’re having fun.) Gogol Bordello keep on playing encore after encore. This band is indestructible!

So many encores already, that in another lull between encores I think they can’t possibly play anymore, so I strike up another conversation with some people near me. Turns out they can’t help me with my ‘enthusiastic dancing Belgians’ question since they’re British. They do confide in me that they were dancing like crazy because of the band and the beer.

I almost follow them out for their smoko, but decide against it when I hear some more music blasting off the stage. No way I am missing even a second of this party. Bye unknown strangers, no way I’ll ever find you in the crowd after the show to finish this story. (Spoiler for part three: I DO find them, in the most unlikely of places and they serenade me with MMMbop. Proof incoming.)

In short. Gogol Bordello is life. The music and the musicians are amazing and wild. The crowd is a joy to be a part of. It’s not just a show. You make friends here. It’s a place to just enjoy life. It’s a world of its own. Full of purple people. Full of hope.

The end of part two. Part Three will contain all after show events. Which includes:

The lovely ladies of Puzzled Panther, the opener I sadly missed!
A meet and greet with violinist Sergey.
A chance encounter with three Brits, long thought lost.
The birth of Polexia Miller.

Huge thanks (again) to de Roma for the beautiful professional shots I get to use. Featured image in this post also by Mathias, as shown in part one-ish.

Huisfotograaf Mathias Verschueren en Jef: <3!

GOGOL BORDELLO – Saturday June 3rd 2023, De Roma Antwerpen

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24/06/2023 0

Guided by Angels – Ode to Amyl (And The Sniffers) in 3 parts

Part one: Rounding off the Edges – Guided by Angels
Part two: Live! Amyl And The Sniffers (Trix)
Part three: Guided by Amyl

When I heard Guided by Angels for the first time, I got into a heated discussion if they might be a Christian band (they’re not). It’s not always that I look up the lyrics immediately, (though it does happen A LOT) but in this case I just fell in love instantly. If I hadn’t already fallen head over heels for that pumping intro riff.

When they (inevitably, obviously) make a movie about my life, this song is going to be on the soundtrack. Right next to The Dresden Dolls’ Girl Anachronism. Both songs just radiate ADHD energy to me.

Rounding off the Edges - Guided by Angels pt. 1 - Number 37 n the series. — *Rounding off the Edges – Guided by Angels pt. 1 – Number 37 in the series.*

I had to use these words somehow, in the Rounding off the Edges Series. And I did. And believe me when I say I am not yet done with their words.
All this to say: I absolutely love this band.

Another few lyric favourites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuL1U4BRbOo

Live! Amyl And The Sniffers (Trix)

Australian invasion of Belgium – Part one! (See The Chats for part 2)

I got to see them at Trix on November 15th 2022 and I seriously almost started crying in the audience. To say it had been a rough few months for me would be an understatement. This gig was quite literally the first fun activity I had planned since the end of August. And I still didn’t really feel like going, even though I had been looking forward to it for over a year.

So I just stood there and let the energy the band emits (the song is not wrong!) wash all over me. I felt the loud basses coursing through my body. I felt the happiness and enthusiasm of the audience I was in (and then I’m not even addressing that same feeling radiating off of the stage). I felt like somewhat of a person again. Music is my home and Amyl And The Sniffers made me feel SO SO welcome.

At the time I wasn’t in a writing state of mind, so I never gave them the review they deserved. But everything felt a little lighter after that day. Got to meet the lovely Amyl (Amy Taylor) & Sniffer Dec Martens post-show, hanging out by their bus. Great and funny people, so down to earth and genuinly nice. You can tell by my crazy joyous smile. Next time they’re around, I will write them that review and then some!

Julie and Dec Martens of Amyl And The Sniffers at Trix november 2023 — *Julie and Dec Martens at Trix november 2023*

Guided by Amyl

It might not surprise you that I have a soft spot for the lady Amy(l) who is everything I want to be when I grow up. (Yes, she is 10 years younger than me, I just never had the right role models growing up. Still learning!) The above lyric rings so true to me. (See: Circle in a Square Puzzle.) It is so hard to find the people who bring the best out in you. And so glorious when you do find them.

It took me way longer than I would have liked, but I have found some of my angels both near me and in a ‘love-you-from-afar-way’. Both are represented in the below picture.

