27,28-09-2008 EXIT action weekend

Venue: Exit, Rotterdam (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

A week back from now, I wrote a column about Exit. This venue is in high need of subsidy and therefore there was an online petition set up to convince the government. Because it will take a few weeks more before the actual decision will be made, Exit organized a non-stop action weekend.

The weekend started on Saturday. Exit opened at 3 o’clock and this evening three metal bands would play for free to raise money for Exit. First one to play was Dark Intentions. They make hardcore metal and come from the city Breda. Recently they released their album “Destined to Burn” via Deity Down Records. Their singer chooses to sing in front of the stage where he was running up and down so many times and so aggressive that most people chose to stay far away. So did I, but I had a good view from the bar. It is not rare that bands in this genre need some space to move around during their performance, but here it was a bit overdone.

Up next was Human Demise. Just as the band before, their singer was in front of the stage, though it was not that annoying here. I actually felt like I could stand a bit closer to the stage without killing the space their vocalist needed. Music wise I liked this band more. Their guitars are more dominant and in total the music came out way better. Vocals impressed me not too much though; it somehow should have been a bit more intense perhaps.

Mindscan was the last live band for this evening. They are from Rotterdam and seem to be the masters of socializing since everyone in the scene knows them. This band has two girls on bass and guitar, and two guys for drums and guitars. Vocals are done by all of them excluding the bassist. I am personally not that much amazed by the vocals which often appear messy and unbalanced tonight. About their skills with the instruments I have nothing to complain though.

After these three bands the so called sleepover party starts. This is exactly what it says! Tonight you could bring your sleeping bag and sleep at the venue. The next morning you would wake up with some relaxed music to get ready for the upcoming day.

Sunday

The next day was the day that the petition would be handed over to Theo Cornelissen which is working in the local politics. Before that, some more music would be there.

First band of the day was Clayborn. This punk/rock/pop band from Rotterdam made quite a name in the city. They had their album release party in 2006 and filled up the venue from the bottom to the top. Today they were opening and it felt quite early for so much rock and roll. Still good to see that much stage action and it cheered up those sleepy heads from those who have been “sleeping” there.

The Flying Martini’s were up next. They make pop rock with blues influences. Their music is quite calm compared to Clayborn and is quite nice to see. Not really that unique perhaps, but that is not always a need. They brought some of their dry humor with them when talking about their own music. Telling the next song would stand out because of the length of it and then play a song which is pretty short.

Noodweer is a band which brought quite some people in the venue. This band was most successful in 1983 when their song “In De Disco” hits the charts. They sing in Dutch and their lyrics are usually inspired by the city of Rotterdam. In 1987 they quit, but they have some reunion concerts every now and then. They have a heart for the city of Rotterdam and the proud of the city is very present with them. So come they felt the need to play tonight at this action weekend to save Exit, a venue which has a history in town. Many people came to hear those good old songs they liked when they were younger and therefore Noodweer was a great addition to the bill.

After Noodweer we first got some poets by different people. All about Exit. The petition was given to Theo Cornelissen by Menno Smit who was presenting this whole weekend.

The bittersweet party went on with Yabykey Reggae. They got some people dancing and the atmosphere was very relaxed.

Traktor, was up next to rage hard with their metal. Their tunes were composed quite ok, the drums maybe a bit too much behind sometimes. They had an active show, which suits the music and somehow there is a certain attitude with this band. Feel like they are bigger than they actually are which certainly will not say they won’t get there. The musicians come from different bands of Rotterdam so, they do have enough experience, but maybe I could not really say I saw a band onstage. I saw four musicians playing their own part of the music like they could have played it without the others just as easy. I hope they grow together a bit more, since the individual musicians all do have the skills.

De Dood was up next. This band makes metal in Dutch. When I saw the singer I though I have seen him before, but I could not remember where. The music is literally a lot of screaming and noise (so much noise that the drummer actually demolished the snare drum). It took me a few songs before I realized where I knew that guy from. It was a part of the duo Sanne en Ik. I saw them supporting Vive la Fete a couple of years back and I hated them so much, because of the crappy music and specially an anti gays song they had that I promised myself that if I ever had to hear THAT song again I would spend all my money on beer to throw to the stage just as long as I got kicked out. So far, mr. Ik. (meaning I in English) did not really better his music so I gave up hope and found a place to sit down for a while. I would like to say: It’s not personal that I don’t like the music, but in this case and I guess the only case, it is!

After that noise we were delighted with some relaxed music from Bahaya unplugged.
They sung some covers.

Jugend was up next. This band had an industrial approach and even EBM influences. A very brave try to get the audience into this music did not really succeeded. Though I found it interesting to see. The guitars gave a dark and extremer sound on to the beat. I think it was mostly the vocals that were a bit too monotone. There certainly was the deep sound as often heard in this music, but somehow the vocals made it that most people stepped back. The lyrics were in different languages which might also be a point of consideration. Keep it English, rather in Dutch? Or perhaps go for the Industrial market and enlarge the chances by singing in German.

Crowjane is a rockband from Rotterdam. Their music has a catchy edge but still the typical rock and roll feeling is there. This is also kept up by their vocalist which uses his own stylish microphone. The sound of Kings of Leon keeps on popping up when thinking about how to describe the band. A nice sound, nice performance. Good to see them here tonight.

While the schedule was already one hour behind we made us ready for singer/songwriter Tamara Woesthof. This lady has a voice and she comes to sing for us with her acoustic guitar with her as support. She keeps her set quite short unfortunately.

Nine Volt was up next. This Rotterdam rock band is also one which can often found rocking in Exit. Recently they had a show as well review. As if Tamara had quite calm songs Nine Volt brought the contrast back by playing their most famous songs. After their set I left the Exit. It was 23.00 o’clock while they should have been finished at 21.00 on the original schedule. There fore I have not seen the rest of the evening.

After Nine Volt we had some more poets and music. For me this weekend was long enough already. In this weekend Exit showed that they are a venue for all sorts of music. Where young bands get to grow and a place where everyone is welcome. The whole weekend there was a nice atmosphere in the venue while so many different people were there to enjoy their favorite band and all came to support Exit.
Now it is only waiting for the official decision about the subsidy to see if Exit can still exist next year!

More pictures of this weekend available at sabinevangameren.com

Links:
Dark Intentions MySpace
Human Demise MySpace
Mindscan MySpace
Clayborn MySpace
The Flying Martini’s MySpace
Noodweer @ hyves
Traktor MySpace
De Dood MySpace
Jugend MySpace
Crowjane MySpace
Nine Volt MySpace
Exit MySpace