SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #112
http://www.sarockdigest.com
2nd July 2001
The South African Rock Music Digest
is a weekly, free, subscription e-mag,
edited by Brian Currin and Stephen Segerman
and delivered direct to your e-mailbox.
Established 27th January 1999.
To unsubscribe - send mail to:
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CONTENTS
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1.NEWS - Mid-year report, Barry Jarman (RIP), BBC global top tens, Cesaria Evora, SAFM, Sunways, Delta Blue
2.CHARTS - Top SA Albums & Songs, Top Selling SA CDs
3.CD REVIEWS
4.CLASSIC ROCK - Link Wray, Hawk, Outsiders
5.FORUM, REQUESTS & FEEDBACK - Dave Mills, Petit Cheval, Rabbitt
6.LIVE REVIEWS & GIG INFO - Koos Kombuis
7.LINKS
8.BACK ISSUES
9.CONTRIBUTIONS
10.CONTACT DETAILS
11.SUBSCRIPTIONS
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1.NEWS
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MID-YEAR REPORT
Mid-2001 finds SA rock in a period of exciting growth and potential. The first half of the year was dominated by the sound of bands falling apart with Sugardrive and Jimmy 12" dissolving, the Springbok N*** Girls splitting in two, Sons Of Trout hiding, and Boo, Dorp and Just Jinger working the overseas angle. Into the gap rushed a host of new rock acts all keen to make their marks on the SA rock scene. Among these are Not My Dog, Spoon Feedas, Perez, Zen Arcade, Binary, Tweak,
(a reformed) Jimmy 12", Waddy Tudor Jones/Max Normal, Venessa Nolan, Cutting Jade, Karen Zoid, Fruit Fly Navigators, Duusman, Superjuice, Sunways and 340ml.
Some of these bands appear on the new 5FM/Sony 'Showcase: 3 Unearthed' CD and/or the OppiKoppi TUNED promo collection. The 'Showcase: 3 Unearthed' compilation features 17 new SA rock acts and is a welcome boost for these bands and the SA rock frontier generally. Zen Arcade, Binary and Karen Zoid have just released sparkling debut albums; THC release their second African trip-trance album, 'Aphrika'; Hog Hoggidy Hog are taking their new SA-ska classic ('Driving Over Miss Davie') on tour, and Waddy Tudor Jones' 'Memoirs Of A Clone' is the impressive forerunner to an expected full Max Normal album.
So, things in SA rock are looking very healthy indeed.
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BARRY JARMAN TRIBUTE
Barry Jarman (born on 3 May 1931 in Pietermaritzburg), a founder member of the Bats, passed away on the 12 June 2001. Vinyl collector and web archivist, Tertius Louw has set up a webpage in tribute to Barry Jarman. Please visit:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/barry_jarman_index.htm
See also The Bats at:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/bats_index.html
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SA ROCK DIGEST AT THE BBC
The BBC launched a new music website on the 29th June. The Digest is honoured that the BBC decided to include us in their first batch of features for their Global Top Ten pages.
Please visit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/newroom/toptens/sarockdigest.shtml
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CESARIA EVORA SA TOUR DATES
Over the past few years, Cesaria Evora has become the darling of the
world music scene with her 'Morna' style of nostalgia-laden ballads. Her concerts are regularly sold out and her catalogue of albums continues to grow and sell well. This barefoot songstress from the Cape Verde islands will be visiting South Africa for the first time later this year and will be performing songs from her acclaimed catalogue of albums including ‘Miss Perfumado’, ‘Café Atlantico’, and 'Sao Vicente di Longe’, her most recent release. Cesaria Evora has been confirmed for three shows - Cape Town on September 29, Gauteng on September 30 and Potchefstroom on October 3. The venues and ticket prices have not been confirmed.
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SAFM RETURNS TO THE FESTIVAL
National radio station SAfm is returning to the Standard Bank National Arts Festival in Grahamstown this year, once again hosting the cream of South Africa's musical talent at its venue "Late Night Live".
Last year the venue boasted the strongest line-up in Grahamstown, and
subsequent to their performances there SAfm has released CDs on behalf of two of the artists - Robin Auld and Lionel Bastos.
The station is presenting a star-studded line-up in 2001 including both
Bastos and Auld. Other acts include Blk Sonshine, Kate Normington, Chris Letcher & Matthew van der Want, Louis Mhlanga, Wendy Oldfield, and jazz pianist Denzil Weale.
"We have expanded our line-up considerably over last year, where we had one show a day and five acts, to two daily shows with eight acts," SAfm
Marketing Manager Tony Lankester said.
The evening will be split into two performances - a Sundowner Show starting at 6:30pm, followed by Late Night Live with three bands playing from 8pm through until the early hours.
Another innovation will be the launch of the "Bootleg Sessions".
"Each night we'll make "Bootleg" recordings of one of the acts appearing at the venue. As people leave after the show they'll be able to buy a CD of the show they've just seen," Lankester said. "The idea of selling bootleg recordings after a performance is an innovation in South Africa and we're sure it'll capture the imagination of those coming to the venue."
"Late Night Live" will once again be hosted at Die Taphuis in Grahamstown. Tickets can be bought through Computicket before the Festival starts, or through the Fringe office after June 28th. The detailed nightly line-up can be found on SAfm's website (http://www.safm.co.za), or in the daily festival newspaper "Cue".
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SUNWAYS ON GERAAS
Friday 6 July
Friday's Geraas TV show will feature two brand new music videos from Sunways. The video for 'Style' was made by director Leon Coetzer (Big Brother). The upcoming edition of Geraas also examines CD-Rom technology using Sunways' video for their new single, 'Colour Me In', which appears on the new album. Friday also marks the beginning of the band's THE MOON IS A SPOON TOUR which will include Sunways' first international shows in the UK.
