This Means War at the Kick’n Rush & Fanhaus in Mainz, Germany on 31 October 2024.
A welcome return to the Kick’n Rush & Fanhaus in Mainz to see This Means War at the same venue that I saw them in back in November 2023. A nice little club in the home of Mainz FC’s fan base, serving beer from the brewery located opposite.
First up The Swipes, a band from just down the road in Frankfurt (sorry, no photos). Although new to me, they have been “playing melodic British and American-style punk rock since 2007”. A late addition to the line up following a last minute cancellation by Crashed Out, they play a great set of melodic punk rock, with an impressive sound for a 3-piece band. Fortunately for me, they sing in English, as my German is pretty much non-existant. Very enjoyable, and I will definitely see them again if I get the opportunity.
Headliners This Means War, I’ve see several times and the guys have become mates of mine. This gig is a warm-up before they head out on tour with Slapshot, Ignite and the Drowns in a few weeks time. This evening’s show is being filmed for a promotional video to support the upcoming tour. As the evening progresses, and substantial quantities of the local beers are consumed, I lose my camera shyness, and I even join in singing on one of their songs into Steve’s mic.
Despite the fact that they have not played much together recently, they sound great as they run through their “tour set”, and then add a few extra songs at the end. We all then convene outside the venue to allow the videographers to film a short audience singalong.
A brilliant evening with 2 excellent bands and great to catch up with my mate Frank again.
