Our journey from Dusseldorf up to Hamburg was really quite pleasant, first class you see. We were in a compartment reminiscent of the old British Rail rolling stock, the ones with the corridor outside, only this one was modern and clean. Even better, nobody joined us on the 3 and a half hour stretch.
Our place in the city for two nights was the Altona district and the Inter City Hotel which formed part of the station complex. I guess that you should never expect too much from hotels situated near to major railway stations, but this place was shite, no respecting travelling salesman would stop there... but if there was an upside it was close to the venue.
Night one meant trekking into town through the Reeperbahn in search of a decent restaurant. I have had cause to be in Reeperbahn area both through work (a company I used to deal with were located nearby in Fischmarkt) and for gigs. An initial visit can be titilating but it quickly becomes apparent that the whole set up is dreadfully grim and sordid, a thin veil over the misery and criminality that surrounds many of those involved in the sex industry. If the pissed up marrauding stag parties weren't reason enough to get past the area, Bavarian theme bars have sprung up in a few side streets. Close your eyes to the Ompah music and the singing coming from within and you could be witnessing a commemoration of the Old Fighters in Munich in the 30's. Thus ends the sermon. Walking away from St Pauli past the Alter Elbtunnel brought us to a vibrant area of bars and restaurants... Luigi's is highly recommended.
On these city break/gig excursions I always look for a history fix and this time it involved a journey out of town for a visit to the Neuengamme Concentration camp, a vile place, a place that with the assistance of its 85 satallite camps was responsible for the deaths of at least 42,900 prisoners between 1938 to 1945. After spending time in such an oppressive location a couple of hours of punk rock is just the ticket to clear the head.
Monkey's Music Club was a great venue hidden away on what looked like a small industrial estate. The atmosphere was friendly and the event was well attended. The punters seemed to be well acquainted with each other suggesting that the alternative music scene is tighter knit in Hamburg than in similar UK cities. That was my impression at least. Monkey's seemed to embrace football and punk in equal measure judgig by the scarves that adorned the walls of the club bar and the profusion of ultra's stickers that covered every inch of the gents toilet walls.
I cannot really comment on the supports as I was in an adjacent bar talking to Sid Wilson who had made the trip out for this gig and the two boat shows in Berlin scheduled for the following day. A handful of British fans were present including a couple that we met from deepest, darkest Devon, Jackie and her husband Clive... out for all five of the German dates.
Another thing that Monkey's had in its favour was the simple fact that it was air-conditioned which was most welcome after the trial by heat endured the night before in Dusseldorf. The stage layout was also much better meaning that it was possible to see the band.
Nick opened the show by saying that 999 had been playing in Hamburg since they first played at the Markthalle in 1978, then asking whether anyone was there... one guy in the crowd claimed the prize and he became a favourite for the audience participation songs that followed.
The band were clearly more comfortable in the air-conditioned interior of the club. Stuart, by his own admission, said that the heat of the Pitcher the night before had completely drained him... and he's the 57 year old baby of the band! The audience responded to the action on the stage very enthusiastically which made for a fantastic gig all round.
A return flight to Stansted was not possible on the Sunday so instead we opted to stay away for another night and return from Denmark. Next stop Copenhagen.
It was a great weekend! Thanks to the people that we met up with, the lovely Mutti and most of all to 999 for another two great gigs.
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