Supporting the local scene
To make it clear from the beginning, this is not a report about a metal concert, none of the three local bands tonight is a metal band, but the influences range from 70s punk to stoner rock, at least. Nevertheless, all of them are guitar orientated rock bands with German lyrics. Welcome to an evening with Schallbrücke.
Struggles of the local scene
Some of you might have read our interview between Muumi-Katja and Julian X of Totenkreuz, if not. you can find it here. One of the main topics was the struggle for survival of his local scene. This Saturday evening we are guests of one of these local scenes. Rock für Wiesbaden e.V. presents Schallbrücke and guests at the GMZ Georg-Buch-Haus in Wiesbaden’s multicultural Westend district.
Struggles to cover the costs
The venue itself is located on the first floor with a capacity of 200, maybe 250. A bar offers crisps and a small selection of drinks at a relatively low price. The tickets were already quite inexpensive, so I wonder if someone will even make an small profit or at least cover the costs.
As local as possible
I talk to Dennis for a while, he is as local as it gets, being my neighbour and singer/guitarist for tonight’s main act, Schallbrücke. He tells me that the organising club, with its cosy venue, is something of a base for them, but unfortunately, although it has been around for more than 20 years, it is still relatively unknown in the region. Everybody knows the Schlachthof in Wiesbaden, but that is it, more or less, mostly less, as is the support of the scene.
Where is the sound guy?
When it was time for the first band, everyone was looking for the sound engineer, who seemed to have disappeared into nowhere. It turned out that he had been given a later show time than announced, but luckily the evening starts with only a short delay and Streuners from Frankfurt.
Good Vibes rule
Their set is about 40 minutes long, including a technical problem with the bass guitar batteries and an encore. It is always a good sign when the opener is asked to play “one more song”. Their refreshing good-vibes-rock convinces not only me but also the audience, so that people come closer and closer to the front of the stage.
Some Punk Attitude
The second band of the evening needs only a few minutes to set up. Instead of Zelle 14 we welcome a Störung Im Betriebsablauf. Most customers of the Deutsche Bahn know a not so nice “Störung im Betriebsablauf”, which usually leads to long delays. Not this time. The band has a pretty punky attitude. And they wear safety helmets and vests so that they can get through their 40-minute set unharmed.
A-level drummer
The newest member of the band is Sina, their young drummer. She is just twenty years old, and later she tells me later she has been playing drums for “only” eight years, and just finished her A-levels on high school while drumming in a band. What an attitude! And what an accuracy in her play.
From streetwear to gala-attire
Now it takes a little more time before Schallbrücke enter the stage. A few changes have to be made and the band themselves have to change from their usual streetwear to something more sophisticated. Dennis has already told me that they also have a new member, Elias, as their keyboarder.
Premiering on keys
It will be his first live show ever. He told me before that he was a bit nervous, but once on stage he seems to have forgotten about it. In about 90 minutes Schallbrücke lead us through their fine repertoire of songs. Their sound and music is much heavier than I had expected and their stage costumes suggested. But it is not heavy metal. It is influenced by hard rock, stoner rock, progressive rock and blues and so much more.
A new single
Schallbrücke released their new single “Social Media King” the day before this gig, feel free to give it a listen and be assured that the live version kills even more. You can find it on most social media, for example here.
Far too soon it is time for them to leave the stage. Having a venue in the city centre sometimes leads to problems with intolerant neighbours. This is no different here in the vibrant heart of Wiesbaden’s otherwise open-minded Westend. The last note is played a little later than 23:00.
Give the local scene more chances
Nevertheless, it is important to keep venues like this alive. Support your local scene. Have a look at the local clubs and venues. Check out their programme. Even if the band’s music is not 100% to your taste, give it a try. Go and see them for the good of your local music scene. You are the after-Covid generation and it is your duty to revive small clubs and local bands. You pay little money for a lot of music. And you never know, you might have seen the next international superstars at one of their first shows. That’s how the careers of bands like AC/DC, the Rolling Stones or the Ramones began. Even KISS who currently are on their End Of The Road tour began in a small club with a handful of listeners before superstardom caught them.
It is your duty
To make it clear, without your support, the local scene, no matter which musical genre, will die it. YOU are the generation to keep it alive. YOU are the generation which MUST build up the future of the local music scene. Do your duty. PLEASE!
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Online:
Please buy physical music or download it from the bands official sources and don’t stream it for free because it steals your artists’ income
All photos of the show at GMZ Westend by Friend X aka Mr. Deep
Proof reading by DerminBoad