Review: Deep Time

There was a time when every new record on K Records or Kill Rock Stars or Troubleman got me excited. And boy, they released a lot of records in the late 90s. I was part of Kill Rock Stars' singles club and my bf at the time was label managing K Records for Europe, bringing home 7" after 7" of bands nobody will remember today. Admittedly, their output was possibly a litte elaborate and not very selective. But there was a certain feel and community spirit that came with every single release that just drew me in. 

Of course, Kill Rock Stars went on to become a successful label with releases by artists like Elliott Smith and Sleater Kinney, making us all very proud. I am glad to report that K Records also survived tough industry times, though I believe they do not churn out releases like they used to. It sometimes feels like there was a time and place for lo-fi pop, spoken word 7"s and riot grrl punk. Then again, I think so many great bands today would not exist if it wasn't for that scene back in the 90s. And I do get my nostalgic moments for that sound, but then I go to see bands that promise me feelings of a forgotten time, just to realise there was a time and place and it's not coming back and that's fine. Then Deep Time offered me a new point of view the other night.

Quick review: Make Out!

There was me giving high praise to this group not so long ago (or so it feels) and here I was attending their last ever show. In flux. 

Musically, while Make Out! are obviously influenced by girl punk groups like Mika Miko and Erase Errata, their percussionist, a member of the amazing PTTRNS (see review), adds that something to it that gives this group a distinct post-punk vibe and rhythmic edge and reminds me of one of my all-time favourites: Numbers. And who wouldn't want a local Numbers?

The show was fun, as last gigs tend to be: a packed room, confetti, a stage-diving singer, a lot of dancing and shouting - just some deserved mayhem.

So, sad that this group are no more, I have great hope for the future of the individual members and I am sure glad I did attend this last ever show. May the reunion happen soon.

PS: J. has found this flickr link for some really good pictures someone took at the gig.

Review: Edie Sedgwick + Sissters

I entered Schokoladen while Sissters were soundchecking and almost ready to begin. Good timing I'd say...  I've seen Sissters already several times now, so no big surprises here. They were good as usual. I'd still say they're one of the best Berlin bands around at the moment. The only bummer was the by then still relatively reserved Schokoladen crowd. Probably that's one of the downsides of having to start concerts early but it got better later on.

Edie Sedgwick were on next, now with completely new backing band than when I saw him/them the last time and leaving Justin Moyer (who also played in El Guapo and Antelope) as the only fix member. I was a bit worried because I pre-listened their newest record on the Dischord homepage and didn't like it that much. So I hoped they would at least play some old songs.

Well they played only one, but the new songs worked surprisingly well for me live! They're a lot more poppy and accessible than the older stuff. I always thought the reduced sound and style of the older Edie Sedgwick stuff (and also of Antelope, if you don't know them you should definitely check them out, they're awesome!) is what makes them so good. The newer stuff however sounds a lot broader and more playful. There are 70's references and organs, there is background singing and all that. But it's still highly danceable music and so it also was live. The band was good, the songs were tight, it was fun to watch. No complaints here, I really liked it!

Review: Algernon Cadwallader + 1994!

No big surprises that night but also no disappointments.
I think this was actually my first of the now early starting Schokoladen shows, so I arrived on time at 8pm and wondered why there were so few people in the room. However it was already quite hot in the room.

Schokoladen filled quickly and it didn't take 1994! long to start playing. I didn't know them before and to be honest they weren't my cup of tea. They played fast noisy punk with just guitar and drums. At first I heard nothing but drums, then the sound got a bit better but I didn't want to watch the whole set, so I hung out in the back room.

When Algernon Cadwallader started, the room was pretty packed and thus really really hot. I'm not that fond of sold out Schokoladen shows so I searched a place in the back with a little space to stand and breathe. Algernon Cadwallader played a solid set of their mixture of mathy and poppy punk which sounds not unlike Cap'n Jazz and comparable bands. They're fun to watch and good live, plus they're very likeable and congenial guys. Somehow I liked them better the last time they played in Berlin but this wasn't a bad concert after all.

Review: Forgetters + Witches

Yes, you may have noticed: I am running awefully late with things. Jetlag has given me a hard time adjusting my body to my Berlin life and getting myself organised in my usual manner. So a matinée show suited me very well, thank you.

With the beautiful weather and the special atmosphere at Schokoladen, I almost didn't care about the bands when I arrived at the venue. It was simply a beautiful afternoon spent with friends. A few people were attending this show that I would usually not meet at gigs these days. That's because Jawbreaker holds a special place in many music lovers' hearts and many of us got excited when the news broke that Blake Schwarzenbach was going to play in town with his new band. I personally also loved Jets To Brazil and therefore had high hopes that this was going to be another strike of genius from Mr Schwarzenbach. I was not going to be disappointed.