July
Fri 6 Bugsy's - Randburg
Sat 7 Rhythm And Brew - Benoni
Thu 12 Industry - Rivonia
Fri 13 Bohemian - Richmond
Sat 14 CD Warehouse - Rosebank
Wed 18 Mystic Boer - Bloemfontein
Fri 20 Star Of The West - Kimberley
Sat 28 Rafterz - vd Byl Park
August
Thur 9 Oppikoppi Fountains Valley Pretoria
Sat 18 Monty's - Pietersburg
Fri 24 Halfway House - Kimberley (TBC)
Sat 25 Equinox - Bethlehem
Thur 30 Tappas - Port Elizabeth (With Flatbox)
Fri 31 Barnacles - Port Alfred (With Flatbox)
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DELTA BLUE
The band Delta Blue who hit the music scene with a bang about two years ago is going from good to better to great. This band has truly impressed audiences with their polished performances. Gerald Clark on vocals is outstanding (and yes he is South African). Almuir Botha is a high class lead guitarist and has a high class stage image as well: 60cm dreadlocks and formal suit. Riaan Niewenhuis is quick and innovative on the keyboard and Schalk van der Merwe (bass guitarist) and Alida Stadler (beautiful lady on drums) provide a solid rhythm section.
The band has just returned from a tour to London. Upcoming SA tours include the Knysna Oyster festival: 14 July and Gauteng
from 1 Aug - 12 Aug. Details on their website:
http://www.geocities.com/deltablueband.
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2.CHARTS
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2a.THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK
http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Label)
1. [1] Memoirs Of A Clone - Watkin Tudor Jones Jnr (Chameleon)
2. [4] Snowflake - Zen Arcade (Indie)
3. [5] Showcase: 3 Unearthed - Various (Sony)
4. [2] Rising Above The Madness - Lionel Bastos (SAFM)
5. [8] Poles Apart - Karen Zoid (EMI)
6. [3] Dreamland - Edi Niederlander (Indie)
7. [6] Thin Shoes In June - Felix Laband (African Dope)
8. [10] Xero - Binary (Indie)
9. [9] Steady On - Moodphase 5ive (African Dope)
10 [11] Mother's Daughter - Kate Normington (Sheer/SAFm)
11. [7] Seratonin - Fruit Fly Navigators (Indie)
12. [14] Johnny Calls The Chemist - Falling Mirror (Retro Fresh)
13. [13] Burn - Venessa Nolan (Rhythm)
14. [17] The Moon Is A Spoon - Sunways (Fresh)
15. [15] Live Fact - Rodriguez (Sony)
16. [12] Merry-Go-Round - Wess-Lee (Scorpio)
17. [18] Danny K - Danny K (Gallo)
18. [16] Child Of The Light - Ernie Smith (Sheer)
19. [-] OppiKoppi Tuned - Various Artists (OppiKoppi)
20. [20] Alive In Jo'burg - Tananas (Sony SA)
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2b. THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN SONGS OF THE WEEK
http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Album/Label)
1. [16] King With A Crown - Spoon Feedas (‘Showcase: 3 Unearthed’/Sony)
2. [1] Thank You - Lionel Bastos ('Rising Above The Madness'/SAFM)
3. [4] Crazy Over You - Zen Arcade (‘Snowflake’/Indie)
4. [3] Shout - Fruit Fly Navigators ('Seratonin'/Bionic)
5. [6] Set Of Wheels (Karoo Anthem) - Karen Zoid (‘Poles Apart’/EMI)
6. [5] Like A Holiday - Wess-Lee ('Merry-Go-Round'/Scorpio)
7. [7] Johnny Calls The Chemist - Falling Mirror ('JCTC'/Retro Fresh)
8. [2] Barefoot Girl - Binary ('Xero'/Indie)
9. [9] These Sparks Will Fly - Wess-Lee ('Merry-Go-Round'/Scorpio)
10. [-] Undying Light - Edi Niederlander (‘Dreamland’/Indie)
11. [12] Max Normal - Watkin Tudor Jones Jnr ('Memoirs Of A Clone'/ Chameleon)
12. [8] Hurts So Bad - Danny K ('Danny K'/Gallo)
13. [-] She Says - Cutting Jade (‘Showcase: 3 Unearthed’/Sony)
14. [10] Oxford Rd - Roswell Kings ('Wait For Me' EP/Indie)
15. [11] Colour Me In - Sunways ('The Moon Is A Spoon'/Fresh)
16. [-] Afrikaners Is Plesierig - Karen Zoid (‘Poles Apart’/EMI)
17. [15] Long Holiday - The Sunshines ('Long Holiday' EP/Tel Michael)
18. [17] Fragile - Venessa Nolan ('Burn'/Rhythm)
19. [18] You Don't Know My Name - Danny K ('Danny K'/Gallo)
20. [19] My Angel - Adrian Shannon (EP/BMG)
Sponsored by Networld
http://www.new.co.za
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2c. TOP SELLING SOUTH AFRICAN CDS
1. Falling Mirror - Johnny Calls The Chemist
2. Ipi Tombi - Ipi Tombi (Original cast recording)
3. Breyten Breytenbach - Mondmusiek
4. Ernie Smith - Child Of The Light
5. Various - South African Freedom Songs
Supplied by One World
http://www.oneworld.co.za
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3. NEW AND RECENT RELEASES
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For reviews of recent South African CD releases please visit:
OPEN RECORD
http://www.openrecord.co.za
AMUZINE
http://www.rock.co.za/reviews.htm
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4. CLASSIC ROCK
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SHILOH'S CORNER
LINK WRAY (and his Raymen)
Portsmouth, Virginia - cowboy hangout for the likes of the lazy-pine wranglers and lucky Wray. The year was 1955 and the Wray brothers were rattling the floorboards in every tavern and country barn available. From crude rock and roll to bluesy instrumentals the brothers blasted forth in true Indian heritage, establishing themselves as a mayor item under the name The Raymen.