Amy Taylor (Amyl and the Sniffers), Clumsy Crane and Seriously Hilary at Trix in november 2023 — *Amy Taylor (Amyl and the Sniffers), Julie and Seriously Hilary at Trix in November 2023*

Amyl and the Sniffers ,15th of november 2023, Trix antwerpen

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30/05/2023 0

The Chats (Trix)

Australian invasion of Belgium – Part two!

Deel twee van de Australische invasie op Trix Antwerpen! We schrijven 29 mei 2023, een dikke 6 maanden na de eerste inval daar door de fantastische Amyl And The Sniffers.

Het begon niet geweldig goed. Vertraging. Gekken op de baan onderweg Geen parkeerplaats in de nabije omgeving en dus een half uur rondrijden en stress in het verkeer. Maar goed, eindelijk geparkeerd en in zeven haasten en een kwartier snelwandelen aan Trix te geraken. (Hey Trix, misschien een liefdevol mailtje sturen naar de tickethouders wanneer de Sinksenfoor (vermoed ik) in town is en dus ALLE parking in de buurt helemaal ingepalmd is.)

Maar goed, na wat gevloek in het algemeen en wat gefoeter op mijn date omdat het allemaal te TRAAG ging (#sorrynotsorry) raak ik nog op tijd in de zaal om eerst wat merch in te doen en snel in een locker te stompen. Om dan net op tijd op een relatief niet geweldige plek in de zaal te geraken. Geen zorgen, de vibe zit er goed in want onbewust open ik al een keep note en start ik de notities die zullen leiden tot deze blog.

Waar de weg er naartoe een kleine tocht door de hel was, begint de set formidabel. Die jonge ventjes beginnen daar verdomme met Bloody Belgium (1978) van de ultieme Belgische punkband The Kids. In orde, we zijn vertrokken.

Niet lang daarna, al tijd voor het tweede hoogtepunt: 6L GTR!

Wat een wall of sound. Young as fuck, loud as hell en met een delicious Aussie accent (TEMPARATJHURE) als kers op de taart. Eerlijk, als je de zanger & drummer (met mullets en eind 80s/begin 90s styling) van op een afstand naast de gitarist (in een very dad-energy shirt) ziet, verwacht je op het eerste zicht misschien een band die op weg is naar hun eerste gig, vervoerd door hun vader. Vanaf hun eerste noot versplintert dat beeld meteen. Die gasten kunnen rocken, wat een motherfucking wall of sound!

The Chats doen niets wereldschokkends, het is gewoon punk in de oudste zin van het woord. Luid, snel en hevig. Ze doen het alleen wél wereldschokkend goed. De set gaat aan een waanzinnig tempo, de vingers vliégen over de snaren. De drum moet op een bepaald moment zelfs meermaals door niet één, maar twee zwaar bebaarde roadies worden bijgesteld terwijl terwijl Matt Boggis gewoon verder speelt. (They are the Roadies, they make the rock go!)

Waar ik me aan het begin nog afvroeg waarom de bas van frontman Eamon Sandwith (Hoe Game of Thrones is die naam trouwens!) zo stil leek te staan, verdwijnt dit gevoel vanaf de eerste noot van Heat Stroke. (Al staat de hele set relatief stil gemixt voor zo’n gitaargeweld, ik kan zelfs zonder probleem mijn oordopjes opbergen. Ik vraag me echt af hoe deze mannen moeten geklonken hebben tijdens hun eerste optredens in dive bars waar ze zich niet aan decibelregels houden.)

Noot van de redactie: Vanaf hier wordt de Google Keep note wat moeilijker te vertalen in een vlotte blog omwille van onder andere de autocorrect fouten. (Het moest snel gaan, ik wou niks missen.)

De gevoelens omschreven als steeds vagere kernwoorden maken alleszins wel duidelijk dat deze Australische kerels GOED BEZIG zijn. Lees enkele van de letterlijke copy-pastes:

sons in roma
vingers vliegen over de srmtringsm
Bass lick intro heat stroke yeah
… maar raaah
Struck by lightning yass

Met een cover ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’ van Kiss, aan een tempo dat zo’n 100x hoger ligt dan het origineel, bevestigen ze al de bovenstaande nonsenswoorden.

