Review by Gary Spiller for MPM
Snuggled in a quiet, seemingly, unassuming quarter in the west of Bonn lies Frongasse. At the tail end of a pleasant early-spring day in the evening shadows, cast by the imposing St. Maria Magdalena church, there is much to discover along what is dubbed the ‘Endenicher Kulturmeile’ or ‘Endenich culture mile’.
As we look for this evening’s venue we pass the Haus der Springmaus theatre and, opposite it, Irish pub The Fiddlers with film theatre The Rex nestled alongside it. Our destination is just around the corner, however.
Fronted by a charming traditional restaurant bar – opened way back in 1899 as the Frongrasse das Bonner Cafehaus – Harmonie is not what it immediately appears to be! Step through the door and down the rabbit hole you disappear! For this is the musical equivalent of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland. Out the back through some corridors lies the venue itself in which Wales’ latest chart-crashing export Scarlet Rebels will make their German debut.
It’s no ordinary venue; this is one that is fully equipped with high-grade studio lighting and sound equipment. This evening’s performances are being streamed live across the internet whilst being recorded by German TV channel WDR for later broadcast on their Rockpalast show. The Rockpalast name, itself, is, much like the venue, steeped in history with its roots in the famed Rockpalast Nacht which ran from 1977 to its final episode in 1986.
Revived in 1995 Rockpalast, nowadays, continues to bring rock n’ roll to the German airwaves via twice-yearly four day extravaganzas under the ‘Crossroads Festival’ banner. And thus it’s here that, in the footsteps of fellow Earache label-mates Those Damn Crows and Massive Wagons, that The Rebels find themselves. On the cusp of something truly memorable.
We’re eloquently reminded by a beautiful soul of a friend, namely Kara, that it’s the vernal equinox this weekend. As the hours of light gain ascendency over those of dark, we will awake in the morning to the first day of astronomical spring.
All rather appropriate, as we learn, as it’s the time when Greek goddess Persophone, daughter of Demeter – goddess of the Earth – is reunited with her mother. Persophone was a symbol of life and fertility but was kidnapped by Hades. To ensure her, partial, return a deal was struck whereby Persophone would be the queen of the underworld for autumn and winter whilst returning to the earth above in spring. Demeter is rejuvenated by her daughter’s return which causes the rebirth of both the sun and land.
This timely Greek myth strikes a resonant chord as sometimes we don’t see progress unfolding below the surface until it comes to fruition. There is much in parallel with Scarlet Rebels. A remarkable tale of tireless musical endeavours that is finally bearing the deserved fruits of labour. Strong green shoots are flourishing under the bright spotlights now directed upon the Rebels.
Taking to a stage poignantly bathed in a symbolic pairing of blue and yellow lighting Rockpalast organiser Rembert Stiewe introduces the Rebels by way of the iconic and reverberant lyrics of Lennon’s ‘Imagine’.
Exuberant six-stringer Chris ‘CJ’ Jones is right into the thick of the action hitting the opening licks of ‘I’m Alive’ as frontman, and rhythm guitarist, Wayne Doyle hits the mic “Hey, hey, hey Germany! We’re Scarlet Rebels. Let’s go!” as his brother Gary hammers his drums loud enough to be heard in Berlin all the while most ably accompanied by energised bassist Wayne ‘Pricey’ Esmonde.
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The glam of the LA strip has been dunked headlong into the southern delta lands much to the delight of the Bonn crowd. A swift “2, 3, 4” from Wayne before he announces “We’ve got a storm coming. Are you ready?” CJ joins Wayne centre stage to cross frets as they hit the opening riffage as the crowd gets firmly onside. By the time the mid-song singalong is reached the Saturday evening crowd require no coaxing into several hearty “Who-ahs” whilst CJ whittles a tasty solo from his upright Les Paul.
Gary thumps his bass drum to give a seamless transition into a rare outing for the outright rocker ‘Everything Changed’. Encouraging the crowd further Wayne “C’mon Germany let’s see your hands in the air. We’re Scarlet Rebels we left Wales yesterday. We drove down through England, down into France, through Belgium, through The Netherlands and into the beautiful country of Germany to be here tonight at Rockpalast.