It kind of all happened in 1957 in Fredericksburg, Virginia when somebody approached Wray on the stage and asked for a stroll. He launched into a crescendo D-chord that vibrated with so much distortion that the beer mugs rolled off the table. The stinging fuzz effect became known as "The Rumble" and was banned on radio stations for being too suggestive. "Rumble" signalled the birth of the power chord and was probably the most influential guitar piece ever to chart. Historically this was the first instrumental, while close on its heels came the twang of a track called "Raunchy" by Bill Justice. Epic records decided to market these vibrant instrumentals that Link churned out. They soon discovered that this was no Duane Eddy with conservative twang, but a rather unpredictable raucous snarl that ripped all hell out of his premier amp.
Life was not easy for this half-Indian, a veteran from the Korean war and operating on one lung, yet what Wray lacked in vocal ability, he made up for with his Fendor stratocaster. A number of vibrato-laced instrumentals such as "Dixie-doodle", "Comanche" and "Raw Hide" stubbed the charts for a short while. His fans included Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Pete Townsend, Jimmy Page and Paul McCartney. Link's influence came from Les Paul Records and country pickers like Chet Atkins. On the side he would be listening to the blues of Elmore James and Leadbelly. Known as Ray Vernon, Link joined up with Polydor records in the early seventies and released some outstanding blues records.
He is probably largely known for another famous instrumental called "Jack the Ripper" which appeared on a soundtrack in the nineties called "Desperado". In one sense Link was the first musician with a serious punk attitude. Presently living in Denmark, Link has made a serious comeback into the world of guitar rock. During his Polydor years in the seventies, Richard Branson flew him over to England and entertained the old soldier with every available form of fraternisation. Link stands tall as the man who started it all. An old Indian with the finest edge to guitar that the world has ever experienced.
Shiloh Noone, Cape Town
mailto:shiloh_noone@hotmail.com
http://www.sarockdigest.com/shiloh
Blues and Variation
Fine Music Radio 101.3 FM
Wednesdays 10 pm
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USA FOR AFRICA
Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music
AFRICAN DAY - HAWK (1971, re-issued 2001 by RetroFresh with bonus tracks)
My hunt for an adjective or two to describe 'African Day' resulted in, "'African Day' by Hawk is an epic, mythic, dynamic, moving, rhythmic, and uplifting rock experience." It's all of that, and more.
But, whoa, where's the song structure of: verse/chorus/verse/chorus/break/verse/chorus/fade? Obviously, this album is not like many other rock albums.
What one gets on 'African Day' is a rhythmic trip through an African day and an elephant hunt, starting with a narration setting the time, place, and mood, and moving through thoughts on life and people unrelated to killing a threatening elephant.
The closest I can think of a similar album structure (free form, yet strongly musical) is an album titled 'American Metaphysical Circus' by Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies. Don't think this, or 'American Metaphysical Circus' for that matter, are loose and unstructured slop, though, because they aren't. Both have definite songs and as such adhere to conventions of melody, rhythm, beat, and so on.
I was in error when I expected this album to bend or break traditional rock rules -- even as such rules exist or don't exist for rock, progressive or otherwise. (Perhaps some people confuse rock clichés for rock rules?). The guys who made this album, Dave Ornellas, Mark "Spook" Kahn, Brahm Malherbe, Richard Johnson, and Keith Hutchinson made a 100% fine piece of work with this album. I was wrong because this original album is outside, or goes beyond, my expectations.
'Here Comes the Sun', starts as the Beatles song, but quickly goes off into its own African territory. A marvel to listen to. A well-known South African rock scholar and fan recently remarked to me to the effect that including this song on the 'Simunye One Time' Collection would have made that collection perfect, and I agree -- Hawk took the Beatles' song and made it intrisically African and their own.
'Happy Man' has the line, "Why are you so happy?/I have nothing", about no cares or responsiblities for material goods. Very 60s, but also very true when in the midst of a hectic life I remember the words of Henry David Thoreau, "Simplify! Simplify!"
'Look Up Brother' is a beautiful song with a message, one of my all-time favorite songs. This one sure jumped out at me, having been familiar with it from the masterful The Electric Petals album 'Polynation'.
I suppose I could talk about the quest of the story line on 'African Day', such as it is, but leave it at this: sometimes we leave our village on the quest of a great deed, and, when our day's journey is done, we end up back home with the people we love.
This album is a wonderful and wild trip through an African day, using simple images: sun, kiss, day, brothers, words like that. "Simple" as in basic to human nature, elemental, not as in simple-minded. At times this is a demanding, urgent, and bouncy drive across the veldt after a rogue elephant. Other times, we contemplate human life.
Dave Ornellas's soul shines through his songs and what might be expected to be rock turns out to be gentle in lyric, though wild in music. I've heard Dave is a preacher nowadays, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he would have calmly stated, if asked, that he was a Christian back during those heady days on Paddock Farm. Anyway, he has a soulful and expressive voice.
Ultimately, this is an album of peace. Not a peaceful album (Brahm on the drums gets downright wonderfully raucous at times), 'African Day' has relaxing moments. Ultimately, it is an album about peace of mind and peace of soul. A new day begins and we go out on the hunt to protect our people. We have hope, hope to be a happy man, hope to believe in brotherhood, hope for love, blessed by a new day, as the sun rises. Masterful music.
This album regularly tops SA Rock Digest Best Album lists and now I know why. There are a number of albums that give it heady competition, but this one gets my vote for the number one spot. I'd hunt it out.
Hawk
http://www.rock.co.za/legends/hawk
Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas
mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com
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LONDON LEKKER
London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music
BUTTA GRUNGE - THE OUTSIDERS
Hailed as South Africa's answer to Nirvana, The Outsiders debut album 'Butta Grunge' starts well with a roaring burst of guitar and rough vocals of 'Sister Stallion'. A good solid start full of promise that is not quite as desperate as Kurt's wailings but few were. But once we are finished with 'Sister Stallion' all comparisons with Nirvana seem to fade. Oh well, nevermind.
Comparisons with The Mission do quickly come to mind though as they seem to move more down the road that leads to Goth. The rest of the album tends more towards this genre with hard rocking tunes, painted black and touched by the shadow of No Friends of Harry.
