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Just about one year ago, it has been the last time, since 'Him' played Munich, but in a smaller more inconvinient location. This time the promoters were wiser about the venue andput the finnish Darkbeat export in a bigger place. A Circus in the truest sense of the word. Comparisons are here for to make 'em. So let's start with the visual aspect of Ville Valo, who has changed quite a bit indeed - gone fromt the Jesus meets Jim Morrison look to the rather more Jason Lee ('The Crow') image. But at least he still got this same interesting mimic and somehow mad look in his face, which is still facinating these at least 1.300 female fans, who are screaming the hell out. My gosh, the Backstreet Boy would kill 'Him' if they saw this here. Most important aspect - the Jägermeister advert (bottle) is missing this time. Even there the flavour of the month has changed and the stage design rather includes 10 bottles of bavarian beer instead. Never mind, - the spirit within is still the same, whether it's Jägermeister or Lager - and this is the most important fact for our Gothic-Girlie-favorite teddybear. (he luv's bavarian beer, that's for sure!)

and I bet, 95% of the fans still don't have a clue,
who sang the original of 'Wicked Game'. Ever heard about Chris Isaac?

Ville - we luv you !
Oh god oh god.......!!!!!

No, his popularity hasn't suffered. All these girls have waited patiently in front of closed doors since the early morning, just to get a precious place in the frontrow to be as close as possibel to their idol to catch a glimpse and a second of awarness of themselves. I presume, some of them would give their lifes for a nipp at the mastros bottle.

Musically not much has changed since last time, apart from the fact, that the soundquality is somehow better. And you can even make out the vocal lines. But I'm not sure, whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage, because all these beauties don't care anyway. Never mind, if Ville is singing like a nitingale or snorting like a crow, it is accepted in any case, and they honour this guy from finland. Even the individual aura ain't a very strong one, this man in Black knows exactly how to put himself in the right spotlight. And he really has to do so, because the rest of the group is here, but somehow non existend, apart from the accoustic aspect, which doesn't pull me out of my shoes by the way. The show itself is framed by some lightgame but not to important because of building completely on the level of popularity. And this is, what Him have got for sure. So why going in another direction?! The youth needs an idol. And when Ville doesn't play poker with his health state for the next few years, - you know what I mean, - he will honestly get the Royal Flash with all the blessing of the recording industry. And that's all about it... Abra cadabra - cheers & this is it!

& never without a chewingum

My god, I still can't believe it, that it is already 8 years ago, that I went to a spanish restaurant here in Munich with Mike Ness and shared a Paella. And we shared our last money to pay the annoyed waiter receiving all these small coins. Thanks to our conversation about the life and Death of cockroaches, or whatsoever, Mike came to late to his gig performance. Times have changed honestly. Compared to the small Backstage Club with about 200 fans at this occassion, here and today our Elserhalle seems huge fitting in aprox. 1.500 souls. And over all it is sold out for the second time within one week - for Social Distortion. I really don't have a clue, where this sudden hype comes from. The current album came out last year. No chartposition in sight and like I said before, the band hadn't been here for eight years. So what? This is simpy mad, what's going on here tonight.
Once again the Backyard Babies, our swedish Rock'n'Roll export have the ungrateful part to fill in as the support. At least not for the opener, which is a dutch group named "Cooper".
It's a bit of a shame, because playing as support the Backyard Babies are not able to show their whole potential, including some sound problems. - And one thing is for sure. This band belongs on a clubstage in the role of the headliner, where they can give a 100& of their talents. Then you can really check out, how good they are.

Mike Ness, you haven't changed over all those years. Yeah maybe a little bit bigger and a few more tattooes on the hairy chest, but otherwise everything else is the same including the slick backcombed hair, which is actually a full curly head, and the usual chewinggum. To get it straight, Social Distortion are going on now for 26 years and they consist 95% of Mike Ness, and 5 % of a drummer, a keyboarder, a bassist and a second guitarist. And Mike certainly knows how to put himself in action have a strong expression and the direct contact to the audiance, and last but not least the positive fact, of his brilliant leadguitar playing besides the singing. -

Yep, he conquers the world and telling the fans: "How many of you are here with their lovers tonight? - You'll go home afterwards and will make love. And how many are here on their own tonight? - Okay, you go home afterwards and make love to yourself." - I presume, he's going hom on his own as well tonight not having Sex at all because of beeing to exhausted.
However the little californien from Orange County gets all the attention and sympathy he can get. After this show every Backyard Babies Fan is also adoring Mike Ness, that's for sure. - The venue is boiling. They beat each other, they love each other and say prayer to god,.... oh pardon - I mean Mike Ness, who gives his blessing to them to Germany and Bavaria and promises to be back next year again. And over all the spirit of Johnny Cash - with "Ring Of Fire".
Alright, - let's hope, it doesn't take another 8 years for you to be back, we count on you. Maybe next time going to a spanish restaurant again, sharing a Paella and have some deep sense conversation about cockroaches. Ole'!!!!