Monday nights aren't the best for concerts and even the Danish dynamite couldn't get the place crowded. A shame as their last album Pandemonium was really strong and live the Danish always been killer.
Anyway, opening act tonight - as last Saturday in Andernach - was Ginger Red. The band was founded in 2009 by singer Olli Möger (ex-Black Arrow) and guitarist Tom Weise (ex-Jake Porn) to play a mix of dirty heavy rock and glam metal. Their debut album Hard As A Rock will be release at the end of the month via STF-Records. At 8 PM the guys entered the stage and kicked off with Odins Hall, an up-tempo rocker which reminds me off some 80's tune... The chorus is made to sing along, but as the album isn't out yet, it's another unknown tune to the attending. During their limited stage time they played 7 songs plus an intro and so about 2/3 of the debut album. Unfortunately the interview with Pretty Maids got delayed and so it took place during the show of Ginger Red. At the end of their second song it was time to leave for the interview... So far I can say that Ginger Red delivered a solid performance, even if they have to work on their stage acting, but I guess that will improve with every show they play. Singer Olli tried to cheer up the people next to the stage and even if they didn't get raving reactions, they made people tap their feet and nod their heads with the beat.
When we returned from the interview the band was closing their set with Evil.
During the break people were getting closer to the stage and impatiently waited for Pretty Maids to enter the stage. Ronny Atkins and his mates kicked off with the title track of their latest album Pandemonium. Obviously not everybody was familiar with the new album, but as they had some more new tunes on the set list this should change. With I.N.V.U. they continued. Right from the start singer Ronnie Atkins was always in motion and obviously in good shape, his voice was strong and powerful. Bassist Hal Patino just joined them this year, but he isn't a nobody and he played countless shows, used every inch of the stage while guitarist Ken Hammer his counterpart. Mr. Hammer demonstrated his skills during the set and he was obviously happy to be on stage. How are you, Bochum? We came here to have a good time, We Came To Rock!" Ronnie Atkins announced - and hell broke loose. After this classic they presented the title track of their 2006 album Wake Up To The Real World. Afterwards Ken Hammer had to tune his guitar, and Ronnie were joking about him, but then they traveled back in time... "25 years ago we had an album called Red Hot & Heavy. One song was called Waiting For The Time!" Time for another classic - Savage Heart. At the beginning only keyboard and vocals, later the rest joined in. Especially the opening part was incredible thanks to Morten Sandager's keyboard play and Atkins emotional vocals. Then they headed into It Comes At Night, another songs from Pandemonium. "Back to the 80's! To our 25th century... What did I say? 25th anniversary album, back to Red Hot & Heavy." Queen Of Dreams should lead over to a short drum solo, Cielo Drive followed. And with the first notes of Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Carmina Burana) fans knew it was time for Back To Back! The place was on fire! It seemed that everybody was singing along loudly - and it sounded like the place was packed! After Rodeo Ronnie Atkins introduced the band, as the got closer to the end of the show a smiling Ken Hammer handed a beer to a fan in the first row, then a bottle of water to another while playing the Thin Lizzy cover Please Don't Leave Me. "Thank you so much! Everything comes to an end, but before we check out we want to play one more song..." Mr. Atkins announced and before he could name the track everybody knew it was Love Games with the first notes played. Too soon it was over and the band left the stage. But no show without Future World! And so they came back for their smash hit. For some reason Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer got into a laughing fit and Atkins could hardly continued singing, but as the fans were singing it didn't really matter. Bassist Hal Patino kicked away the micro stand when walking over to join Ken Hammer. And before they ended their set with Red, Hot & Heavy, they played Little Drops Of Heaven. At Red, Hot & Heavy Ken and the guys embedded a short citation of Smoke On The Water before continuing with their classic.
The fans who came to see the Danish dynamite won't regret it, as usual the band delivered an energetic performance and they still enjoy playing live a lot, so I hope that next time around more fans will come to see them on stage! You really missed something, if you haven't been at one of their shows!
Before the show we - Gisela and I - had the chance to talk to singer Olli and guitarist tom. The interview is in German, but I wanted to give you the chance to listen to the conversation. Click here to listen to the interview!
At 9:30 it was time for 
And started laughing about his own joke, while Ronnie poked him to go on and so he finally introduced Ronnie Atkins, but that's just part of the routines. Every