De volgende notitie is dat het met Smoko tijd is voor mijn absolute hoogtepunt van deze show. (Als ik goed kan rekenen, nu ongeveer het vierde hoogtepunt dat ik noteerde op een dik halfuur tijd.)

Het begint ongeloofwaardig te klinken, he? Deal with it. Ik ben absolute fan van The Chats in het bijzonder en de Australische punk sound in general. Ondertussen ben ik overigens allang gestopt met noteren en begonnen met dansen, dus heel veel zinnigs kan ik niet meer over de rest van de show vertellen.

Na het optreden als vanouds nog even rondgehangen in de buurt van de toerbus. (Je bent een groupie of je bent het niet. Hoe mooi trouwens dat dat bij een zaal als Trix ook gewoon nog kan!) Eigenlijk heb ik vooral even halt gehouden om mijn nieuwe Chats-pin een plekje te geven op mijn worn in (fake) leather jacket. Mijn brein vond dat er ergens iets misliep in de uitlijning van hun pin en die van The Bombpops.

Op dat moment registreerde een ander deel van mijn brein (#adhdproblems) Matthew Boggis (drums) en Josh Hardy (gitaar, backings en ex-The Unknowns) en moest ik even voor de selfie for posterity gaan. Mijn fantastische brein vond er overigens ook niets beter op om op dat moment te vragen ‘hey, but where’s your third one?’. (Achja, mogelijk doet het iets als je frontman wordt omschreven als the third guy en heb ik wat ego’s gestreeld.)

The Chats at Trix - Josh Hardy, Matt Boggis | Clumsy Crane — *The Chats at Trix – Josh Hardy, Matt Boggis | Clumsy Crane*

Ergens tussen beide momenten raakte ik laatstgenoemde pin kwijt. If anyone finds it, let me know, want ze heeft wel wat sentimentele waarde. Anderzijds, als ik ze kwijt ben is dat ook deel van de punk spirit. Wie raakte er nog nooit iets kwijt in een moshpit? (Also, er is iets met die pin, want ik had ze nog maar net terug na ze net na Punk in Drublic ook ergens kwijt te spelen, zij het in huis. Cursed, I tell you)

One last thing. Ik dacht voor vanavond niet dat Australiërs lichtgewichten waren als het over drankgebruik ging. (Ondertussen vraag ik me af of de gemiddelde bierdrinkende Belg misschien gewoon een te hoge tolerantie heeft.) Maar met in België op een podium te gaan wedden of je gitarist een HELE FLES Duvel (37,5 cl ofte 1,5 Duvels) op krijgt voor het einde van de set, terwijl het publiek er op dat punt grosso modo elk 2 achter de kiezen heeft, maak je niet meteen indruk. (Just kidding Josh, we love you!)

The Chats at Trix 29/05/2023 – Josh Hardy & Clumsy Crane

The Chats & Trix, tot snel! ❤

THE CHATS – Maandag 29 MEI 2023, Trix antwerpen

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29/05/2023 0

Live! Punk in Drublic (De Schorre)

JAREN. Zo lang al was ik aan het uitkijken naar Punk in Drublic. Eind 2019 kocht ik dan vol anticipatie de tickets voor de eerste keer PiD op Belgisch grondgebied. The wait was almost over! Ja, niet dus. Nog eens 2,5 jaar later mocht ik dan toch eindelijk aanschuiven in de Schorre in Boom voor een licht gewijzigde affiche. Ik stuiterde als een botsbal door de wachtrij, en dat gevoel zou enkel nog versterkt worden doorheen de dag.

Het voordeel aan ouder worden is dat je beter voorbereid bent op het hele festivalgebeuren. Eerst maakte ik een lijstje met bovenaan een zitkussentje (waarover later meer), zonnecrème, oordopjes en mijn Gimmes & NOFX bandshirts. Het tweede dat ik deed was zorgen dat ik ruim op tijd voor de poort van de Schorre in Boom stond, zodat ik geen seconde van Punk in Drublic dreigde te missen!

Alle foto’s met dank aan Captured by Jonas!

