SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE NUMBER 12
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The SA Rock Digest is a free
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Brian Currin and delivered
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In this issue:
Introduction
Requests
Looking for music
Blame it on apartheid
Local is lekker
Feedback
Myles Wakeham
Craig Bayrooti
Forum
Memories are made of this
Nightclubbing
USA for Africa
Song lists
Give them enough rope
I like John Ireland (or not!)
Review
Eidolon
Pop Quiz
Links
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INTRODUCTION
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This is a discussion forum for anything about
South African rock music; past, present and future.
Read it, digest it, enjoy it, send in your comments
and tell your friends....
"Rock" is a very general term encompassing rock and roll,
pop, folk, rock, ethnic-rock, prog-rock, jazz-rock, country-rock,
soul, R&B, metal, indie, alternative, new wave, reggae, etc, etc.
Don't get hung up...if you want to say something about the music
YOU like, go ahead, say it.
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REQUESTS
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LOOKING FOR MUSIC
Annette Kulas wrote:
I am an avid music collector and also came from South Africa. There are some old South African records I would love to obtain. I have explored various sites throughout South Africa but have not come up with anything worth while. This is music from the early sixties. Can you help me in anyway? I don't mind if they are single records, LP's or CD's. I did manage to find a single in America of John Kongos but there is still one number I would like to obtain of his, as well as Jeremy Taylor and Billy Forrest.
Hope you can help in some way.
{Editor: all these artists have compilation CDs out, though they maybe a bit hard to find.
Try http://www.oneworld.co.za or e-mail Neil at mailto:vibes@fast.co.za }
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BLAME IT ON APARTHEID
I was wondering if you could possibly help me in finding any lyrics to anti-apartheid songs? Perhaps some of these bands you have on your site were anti-apartheid?
If you can help, please email me.
Thanks
Michelle
I-NET BRIDGE
Ananzi Assistant Administrator
mailto:michelleg@inet.co.za
http://www.ananzi.co.za
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LOCAL IS LEKKER
I'm really into SA jazz but my policy is "if its local its lekker" ...basically I support local music, whatever the form ...with the possible exception of Battery 9 (wow! that stuff is beyond me). As a judge (production) for the upcoming ASAMI/FNB music awards I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of local rock (for instance I was impressed with Egyptian Nursery)
-- Tebogo
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FEEDBACK
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WHERE IS MYLES WAKEHAM?
In the last issue, Nigel Walsh wrote...
A vocalist named Miles Wakeham fronted a couple of Cape Town bands in the
early seventies, does the name ring bells with anyone?
Well, thanks to Guy, of the band Nightshuttle, we have this reply from Myles himself
posted on the Too Good To Be Forgotten Internet Message Board:
Where is Myles Wakeham
Thursday, 15-Apr-99 04:59:30
Message:
Recognition at last! Thank for the enquiry regarding where I am. During the early 70's I had the good fortune to front a band in Cape Town called Lucifer. The group comprised of Steve Newman of Tananas fame, Terrence Lee (one of Cape Town's top drummers at the time), Jeff Klein a.k.a. Ratfink on keyboards, Rob on bass and last but hopefully not least myself on vocals. We did rather well in the Battle of the Bands with Terrence, Steve and myself winning the "best drummer, guitarist and vocalist awards." The band came second too in the Rock 1972 contest. Music played was quite diversified and unusual at the time e.g. McArthurs Park, All Along The Watchtower and I'm the God of Hellfire {Ed: Arthur Brown's "Fire"}, etc.
The band broke up as we all found different directions of music e.g. Steve went into Blue Grass, Terrence into heavy rock and I into Jazz with the likes of Dave Bravo (now in the States with Deodata), Jan Hough (Great Bassist) and a fantastic drummer-come-vocalist whose name has somehow slipped my mind. Got married and wife eventually said "the music or the children." Chose the latter to get divorced. Remarried and new wife heard me sing (jamming) and said I had to get back into it again which I did. Started a band called Abacus and played for almost eight years at gigs such as Guzzlers, Billy Owens, etc. Stopped during 1998 to do a part-time MBA which I am completing in three months time. Thereafter would like to start a show band in the mold of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, Earth, Wind and Fire and Chase. Will be calling it Whisky (hopefully draw a band of mixed cultures hence the name e.g. Black & White Whisky). Will be looking for musicians shortly. . . Any body interested see my email address.