The strong support that the group got for the track 'Sister Stallion'
resulted in a support slot for Depeche Mode during their SA tour, but being the closet cockroach kid that I am, I feel that 'Mother Waits', the second song on the album is a much better offering than 'Sister'. It's a classic goth tune similar in feel to No Friends of Harry's 'A Long Way Home'.
Another clever piece on the album is the opening to 'Sometimes' which works some accordion sounds into the opening movement, and it does work. The first known recording of boeregoth?
The goth motif is firmly lodged in place by the closing track, an angst
filled reprise of 'Sister Stallion' sung against a church organ background. (Although the hidden 'track' of mooing cows should not be ignored (Heifer Metal?). Although the Outsiders don't quite attain nirvana, they did produce a quality debut album full of tuneful goth rock, but..er grunge? Not quite.
John Samson, London, UK
mailto:john@sarockdigest.com
http://www.sarockdigest.com/london
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SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS: 30 YEARS AGO
http://www.rock.co.za/charts
Friday, 2 July 1971
This week [last week] Title - Artist
1 [2] Funny, Funny - The Sweet
2 [4] Lonely Days and Lonely Nights - Lincoln*
3 [1] Joy To The World - Three Dog Night
4 [3] If Not For You - Olivia Newton-John
5 [7] The Seagulls Name Was Nelson - Des & Dawn Lindberg*
6 [9] When Love Comes Knocking At Your Door - The Dealians*
7 [8] It Don't Come Easy - Ringo Starr
8 [5] Mozart Symphony No. 40 - Waldo De Los Rios
9 [12] Me And You And A Dog Named Boo - Lobo
10 [11] I Am .. I Said - Neil Diamond
* South African Artists
Commentary:
After 2 weeks of knocking, The Sweet eventually gained entry to the top spot, taking over the crown from Three Dog Night. SA's Lincoln took over as pretenders to the throne. Des & Dawn moved back up after a slight dip in fortunes, and the Dealians maintained their upward momentum.
New to the top 10 were Neil Diamond, who replaced himself, and Lobo (real name Roland Kent LaVoie) who replaced Alan Garrity, thus dropping the SA quota in the top 10 to 3. On the top 20 front, 2 South Africans were entering the charts, Clive Bruce with 'Sally Sunshine' and Lauren Copley with 'Flower of Life'. After 17 weeks in the charts Peanut Butter Conspiracy's 'Understanding' finally bid farewell to the charts. This 17 week run had seen it reach the number 2 spot, but sadly failed to make that final jump. In the years 1969 to 1989, 21 South African acts made it to number 2, but never hit the top.
South Africans at Number 1 this week:
Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley (1973)
Michael Row the Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith (1979)
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TOP 10 SA CLASSIC ROCK ALBUMS
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sarock
1.Africa She Too Can Cry - Hawk (1972)
2.African Day - Hawk (1971)*
3.Burnout - Hotline (1981)
4.Battle Hymn Of The Broken Hearted Horde - Freedoms Children (1968)
5.Boys Will Be Boys - Rabbitt (1975)
6.Live And Well - Hawk (1974)
7.A Croak And A Grunt In The Night - Rabbitt (1977)
8.In The Arena - Circus (1977)
9.Jack Of All Trades - Jack Hammer (1987)
10.Astra - Freedoms Children (1970)*
* Available on CD from http://www.oneworld.co.za
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TOP 10 ALL-TIME GREAT SA POP AND ROCK SONGS
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sapop
1.Master Jack - Four Jacks And A Jill (1968)
2.Weeping - Bright Blue (1987)
3.Hey Boy - Via Afrika (1983)
4.See Yourself (Clowns) - EllaMental (1984)
5.This Boy - Sweatband (1986)
6.As I Went Out One Morning (Damsel) - Tribe After Tribe (1985)
7.My Kind Of Girl - Cinema (1988)
8.Special Star - Mango Groove (1989)
9.ZX Dan - Radio Rats (1978)
10.You're Living Inside My Head - John Ireland (1979)
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BIRTHDAYS
JULY
1 Debbie "Blondie" Harry (1945)
6 Bill Haley (1925, died 9 February 1981)
7 Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey in 1940)
16 PJ Powers (born Penelope Jane Dunlop in 1961, some sources say 1960)
18 Piet "Hammer" Botha (1955)
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MORE COLD FACTS
http://www.sarockdigest.com/rodriguez
RODRIGUEZ ON SOUTH AFRICAN TELEVISION
A listing in the July issue of TV Talk magazine confirms that the SABC will be giving a first public screening to the documentary based on the Rodriguez tour to South Africa. 'Dead Men Don't Tour: The Rodriguez Story' will be shown on Thursday July 5th on SABC 3 at 21:30, straight after 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not'! (Yes, really)
This one-hour documentary of the March 1998 South African tour features concert footage interspersed with interviews, backstage antics and rehearsals. All the live footage was filmed at the concerts in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban as well as the more exclusive gig held at the Blues Room in Sandton to launch the 'Live Fact' CD. The soundtrack for the documentary is based on 'Live Fact', with video collages from the various concert performances. 'Live Fact' is available from http://www.oneworld.co.za
For all Rodriguez news and info, visit:
The Great Rodriguez Website
http://www.rock.co.za/rodriguez
Climb Up On My Music
http://www.sarockdigest.com/rodriguez
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5.FORUM, REQUESTS AND FEEDBACK
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MUSIC.ORG.ZA
http://www.music.org.za/artists
For info on original African, jazz, hip hop, reggae & kwaito artists visit the Music.org.za website.
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FAIR LADY
Jane-Anne Hobbs' "inter@ctive" column "Home Pages with Purpose" in the latest issue of Fair Lady (4 July, page 69) bemoans the fact that so many personal home pages lack good, original content and mentions Johnny Clegg <http://www.johnnyclegg.com> and the SA Rock Files websites <http://www.rock.co.za/sarock> as examples of webpages that offer interesting and useful content.