Wat goed dat ik ruim op tijd was. De eerste noten klinken al vanaf het podium met de soundcheck van Days N’ Daze uit Texas. Nog snel een ‘Modeste‘ tanken bij het ‘bruin café’ Staminee Maritime ‘T Anker en dan beginnen ze er écht aan. Days N Daze noemen hun folky punk zelf H-Town Thrashgrass, een woordspeling op hun home town Houston en Amerikaanse Bluegrass. Ik kende ze schandelijk genoeg nog niet, maar ze staan ondertussen heel hoog in mijn Spotify favorieten.

Live klinken ze echter nog VEEL trashier, minder afgelikt en de energie die van het podium knalt zette de toon voor de dag. Het zootje ongeregeld lijkt recht van de straat geplukt. Akkoord, in het begin laten ze wat steken vallen, niettemin is dat snel vergeten eens ze echt beginnen knallen. Meagan Michelle op washboard en lead vocalist Whitney Flynn (die terwijl ook nog eens vlotjes trompet en ukelele speelt) worden schitterend aangevuld met Matt Willhelm op contrabas en andere lead vocalist Jesse Sendejas met beestig schorre stem (haha, hebt ge hem) en akoestische gitaar in de aanslag. Hier en daar aangevuld door een andere artiest die het podium opwaait met gitaar of banjo in de hand. Sterke start!

Daarna opnieuw topwijven op het podium met The Bombpops. Spijtig genoeg verliet Poli van Dam de band maar Punk rock pixie Jen Razavi & nieuwe aanwinst Remington (zie foto) spelen en zingen de spreekwoordelijke pannen van het onbestaande dak en het publiek leeft zich uit. Zo veel energieverbruik tijdens het dansen dat het alcoholniveau in het bloed van de deinende massa zienderogen zakt. Tegelijkertijd zie je iedereen met dezelfde gelukzalige glimlach op het bezwete gezicht genieten. Bier is maar bijzaak als de muziek en de sfeer zo goed zitten. (Maar goed, na deze wervelwind toch nog snel naar de bartent voor een Victoria.)

Het energieniveau wordt staande gehouden door volgende band Get Dead die met hun snelle lyrics en opzwepende drums de benen probleemloos in beweging houden. Geen moment rust voor die dansvoeten want de vrolijke Italiaanse ska van Talco vol saxofoon en trompetgeluiden komt daarna van het podium gedonderd.

Ignite vult het rijtje aan en houdt de punkfans geboeid ondanks eerdere zorgen over het eerste aantreden van de nieuwe zanger. Eli Santana stelt niet teleur en wel integendeel, hij wint meteen het hart van het publiek. Getuige daarvan het gesprek dat ik mocht overhoren in de rij voor een pakje friet. “Dat was bangelijk, veel beter dan de vorige vijf keer ik ze zag. De snelheid was veel strakker en ook de zanger was veel beter dan de vorige!” aldus D. die anoniem wenste te blijven. Wannes vond dan weer dat hij wel een goede stem had maar dat zijn haar te lang was. (Noot van de redactie: een absolute leugen, ik noteerde hier OMG ZIJN HAAR in mijn schriftje, wegens extreem jaloers op zo’n schitterend lange en verzorgde mannen-manen.) Wanners zei ook nog dat ze teveel nieuwe nummers hadden gespeeld waarop D. pareerde dat die nieuwe nummers gewoon nog moesten rijpen. (Dit intermezzo om aan te geven hoe ongelofelijk snel je vrienden maakt op een festival als Punk in Drublic.)

Mijn pakje friet was nog niet koud (en ook nog niet eens op) voor ik het (letterlijk) aan de kant gooide want Me First and the Gimme Gimmes stond plots al op het podium. Ik stuiterde luid zingend en zonder mijn entourage ervan te verwittigen weg richting front stage. Voor ik het wist stond ik mijn stem kapot te brullen op de eerste rij. In mijn haast had ik mijn prachtige regenboog-gekleurde zitkussentje (zie je dat het terug kwam) nog in de hand, dat ik dan ook driftig dansend in de lucht begon te pompen.

Voor wie de geweldige Gimmes nog niet kent, ze zijn de eerste (en beste) supergroep coverband in de wereld. Spike Slawson staat altijd aan de microfoon, de rest van de originele leden, waaronder ook Fat Mike, worden op tournee al eens vervangen. Deze keer staat C.J. Ramone (The Ramones) op het podium samen met John Reis (o.a. Drive like Jehu & Rocket from the Crypt), Jake Kiley (Strung Out) en Andrew Pinching (ex-drummer van the Damned).