Viva South African music.
NB: Isn't it strange that about two years ago the average age of the musicians in Cape Town was in excess of 40 years. Makes you think doesn't it?
Myles Wakeham
<mailto:mwakeham@intekom.co.za>
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WHERE IS CRAIG?
Anton Nel asked about Craig Bayrooti in the last issue.
Tony Groenewald replied...
Craig Bayrooti as far as I know runs and owns a very successful sound company
called 8th Ave Sound based in Randburg. Last time I worked with him was
the Rocky Horror Show which he designed and has designed many more musicals
since in Jo'burg.
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FORUM
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MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS
Trevor Perks form the UK wrote...
Part one of my memories for the digest...
My musical memories of SA go back to when we first emigrated in '75 when I
was a nine year old...no TV meant that the radio was constantly on. Music -
related memories include (and these are the ones I need to get out of the
way and out of my memory!):
1.That terrible foghorn announcing the news on Radio Highveld
2.The Jet Jungle show with Chappie Chipmunk...here's the song from the ad
from memory...
Big bubble fun with Chappies bubblegum
Gives you flavour by the ton
Lots of colours to choose from
Everybody knows the one
Chappies bubblegum
3. Carike Keuzenkamp (did she sing 'Daar's 'n trein, tjoe tjoe tjoe tjoe
tjoe tjoe, Die Trein na Matjiesfontein'?)
4. Des 'n Dawn Lindbergh wearing matching white suits
5.Sakkie sakkie music (retch!)
6.Pop Shop - fifteen minutes of pop music, no more in case the youth were
subverted by the evil overseas musos...
7.Jeremy Taylor singing 'Ag pleez Daddie'
8.Baxtop winning Battle of the Bands on Popshop circa 1979
9.Steve Kekana's 'Bushman' (wo-o, wo-o, the Bushman). Was / is he really
blind or was that a gimmick?
10.Richard Jon Smith's hairdo
11.David Scobie from Rhodesia (That's why they call you Gypsey Girl)...
I actually have the album, 'Cleaning Up with David Scobie' with a picture of
him covered in soap suds....reasons for such sadness will become apparent in
future mail!
This is depressing me no end so that 11 will do for now...not really that
much but I am going back to when I was a mere lightie...
Did you used to buy records from Cat Ballou in Boksburg town centre? The
woman who owned it was Mrs Glencross, her sons Tony and Warren, and her
daughter used to go to Sunward High while I was there.
{Nostalgic editor: I spent many happy hours in Cat Ballou, listening to and buying albums...
Ramases Glass Top Coffin (on import for R7!), Yessongs, Deep Purple Burn, Strawbs Hero And Heroine, Supertramp Crime Of The Century, Slade Alive...oh, the list is endless.
I have the fold-out cover of Uriah Heep's Magician's Birthday, framed and hanging in my study, with the Cat Ballou sticker clearly visible.
Interested in Roger Dean's art? Visit: http://www.rock.co.za/files/roger.html
to see my tribute to this great painter of rock album covers}
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NIGHTCLUBBING
Anton Nel wrote in the last issue...
I can remember a club on the top floor of the Heerengrach Hotel in Cape
Town in the early 80's, could that be what Peter Alston was talking about?
Rod Currin replied...
I remember that place. Was called Club 604 when I went to it. Also found
myself studying at tech with the DJ, Rodney Reuben, at a later stage.
Peter de Wit wrote...
In issue 10 Nigel Walsh was reminiscing about Cape Town clubs.
Do you remember these?
SCRATCH & THE MIX which later became THE BASE.
RITAS in Bree St which became SEQUEL.
CLUB 604 was the club at the top of the Heerengracht hotel.
There was also a gay bar/club called UPSTAIRS AT THE WINEBARREL which
was changed into an alternative club called SUBJECTS which I think was
CTs answer to DECODANCE in Joburg.
INDABA was a stunning 3 floored venue and there was also CATS.
One of my favourite bands of that time was VIA AFRIKA.They made 2
excellent albums, the self titled debut and Scent of Scandal.
Is EMI ever going to release these on CD??
Does anyone out there know what happened to Rene, Lucas, and Spider and
if they are still involved in the industry?
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USA FOR AFRICA, PART 1
I really think there is some great music that came out of South Africa in the 70's with Freedom's Children being one of my favorites. Is there anything out in S. Africa on CD
of any 60's/70's bands? If there is please let me know what because I would like to carry it.