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Wayne’s voice shows no signs of his recent bout of laryngitis with the wider vocal range of this track being delivered impeccably. Pricey bounces barefoot, making the most of the neatly carpeted stage, whilst CJ rests his head on Wayne’s left shoulder for the outro. Three fire-breathing songs in, three total rip-snorting tracks from the chart-crashing ‘See Through Blue’ and the Bonn crowd loudly approve.
With black jeans tucked neatly into his red snakeskin boots CJ nails the low-slung solo of ‘No-one Else To Blame’; this feels like true stadium rock as Wayne riles up “Boris” during the opening lines of this ‘Show Your Colours’ classic. The woodcutter riffs of tubthumping ‘Let Your Love Grow’ has heads nodding throughout the Harmonie crowd with CJ, right foot arched up, strikes a truly magmatic solo with his fret emanating tendrils of fire.
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The acoustics are completely on point, the lighting worthy of Wembley Arena and the Rebels are wowing the German crowd with every passing track. The twin Gibson growl of the gritty ‘Take It’, now seemingly a firm part of the live set, is followed by a thundering rendition of ‘Heads To The Ground’. Baas emanate from a certain quarter of the crowd as Wayne introduces fluffy band mascot Lamb ‘Chop’ before he introduces this Brexit-inspired rocker. “I was proven correct” he sagely observes.
With its Bon Jovi-esque intro and chest-thumping chorus ‘Part Of Me’ sees the Rebels casting an eye back into 2019’s ‘Show Your Colours’ lp once again as their set nears its midpoint trackwise. There’s a palpable increase in the crowd’s level of reception track on track and by the time The Rebels roll right into ‘Let Me In’ the lofty roof of Harmonie-Bonn is being well and truly lifted. “Everyone at home step away from the Doritos. You know what’s coming!” cajoles Wayne. The crowd claps along as if one combined entity to the soaring chorus; anthemic Stereophonic-edged stadium-ready rock at its sublime best.
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With its glorious tribal glam-rock drumming and rapidly-jabbing riffing ‘I Can’t Say’ is destined to be a crowd-pleaser for a good while and elicits a loud cheer. The tempo is dropped a touch for the emotionally charged ‘I Can Sleep Now’; Wayne’s favourite track from ‘See Through Blue’. Following this impassioned delivery nobody is going to debate his choice. Those delicious semi-acoustic tones reverberate delicately before the band as one – on Gary’s cue – heads the outro in a scorching manner.
The rumbustious offering ‘Take You Home’ has The Rebels hitting top gear with hands collectively raised in solidarity atop the staccatto six-stringing of the enigmatic CJ. A swift catching of breath before stampeding into a triple salvo that begins with the emotive thunderstorm that is ‘Say My Name’ which – with a quick “2, 3, 4” – segues into the Quo-tastic ‘Not The One’.
Close your eyes this could so very easily be the ‘Frantic Four’ belting out this nuts-to-the-wall rocker. The track Quo should have written but never dared to; the German rock audience has always loved The Quo and with air guitars to the fore lap up every moment. Bonn is torn a brand new shiny one! Rossi et al would be proud.
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We’re now into full party mode and the dial is turned to beyond eleven for ‘Save Me’; whirling low-slung riffs and heavy, hard as nails uncompromising beats combine for the aural pleasure of all gathered herein and out there in internet land. Everyone is clapping along as CJ hits the legendary riffs of ‘It’s A Long Way To The Top’ and Wayne informs of the full rulings of Rebel Camp. Not sure? Head over to the WDR Rockpalast Youtube for a full rundown! The Rockpalast crowd are in fine voice and are far louder than the numbers in their ranks.
“Gold level Rebels in the house” Wayne proudly proclaims before landing a knock-out blow with the AC/DC-infused heavyweight “You Take My Breath Away”.
The searing ballad ‘Heal’ has undercurrents of Magnum in their prime. Closing his eyes Wayne sings the opening lines whilst CJ sends delicious tones to the far reaches before Pricey and Gary thunder in to take the tempo up several notches.
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The power ebbs and flows with the certainty of the tides; forces are strong within. A scorching rendition of ‘These Day’s brings an impeccable 18 track set, clocking in at just over 80 minutes, to a fine, fine conclusion.
Bonn has had a storm to clear the air, the Rebels – with crosses on their backs – are on their way! On this showing there is gonna be no stopping them!
Photography by Kelly Spiller for MPM