When searching Witches (Band) on Google you get 5,180,000 results referring to bands of all genres across the globe. However, this Witches is neither a death metal band nor some Irish folk. The band plays fuzzy indie pop that pleases. It's not exactly my cup of tea but well done nonetheless.

I admit that I was simply attending this gig for Forgetters and that was just fine. And needless to say: if you were a fan of Jawbreaker or Jets To Brazil then you will like Forgetters. All three bands share a very similar sound, that familiar voice and the wonderful lyrics of Mr. S, possibly one of my favourite lyricists of all time. From the word go the audience was dancing and jigging and the band went along with it. They joked with the crowd. And with the sunshine peering in through the large front windows at Schokoladen the atmosphere was second to none.

I left happy and content in knowing that some people just don't lose it. This was some Sunday afternoon!

Review: Pttrns + Make Out! + Young Hare

 There is nothing like a Pttrns night. I truly mean it.

First of all, Pttrns had brought two worthy support acts along. Young Hare do a synth-sample-indie-guitar-thing and don't really play my kind of music but they are good at what they do. They also had fierce competition that night - chapeau!

Make Out! could well advance to become my new favourite band. I'm a fan of Mika Miko as well as Erase Errata and Make Out! remind me of both those bands. Of course this is largely attributed to the female vocals with voice effects but also musically, this group shows strong similarities. Now since I'm not particularly fond of plain copying, you just have to trust me when I say that Make Out! are very individual in music and presentation. I believe I wasn't the only one last night who was very impressed with their set. I hope they will return to Berlin soon.

Pttrns somehow manage to get better every time I see them. I might even go so far as to say that they are my current favourite live band. Whoa!

They have grown from the original three to the current four member line up and the extra percussion just ads that much more fun to a band which already features an aweful lot of percussion in their songs and performances. Add to this an audience which has been equipped with percussion instruments by the group and you get a dance party frenzy as it could only happen at a Pttrns gig. They mainly (or only?) played songs from the album, hence known to the crowd, and they didn't switch instruments around quite as much as they used to. Thus they have perfected the performance of those songs and it pays off: very professional yet super fun.

I have often wondered whether Pttrns would be on a big indie label with the kind of success that Radio 4 or !!! have gained if they were from US or the UK. But one can only speculate on those things. For now, I am ever so grateful that these lovelies come over from the west to play in our cold town every now and so often.

The Tanzwurst DJ team played dance classics until the early morning and we danced and laughed and just didn't want to go back home. This night should have never ended.

And to think that we can do it all again tonight! See you later.

Review: Aimée Argote, Birthmark, Burian Family Band, Petethepiratesquid

How do you spend New Year's Eve? A dinner with friends? A crazy house party? A ticket to the most exclusive club night in town? Well, we just do what we always do: hang out at Schokoladen with a group of friends, watching a gig.

It was an early one. Rumour had spread that the show was going to be sold out early on and at 9pm, when we arrived, there were already people queueing to get in. The doors hadn't even opened yet. Talking about building up excitement. It was going to be sold out but not until around half past ten.

Aimée Argote

The night commenced at 9:45pm with the Burian Family Band. What? You've never heard of them? That's because it was a premiere. Al Burian (American-German writer and musician who resides in Berlin) and his mother, Frau Burian, played mountain songs of their native home, North Carolina. I dare say people got into the mood, even though I doubt too many had been to North Carolina. It was a very sweet performance and I sincerely hope it wasn't a one-off.

Next up was Aimée Argote. To my surprise the promoters had put the performances in order of loudness. What a good idea! Aimée played mostly songs she also performs with her band Des Ark, most of which are melancholic tunes that tell tales of her life. She has got a beautiful voice and it somehow doesn't seem to make that much of a difference to me whether she plays with or without a band. An accoustic guitar and her voice seems to suffice.

Birthmark definitely managed to top their gig from the night before. The same songs but more time, more light, more sound. Schokoladen is the very perfect venue for this group.

Birthmark

After our "Happy New Year's" at midnight, Petethepiratesquid  came onstage at 12:45am, dressed as senior citizens. Wigs, shirts and slippers to match. The four-piece from Berlin have been going for 9 years and are therefore solid live, even if they don't perform that often. Post HC math is what they play but for the occasion of New Year's Eve they ended the set with a dance number. And oh we danced! It was a great performance in all but the 10 minute dance song topped it all.