-- Doug Larson
{Editor: Doug's catalogue is on the Net at: http://www.hicom.net/~dlarson/info.htm }
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USA FOR AFRICA, PART 2
I was very flattered you chose to publish my short essay. {Ed: see last issue}
I'd love to keep receiving the digest, if you don't mind. I love hearing
about bands I'm unfamiliar with. It's hard to relate to that scene,
because all my life, the music I've been exposed to has been either
North American or European based. Well, I guess the Japanese metal band
Loudness would be an exception, but everything else is Euro/American. I
almost forgot one South African though. Manfred Mann released one of my
favorite albums of all time, Nightingales And Bombers (1975). Thanks
again for publishing me. :-) I look forward to future digests.
-- Jim C.
{Editor: Jim writes wonderfully humorous and articulate essays on the Deep Purple
Digest about being a fan and loving music, etc. Hopefully we can expect some more
contributions from him in the future}
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USA FOR AFRICA, PART 3
Leigh Barrett from KRVM radio in Oregon...
I am at last starting to get responses from people who have seen my messages on your newsletter, including one from Tic Tic Bang, so hopefully I'll be able to play a
lot more SA music in future!
Let's keep that SA invasion going!
{Editor: Leigh will be playing Off The Edge on Tuesday, 27 April}
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READERS' SONG LISTS
I have received a number of favourites lists from digest members.
I've put them on the Net at: http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_songlists.html
You can also vote for your favourite SA pop and rock songs of all-time at:
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sapop
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GIVE THEM ENOUGH ROPE
Anton Nel asked in the last issue...
By the way, is Chris related to Mark Roper (cameraman/director.)?
Chris replied...
Who is this Mark Roper? Is HE related to ME? I don't think so, although my father was a bit of a gadabout in the seventies, so I'd have to check how old Mark is.
Does anyone remember Kid Gloves? Used to do great punk covers at the Clifton Hotel in the late 70s.
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I LIKE...JOHN IRELAND (OR MAYBE NOT!)
Scarcely an issue goes by without mention of John Ireland ! Why, oh why ? Although the banal "I like" has some interesting moments it soon becomes tiresome and the producers would have done well to have faded the song much earlier. The last 60 seconds or so are irritatingly repetitive (in my humble view). I am at a loss to understand why the song seems to be such a favourite. Perhaps someone can persuade me to change my mind...in the interim I must congratulate Mandy for not having included it in her top twenty!!!!! (It is of course possible that John Ireland has sung other numbers of extraordinary merit but from what I've heard of him so far I have no urgent need or want to find out!)
Our esteemed editor has, after all, encouraged us "to say" what we think! No doubt the majority of readers will disagree with me.
-- Peter Alston
{Editor: you are entitled to your opinions, no matter how stupid they are (joke! joke!)}
{Editor: thanks to Annalize I have tracked down Dr John Griffith (John Ireland) and sent him
a fax. I am still waiting for his reply.}
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REVIEW
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EIDOLON - SEE SAW
Eidolon began towards the end of 1997 when Kay Vandenberg (vocals, keyboards and piano) and her husband Gregory formed the band with Tanya Bankart (vocals), Stephen Bankart (bass), Derek Ho Hip (guitars), and Derek Garnett (drums). 1998 saw them writing material, gigging and preparing for the recording and release of their debut album, 'See Saw'. This female vocal, melodic rock album was launched at the Roxy Rhythm Bar in Melville and tracks from the album were playlisted on some of the major SA radio stations as well as many of the smaller regional and campus stations. An appearance on M-Net's 'Live@five' television program, as well as complimentary features in the SA magazines, Epic and Clubzine followed. Then, after a mini-tour of the South Coast at the end of 1998, Eidolon began their first national tour in March 1999.
At this stage the group's line-up had changed with the departure of Tanya Bankart. The band also decided to alter their musical direction toward a more "art-rock" sound and a more rocky, less poppy sound. The band still presents a vibrant, interactive live show and has garnered huge interest (and sales of their album) through these performances.
