Kjell Hell

Funny old world isn’t it? For years people in Stockholm has been moaning about that ”nothing ever happens here”. Now, when the scene has finally started to pick up what happens? No fucker turns up for the events, that’s what! A couple of weeks back a new Punk club started on a boat in central Stockholm. One of Sweden’s more known Punk bands together with a little lesser known band played to only a handful of people. Now with the new and promising Kjell Hell records and Pikes efforts to put on foreign Punk acts, you could expect at least some interest. Posters had been posted all over town. People had been talking about the event and you really got the feeling that the gig would pull a quite big crowd. But did anyone turn up? Hell no! Only 54 people payed the entrance fee. It was a bit empty to say the least, especially since the venue has a capacity of 700!!!

Anyway, the last time The Real McKenzies were here they played with NOFX, and even though most punters were there to see NOFX most were pleasantly surprised by the Scottish Canadians antics. So much that you got the impression that The Real McKenzies would pull a sizeable crowd on their own this time, but not many did that. The Briefs, one of the more promising bands in years to come out of the States and has a few records already under their belts. Did people come to se them? Nope. How about Turbo AC’s then? A band that mixes Punk with a little old school Rock’n’ Roll, and some power chords? You’ve guessed it. Hardly anyone came to see them either.

The Briefs

One Man Army had pulled out and replacement was found I Twopointeight, a band I personally do not rate. Still, they brought a few friends along and kicked off the proceedings playing a surprisingly good set. It surprised me anyway! Next on were The Briefs and despite the poor attendance they put on a good show (as did all the bands). A brilliant thing with this band is that all band members sing. It is quite uncommon but it makes a nice variety. They mixed older songs with newer ones from their album Sex Objects. After them it was time for Turbo AC’s. A band which didn’t impress me all that much. A few of punters in the empty hall still enjoyed themselves though. The Real McKenzies was of course headlining. They’ve been touring with their latest album for about a year now, but they still seem to be enjoying themselves. You have to ask Kjell himself if they did as Mr Kjell went out on a bender with the bands afterwards. I enjoyed them anyway, despite having seen more or less the same performance four times within a year now.

Real McKenzies

All in all it could have been a classic Punk gig if more people had been there. Still, it’s your loss if you weren’t. Cause all bands put on good shows, and as they sounded very different you were bound to have enjoyed at least one of them if you’re into Punk at all, which I doubt. To all those
who didn’t show up: Where were you? At home surfing on the net and
chatting to like minded wankers about how little that happens? Or maybe you stayed at home to save some money for your next spider web/star tattoo. It seems that it is more important to look the part these days than to actually get involved. Fucking poseurs, why don’t you get a life?

/Inspector Frost

The Briefs

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