Ze spelen punk covers van klassiekers, van Sinéad O’Connor tot Nat King Cole over Cher en de onnavolgbare Kermit the Frog. Alle nummers die (al dan niet als guilty pleasure) in het collectieve geheugen zitten dus: The Gimmes hebben ze gecovered.

Voor wie mij nog niet kent, ik ben een gigantische Gimmes fan. Ik wil dus al heel lang veel woorden aan hen vuilmaken op deze website.

Ik viel dan ook bijna in zwijm toen zanger Spike Slawson na ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ me vanop het podium aansprak en zei ‘This one was for the young lady with the Rainbow sign’ en moest bijna opgeraapt worden toen de enige echte C.J. fucking Ramone me daarna goedkeurend toelachte om mijn extreme enthousiasme en me zelfs hand horns toezwaaide. 🤘

Hun set was zoals altijd perfect voor zowel de die-hard fans als een een lekker proevertje voor nieuwe fans die de band nog niet kennen. Omdat ik ze al een ‘paar’ keer gezien heb ondertussen begin ik wel te merken dat ze vaak dezelfde overgangen maken tussen de nummers. Zo wordt er altijd gevraagd aan Spike gevraagd ‘If he is thankful for something’ net voor hij de eerste zin ‘I’d like to thank the guy…’ inzet van mijn favoriete cover ‘Who Put the Bomp’. Dat hun setlist ook vooral de meest bekende nummers bevat kan ook de pret niet drukken. Het is een band waarvan je weet dat je verdomme waar voor je geld krijgt als je er met je zuurverdiende centen een ticket voor koopt. De pijnlijke spieren van het rondspringen, gebrek aan stem van het meezingen en algehele energiedip voor minstens drie dagen na de show neem ik er héél graag bij.

Na Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is het helaas al tijd voor de laatste band van de dag: NOFX. Ze starten hun set altijd met ‘Time Warp’ uit de musical Rocky Horror, deze keer in de versie van Tenacious D. Wie me hier nog al heeft gelezen weet dat ze daarmee al dikke punten scoorden. NOFX is altijd een heerlijke liveband geweest die zich even hard amuseren tijdens het spelen (en mopjes maken) als dat je hun publiek plezier ziet maken front stage. Ook op PiD toonden ze zich weer van hun beste kant met klassiekers als ‘Perfect government’ en met reggae punk vibes met ‘Kill all the White man’. Het enige minpuntje dat ik zou kunnen aanhalen is dat de vocals wat mij betreft altijd nét te stil gemixt staan, wat me ook al opviel tijdens hun laatste Belgische passage op de Lokerse Feesten. Los daarvan was het een heerlijk gebeuren en een geweldige afsluiter van een zweterige dag vol muzikale hoogtepunten.

Serieus, ik heb op Punk in Drublic geen énkele groep gezien die ik niet goed vond. Sterker nog, ik heb een fantastische groep ontdekt die zelfs niet op de affiche stond: Cop/Out (Shout out to my new merch friend Joey Steel! ♥️)

Los daarvan pronken er ondertussen nu op mijn zitkussentje de handtekeningen van Spike & Fat Mike, welke laatste zich ook vanaf het podium afvroeg waarom ik een rainbow sign ophield. En ja, aan de prachtige foto van mij en Melvin van NOFX zie je hoe groot mijn liefde voor beide bands is. Year made! Merci aan Jonas voor deze beelden.

Dan nog even een woordje over het festival zelf. Punk in Drublic, het Punk & Beer festival van NOFX frontman ‘Fat’ Mike Burkett startte. De basis? De beste muziek meets de beste bieren op een absoluut feestival. Kleine kantnoot die weinig met muziek maar alles met het festival te maken heeft: hier in België een lichtjes andere insteek wegens geen verschillende craft bier standjes (noch gratis bier), maar een bruine kroeg in een tent. (Ter info Fat Mike: voor volgende jaren, Leffe is geen bier. Verder geen klachten over het aanbod, veel beter dan de platte pintjes op veel andere festivals. Ik dank u.)