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BALLY WHO?
I have heard that Ballyhoo is going over to Australia, and was trying to confirm this. Also who the current members or group support people are?
Colleen
mailto:simpson_bridget@hotmail.com
Ballyhoo
http://www.rock.co.za/files/ballyhoo.html
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SUPER AUDIO CD AT SHEER SOUND
Telarc International is a US based Independent record company specialising in the releasing of jazz and classical recordings of superior quality. Sheer Sound is proud to announce that there is now available from the Telarc catalogue, SACD and DVD-Audio recordings of various titles.
The available titles include:
CLASSICAL:
SACD-60039 Stravinsky: Firebird / Borodin: Polovtsian Dances - Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra and Robert Shaw, conductor
SACD-60042 Moussorgosky: Pictures at an Exhibition / Night on Bald Mountain - The Cleveland Orchestra and Loren Maazel, Conductor
SACD-60056 Carl Orff - Carmina Burana - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus with Robert Shaw, Conductor
SACD-60515 Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice Symphony in C, La Peri
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra with Jesus Lopez-Cobos, Conductor
SACD-60541 Tchaikovsky 1812 - Erich Kunzel and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (Also available in new DSD and DVD-Audio recordings)
JAZZ/BLUES:
SACD-63440 Dave Brubeck - The 40th Anniversary Tour of the UK Recorded Live
SACD-63443 Oscar, Ray & Milt - Live at the Blue Note
SACD-63469 Monty Alexander - Stir It Up (The Music of Bob Marley)
SACD-63487 Mighty Sam McClain - Blues For The Soul
For more information, please contact Sheer Sound, Tel: +27 11 444 1818, Fax: +27 11 444 2275, mailto:info@sheer.co.za
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WHERE ITS AT
I'm a South African working in London like so many others. I am a fan of music and of course SA music.
I work for a TV company called http://www.whereits.at.
We are a sky digital channel 461. It's live TV & aimed at 16-25
year olds. On Fridays we have a slot called 'Stage Fright' where
we feature bands. From relative unknowns to bands like the Pretenders - most recently.
The reason for the e-mail is to give SA bands an opportunity to appear on TV in England and get extra exposure. (Although it is an English channel aimed at England, variety is the spice and all bands will be
considered).
They will need to have at least a demo to listen to beforehand.
The person to contact would be:
ZACH @ whereits.at
8 Smugglers Way
London
SW18 1EG
Tel: 020 8875 8750
Fax: 020 8875 8755
Check out our website: http://www.whereits.at (no .co.uk or .com)
Zach
mailto:zachs@whereits.at
{This website tends to take over your whole desktop, so proceed with caution - ed}
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HOMEGROAN
I'm hearing rumours about an album of unlikely collaborations by SA artists called "Homegroan" apparently the track listing is as follows:
1. Klein Huisie by die See - Koos Kombuis with Des & Dawn
2. Sweet Smell o' Ganja - Valiant Swart & Lucky Dube
3. ZX Dandy - Radio Rats & Nathaniël
4. Makin' out with Glammy - Falling Mirror & Ashton Nyte
5. Michael Row the Botha Shore - Richard Jon Smith & Jack Hammer
6. Elfish Astaire - Soft Shoes & Patricia Lewis
7. Ipi N'Kombi Bus - Original Cast with David Kramer
8. We Are Groaning - Margaret Singana & David Marks
9. (Not a) Shabby Little Butt - The Bats & Casey B
10. The Bokkie-neer - McCully Workshop & Sonja Herholdt
Have you heard anything about this?
John Samson (with tongue planted firmly in cheek)
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DAVE MILLS
Dave Mills had a No.1 hit in Australia with 'Love Is A Beautiful Song', but not much was known about him. I never thought he was Australian, neither did I think him British (the surname may have indicated some connection with a few well-know Mills, ie., Gordon, Gary, etc). It is interesting to note the number of hits listed in the SA charts. I looked him up in a couple of Australian encylopedias, they seem to think him Australian. One even suggests that he was Sydney-based.
Anyway, do you reckon you can point me to a site that would inform me of his background.
Best regards from SA (South Australia)
Dai Walker
mailto:lorddai@bigpond.com
{Dave Mills was born in Newcastle, England and moved to South Africa in 1969. He settled in Australia in the mid-70s. I'm not aware of any website for him... yet. - ed}
---------------
PETIT CHEVAL
I used to live in Jhb but now live in London. During the mid-eighties, as a teenager, I was a huge fan of Petit Cheval, and still have both their LPs. Could you tell me if it is possible to get hold of them on CD at all? Or if you don't know, can you perhaps tell me who I can ask?
Many thanks
Traci
mailto:t.cooper@cumulusmedia.co.uk
Petit Cheval
http://www.rock.co.za/files/petit_cheval_index.html
---------------
I NEED SA MUSIC
At this point I don't know much about SA rock. I'm an American about the age of Johnny Clegg born to a Norwegian father. I visited South Africa for a month in 1996 and got interested in your local music. Now I want to expand my horizons and buy a wider range of CDs. I will be returning to SA for a month in January 2002.
I am open to suggestions about some new SA music to try. At this point in the US, about the only widely circulated CDs are Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo plus various SA jazz artists such as Hugh Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim, etc. At least in the region where I live.
I have eclectic tastes. I have all of Johnny Clegg's albums and like
that. He is about the only white SA artist I know about. I don't care much for rap or hiphop so I don't think I would like much kwaito from what I can tell. Otherwise I am especially interested in rock or other popular music which has incorported elements of indigenous African traditions or local musical trends.
I have an anthology CD which includes lots of black groups such as
M'Du, Tsephiso, Bayete, Woza Africa, Mahotella Queens. I like that
though I find some of the lyrics of Bayete and Chicco, etc to be a bit
silly. Last time I was in SA I picked up a CD of Dr. Victor, but I
don't particularly care much for that. Some of it is too poppy-dancy.
