The Exploited at C.K. Wiatrak in Zabrze, Poland on 31 August 2024.
So, on to Zabrze (how do you pronounce that when you’re sober?) for the second of The Exploited gigs in Southern Poland.
Zabrze is a small industrial city in Silesia, not far from Katowice. The difference between here and the more touristy Bielsko-Biala of yesterday, is immediately noticeable, with the visible industrial architecture. It’s Saturday afternoon, so it becomes quickly clear that most shops have already closed for the weekend …. “Dead City!”
The venue for tonight, C.K. Wiatrak, is a bit of a walk out of the city centre and away from any major residential area. It’s in a former industrial building opposite some tall chimneys of a factory or something similar. I guess that means that there are less curfew restrictions here than yesterday. Inside is a bit nondescript and not as (shabby) cool as yesterday’s venue. The most irritating thing about it though, is the bloody queueing to get to the bar for beers (and vodka, with lemon this time). Takes ages.
There are 2 support bands this evening, the second being the same one that played yesterday who are not really my thing. I quite enjoy the first band on who have a punk/black metal vibe about their sound.
The Exploited play another excellent set with new dummer Garry “Gman” once again looking comfortable on the drum stool. I manage to get on stage for the traditional “Sex and Violence’ singalong towards the end of the set. There’s a young lad on stage next to me, maybe around 10 years old, who sings his heart out. I make sure that he gets his turn at the microphone every now and again.
Once the crowd comes off stage, there’s time for “Fck The USA” (Garry’s favourite Exploited song, apparently) and the usual “Was It Me” to finish things off. Another hot and sweaty one.
I’m fortunate to get to have a proper chat with the band at their hotel after the gig, so I have the opportunity to speak at length with Garry (Gman). Cool guy and definitely seems to be fitting well into the dynamic of the band. It promises good things ahead.
UPDATE: No review or photos of the gig the following day in Ceske Budjovice (01 September 2024), as I ended up looking after the Exploited’s merch sales for the evening. Here’s a photo of me hard at work 🙂