Andere kantnoot die alles met de muziek en punk als een attitude te maken heeft: (mede) dankzij Mike’s label Fat Wreck Chords is punk alive and kicking! Een welgemeende fuck you aan iedereen die durft beweren dat punk dood is. Punk is niet dood, maar evolueert continu en blijft nieuwe & oude fans aanspraken. Ja, de muziek klinkt misschien wel soms anders dan in de tijden van The Sex Pistols, de kern is nog steeds hetzelfde: het onrecht in de wereld luidkeels bestrijden en taboes doorbreken. Niet voor niets staat NOFX met een Pride flag op het podium. Verschillende bands onder het label hebben LGBTQ leden, waaronder Fat Mike van NOFX zelf. Voor hun laatste plaat schreef hij onder andere het nummer Fuck Euphemism. Los daarvan zijn heel veel teksten van NOFX en andere bands onder (en gerelateerd aan) het label nog steeds doorspekt met politieke en andere schenenschopperij. Hell yeah!

Punk in Drublic – 04 juni 2022, De Schorre (Boom)

Ook verschenen op Brothers in Raw

Check tot slot ook zeker ook onderstaande Punk in Drublic documentaire op YouTube.

09/06/2022 0

Live! SONS (De Roma)

We schrijven 2018. Het was zover. Ik voelde me oud en out of touch. Ik was zo ontgoocheld in de muziek op de radio dat ik me Grandpa Simpson begon te voelen. (I used to be with ‘it’, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ anymore and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary. It’ll happen to you!) StuBru blèrde vrolijk popmuziek alsof dat altijd hun ding was geweest. Hun nieuwe lichting 2017 leverde ons nog het kwelend konijn dat zichzelf de nieuwe Jeff Buckley doopte. (Spoiler alert: de echte Jeff draaide zich om in zijn graf en deed snel oordopjes in.) In 2018 was er terug licht aan de einder. Toen bracht de lichting ons SONS. Het volume van StuBru knalde plots weer vrolijk hard de hoogte in.

We schrijven eind 2019 en staan in de Roma. Psych 44 opent de avond en warmt onze trommelvliezen al op voor wat er ons nog te wachten staat. Het publiek geniet zichtbaar van hun heavy en ritmische stonerrock. Elk nummer op zich staat als een dijk. Alleen heb ik, net zoals vaak met stonerrock, het gevoel dat er weinig variatie in zit. Hard, leuk en gaan, maar vooral nog even wachten op SONS.

Wanneer SONS het podium betreden moet ik terugdenken aan een passage uit ‘Life’ van Keith Richards. Richards zegt er tegen John Lennon: ‘You wear your guitar too high. It’s not a violin. No wonder you don’t swing. No wonder you can rock, but not roll.’ De bassist van SONS draagt zijn gitaar bijna tegen zijn nek, de gitaristen bespelen hun exemplaar niet veel lager. Ik kan u zeggen, Keith was full of shit. Als de Beatles al niet roll’den, bewijzen SONS wel dat de roll niet in de vrijheid van spelen zit. De vier vormen een belachelijk dansbare wall of sound die ze heel het optreden vasthouden. Alles moet kapot! Het voelt bijna als heiligschennis in een prachtige art deco zaal als de Roma. De brutale kracht die van het podium barst verspreidt zich als een virus en zorgt voor een schokgolf bij de toehoorders.

De muzikanten voeren een energetisch gevecht met hun instrumenten en verliezen zich volkomen in hun muziek. Niet te veel geleuter in bindteksten tussendoor, gewoon gaan. De hevige opzwepende drum bezweert de loeihard snijdende gitaren. Doorheen al dat rumoer zou een mens nog vergeten vermelden dat verdomd goede muzikanten zijn. Slimme gasten ook die simpele riffs voor zich laten werken en veel meer van minder maken. Tijdens Ricochet krijgen ze jong en oud in het publiek even op de knieën om daarna weer uitgelaten te exploderen wanneer het nummer zijn climax bereikt. Zelfs chronische gewrichtspijnen worden even vergeten het bijzijn van de SONS. Bewijs genoeg dat deze vier Oost-Vlaamse toptalenten de moeite zijn om een avondje voor vrij te houden!

SONS – Donderdag 12 december 2019, De Roma antwerpen

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Category: Punk

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