I like Amampondo for the African percussion work - but that might be
out of the range of the rock you cover with your digest.
I'm open to any suggestions of groups I might look at - old or new.
I guess if it is a little different from American rock that is all the
better.
Eric Lund
mailto:lund@stolaf.edu
{For starters I can recommend the 'Simunye (One Time) Millennium SA Superstars' 2CD compilation from Gallo which includes tracks from Lucky Dube, Mango Groove, Juluka, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Soul Brothers, Brenda Fasie, and many more. Also try the 'The Best Of SA Pop' series, especially Volume 2 which features afro-rock bands like éVoid and Via Afrika. More info on these and other SA compilation CDs at: http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarock_classic_albums_comp.html - ed}
All South African CDs are available online from http://www.oneworld.co.za
---------------
LARRY AMOS
I first heard Larry Amos at the G'town festival in 1985 (The old Vic Hotel - my friends and I became instant groupies) - 'The Larry Amos Blues Band'. They were simply brilliant - particularly their Lynyrd Skynyrd stuff. Never heard about LA again except a reference on Chris Prior's show many years later (to the effect that he brought out an album... same band?).
Is 'Baxtop' the only album on which he features or did he in fact bring out an album on his own?
Can you please help with info?
Thanks,
Carel Garisch
Cape Town
mailto:cgarisch@xsinet.co.za
Baxtop
http://www.rock.co.za/files/baxtop.html
---------------
OZILA - WOLA WOLA
Has anyone even remotely heard of this 1980s group? They had a hit song
called 'Wola Wola'... African pop music - township... please let me
know... thanks
Sheri
mailto:kiwikatz@quicksilver.net.nz
---------------
RABBITT
I am a rep for a teen mag in SA. I stumbled across the fact that SABC erronously destroyed all tapes, etc of the group, very few newspapers in JHB still have graphics, etc. Trevor Rabin has asked that I try and source some info. I am therefore looking for memorabilia type stuff and also trying to assess the response to a 25 year reunion show. Do you know of a fan club site or anything that can help me?
Many thanx
Lesley Matthew
mailto:mattinc@mweb.co.za
Rabbitt
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rabbitt_index.html
http://www.rabbitt.co.za
---------------
SOUND SOLUTIONS
http://www.rock.co.za/soundsolutions
A Cape Town-based music resource that offers two main areas of expertise and assistance:
1) Music Searches - Assists in recommending and finding relevant music
soundtracks for television, cinema and radio commercials and
productions.
2) Music Licensing - Assists in obtaining the publishing and recording
rights for music to be used as soundtracks for commercials and other
productions.
For more info, please contact:
Stephen Segerman or Graham Katz
021 461-9541
mailto:sugar@cd.co.za
______________________________________________
6.LIVE REVIEWS AND GIG INFO
----------------------------
SA ARTISTS LIVE IN LONDON
http://www.sarockdigest.com/london
DIE GROOT KOMBUIS KARAOKE
Koos Kombuis at the Walkabout 26 June, 2001
Summer has finally made it to London. And when it gets hot in London it gets HOT! The old saying goes, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Well I guess there were a lot of South Africans in London tonight who were up for the heat, because they flocked to see the Kombuis.
The anticipation of the crowd was almost tangible, but they waited patiently through the support act and even gave the 2 ou's whose names I unfortunately did not catch, a fair bit of support, but it was obvious from the roof raising cheer that went up as he walked on stage that the crowd had some to see President Bandana.
But they had more than come to see him, they came to sing along. They knew the choons, they shouted for their favourites and they raised the roof again and again with their heartfelt backing vocals. I do think that the irony of singing "en die hele wêreld word stil, en luister in die donker uur" at the top of one's voice was lost on most of those showing early symptoms of inebriation, but hey it was Koos and 'Lisa se Klavier' is almost his theme tune (not to mention a damn fine song). This gem closed off the first set.
Returning as President Hendrik Velhoed, we were treated to the desserts from the kitchen. His ode to Stellenbosch done to the tune of Scaffold's 'Lily the Pink', the hilarious, yet poignant 'AWB Tiete' and to round things off he bowed to the pressure of the crowd and played 'Johnny' (although he had promised it to us earlier).
He certainly seemed more relaxed this time than his previous show and was more than amused by the London Mass Karaoke Choir that had invaded the Walkabout.
Jona Lewie had a hit in the early eighties called 'You will always find me in the Kitchen at Parties' after tonight I guess we can safely change that to 'You will always find where there's a kitchen there's a party.'
John Samson
mailto:john@sarockdigest.com
---------------
340ml
KZN Tour. 5-8 July.
5 July (Thu)
Churchill's - Pietermaritzburg. 340ml and Fruit Fly Navigators (unplugged). 9pm
6 July (Fri)
Red Eye - Durban. 5pm
7 July (Sat)
Burn - Durban. Fruit Fly Navigators and 340ml. 9pm
8 July (Sun)
The Jam - Margate. 340ml and Fruit Fly Navigators (unplugged). 9pm
Festivals
10 August (Fri)
Oppikoppi - Pretoria. 11am
---------------
AKKEDIS
http://www.stellenbosch.co.za/akkedis/
7 July Café Amsterdam, Gordon's Bay
---------------
CINDY ALTER
I will be in Jhb on the 4th & 5th of July, playing at the Bassline with an eclectic mix of local & American musicians, including Ingi Herbst (ex-Clout). It should be very, very interesting, and I'm looking forward to playing there.
Love & Light,
Cindy (Alter)
{Cindy is ex-Clout and Zia, and currently lives and plays in the USA.
