I first encountered Polish trio Fertile Hump in 2018 at Kabinet Muz, one of the best small live venues in Brno. And it would be here that I would catch them again, this time with touring partners Gulag Beach. Following the headliners’ previous show in Brno, I was so impressed by their energy and charm that I snapped up the vinyl of their first album, the fantastic Dead Heart. With the second album, Kiss Kiss or Bang Bang released later in 2018, the band have gone from strength to strength.
With proposed support band the Kinkies failing to appear through illness, it’s up to Gulag Beach to warm up the stage. Hailing from Berlin, and coming to Brno with their own sharp brand of punk rock, Gulag Beach have their work cut out on a quiet Thursday night here. Opening to a decidedly calm room, the punchy drive of Gulag Beach does well to gradually whip up a decent atmosphere. They run delightfully through a quick set of songs including Potato Mash Bash and Can’t Stand K-Pop, entertaining the crowd in lively fashion. A good set all round from the support tonight.
The crowd are quiet again when Fertile Hump take to the stage. This doesn’t affect their game, however, and they are as fun and magical as previously, quickly whipping up a charged room with their simple but particular style of bluesy, garage rock. The interplay between Magda and Tomek at the front of the stage is both dynamic and amusing, with Tomek declaring that ‘being a couple in a band is a fucking nightmare’. On stage at least they are a delight. Magda’s soulful voice and Tomek’s loose guitar play is backed up superbly by Maciek’s driving drums. The band draws on music from their two albums and the 2015 EP (which I picked up this evening), and their energy is infectious.
With their real stripped-down sound, Fertile Hump once again delivers the goods with an honest and intense performance of impassioned blues rock ‘n’ roll. I’m already looking forward to the next time.
Author: Craggy Collyde
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