Artists: The Menzingers / Gorka Urbizu + Cándido Gálvez
Dates: April 22 and 23, 2025
PLACE: Copernico Sala (Madrid) and the 2 of Apollo (Barcelona)
PROMOTER: HELLO CLEVELAND
We admit it. Perhaps the writing in a magazine is regulated (although if we have managed to survive for 20 years, something good we will have done, right?), But when it comes to putting together a good party, we usually fulfill. If in 2015 we celebrated Rockzone’s tenth anniversary with Brand New concerts in Madrid and Every time I Die in Barcelona, for the twentyth we had to overcome. And what better way to do it than to bring one of our favorite bands as they are The Menzingers After 6 years without stepping on Spain?
Taking advantage of the fact that those of Scranton crossed the puddle to make some dates in the United Kingdom, it seemed like a magnificent excuse to like to see them in action again. In addition, for the memory of his previous visit in 2019, we knew that we could hardly be able to find a better group with which to celebrate these two decades of existence. And of course, as in every birthday you have to invite good friends, we also lite two musicians as close to us as Gorka Urbizu y Cándido Gálvez to sign up for the two dates of Madrid and Barcelona.
After a brief presentation of Jordi Meya as thanks to all those who have followed Rockzone throughout this time, the makeshift couple took a seat on the stage, in Madrid, being the first date, visibly restless. Almost as much as ourselves to see what they had prepared for us. Luckily, to which Gorka started with an acoustic version of ‘Oreka’, one of Berri Txarrak’s great classics, in Madrid and ‘Bat’ train, from his solo debut, in Barcelona we knew we were in good hands.
As if it were a tennis game, they were alternating the songs of Berri (‘Zorionen Lobbya’, ‘Katedral Bat’) and Viva Belgrade (‘Perfect Blue’, ‘A skylight’). In fact, in Madrid Cándido betrayed his nerves when attacking ‘a necklace’, having to finally discard it, although the next day he would be able to take off his thorn. Luckily, little by little they were released and gave us a very worse selection of versions of Rise Agaisnt (‘Swing Life Away’), Weezer (‘Butterfly’) or Bright Eyes (‘First Day of My Life’). The latter had the anecdote of Cándido, who discovered precisely the Conor Oberst band when he saw a photo of Gorka in an old Rockzone number in which he wore a shirt of his. Details such as that are the ones that in one way or another connect the history of bands to which we admire with ours. Like the unexpected cover of ‘with me’ in a wink to Crazywith whom both have recorded, that in Barcelona they served as DJ’s in the After Party by clicking hits-from Blink-182 to Dua Lipa-that the attendees, including the Menzingers themselves and their crew, They danced until they threw us from the place.
Gorka and Cándido was a curious and the most emotional experiment that we will undoubtedly keep in memory for having witnessed something that is hardly repeated in the future. Although who knows if this could be the beginning of something else …
From that intimate and collected format, we go to the euphoria unleashed from the great protagonists of the evenings. And it was enough that The Menzingers They will hit the first guitar of ‘Good Things’ so that we all draw a smile from ear to ear that would not be erased throughout the night. From there, the next hour and a half became a festival of songs and fists high as soon as the choruses of ‘Try’, ‘I Don’s Wanna Be an an asshole Anymore’ and ‘Burn After Writing’ were coming.
With special attention to his two most celebrated works, On The Impossible Past y After The Partythe quartet was releasing one song after another without hesitation. It was appreciated that some cuts not as usual as ‘Ava House’, ‘Rodent’, ‘Thick as Thieves’ or ‘House on Fire’. In Barcelona they also played ‘Gates’ at the request of a fan who had found that afternoon. At this point we can almost consider them veterans of the punk rock scene, but the enthusiasm they transmit is more typical of a novel band than one that is already back from everything. Probably there is his great secret: to be a gang of colleagues who enjoy singing about the sorrows of life peeled as if they were victories. When you have that, and you also believe each line and according to 100%, there are no need for more artifice to put a room upside down.
In a sense, that spirit of closeness is with which Rockzone felt more identified. It is not that we renegate the concerts of stadiums or large festivals, but of course we find it easier to imagine in the bar of a bar drinking a beer with someone like Tom May, who seems out of a casting from The Office Punk rocker jumping, which with Axl Rose. Meanwhile, we were chanting ‘Lookers’, ‘Sun Hotel’, ‘Anna’, ‘In remission’ and ‘after the party’ like the great hymns for minorities they are.
For the bises, they had the detail of playing ‘Tellin’ Lies’, which did not appear in the setlists planned and that it was other moments to leave their throat before they finished with ‘America (You’re Freaking Me out)’ and ‘Casey’. “Where are we going to go now that our 20 have ended?” Those of Rockzone have only started and we do not know very well where they will take us, but we hope you continue to accompany us along the way, at least until the 30th anniversary. I hope that in 2035 we all gather again to continue to provide together. Of course, what has lived in these two nights give gasoline to move on.
Gonzalo Puebla / David Garcell
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