Sad news: The music world mourns the loss of Ray Manzarek (74), founding Member and keyboarder of The Doors, White Zombie drummer Phil Buerstatte (44) and Uriah Heep bassist Trevor Bolder (63). R.I.P.!
German Hardrockers BERSERKER will donate 18.000€ to the Berlin cancer charity for children on May 25. November 2011 BERSERKER front man Schröder was diagnosed with cancer, now he is cancer-free. In 2012 the band collected money for this charity at their concerts and will also continue to do so in the future. Slayer´s Jeff Hanneman is dead: he passed away at about 11AM on May 2nd near his Southern California home because of liver failure due to an infection after a spider bite. R.I.P. Jeff!
The Siberian Jay music video "I´m Holding" featuring Mikko Sirén from Apocalyptica on drums - we reported about the videoshoot in our "1h with" Special - can be watched here: http://youtu.be/C-hSNurZVcs
We have already reported about Rockin´Hellsinki with Mötley Crüe and now here comes Vol.2, this time with ZZ TOP headlining the show in the center of Helsinki. Kaisaniemi Park hosts a festival area where the space in the bar area might get tight, but not in the rest of the park. No struggle in front of the stage, though, at least until ZZ TOP start to play.
Los Bastardos Finlandeses had the difficult role of the openers. They have not been around for such a long time, but since 2005 they have established themselves among the acts in their genre. El Taff Bastardo and his guys appealed to the ZZ Top crowd, mainly people in their 50s, but also many around 20. The area wasn´t filled yet despite the fact that doors had opened at 15.00 h.
More photos in the gallery, link in the header
Von Hertzen Brothers seemed not quite the taste of the crowd, many preferred to retreat to the bar area. Admittedly, VHB did not quite fit into the rest of the program, but they played a great show containing their greatest hits like "Miracle" or " Freedom Fighter". Mikko´s charming presentation put a smile on many faces, e.g. when he greeted his mother or when he was goofing around with drummer Mikko. His brothers Kie and Jonne performed in their usual roles, Kie as the rock star on guitar ruling the stage and Jonne as the more introverted cool one. A great show.
During changeovers Pin-Up models promoted a calendar, which sales support a charity organisation, and also Miss Pin-Up 2012 was awarded. More information at www.pinup.fi
More photos in the gallery, link in the header
Peer Günt This is one of those typical Finnish bands who you either love or hate. Difficult to say to which option I tend to go, but musically they don´t quite appeal to me. Peer Günt have been around since the late 70s and they released several successful albums in Finland; in my opinion their songs sound too similar. Even when the beginning sounds interesting, the band takes on the same routine, also regarding the vocals. Not bad, but the should be more variety. The audience seemed to enjoy their fellow countrymen, even in the relentlessly pouring rain.
ZZ TOP The highlight of the evening came with a 45min delay, as Peer Günt had played longer and the stage needed to be changed. The front rows were crowded but in general people at ZZ TOP gigs behave with consideration. There was this huge stage background monitor which showed short films or other bizarre visuals throughout the gig, in order to entertain the crowd. The band was presented artfully in weird angles, too. First drummer Frank Beard entered to take his seat behind the kit with the skull decoration, followed by the main attraction, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, in their typical cool attitude. Both way in their 60s, they appeared fit, they only might be "more cool down" compared with their early years. During the show you got the impression that those 3 truly enjoy what they are doing, that they are indeed living the music. And surely the Texas boys performed their greatest hits like "Gimme all your Lovin´ " or "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers".
More photos in the gallery, link in the header
What I found weird was the fact that fans hardly sang along, only to "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers", which I found a bit disappointing. The mood was good but I got the impression that some people were already too drunk to react to anything. The setlist choices were perhaps another reason, focusing rather on the weird songs than the well-known hits. But it was a pleasure to watch those guys who rather played than talked, only Billy asked occasionally if people had a good time. Which was answered with a loud YES. Even the white plush guitars were presented to the Finnish audience. After 2 encores the guys just bowed, and went off. Who still didn´t have enough Texan music could visit the Aftershow Party at Circus club.
More photos in the gallery, link in the header
Summing up, Rockin´ Hellsinki can indeed be recommended. The area is not too big and therefore cozy, but maybe there could have been more places with seats. And there was no photo pit; thanks to the polite audience it wasn´t a big problem, though. A nice event which hopefully is happening in Kaisaniemi Park also next year.
