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2004-06-16
DE – Muenster - Gleis 22 |
Everybody who is even just a touch into Punk should have seen a BALZAC show at least once in life, which is – admittedly – not that easy for us Europeans. So called “more stylish Japanese Misfits” have quasi left the originals behind. If they are clones, copycats or just unique, many heads are still arguing. But with the legitimation of the Misfits itself BALZAC already have achieved cult status. Now in support of their brand new album Came Out Of The Grave, BALZAC is touring Europe for the very first time, leaving enthusiastic fans show by show. I and myself could not resist either when the Atom-Age Vampire 308 Express quasi stopped at my door. And this evening had so much more to offer. There was much to see, even much more to learn, about the Japanese culture per se (I’m very interested in), present Japanese generation, huge Hardcore and Punk scene in Japan and a strange sub-cultural group. :: pics ::
::
THE
OTHER :: are way more known under their alter
ego Ghouls – European 1# Misfits cover band. But no matter
if you take them as Ghouls or THE OTHER these
horror punks from German Rhine area breathe the Misfits with every
fucking pore and continue with what is supposed to be their legacy.
You will not find that many varieties of music wise between all
involved parties. Just the fact that THE OTHER
play own material, of course in the veins of mighty Misfits. Not
meant to be a bad thing since THE OTHER stand
behind of what they are doing with convincingly truth. But it
seemed the final spark did not want to jump over. Either the crowd
was too lame or the gentlemen Roderich Usher – vocals; Sargeant
von Rock – guitar, backing vocals; Andy Only – bass,
backing vocals und Dr. Caligari – drums were lacking of
a certain grain of energy and spirit. Generally speaking the audience
liked what they got though since the band got more than just a
courtesy applause. Fans can wallow in expectations, and then the
very first full-length entitled They’re Alive
is set for a worldwide release on August 16th through Fiendforce
Records.
Whoever
has accused :: BALZAC
:: of being a Misfits plagiarism
has either never listened to Misfits or BALZAC
respectively. Of course there are significant influences since
the Misfits are the big idol for the band for ages. But BALZAC
made the step to emancipate and to develop themselves, doing their
own thing. While the gents were utmost disciplined and professional
in the run-up of the show, they downright exploded on the small
stage. Delivering what seemed to be a stunning firework display
of good-humoured punk. Considering I’m not into the punk
scene, but these cats captivated me right from the start. The
fans at this well-attended location Gleis 22 were freaking out
already with the first tones of the intro, which brought me some
bruises in the twinkling of an eye ;) After touring for 4 weeks
these Japanese were used to bursts such like this one and even
knew how to top it. An amazing show for one must to see! BALZAC
is a great live band to experience!
Well,
I guess approx. 130 people attended at Gleis
22 and the audience was quite varied, which is a
good thing. Everybody seemed to have fun, although some bottles
of beer got broken – risky thing when you have such a wild
mosh pit. After the show I got to learn about a sub-cultural group
of so- called “Trash-girls” ;) These are girlies,
that looking like a mixture of Goths and Punks, having cuddly
handbags with many buttons on it, hunting their darlings for a
photo or an autograph for their diaries. According to Tilo from
G-Force Records it is a classic phenomenon in Japan, that now
seems to carry on over Europe too. But I guess it is as with many
things concerning Japanese way of life, you will first understand
it, when you have visited Japan and experienced these things by
yourself. Well, it was really amusing to glance at them. These
trash girls might be a little assertive at times but the Japanese
are generally downright polite and patient. |
| pics & story © Dajana |
