Tuesday 23 October 2012

Italian ISD Memorial 2012


      In the beginning of October was the date for the Italian ISD Memorial for 2012, organized by "VFS". It was my third ISD Memorial for the last few weeks, after France and England. Honestly I was very tired and not so exiting for that travel, but I did it, as I know well that Italy is always a very good destination for RAC concerts.


    Friday evening, right after work, we started our trip to the beautiful Italian city Genova. After around 4 hours by car, we arrived at the place right before midnight. Our friends from the Italian hatecore band "Still Burning Youth" was waiting for us, we went to very nice pub and there our weekend has started.
   After couple of beers, a lot of laughing and chat with our mates, around 3 morning we took again the cars to went to sleep.
   Saturday morning-big hangover: D. It was really hard to go out of the bed. All of us take fast shower, breakfast and we prepare us for the second part of our travel. On the route other comrades join us and after few hours of driving we arrived to the  gig area.
   It was very big open air place. Big stage, little bar next to it, enough parking place for the cars. As it was the late afternoon we had enough time to take a little break and install our table with BH "Hexagone" productions. We  had  a few beers and a  lovely dinner right after which  the concert started.
   First band for the evening was Italians from "Acciaio Vincente". The band played their songs from their first album "Professionalisti dell'Odio" (2011). Good performance, it was my first time I hear the band and I like it. Good dynamic music, the singer has a great voice.

Acciaio Vincente

   Second was "Linea Ostile". They played some covers as "Peggior Amico". The style of the band is classic Italian "OI" and that was the reason I liked their presentation. Unfortunately they didn’t record a cd yet, but hopefully they’ll do this in the near future, because it’s really good band.

Linea Ostile
   Right after them, after little pause on the stage come the long awaited "Gesta Bellica"! I was very exited to hear that band. It was my first time ever to listen "Gesta Bellica" at life, as I’ve miss them when they played year or two ago in my Fatherland Bulgaria. So the guys have couple of cd-s, those I know are " Usque ad inferos", "Interum rudit leo", "Ius primae lineae" and others. They played songs from their repertoire as "Voglio", "Ritorno a Camelot" and "No pasaran". They finished their set with "Skrewdriver" cover together with Ken /Brutal Attack/.

Gesta Bellica
   Last on the stage come the British monsters from "Brutal Attack". I don’t think it’s necessary to present the band, as they are "living legends" and even the kids know " In your eyes" and "Odin`s daughter". I saw them two weeks ago in ISD Memorial in England. The guys share members with the famous French RAC band "Frakass" /close and good friends of mine/. I’m not pretty sure with which song they’ve started, i`m not even sure which songs they played exactly, because it was already too late and I’ve drank many beers (hahahaha). For sure they played "Embers of yesterday" and my very favorite "Rock against communism". Their performance was on the top! Ken was in euphoria, he left the microphone and he jumped over the guys who were slamming below the stage. Michel /guitar/ broke two strings of his guitar, all the members of the band was very exited, which made the crowd exited as well…it’s hard to put in words the atmosphere we felt out there, but it was really cool! Real R.A.C.!!! Thanks to Ken and his crew for that! Here I want to share my personal opinion about Ken. I really believe that when he’s singing he feel and he live with his music. For him there is no matter if he play in front 3000 people or in front 20. He just...enjoys the party and his music from the bottom of his heart!


   This great evening didn’t finish with the concert. All the guests together with the bands went on a party. I had the chance to have a few beers with my French and Italian mates and the guys from "Brutal Attack". Thanks to David /Blakey/ for the interesting stories he told me about Ian Stuart and "Skrewdriver". Thanks to Ken and all the bands that played for us and made this evening magic, to VFS for that great concert and special thanks to Alberto for his hospitality and everything he did for us and our travel.
   From all that I saw in the last few weeks, from all the trips to the ISD Memorial concerts, all the new friends I’ve met and all new places I’ve visited I’m really happy to see that the people didn’t forget what Ian Stuart Donaldson created for us and his spirit lives in our hearts.  Ian Stuart R.I.P.!!!
 
S. 

Monday 22 October 2012

French ISD Memorial 2012


 On 15th of September in of South France was held ISD Memorial, organized by the French Blood and Honour Division "Hexagone". For me that was my second ISD Memorial in France,as the first was back in 2010 organised by BH "Midgard". I was very happy of that memorial as many of my mates come and i was glad to have the chance speak in English and my own language - Bulgarian. In the middle of August we had already the band list and our preparing for the concert start. It was hard to find a good concert hall, but finaly we`ve got luck and the place was perfect for event like this.
   Some of our friends arrive Friday-the day before the gig. We made some small party at home with many pacs of beer and of course pizza. Was nice to see smiling people at home,even if it was a little bit like "Romper Stomper"  style party with 14 skinheads sleeping in my apartment :). Saturday morning we went to the airport to take our German friends.
 
