On Stage: Death Alley + Birth Of Joy @ Paradiso

I was sad to hear Dutch rock band Birth of Joy were going to call it a day. I've always liked this band with their incredible groovy rock music. Fortunately they were throwing a farewell show at my favourite venue. Then Death Alley announced they would join the band for their own last show as they are quitting as well. It means I have to say goodbye to two of my dearest rock bands in this country.

Death Alley + Birth Of Joy at Paradiso Amsterdam, January 3 2019

On top of that Amsterdam post-punk band NEED opens the night. I like their lively shows and their clever and sharp songs. Fronted by the very active singer Sam, the band is overwhelming but good. At the beginning the crowd is a bit hesitant, but the explosive band is slowly winning them over. Sam announces that at this night of goodbyes, they will be saying goodbye themselves at their next concert. This is an absolute shame, since this band has a lot to offer.

Death Alley

A warmed up crowd is eager to have one more night with Death Alley, a band I fortunately got to see a couple of times. There classic hard rock is mixed with pyschedelic rock and that combination is working very well. You really have to like singer ‎Douwe Truijens who, like the rest of the band, is always working hard on stage with a very positive attitude.

Oeds Beydals' guitar riffs and solos are always amazing, very skilfully played and full of heart. Songs turn into long jams with endless riffs, grooves and solos, full of twists and turns, but without sounding overcomplicated. The band ends in style with the amazing 'Supernatural Predator', an epic piece that is a fitting end of a wonderful band.



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Birth Of Joy

I have been lucky enough to see Birth Of Joy several times and this band always delivers. Three incredible musicians that can let their instruments rip like there's no tomorrow, playing irresistible grooves. They understand how to use dynamics in music efficiently, slowing down, or taking it back in volume, only to let it loose shortly after. It makes any crowd go wild and beg for more and more and more, until the band leaves them breathless.

Tonight is no exception and they sound more vicious than ever. Because it is the last time the trio seems to have picked it up a notch with a wild show. Kevin Stunnenberg is rocking the stage and his guitar, Gertjan Gutman is lashing his organ and Bob Hogenelst is showing his incredible stick skills one more time. Within no time the floor is a swirling crowd of people dancing, jumping and crowd surfing. At the end the band uncorks a bottle of champagne before they treat us to a few more last songs and close the night well past midnight.



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Tonight we had to say goodbye to two amazing bands, even though I really don't want to. They proved tonight why that is a big loss, ending it all when they are without doubt on top of their game. Thanks for all those mind blowing shows and amazing music guys!

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Rock 'n' Roll Circus At Pacific Parc

Of course the venues I visit like Melkweg and Paradiso are well known, but there are also a few more underground places that are worth a visit like Pacific Parc. It’s actually not a venue but a restaurant during the day that transforms into a place for rock n roll party people during the night with great DJ’s and live bands regularly. Annually they throw a big rock n roll circus party and this year it is a 13th anniversary celebration for three days. With bands like The Phantom Four and zZz on the bill I just had to go there.

Rock 'n' Roll Circus Day 2 at Pacific Parc Amsterdam, March 30 2018

The Phantom Four

The first night we weren’t able to go, but fortunately my favourite surf band was playing the second night. The Phantom Four turned into three for a while when their guitar player left and it took a some time before they found a worthy replacement. But now the group is complete again and is back stronger than ever. Tonight they prove that with that catchy surf rock sound. Of course Pacific Parc is their second home and so many of their fans have turned up to join the party. Most people are dancing to the great surf rock songs and the band turns the night into a true celebration. Where's the beach!?



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NEED

Today Amsterdam band NEED are closing the live part of the night, whose members have been around the music scene for a while. Singer Sam has dressed up nicely for tonight and has put on his nicest dress for the festive occasion. Their loud songs are explosive and very well done. They are a punk band with a punk attitude but their sound is a lot broader. Sam knows how to entertain this crowd and is all over the place giving it all he’s got, screaming his lungs out. The songs are not always standard punk songs so the band can vary in style and energy level. NEED is a great band to close this night with.

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Rock 'n' Roll Circus Day 3 at Pacific Parc Amsterdam, March 31 2018

Le Prince Harry

We return for the last night of this three day celebration and find the Belgian duo Le Prince Harry pounding out loud industrial new wave electro punk songs. It’s extremely loud and I’m glad I’m wearing my earplugs. The music is actually not so bad quite interesting, but maybe needs a bit more variation. And maybe tune down the volume a bit, since now I see people fleeing outside to escape the noise.

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Blind Butcher

The two Swiss musicians of Blind Butcher have a more subtle approach with plenty of rock n roll with a little disco mixed in. The band already was a big success when they played here last time and they simply had to come back. Tonight is no different and they have everyone dancing to the four on the floor songs of the duo that are dressed in shiny outfits. They do a great job of setting the right vibe for tonight.



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zZz

And what better way to end this night with zZz, whose music is made for late night rock n roll parties. I find the combination of the shredding organs combined with danceable grooves irresistible. It is clear the two musicians are enjoying their gig as well and can’t stop playing tonight. The crowd can’t get enough either and are still full of energy, so much is clear. The band who invented the sleaze fests are the perfect closing act of this three day celebration of a wonderful place where underground bands and rock n roll are still going strong.



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