Ok, that done and dusted, I made my way to the front of the venue. It was quite filled already when Steve Thorne made his appearance, and he wasn't what I expected. I hadn't seen this guy before, or even heard him, because I missed him when he supported Jadis in, I think, Essen early last year, but I was expected some long haired hippy guy, but he wasn't, and surprised me at least with his shiny shaved head.

And musically I was surprised too. I didn't know any of his songs beforehands, but having bought his CD "Emotional Creatures Part 1" from the concert, and looking at his website [www.steve-thorne.com/] I can tell you that the songs he played were God Bless America which was recieved well here, Well Outta That, Ten Years, then a track All The Wise Men from a new album (Emotional Creatures Part 2? he said), Julia, Last Line, Therapy, Tumbleweeds, then a song I didn't know, Dear John maybe, which brought about a good bit of audience reaction. Steve then finished with Goodbye which I now love, and even loved when I first heard it. It reminded me of a slow Porcupine Tree song.

His style is quite laid back in places, and aggressive musically in others, and I was most impressed with him, and I recommend that everyone who likes this sort of music to buy his CD now!!!

So, after a break long enough for a couple of beers, the Kino boys took to the stage with a thumping version of People which sounded very good indeed. John was, as usually, on top form tonight. John preceded the second song Letting Go with a short story about a man who had come home one day to find his house on fire, but all the ornaments were still there except one. I hope that makes sense to someone, because this is one very confused German boy here! But the song and the playing was again exceptional. And John was hitting the high notes, well. This was going to be a good concert, I could feel it in my bone. It was getting big. Pete Trewavas then took the microphone so that he could sing Won't Fall Down. He sung it well, but his voice is much different as John Mitchell's is. I prefer John's, but it is good that Pete can sing as well, because it lets John have more time concentrating on his guitar playing, which is good news indeed.

All You See was the next song, back to John for the singing again. This was totally magical still.

Afterwards, and before introducing Holding On, which had Pete playing some wonderful acoustic guitar, John said some nice words about Aschaffenburg and the Christmas market there. Leave A Light On was next, with a cool ending. Bob Daltons drumming was mean and groovey throughout the whole concert, but on this he hit the skins like his life really depends upon it. Perfect Tense was the following song, which was dedicated to the girl Kate who was doing the sales desk, bringing some tone and melody to the evening. Well, John Beck really shone on this track.

Another Mitchell introduction, involving a blackberry drink, Cindy Lauper and It Bites!!! preceded Kino's version of Plastic Dreamer. It should be illegal to call this a cover version, as half of It Bites were there playing it, in front of my eyes, in the flesh. I can not tell you what a wonderful moment this was in my life. For about five years I have waited for this moment. Ok, I still hope to see the reformed It Bites when (and I mean WHEN!) they tour, but for now, this was as close to sex as I have been. Ha ha, not really, but yes, is was great and even a bit orgasmic, and then to see John Beck playing his keyboards and singing the sex-charged Swimming In Women made me feel very warm inside, I could almost cry, but I did not.

Twelve came along after this, and got some of the crowd jumping, then John said thanks, and that we were the best crowd on the tour so far, and this is true because I heard that there were only 60 people the following night!

Any way, the band played Marillion's Sugar Mice. John did a good impression of H impersonating Fish on this, and it was great to hear this song again. I wish Marillion would play this live still, then I would go to see them again. John sung his own specially changed version of the words and played his guitar beautifully here and there and here again, it could have been Steve Rothery, nearly.

They finished the set with another It Bites song, Kiss Like Judas, which every body in the crowd loved like Heidi Klum. Afterwards the crowd cheered and begged and pleaded for more, and before long, the band came out again to perform Picture and Losers Day Parade, along with a snatch of The Pogues Fairytail of New York. We all loved it.

After the concert I also buyed a copy of the new Cutting Room Floor album. Get it, as it is well worth the money!

Claus Lienen