'See Saw', Eidolon's eagerly awaited debut release, is as diverse and compelling as their exciting live shows. These 11 original compositions mostly feature Kay Vandenberg's expressive and adaptable vocals, which add light and colour to the various rock and pop styles on display here. The album was recorded and produced by Eidolon and engineered by Andrew Smith, assisted by Mike Fleming and Niell Pash. Although the band's sound works off the typical combination of a tight rhythm section, evocative guitar licks and cool saxophone touches, Eidolon have enough variety in their songwriting to keep these songs fresh and interesting throughout. 'Reflections' opens the album with a thunderous drum and guitar burst before Kay's voice swoops in with emotion and power. This pattern runs through the album with echoes of Fleetwood Mac, Catatonia and even Skunk Anansie popping up every now and then. But comparisons are unnecessary here as Eidolon have developed their own sound and material and seem set to sit alongside Karma as one of SA's foremost female-fronted rock bands. Other quality tracks include the emotional 'Deep Within', the sweetly sung 'Sometimes', and the closing 'She'. 'See Saw' is a competent debut and a promise of good things to come from Eidolon.
Stephen "Sugar" Segerman, April 1999
(Originally published on Amuzine, the South African Online Music Magazine,
http://www.cd.co.za)
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OFF THE EDGE
Visit http://listen.to/offtheedge to see more info on this great SA rock band.
Album cover, track listing, a short review and MP3s are all there.
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POP QUIZ
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Last week's question:
Name Yes's 1983 US number 1 chart hit composed by Trevor Rabin.
Answer: Owner Of A Lonely Heart, which according to an interview in Music Technology
magazine January 1988, was written on the toilet. All clever chirps and other toilet-related comments to mailto:ireallydontcare@trash.com
The first correct answers get prizes this week,
courtesy of Rui de Sousa from Sony Music SA.
The winners are:
Lenny Mailer
Gearoid
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This week's question:
Name a song from Off The Edge's new album On The Run.
Need help? Go to: http://listen.to/offtheedge
Tony and Peter from Off The Edge have supplied 3 copies of their new CD for the digest
to give-way, so get those answers in...
And if you don't win a copy, then buy it at http://www.oneworld.co.za
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VOTE
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Its election year so go and vote for your favourite SA Rock album at:
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sarock
...or your all-time favourite SA song at:
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sapop
Go on and make your mark!
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The SA Rock Digest is compiled by Brian "Vagabond" Currin from the
"Too Good To Be Forgotten" internet message board, e-mails from
Digest members and other varied sources.
The opinions expressed here are not always echoed by myself, but I
try to keep an open mind. (After growing up in SA in the 70s and
spending 5 years in the Army, that's not so easy!)
For the basic rules of the Digest please visit:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_rock_digest.html
or I can e-mail them to you.
Want a digest like this for your company, band, radio station...?
Go to: http://www.rock.co.za/files/vagabond_music_web.html
LINKS
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Want to know more about me, my websites and my love for music?
Visit: http://bigfoot.rock.com/~vagabond
The SA Rock Files (the online archive for the History of South
African rock) is at:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarockfiles_main.html
Want up-to-date news, reviews and interviews on South African and
international music, with a healthy dose of humour?
Visit Sugar's Amuzine site at: http://www.cd.co.za
News, new releases, classifieds and general music info at The Powerzone...
http://www.powerzone.co.za - The Hub of South African Music
Buy your South African (or any other) CDs from http://www.oneworld.co.za
Visit the Indie Music Explosion website at: http://www.indie.co.za
Are you are a SA musician looking for info or resources?
Then Gareth's excellent http://www.backstage.co.za website is for you.
Do you live in Cape Town?
Evan Milton's Gig Guide at http://www.gig-guide.co.za
will let you know what's on.
See ZA@Play at:
http://www.mg.co.za/mg/art/music/listing/music-ct.htm
which lists Cape Town music spots and also links to other major centres
around SA.
Try SonicNet's music guide for info on international artists at:
http://www.sonicnet.com/feature/clickcash/clickcash-snguide.cgi?id=1514
SUBSCRIPTIONS
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Reading someone else's copy of this e-mag?
Firstly thank the person who sent it to you, for being someone of
incredible good taste and perception...
...and then subcribe yourself by sending an e-mail to
mailto:vagabond@rock.com with any words or phrases that vaguely
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Y'know, like "I'm in", "That's great", "OK", "Here's R1000 send me a
copy"...whatever.
Or...visit http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_rock_digest.html and fill in
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Want to unsubscribe from this e-mag?
Surely not, but if you really must, then just send me an e-mail,
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