Rollins Band�s only gig in Finland was at Tampere and I had to take a chance to see �em not just because I had the chance to see Mr. Rollins (Rollins is one guy I respect very much, sort of like an idol), but because they played Black Flag songs.
When I knew what bands were going to open, I was like: �Why those? There are SO MANY better bands than those.�
I had never heard of BPH, but my friend loaned me their CD and said they were quite good. And I have to say they were an average rockband in the spirit of Backyard Babes. It would have worked better in small club. Nothing special, but not awful either.
I wondered about Burning Pipe Harmony, but i especially wondered what Kohu-63 was doing there. A couple of years ago I was really into them (no kidding!) but now... let�s say Father Time has gone past and didn�t tell Kohu-63. But I heard that last summer the band made some straight edge dissing comments. (If I remember right, it was �Hitler was straight edge and it didn�t help anyone� or something. Really stupid anyway, too stupid to get pissed off) But back to review...I have two of Kohu�s CDs and the newer CD has songs from 1990 or something and the older one from the �80s. Still I knew all of the songs expect for one or two. What�s the use in always playing those old songs? Kind of odd to hear only songs that were recorded before I was born or only ten years old from when the band was still active. Muscially Kohu-63 was simple punk, maybe with some Oi! influences. Singer, L�tt�, seemed really angry and bitter. And serious. In my opinion it was amusing because I think revolution is something more than just being drunk...Well, they weren�t as bad as I expected, but I think i have spent too much time onKohu...
Not too many people seemed to be interested in these bands, but when Hank and the boys took the stage more and more people got there. And yup, a whole night with legendary Black Flag songs! The first song was �Rise Above� and the pit started immidietly. It was maybe the best pit I�ve been in or seen. Too bad that I had to run out after five songs or so... Next time I will eat and drink before the gig, goddammit! But what the fuck, Hank and company played all of those legendary songs: �Police Story�, �Depression�, �Wasted�, �TV Party�, �Six Pack�, �I Don�t Care�, �Jealous Again�, �Slip It In�, �Annihilate This Week�, �Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie�, �Thirsty And Miserable�... Hank�s voice wasn�t quite so raw any more, but it didn�t bother me. So there I was... trying to imagine how things were back in the early 80�s... well, I�m sure that wasn�t even close to it, but I had fucking fun and great time, you can believe it. The biggest surprise was when the band played an encore. The last five songs were Ramones covers! �Rockaway Beach�, �Sheena Is a Punkrocker� and some others. Hank also talked a little bit about Iraq�s war and Bush. You can believe he didn�t praise him! He also said couple of words about a guy who stage dived all night long. �All people are too tired to get your ass on their head...�
It was a really fun night and I guess my only chance to hear that much Black Flag with Mr. Rollins himself singing. The opening bands weren�t good, but it didn�t bother me when Rollins Band played. Thanks Hank!