A Japanese concert brews at CCCP bar in Berlin on April 8th.
The scene was rather exceptional: a bar filled with cosy old armchairs, drinks with prices only central Berlin can afford and huge windows with an open view to the street. The only thing indicating a concert was a Japanese man with spiky hair smoking at the entrance.
The show started more than an hour late. The audience could comfortably stand in two rows in front of the stage with the band just an arm’s length away, but no one felt like getting closer than within three meters of the small stage. Already before their first song, Gabriels Stiletto apologised that their sound wouldn’t be as it usually would as there were technical problems. They also promised to come back, which was unusual as they hadn’t even played a single song and one hardly knew how they would sound like.
The visual appearance of the band members didn't give any hints about their sound either as they were dressed very differently from one another: drummer Nanka was dressed in an ordinary t-shirt, female bassist Marcherry in high heels with an army cap and a missing D-string while guitarist/vocalist KENZO-A sported a gothic look with a bone necklace.
Their music rocked; it was energetic, electrifying and the audience liked it. While drummer and bassist were quite reserved, KENZO-A was extroverted, interacting with the audience. Although Gabriels Stiletto‘s songs sounded really good, their performance could have been a little more lively. Having played only six songs and said a 'thank you' in German, it was time for them to leave the stage.
During the break, there were about 30 people in the bar, half of them common visitors who viewed the spectacle from their seats with interest. After a short stage reconstruction, Közi and his musicians entered the stage. They presented the audience with a varied visual appearance, with the drummer in a clown-like outfit, the bassist resembling a grandmother from the 70's and the second guitarist in a rather simple waistcoat and buttoned down shirt. The audience returned to the stage, this time not hesitating to stand very close while guitars were tuned and last cables plugged in.
Unhesitatingly, the set began with ISM. Right in the beginning one could feel enormous tension, but this faded very soon. Közi tried to encourage the audience to move a little more with a few "Come On!" calls but that wasn't effective, sadly. Only when HONEY VANITY was played did people start to dance.
Halfway through the set, he asked Miyu to enter the stage. Wearing a veil, cardigan and high heels, she looked as if she came right from a night club, which was befitting of NIGHT CREATURE’s jazzy sound. She sang in a surprisingly comforting and expressive voice which harmonised well with Közi’s and bounced skillfully in her high heels without falling over. Left only in very little clothing after peeling off her veil and cardigan during the first two songs, Miyu had all eyes keenly on her for the rest of the show.
The last two songs were a lost cause: Közi’s microphone slid off its stand and no one was able to hear him. Drumsticks flew around by accident, the hi-hat’s upper cymbal landed on the floor and its stand toppled over, causing Miyu to trip on it and fall elegantly. In spite of all these mishaps, all musicians stayed relaxed and kept on playing.
With another 'thank you' expressed in German, the band left the stage and walked right through the middle of the audience to the backstage room. That brought the musical part of that evening to a close, but those patient enough could find all musicians back in the bar some time later for some chatting, pictures and autographs.
Set list for Közi:
01. ISM
02. GROTTESCA
03. BABYLO
04. INCOHERENTS
05. HONEY VANITY
feat. Miyu:
06. NIGHT CREATURE
07. CRIMSON STAR
08. CACOPHONY
09. I’M NOT
10. CRUEL ARCARDIA
