Released:
2001, Rhythm Records, SWART005

SA Rock Digest charts:
highest position: 1
weeks on Top 20: 8

Website:
Valiant Swart

Na vele bespiegeling en afwagting oor die nuwe Bom wat Kom is Valiant Swart se nuwe CD, BOLAND PUNK nou beskikbaar.

BOLAND PUNK bevat 12 hermeesterde weergawes van Valiant se kragtigste punk-rock treffers van die afgelope 13 jaar, asook die veelbesproke nuwe snit 'Die Bom Kom', PLUS heropgeneemde dansweergawes van 'Die Mystic Boer' en 'International Maria'. In die omslagboekie skryf Valiant iets oor die omstandigheidgetuienis rondom die herkoms en ontstaan van elke song op die album.

Die rumours rondom hierdie CD het ontstaan nadat ‘n kortspeler van drie nuwe snitte op 10 September aan platejoggies gestuur is. Een van die nuwe snitte op die kortspeler is getiteld 'Die Bom Kom' en op die agterblad van die omslag was ‘n passasiersvliegtuig, besig om deur ‘n ring van sterre te vlieg. (See pic here...)

Hierdie stukkie onreine waarheid het almal se hare in pure punk styl regop geruk. Die song is reeds vóór die einde van die vorige eeu geskryf en gedurende Augustus 2001 opgeneem...

Dus, om op te som: ... BOLAND PUNK bevat tonne van die beste wat hierdie Supersuave Blonde Boland Rocker punktueel (punk intended) oor die afgelope 13 jaar aan die skerp kant van dinge gedoen het, plus ‘n bonus van drie nuut onwerpte bomme waarmee hy die skerp kant nóg skerper skuur.

‘n Absolute moet vir alle ou en toekomstige Valiant fans en kruisvaarders van ontstuimige gatskop Suid Afrikaanse Punk Rock..

Hy’s nou los... LEKKER DANS...!

Wah-wah-wah-wah!!!! Wah wah wah-wah wah!!!! Kerrrranngggg!!!. Ooops, sorry, you caught me there mid air guitar solo, playing along with Valiant Swart. Sort of a karaoke where you play along with the man, making all the guitar sounds, but let him do the singing. But why all this you may ask. Well it's beacaue I've got 'Boland Punk' on the CD player.

It's is not really a greatest hits of Valiant Swart album, mainly because it ignores a lot of the quieter blues and acoustic work that the Mystic one has done. But it is the greatest rock hits of Valiant Swart, and this is made obvious from the first "wah-wah cry baby" kitaar sound that kick starts the opening track 'Pienk Pajamas'. From thereon in expect each track to be jam packed with scorching, hard-edged guitars, most come courtesy of Anton L'Amour or Albert Frost.

The cover of the album shows Valiant in classic rock pose with his guitar that has the nickname Ice Cream. I guess the nickname comes from it being white in colour, but despite this, there's nothing plain vanilla about these tracks. There are 12 tracks here, taken mostly from three of his previous albums ('Kopskoot', 'Deur die Donker Vallei' and 'Die Mystic Boer') as well as a couple from the 6 track EP 'Roekeloos'. On top of this there are remixes of 'Die Mystic Boer' (his theme song), 'International Maria' and a new track called 'Die Bom Kom', the latter causing a stir as promo copies of this were sent to radio stations just days before the tragic events of 11 September. Despite the timing of this, the track was actually written about the turn of the millennium.

'Die Mystic Boer' has always been a favourite with his fans, and always reminds me of the scene in Oliver Stone's movie about the Doors where Jim Morrison meets up with the old Indian man in the desert. The makeover of this track cements that image for me with addition of some wonderful Doors-y organ from Simon 'Agent' Orange. On top of this there are some awesomely deft guitar touches that make this an excellent version of an excellent song, and worth getting the album for, even if you've got all the other tracks already.

If you're not familiar with his works, this collection serves as a great introduction to the harder sounds of Valiant while also highlighting his ability to write great lyrics about SA life. If you are familiar with his works, you probably already have this. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to jam with Valiant again, as soon as I remember where I left my air plectrum.

John Samson, SA Rockdigest #160, June 2002

All info supplied by John Samson, June 2002