... Yep it is difficult, as we use to say so....?! And we here in Germany say - one piece of wood alone doesn't burn, it always needs two. - Until one year ago it actually still did, when singer Jimmy Pursey and guitarist Dave Parsons still sat in one boat, and this since 1975 with one other interruption in the eighties and the existence of punklegend Sham 69. All other members of this group came and went off again. The story is quickly told. Between 1975 and 1980 this english punkband shot to fame with songs like 'Hersham Boys' and 'If The Kids are United'. then they split and came together again in 87, and this new edition lasted 'till last year. Then it was finally come to an end between Pursey and Parsons, apparently due to financial problems and Pursey not wanting to go on the road. In 2007 now, Dave Parsons has recruited some musicians around him to start a new chapter again and give the spirit of Sham 69 fresh energy. Actually drummer Ian Whitewood is already more than 20 years with 'em, longer than any other drummer in this band. Apart from him its now singer Tim V another name in the London Punkscene and last but not least newcomer and bassist Rob Jefferson.
And there we are in 2007 and another go in the history of Sham 69. Tonights it's Munich's Backstage venue, and it's also the evening when the english national soccer team gets the suck for entering the european championship next year. What a disaster for England. And what a shame, as Sham 69 once created the one and only english soccer hymn which is 'If The Kids Are United'. And it still is ......


                                                                                                    

Local support comes from 'Wilde 13' a young punkrockband from Rosenheim,Bavaria. They do exist for 7 years now and just have released their first album. Wilde 13 are: Joe on drums, Ron on guitar, second guitar is provided by Victor, bass y Henning and vocals - Markus. Those five guys are playing a mixture of songs performed in german and english. Of course entertainment comes first, but as often happening in punkmusic, there is a political background. 'Wilde 13' do not do easy in front of only about 50 people, who do stand pretty far away from the stage. not showing much affection. So it is difficult to give the show a certain sparkle as we say so. They are not bad at all, abut I presume, I oughta see 'em another time playing on their own in a smaller venue.  
http://wilde13.pugsley.de/ 

Jes.... fortunately some mor lost sould have showed up meanwhile.And when Sham 69 go on, the number has increased to about 200 fans of the sophisticated punkrock. No, I don't think this rather poor audiance is due to a lack of popularity of the band, who is actually known to every punkrock fan. But the reason tonight is also the mighty soccer, keeping people away and home in front of their tellys and radios. But of course it's also that some Sham fans have lost interest in the band, when they heard that Pursey is not anymore with them.... 
A mistake - honestly!

Shame, because what this guys deliver here is, as we say so - pepper in the arse. New frontman Tim V can manage within a short time to get the people right in front of the stage and then they start their usual Punk-jungle-dance of the apacolypse. The result is at least five steps backwards of myself, because I and my camera wants to live a bit longer. Oh by the way, tonight I'm not only a photographer and concert visiter, but also the exclusive reporter of the soccer results - England versus Croatia during the show, which I receive regularly via my mobile and passing it on to the stage. The final death of the english leage comes around 11 p.m. and someone has alsmost tears in his eyes up there. The answer is: "at least we invented the game".  Did they english really??? Not quite sure about that...but never mind. What has happenend - has happened and can't be changed - and the show must go on. 
Yep and it does with a lot of power. And over all we've got a band here, who only has one original member in the line up, - but what, so have many of those old bands from the past.... but we got a still great one here as well.

For my part Dave Parsons and Co. still eem a bit  hesitating. Maybe because of still beeing a bit insecure and weary, what to expect with this line up and how the old fans would take it. Whatever the future brings, time will tell sooner or later. Then when the frustration over the past is hopefully absorbed. I hope those guys can manage to live up again with new stuff but also with all their great songs like 'Hurry Up Harry' and 'I Don't Wanna' and those classic tunes like 'Hersham Boys' and of course 'If The Kids Are United'. - God bless 'em....
http://www.sham69online.co.uk/