  On the early afternoon we’ve started to manage the stuff inside the gig venue, such as setting the sound equipment, supplying the bars with coffee, soft drinks, beer, food etc. and other important things without which the gig couldn’t go ahead.

 The most of the people arrived later, so the concert started around 22:00h when everyone was already inside the hall. First on the stage come the French band "DC" /DECADENCE CULTURE/. I already wrote once about them, when I heard them for first time life, on the last year’s RAC Festival in France when was their comeback gig after 5-6 years of silence. I enjoy a lot their style - brutal and rough RAC. Now "DC" share musicians with the RAC band "BORDEL BOYS”.
   So "DC" started the concert with cover song of the first band of the singer "ELSASS KORPS" and with the song "Division Charlemagne". Usually on live performance they play two their own songs, one cover, and so on. Sadly, I was very busy with the bartender work, so I haven`t the chance to listen to them carefully. The last song of their set was "Plus fort que tout" /Stronger than anything/, cover of "KOMINTERN SECT"- song dedicated to the friendship and brotherhood. From what I can understand in French, the most of the lyrics of "DC" are dedicated to our fight against the system. Was nice to see that the crowd was so dynamic and exiting during the performance of first band!



     After a short break, second on the stage came "Non Plus Ultra". German band which exist more than 10 years .For that period they had some changing in the line up,but the singer M. is the only original member since the beginning. I saw them back in 2010 in "Ovni" RAC club in Spain once and I really liked them then. That was the reason why i was so happy and why i wanted to hear them once again, as in Spain, the guys made great show! This time their performance was with one additional guitarist, and I find out that their sound was even more professional than the last time. So they played few "Skrewdriver covers, cover as well as one by "Cock Sparrer" /Because you`re young/, some of their own set too. Funny thing was that the French crowd was dancing and even tried to sing the German songs :)



   Was perfect to see all the dancing and singing people, once again "NPU" made great atmosphere and show! I honestly can said, that is one of my favorite bands even if I’m not big fan of German scene and I waiting the moment to hear them once again at life.
   Last on the stage appeared the French R.A.C. “stars” "LEMOVICE". Funny and nice crew of guys, I already wrote few times about them so now I want to say few more words about the band. It was established back in 1999. For this period they played more than 50 concerts! Their first material was “1999-2002” demo, then in 2006 go out the debut cd "Lemovice", 2009 "Skinheads living dead" and 2011 "OI le tribute". They also took a part in few compilations cd’s such as "France Explosion 3" (2000) with two songs, "Tribute a Bunker 84" (2001), "Compilation de soutien aux prisonniers" (2011). Their future production will be entitled "Limoges" and must see light of the day by the end of the year. The guys started with song, dedicated to the memory of ISD, cover song of "SKREWDRIVER" - "Back with a bang". Groundbreaking start!!! All the attenders gathered front of the stage, dancing, slamming and singing with the vocalist N., it was a great moment! Really very good chosen song for start and perfect cover version! They went ahead with songs of their own set as "Triquard", "Beloi Army", "France" and others. After their last song, the crowd didn’t allow them to go out of the stage, people were screaming "more,more,more" so finally they played for us the last song of the night "L`epee en main".
   The concert was visited from around 150 people. Everything went really well, in a really friendly atmosphere without any problems or fights. The gig goers enjoyed another nice evening and at last but not the least the bands who played gave their very best to make a great party! Thank you guys!

   Here I want to say big thanks also to F. and especially to G. for the hard nonstop work they do on the bar and big CHEERS to K. and M. from Bulgaria for the time we shared together :) Thanks to the "Hexagone" guys for the great concert they organized for us, and special thanks to "DC","NON PLUS ULTRA" and "LEMOVICE" for the perfect performance! Salutes to my Jagermeister friends T., H., and M.:)
  
 Exclusive report by S. (as usual :)

Sunday 7 October 2012

ISD Memorial Gig England 2012


Like the last five years, me and my friends traveled to the England‘s ISD Memorial gig in September. On Friday evening we arrived in the middle of England, the place of the gig.  After a few conversations with friends we went to the concert tent. As in the previous years, it was a two days event program, starting with a ballad gig. At the beginning of the evening, the tent wasn’t filled with crowd so much, but however that changed over  the time,. At 9 o’clock the ballad evening began.


First on stage appeared Stevie, who played many of the famous Skrewdriver songs. Next  came the boys of Frakass from France, who sang their hits in their native language. The next presentation was followed by singer John of Scottish band Nemesis accompanied by a guitarist. Personally I found the performance awesome, we has a great voice and perform the songs with great passion.


The last guests of the ballad evening appeared on the stage at 1 o’clock at night . It was Sleipnir from Germany. Their hits were brought over very ingenious and persuasive. There were, for example, "Wunderbare Jahre " and "Meine Welt" . They played for about an hour so around 2 o’clock  the  ballad evening came to it’s end.

Stevie

Frakass



 After a delicious English breakfast on Saturday afternoon we went back to the gig venue for the “full electric” gig night. First on stage appeared  the boys of Gentleman Thugs. It was the third live performance of the band. They played many  No Remorse covers, giving their best to warm up the crown.

