Astrosoniq were a bit the odd man out tonight. All the other bands played different forms of hard rock `n` roll while these Dutch guys play typical stoner rock. Even though they use keyboards and all kinds of electronic effects the band plays pretty much within the boundaries of the genre. Mid tempo Black Sabbath type riffs, droning vocals etc. Not very original but reasonably good.

Too bad their singer has a stage act like... well, actually he doesn`t have a stage act. He merely stands there and sings. When he doesn`t sing he walks off stage or turns his back to the audience. Sometimes he even sings with his back turned to us. More attitude would absolutely make a difference for the whole band. Now they just don`t grab the attention.

Danko Jones
Wow! Now here`s somebody with an attitude. Singer/guitarist Danko Jones has that in your face attitude that makes it seem like he`s talking personally to each and every one present. Like he`s trying to convert us all. You just can`t get around him.

The band, that next to Jones consists of bass player John Calabrese and drummer Damon Richardson, are as tight as hell. The sound is incredible from the start. Loud, dirty and clear. Their exciting rock `n` roll sounds honest and pure, it`s Chuck Berry and Little Richard having sex with the Supersuckers. Traditional yet very here and now. Overwhelming.

The Strokes the saviors of rock `n` roll? F**k that! These Canadians know where it’s at. Jones` macho lyrics, mainly about women and sex, have that little bit of irony that makes them cool and sometimes funny ("I`m so Excited I Need A Sex Change"). The crowd is with the band from the start and goes wild for the first time tonight. Including yours truly. Danko Jones is the cream of the crop of modern day rock `n` roll.

Gluecifer
The Kings Of Rock recently released their new album Basement Apes, great title by the way, that marks a change in their style. More diversity and not just full-out rock. It makes the album stand out positively from the rest of their pretty impressive repertoire. The question is, what will this do to their live show?

The same thing actually. There`s room for more than just rocking hard. Still, the main part of the set consists of the well-known stomping groove. The band have a lot of fun on stage and it infects the crowd.

And although the music is loud and hard Gluecifer has a more friendly charisma than most of the bands in the genre. While most bands rely on aggression and macho poses Gluecifer are here to party and everyone’s invited.

Dirtbombs
The more soulful approach to hard rock. Singer/guitarist Mick Collins has been around in the scene for a long time playing in several bands, of which The Gories is the most important. He’s been singing along on a lot of records by other bands like The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Speedball Baby.

He’s a true underground legend already. His voice and loose guitar playing gives this band a distinctive Motown feel. It`s obvious a lot of people came especially for the Dirtbombs as the Old Hall hasn’t been this full tonight.

I can’t think of any musical reason why they have two drummers as they both play almost exactly the same. It looks kinda cool though. The Dirtbombs are not the tightest of tonight but they surely are the most soulful. More from the heart than the testosterone-droned hard rock their colleagues play. There’s a lot of action on stage and soon the band are pouring sweat.

Peter Pan Speedrock
After all the rock `n` roll mayhem I was wondering whether Peter Pan Speedrock would be able to bring the house down again. Well, not to worry! For the fourth time tonight the crowd willingly submitted to the almighty god Rock `n` Roll.

This time in the form of Peter Pan Speedrock`s blend of Motorhead, AC/DC and Zeke. A couple of songs, like Dukes Of Danger (yes, about the Duke boys) have a psychobilly twist; but there`s some Ramones-styled punk as well. Of course they play the Dutch version of Ace Of Spades sung by Dikke Dennis (Fat Dennis).

And also a terrific version of Sailorman originally by legendary homo rockers Turbonegro`s. The main part of the show consists of songs from their last two albums Killermachine and the recent Premium Quality... Serve Loud! Luckily there was room for some oldies like Megas Des Tittas as well.

During the whole night there was a VJ in the Max. During Peter Pan Speedrock he was at his best. Projecting live pictures from the band playing and mixing them with pictures of top fuel dragsters.

It fits well with the high-octane rock blasting from the speakers and Peter Pan Speedrock’s over the top behavior.
Hell On Wheels. Surely a night to remember.

(Review: Walter de Korver
Pics: Sebastien Sam)