- ed}
ClOUT
http://www.clout.co.za
Cindy Alter
http://www.cindyalter.com
--------------
AUTHENTIC GIGS
THURSDAY 5 JULY
Martin Rocka and The Sickshop, Tweak - Rhythm and Brew, Benoni
FRIDAY 6 JULY
Ethel My Love - Blue Moon, Nelspruit
Justin Vee - Mambo's, Potgietersrus
SATURDAY 7 JULY
Wonderboom, Gauge - Equinox, Bethlehem
Across The Board party with Tweak and Ethel My Love - Flystation, 18 Plantation Rd, Edenvale
Mean Mr Mustard - Hydrogen, Caesars Palace, Benoni
Barney Simon - Morgans Cat, Randburg Waterfront, Randburg
THURSDAY 12 JULY
Riku Latte, The Diesel Wh*res - Rhythm and Brew, Benoni
FRIDAY 13 JULY
Nelson - Equinox, Bethlehem
THURSDAY 19 JULY
Pestroy - Rhythm and Brew, Benoni
FRIDAY 20 JULY
Speedy AKA Richard Santana - Point Break, Margate
SATURDAY 21 JULY
Saron Gas, Justin Vee - Cloud 9, Umhlanga
THURSDAY 26 JULY
57, Pestroy - Rhythm and Brew, Benoni
FRIDAY 27 JULY
Barney Simon - Rafterz, Vanderbijlpark
SATURDAY 28 JULY
Nelson - Cloud 9, Umhlanga
Barney Simon - Exit, Klerksdorp
For more info:
Beth Hillary
Authentic Ideas (Pty) Ltd
T: 011-646-6467
F: 011-646-6441
C: 073-152-6262
E: mailto:beth@authentic.co.za
-----------------
BASSLINE
http://www.basslinejazzclub.co.za
---------------
BLK SONSHINE
July 4-7 - Grahamstown Festival
---------------
FRUIT FLY NAVIGATORS
Thu 05 July - Churchills (Pietermaritzburg) UNPLUGGED with 340ML
Sat 07 July - Burn (Durban) with 340ML
Sun 08 July - The Jam (Margate) UNPLUGGED with 340 ML
Wed 18 July - Rivets (Durban) UNPLUGGED
Sat 21 July - Cloud 9 (Umhlanga) with Saron Gas
‘5FM Showcase: 3 Unearthed’ featuring 'Shout' - available now in Musica
stores, and online at http://www.oneworld.co.za
--------------------
HARBOUR MUSIC CLUB
The Troubadour, Kalk Bay
Every Wednesday night 8:30
Entrance R15 - bar available
Rob Anderson (021) 7891021
mailto:anderson@botzoo.uct.ac.za
Nadia Scaillet (021) 4489834
mailto:noid@netactive.co.za
--------------
JESSE JORDAN
http://www.jessejordan.co.za
Al's - Knysna 14 July Oyster Festival
-------------
JULIAN'S
http://www.julianlaxton.com
mailto:julianlaxton@artslink.co.za
---------------
NAKED NATIVES
Naked Natives have undertaken a series of 'unplugged' gigs in and around Durban.
Visit http://www.nakednatives.co.za for the Naked Natives gig guide.
Tomislav - Vocals and Guitar
Brett - Percussion and Didgeridoo
---------------
OPPIKOPPI
http://www.oppikoppi.co.za
9-12 August 2001 - Oppikoppi - Pretoria @ Fountains Valley
21-23 September 2001 - Oppikoppi - Worcester @ Kleinplasie
---------------
ROEKELOOS - GIG GUIDE
http://www.roekeloos.co.za/musiek.html
--------------
SARON GAS
Live @ Cloud 9 Durban
21st July
Supported by Fruit Fly Navigators
---------------
SEMISANE
http://www.semisane.com
6 July The Playhouse Grahamstown
7 July Tin Roof Blues Knysna
21 July Stokers Arms Newlands
8 August Independent Armchair Theatre Obs
---------------
THE WHAMMY BAR
Marine Circle
Tableview
(021) 557-5692
Open Mon-Sun 6:00pm till late
The Whammy Bar is a live music venue that features original SA bands.
Bands start at 10.00pm Fri & Sat.
Bill Slater
mailto:thewhammybar@mweb.co.za
--------------
ZA@PLAY
http://www.mg.co.za/mg/art/music/
---------------
ZEN ARCADE
http://www.geocities.com/zenarcade1
Wednesday July 25 - Zen Arcade are appearing live at The Bohemian, 5
Park Road (cnr Menton Road), Richmond. Admittance to the gig, which
starts at 9.30pm is FREE. That's right: for nada ... gratis and for
nothing. You won't find a better deal for cutting-edge contemporary rock music in this town.
The band is also plotting a mini-tour of the Exotic Far East Rand towns
of Benoni, Boksburg and Springs (affectionately known as Suspension
City, by its quizzical natives). Details will follow.
