Now that there’s already far too much fighting in the world, these nasty whipping boys are coming backstage in Munich. The “Dirty Old Man” from Transylvania, who treats his opponents to flatulence and other nasty things. Or El Sid with a spiral mask and a parrot, who paralyzes the other wrestlers with psycho attacks, as long as he doesn’t fall into a coma himself after a line of coke on the ring rope. And even if the darkling in the long leather coat seems to have been thrown out of the ranks of fighters with the compulsion to raise his right arm, Boris is still there, the “butcher from Vladivostock”, who, by the way, was already the blood-smeared villain at the “Rock ‘n’Roll Wrestling Bash” was. gossip theater? Naturally. But like in US wrestling and Mexican lucha libre, it’s also spectacular wrestling acrobatics, even though it’s closed in between Motorhead-Covers of the really good live band Mayham strapped ring girls pour schnapps down the throats of the jeering guests, this trash drama with a striptease finale has also fulfilled artistic standards for almost 20 years (a Hamburg offshoot has already made it to the local state opera as a “Ring der Nibelungen” version). ).
The Rock’n’Roll Wrestling Bash offers breakneck acrobatics and satirical blows.
(Photo: Mate Film for The Rock n Roll Wrestling Bash)
And now the most amazing thing: This highlight in the Backstage annual calendar, which has been recurring for ten years, can be experienced completely free of charge this time on Friday, July 23, 6 p.m. The “Rock’n’Roll Wrestling Bash” is one of 100 events of the “Free & Easy” festival in the large subculture center on the Friedenheimer Bridge. These 18 days of free entertainment are a kind of Oktoberfest of alternative cultures: there is live music from 200 bands, parties, entertainment, music, also discussions at beer tables, many food stands, and all of this with free entry to the grounds and to the respective stages in the factory, the hall, the club and in the garden. Only the beer price is cheaper than at the Oktoberfest, albeit a political issue here, because it had to be increased to 4.50 euros per half because of the pandemic. And the admission guarantee can also be bought at “Free & Easy”, such optional reservation tickets cost 15 euros.
“The Iron Maidens” from Los Angeles counter the excess testosterone in the rock world with their versions of Iron Maiden songs.
(Photo: Alex Solca)
The money is well invested, not only because of the two included drink vouchers. This supports Hans-Georg Stocker and his loyal team of the privately run multi-purpose area, which is voted one of the best clubs in Germany by the heavy metal, hip-hop, indie and reggae scene. And you secure access to bands that also play to full houses at paid concerts. At the first Free & Easy after the pandemic, legends of international format are pushing in again: there you will find yourself Napalm Deathdeath metal band from the very beginning (July 27th), as well as Youth Of Todaythe co-founders of the addiction-free “Straight Edge” movement in the hardcore scene (July 28), the skate punk classics who have been active for years No Fun At All (30.7.) or the Americans pentagramwho have been at the forefront of their co-created genre with their doom metal for a whopping 50 years, which is also documented on the 70s compilation “First Daze Here” – funnily enough they replay on their tour break day the official concert on August 1st, a second “secret” show in the backstage as Two Daze Here. Not to forget Gwar from Richmond, Virginia, who splatter more blood and other bodily fluids than the rock wrestlers during their rock horror extravaganza – all satire, of course (August 2).
Please smile! The horror shows from “Gwar” with a lot of fake blood are meant to be satirical.
(Photo: Backstage)
There are also plenty of national greats, such as the Hamburg hip-hop lout and dike child– Dropout Ferris (28.7.). Only for his colleagues, the other Hamburg hip-hop pioneers Five star deluxe around Tobi and Das Bo, you actually have to pay regular admission, which experience has shown that they are worth (4.8.). They are the only ones from Munich to achieve their legendary status in the German rap world main conceptwho are loyal to the backstage (July 22nd), as well as the ska veterans buster (31.7.), the ethno pop stars Jamaram (July 26th), the Munich metal band megaheart (1 August) or songwriter rebel Der Weiherer (26 July).
Main Concept, founded in Munich in 1990, enjoy legendary status in the German hip-hop scene.
(Photo: Frank Homann)
everything there What is missing? Maybe some reggae (apart from the Brit Macka B., 5.8.). And – a scene problem – once again more women on stage. the Iron Maiden-Cover girls The Iron Maidens from Los Angeles are the fig leaf in the testosterone rock world, also or precisely because they are the Dachau colleagues The Aerochicks (Aerosmith-covers) bring it with you (24.7.).
The Munich hard rockers “Megaherz” forged their name about 30 years ago from the US band Megadeath, a Rilke quote and the “Wildecker Herzbuben”.
(Photo: Stefan Gesell)
Of course, one tries, and that the backstage always wants to be argumentative and correct is also shown in the “Free & Easy Politics” series, in which the sociology doctor Rainer Sontheimer discusses burning social issues four times. For example, in “Four Fists for the Good” he discusses “morals and ethics in Bud Spencer and Terence Hill films” with the audience (July 25). And that the Dampfhammer duo was always on the right side, you can see that with two hit movies in a row and the concert of the extremely hearty film music singers from Bud Spenzer Heart Choir convince.