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19. 5. 2004 Munich
 Shylock/Wicked Sensation

Shylock

Another of these unlucky Melodicrock performances in our beloved Garage Club, which is declared dead right from the beginning, what's up to the account of the audiance.And that's not because of a lack of promotion or so. It's simply the fact, that this kinda music is dead, or better the name. It's sad, but true.
Shylock are young, dynamic and from Würzburg. The band lead by blonde curled Matthias Schenk live their sound. They are no perfectionists and no dreamdancer, and the love what they are doing. And that's their big bonus. Shylock are energetic, in movement as well as in the rhythm. And the fans take over the vibe. And that's finally the non plus ultra.

Different so Wicked Sensation. Fernando Garcia has taken over the voicemic  within this band recently. We all know him from old Victory days. Jes... what a long time ago this was...And all those years left some marks on Garcia, whether it's up to his shape as well as to his movement, which doesn't stretch out further than 2 or 3 inches. Bloody hell, my grandmother is bullet against this. Or is it the throat salto mortale, which broke glasses in the past, ut doesn't let me shiver at all nowadays. The rest of the group ain't that bad. But like most rockbands, the frontman is the brand and first impression of what you get. And this one here, remembers us more of a behaved churchchoir. However Wicked Sensation don't fetch a tired fan from behind the oven. And if you're a professional you mustn't let yourself beeing influenced by too few visitors. At the momentary Melodicrock situation you can't allow yourself anything including no mood to play. 


Wicked Sensation


                                                                                               
17. 5. 2004 Munich
 Zombies


Colin Blunstone

 


Rod Argent

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, they are still alive, - again!The old ones of us still remember "Time Of The Season" and "She's Not There", two songs, that survived over all those decades. He looks fit, - good old Rod Argent, and he seems ten years younger than he actually is. Beeing 60 and still beeing in such a shape - respect. He's also still fit with his keyboard, which he is torturing like hell, but with his typical 100% perfection. Also Colin Blunstone does still well, what's up to musical aspects. Visually ...okay, let's not talk about it... Another original member or Argent - Jim Rodford is also with them back again. He's also a cousin of Rod Argent. And because the whole thing seems to be an almost family affaire, Jim's son Steve is playing the drums. Last but not least the guitar, which is played by none other than Keith Airey. You know the name? Of course you do. His brother Don Airey is having the keyboard job in Deep Purple right now.
 
The Zombies have come over to Germany only for 3 shows, and one of them is in Munich luckily. Memories come up and nostalic moments. But they did not forget to put a modern touch to it, to be up to date. But whatever for hits they play. There is one, which must no tbe missing..."God Gave Rock'n'Roll To You". Most of the young generation just know the new version from Kiss. But the original songs is from Argent, and performed by Rod and his mates it sounds a 1000times better.
Whatever the reasons for this reunion are, probaly financial ones and maybe a bit out of sentimental reasons, they still have enough potential to privilege themselves again in the scene. the only thing what is missing now, is another hit record.


Daddy ...Jim Rodford


...& son Steve

                                                                                             

15. 5. 2004 Munich  Tonhalle
 In Extremo

 

...or how the ancient times are dancing a walz! Okay, let's say Heavy Metal. At Robin Hood's  time you would have been tortured and hanged and burned. But fortunately we live in the present. And time have become easier over all those years inclusively the rape of a backpipe. But, - you've got something about yourself boys, I have to admit. Whether it's the exotic-antique look of our paradisebirds here, or the ancient tales presented in high german accent. Vikings meet Siegfried the dragonkiller with costumes and US-Army-forces boots. though the fans are pulled to the band like mots to the light. And because same kinda attitude, you'll find all sorts of wanna be knights within the audiance. In Extremo are popular, no doubt about that, even they say, the munich audiance is rather a small one with only about 3000 souls out there getting slowly mad. That's why the band pulls off at least 3 songs from the setlist, because it's not worth it for so less people to play that much. never mind, because with more than 2 hourse showtime, it is anyway more than other bands use to play.

 It's steaming, it#s heating up even more and the backpipe is playing Roulette. Vocalist Micha, a mixture between Brad Pitt and Claude Van Damme has got enough sexappeal to let us sweat. Most of the females in this audiance would probably not throw him from the edge of their beds. Anyway, In Extremo have got their own individual style, and they are not a copy of who so ever. that's probably because the band were - not in the last centuries but in former East Germany already present, developing their style over many years. "I'm So Wild For Your Strawberry Mouth" is one song entitled. Hey ain't that the title of klaus Kinskis autobiography? And that one ain't ancient at all. But as we all know there are quite a few coincidences around. Fact is, you don't get bored at a show of In Extremo, even it lasts for more than 2 hours. You just have to like the philosophy of backpipes... And that's another story......