Zen Contact:
Paul Drosdzol
Zer02Her0
082-685-0819
mailto:drosdzol@sowetan.co.za
________________________________________________
7.LINKS
---------
LINKS PAGES:
3rd EAR MUSIC
http://www.3rdearmusic.com/links.html
A TO Z OF SA MUSICIANS
http://www.sarockdigest.com/musicians
AMUZINE
http://www.rock.co.za/links.htm
MUSIC.ORG
Original African, jazz, hip hop, reggae & kwaito artists
http://www.music.org.za/artists
SA ROCK DIGEST
http://www.sarockdigest.com/links
VAGABOND'S WORLD
http://www.rock.co.za/vagabond/links
ONE WORLD
http://www.oneworld.co.za/links.cfm
SEARCH ENGINE:
GOOGLE
http://www.google.com
Quick and accurate, highly recommended
ARTISTS:
AKKEDIS
http://www.stellenbosch.co.za/akkedis/
ALTERNATIEWE AFRIKANERS
http://www.afrikaner.co.za/tronk10/
ROBIN AULD
http://www.robinauld.co.za
BINARY
http://www.binaryonline.com
BERNARD BINNS
http://www.bernardbinns.co.za
BIG SKY
http://www.stevelouw.com
BIZARRE BAZAAR
http://www.geocities.com/bizabaza
PIET BOTHA
http://www.pietbotha.com
JOHNNY CLEGG
http://www.johnnyclegg.com
CLOUT
http://www.clout.co.za
FOUR JACKS AND A JILL
http://www.fourjacksandajill.co.za/
LIESL GRAHAM
http://www.lieslgraham.co.za
LIELA GROENEWALD
http://www.liela.co.za
HELLOANGEL
http://www.helloangel.co.uk
IAN HENDERSON
http://www.ianhenderson.co.za
JACK HAMMER
http://www.rock.co.za/jackhammer
JESSE JORDAN
http://www.jessejordan.co.za
KOOS KOMBUIS
http://www.kooskombuis.co.za
JULIAN LAXTON
http://www.julianlaxton.com
LITTLE SISTER
http://www.littlesister.co.za
BOBBY LOUW
http://www.bobbylouw.co.za
STEVE LOUW
http://www.stevelouw.com
VENESSA NOLAN
http://www.sunsetrecording.com/venessa
NOT THE MIDNIGHT MASS
http://www.sarockdigest.com/midnightmass
OFF THE EDGE
http://www.rock.co.za/offtheedge
PEDRO THE MUSIC MAN
http://users.iafrica.com/m/mu/musicman
RABBITT
http://www.rabbitt.co.za
RADIO RATS
http://www.rock.co.za/legends/radiorats
RODRIGUEZ: CLIMB UP ON MY MUSIC
A site dedicated to Rodriguez, the Sugar Man
http://www.sarockdigest.com/rodriguez
SEMISANE
http://www.semisane.com
SHARKBROTHER
http://www.sharkbrother.com
SKINCAGE
http://go.to/skincage
AMANDA STRYDOM
http://www.amandastrydom.com
THE SUNSHINES
http://www.thesunshines.com
VALIANT SWART
http://www.valiant.co.za
AMANDA TIFFIN
http://listen.to/amandatiffin
NOA TYLO
http://www.noatylo.co.za
ZEN ARCADE
http://www.geocities.com/zenarcade1
ARCHIVES:
3rd EAR MUSIC
http://www.3rdEarMusic.com
OPEN RECORD
http://www.openrecord.co.za
SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://www.rock.co.za/sarock
SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO CHARTS 1969-1989
http://www.rock.co.za/charts
SA ROCK DIGEST SONG AND ALBUM CHARTS
http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts
NEWS:
AMUZINE
News, views, reviews and interviews
http://www.rock.co.za/
ARTSMART
Arts news from Kwazulu-Natal
http://www.artsmart.co.za
JAZZNEWS RENDEZVOUS
http://www.egroups.com/group/JazznewsRendezvous
This newsletter is posted weekly on Sundays and looks at the
world of Jazz in South Africa and beyond.
POWERZONE
http://www.powerzone.co.za
SA MUSIC
http://www.samusic.co.za
STAGE
http://www.stage.co.za
TAMBOER KRANTJIE
http://www.pretoria.co.za
http://www.tamboer.co.za
SHOPPING:
ONE WORLD
http://www.oneworld.co.za/
Selling South African Music to the World
RECORD COMPANIES, LABELS & STUDIOS:
AFRIMUSIK
http://www.afrimusik.com
BMG
http://www.click2music.co.za
CAVEMAN PRODUCTIONS
Kevin Shirley's virtual cave
http://www.cavemanproductions.com
MELT2000
http://www.melt2000.com
MOUNTAIN RECORDS
http://www.mountain-africa.com
SUNSET RECORDING STUDIOS
http://www.sunsetrecording.com
TL MASTERING
http://www.tl-mastering.com
RESOURCES:
BACKSTAGE
http://www.backstage.co.za/
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL
http://www.idig.za.net
RISA
http://www.risa.org.za/
Recording Industry of South Africa
SOUND SOLUTIONS
http://www.rock.co.za/soundsolutions
SOUTH AFRICAN SLANG
http://www.supertubes.co.za/bot_bar/surfrikan/slang_intro.html
RADIO:
CAPITAL 604
http://www.Capital604.com
SAFM (104-107KHz)
http://www.safm.co.za
BOOKS:
THE HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz (TOGA, 1994)
http://www.sarockdigest.com/book
We are happy to exchange links with any good website supporting SA music. A good website in our opinion should be informative, regularly updated and linked back to us. If you already link to us and you believe your link should be here, please contact Brian Currin at mailto:sarock@sarockdigest.com
__________________________________________
8.BACK ISSUES
---------------
BACK ISSUES
http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives
Online and keyword searchable
__________________________________________
9.CONTRIBUTIONS
-----------------
Press releases:
Please submit all press releases to Sugar at mailto:sugar@cd.co.za
Contributions:
Please submit all contributions, reviews, requests, searches and comments by filling in the form at:
http://www.rock.co.za/contact
or email Brian Currin at:
mailto:sarock@sarockdigest.com
All e-mail submissions need to be in plain text e-mail format with NO attachments, please. You may, however, include web addresses (URLs) in your e-mails which point to websites or images on-line.
E-mails in HTML format, or e-mails all in lower-case or all in CAPITALS will tend to be ignored as they can take too long to correct for inclusion in the Digest.
Any e-mail with an ".exe" file attached will automatically be trashed.
Bulk mailings which show everybody's addresses also tend to get trashed automatically. Just use the "bcc" (blind carbon copy) function on your e-mail programme.
________________________________________
10.CONTACT DETAILS
-------------------
EDITORS
Brian Currin
mailto:vagabond@cd.co.za
http://www.rock.co.za/vagabond
Stephen Segerman
mailto:sugar@cd.co.za
http://www.cd.co.za
Postal Address:
Brian Currin
PO Box 521
Eppindust
7475
Cape Town
South Africa
MAIN CONTRIBUTORS
Kurt Shoemaker, USA
mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com
John Samson, UK
mailto:john@sarockdigest.com
Shiloh Noone, South Africa
mailto:shiloh_noone@hotmail.com
http://www.sarockdigest.com/shiloh
Tertius Louw, South Africa
mailto:louwt@mweb.co.za
________________________________________
11.SUBSCRIPTIONS
----------------
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