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Yeesssss, this is surely the event I was most looking forward to lately. My god, how much do I love the musical style of Dave Wyndorf with his mixture of Heavy Metal, wave and psychodelic tunes and of course his remarkable voice, which gives Monster Magnet's songs it's very own brand. By the way, for everybody who is still not familiar with the band story. Dave owned a comicbook store in the past. That's how the bandname came along adopted from a comic figure of the sixties. However, quickly the rest of the story: founded in 1989, changing line up, 8 studioalbums, one Best of... and one EP and 19 Singles - biggest success - yep of course - 'Space Lord'.
And well, don't forget, Dave almost knocked on heaven's door inbetween. thanks to St.Peter, he wouldn't let him pass the entrance yet. And after one year recovering we got him back again. Originally Daved didn't wanna tour again and reduce his work down to the studio. But then the challenge for tourlife probably had won the battle with his mind. No surprise, as musicians often say, that they much rather prefer the stage to the studio. And here we go again.... 

Starting off at the sold out Backstage Werk here in Munich are the Pilgrim Fathers.

I only catch the last few minutes, as I'm a bit late like always. And in the first moment I got the impression, up there is Jock Cocker jun. moving his arms and legs around himself in such a funny way, that it catches immidiately my attention. This band calls their style - experimental rock. And no, they don't swim across the sea with the mayflower like in ancient times, but stay over here in Nottingham Great Britain and only have shipped across the channel to the continent to introduce themselves to a wider audiance. I can't tell you much more, as, like I said before, only cought the last 5 minutes or so. And then showtime is over again for Joe Cocker jun. But for everybody who is still interested in this lot, please go to 
http://www.myspace.com/thepilgrimfathers  

T
he second act truly shows, what their names says to the big pleasure for us photographers. 

Because the fog on stage seems like the scottish highlands after heavy rain. Jesus wept... I have hardly ever sweared so much at a photocall like at the slot of Nebula from Los Angeles. And for a sec I believe the ghost of Canterville is coming through the dry ice. To be honest, the only other band competing with such fog are the Sisters Of Mercy. They are even worse. However, somehow I can manage to get at least some decent shots of Eddie Glass (Git/Voc)m english lad Tom Davies (Bass/Voc) and drummer Rob Oswald.
Stonerrock they call the style the threesome practices since 1997. And the CD 'Apollo' is the latest release  in a line of many other albums already appeared in the past. Spontainiously I'd say: wow what a hell of a guitarist Eddie Glas is. His fingers are flying across the strings, and everything seems so easy and light which it definately ain't so. And besides this he's still handling the vocals as well. - Respect!!!

Although for some people it's strange stuff, but I really do like what I hear. And most of the Monster Magnet fans do accept this support very well. I'm positively surprised, as I did only know their name so far... But I will definately remember this band for the future....
http://nebulamusic.com/

 

And there they come…and first of all.......wauw....!!!

Dave is back again with a vengeance. How great, though he does look a bit different. Wonder if this is the result of his recovering. On the other hand, who cares... Dave is well again and he is alive, nothing else counts, no matter what. And he didn't loose his slight arrogant aura. Dave is still the dominating focus. To get it straight - Dave is Monster Magnet and noone else really, though guitarist Ed Mundell and bassist Jim Baglino are truly good in what they are doing. 
And if you watch carefully, you can see the slight insecurity Dave is suffering, just to mention his efforts that he trys to have his jacket closed all the time despite the limelight heat. 

His behaviour towards the audiance has changed as well and has loosen up a bit. It used to be rather arrogant, like I said before, but now he seems to be more friendly, smiling and talking a few words to the fans inbetween the songs. Who knows, maye the russian roulette with his health has let him become more laid back. In each case you can feel, that he is dearly grateful for all this love fans still show him here. Within minutes Dave won again over the audiance and rock's 'em down with all the great music he's got to offer us. (See setlist) 



One thing is for sure, it has been worth it to wait for this concert, and Dave has made it again. He is back again, no matter how and is offering a great show though he's not so much moving around as he used to in the past. And let's hope that this evening here is not the last one and we get them back again many times in the future.
I only got one slight fact to criticice... my favorite songs is not on the setlist tonight. But it would be derision to perform this one right now....
'See You In Hell'  - yeah well, I hope not for a long time.... amen!

http://www.monstermagnet.net/