FeedbackJazz-rock band of the mid 70's
Many years ago, in the shadow of Table Mountain …………. In 1975, David Bass (kbds) and Kenny Silke (gtr) emerged from the ashes and excesses of brass-rock leviathon "Kindred Spirit", and, inspired by the electric jazz-fusion sounds of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Larry Coryell, began writing instrumenal music which was meant to be played loud, fast and with a good dose of humour. Joined by electric bass virtuouso Marc Duby and veteran drummer Alan Thwaites, Bass and Silke christened the band "Feedback" - of which there was to be plenty over the next 3 years from Silke's overdriven Vox AC30. The music drew on jazz, blues, rock 'n roll, pop - pretty much everything, but ultimately took on a character all of it's own which resonated perfectly with student audiences in particular. Jazz-rock? Maybe. Gutsy, melodic and kickass loud? Definitely. Feedback quickly accumulated a large and remarkably loyal following which packed out every performance from UCT to The Space Theatre to Baxter Concert Hall. There were frequent changes to the line-up - musicians as talented and diverse as Alvin Kramer and Chris Ghelakis (bass), Tony Moore and Peter Cohen (drums), Ian Smith (trumpet), and Mark Ginsburg (sax) filled in as and when needed, each leaving his mark on the band, and then going on to greater things. But in December 1978, the band ended as it started - Bass, Silke, Duby and Thwaites on stage at Baxter Concert Hall, belting out an overture featuring snatches of every song they knew. And then it was over. The four musicians remain friends and the possibility of a reunion (or resurrection, more correctly) is remote, but not impossible. A limited edition 2-CD collection (see below) of finest moments was produced by David Bass in 2006, and features updated versions of Feedback favourites which offer an interesting clue as to how the band might sound 30 years down the line. Loud and fast - at very least.
Disc 2 All info supplied by Boetie Toerien, January 2007 |