 Gentleman Thugs


Then came March or Die, which unfortunately I have not seen because I ate a barbecue.

Slowly the tent started to fill with people and the next band was Section 88, which hits like "Ain´t no black" presented to the audience.


March or Die



Section 88

The next band was the Scottish boys from Nemesis, which impressed me very much like the night before. A  fabulous  performance.



The next band were the  boys from  Legion of St. George. They played their well-known pieces of their CD's  "On the footsteps of Heroes".


Legion of St. George

With "Kick the reds in" White Law started their performance. After an announcement by the singer a minute of silence in the memory of Ian Stuart followed. 




After White Law the guys from Blackout took the stage. Songs like "Blackout", "This is my country" and great cover from  Skrewdriver songs were sung. As always, a  great performance by  the boys.
White Law


The next  band for the night were the guests from Australia. The three guys from Ravenous played their hits. Unfortunately I can’t   say much about it because I do not know the songs. But the performance was very good for my point of view.


Ravenous 



Ken and the rest of the guys from Brutal Attack were next band of the schedule. There played songs like "Tales of Glory", "Rock against communism", “Always Near” and Let it burn.



With great hope, I expected the next band. It was the guys from Deahts Head from Australia. The crew was the same as at Ravenous. Only the singer changed the position. Jesse put on a convincing performance. A great performance. Love it!

The last band of the evening were White Rebel Boys from Germany. I’ve ever before seen them live before, but they made a good performance.

To sum it up: about 700 people attended, great organization, we will be back next year.



Greetings to all my friends,  the guys from Blackout, Section 88 and Gentleman Thugs and of course to Silvy.

Thursday 4 October 2012

Legion Condor Memorial in Spain


In the main cemetery of Madrid City there is a Memorial in memory of 7 pilots of the Legion Condor that died during the Spanish Civil War fighting in the nationalist side.
This memorial was inaugurated on July of 1942, with the presence of the German Ambassador, the Spanish Minister of Air Force,  the Major of Madrid and different military authorities and diplomatic from Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, or Slovakia.

The main placard had words in German and Spanish. In German stated: “The German pilots here buried died fighting for a free Spain” and in Spanish it said: ”German Pilots, fallen for God and Spain. Present! “. 
Above it there was another placard with a Luftwaffe eagle, that in the spring of 1958 at the urging of the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, was removed due to the presence of swastikas on it.
It is said that the remains of the pilots were returned to Germany after the IIWW.
Some years ago, in 2005, this memorial was attacked by the reds, that covered it with red paint, and after that it was restored by Spanish comrades, that make a ceremony after the restoration was completed.
In February 2012 it was vandalized again and some months later it was restored. The reds also made some damages to the monument-tomb of the Blue Division that is placed very close.



The Socialist Party has complained for the presence of this Legion Condor monument several times, but as the City Council is controlled by the Popular Party (right conservative) they did not achieve anything. Therefore some month ago they decided to complain to the German Embassy, the German Embassy spoke with the German Government, and in April following orders of the German government the main plaque, which had the motto we have previously mentioned in black letters, was covered with white paint and plaster.
After that the Socialist Party sent a thanks letter to the German Embassy.
Something to highlight is that when this monument was vandalized, the German Embassy did not complain or went to the police; they did nothing at all, and were the Spanish comrades who had to make the restoration. Also is not clear if they have competencies to take decisions over a memorial placed in a Spanish cemetery in Spanish land without German corpses on it.
A new sing of lack of honor of these democrat authorities that do not respect even their fallen countrymen.
For this reason it was decided to make a “redress” act the morning of the 29th of September in the place of the memorial, which was attended by around 50 comrades of different political parties and organizations.



There were three speakers. The first speaker explained the circumstances that lead to the German Embassy to cover the placard, related with the Socialist complains and the “Historical Memory” law approved by the last socialist government. The second speaker explained also that this is also related to the apologies for the Guernica Bombing that the German President Roman Herzog made to survivors of the raid apologizing on behalf of the German people and state in 1997, which lead to a law passed by the German parliament in 1998 that legislate for the removal of all former Legion Condor members names from associated German military bases. The Madrid socialist knew that and use it as an argument in front of the current German authorities. He explained also that some years ago in a village of the province of Toledo was inaugurated a Memorial for Soviet pilots that died operating in the airfield placed there. In that case, the Russian Putin government sent a wreath with the current Russian flag colors and a military representation.  They were not ashamed of their history and they respect their soldiers who died fighting in a foreign country. The last speaker started saying the names of the seven soliders fallen, that was responded by the words “Present!”, then he spoke about the role of the Legion Condor during the Civil War and the ignominy of the acts of both the socialist party and the German authorities.
The act ended singing the song “I had a comrade" (Ich hatt' einen Kameraden)  in Spanish.
There are plans to repair the despicable act made by the German authorities.