SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #198 http://www.sarockdigest.com 14th April 2003 Established 27th January 1999 -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Vusi Mahlasela performs in the US and releases new album... Boo! are touring Europe... Oppikoppi is back oppie koppie!... Robin Auld's 'Luxury' is still top of the album charts... Carina reviews Valiant Swart's 'Song Vir Katryn'... Kurt gets upclose and personal with the Nude Girls... John listens to Frank Opperman's 'Serial Boyfriend'... and all the gig info is at http://www.SAgigs.com ---------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ---------------------------------- For a colorful and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://www.cd.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. --------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ON THE RADIO --------------------------------------- Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman presents his SA music slot on the Bruce Millar Show on SAfm (103-106fm) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.ROCK.co.za ----------- SAmp3.com ----------- Download South African mp3s at http://www.SAmp3.com ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com please e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. ------------- SAKLANK.com ------------- Sluit aan by http://www.SAKlank.com deur e-pos te stuur aan mailto:intekenaar@saklank.com?subject=SAKlank Alle rasionele idees, gedagtes, bydraes, briewe en konsert-/CD-resensies is altyd welkom! ----------- ONE WORLD ----------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Vusi Mahlasela, Atomic Kitten, Boo!, Oppikoppi, Lusito Land Festival, African Dope, Soulja, Open Mind Sessions 2.CHARTS: Top 30 mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: mp3s & CDs: Valiant Swart's Song Vir Katryn, The Hip Replacements 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Springbok Nude Girls 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Frank Opperman 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- VUSI MAHLASELA'S US CONCERTS AND ALBUM RELEASE Vusi Mahlasela is now signed to Dave Matthews' ATO Records label for the North American market, and will release his debut US album later this year. Mahlasela's ATO album will consist of material culled from his five solo albums. Matthews' ATO label also recently released the soundtrack album to the award-winning documentary/film 'Amandla! A Revolution In Four Part Harmony'. The film and soundtrack album are both due for local release within the next two months. This epic project charts the role song and music played in South Africa's political struggle and prominently features Vusi Mahlasela as well as Hugh Masekela. Mahlasela has just returned from the US where he appeared at Carnegie Hall in Hugh Masekela's acclaimed 'African Time' concert alongside Paul Simon, Angelique Kidjo, Jabu Khanyile, Busi Mhlongo, Kaya Mahlangu and Tsepo Tshola, and a host of other musicians. (see review in Live section below). Vusi Mahlasela has two concerts lined up at the Bassline in Melville on May 30 and 31. ---------------------- ATOMIC KITTEN TO PURRFORM IN SA UK pop trio, Atomic Kitten (Tash Hamilton, Lil McLarnon and Jenny Frost), will be giving three performances in South Africa this May. The "talented trio" will be kicking off at Ratanga Junction in Cape Town on the 22nd, followed by two shows at Carnival City in Johannesburg on the 23rd and 24th. Candice and 101 (Coca Cola Popstars winners) are the local support for the concerts. Atomic Kittens' SA shows should include performances of their later hits 'Whole Again' (four weeks at #1), the Bangles' classic 'Eternal Flame' (second #1), and the reggae-tinged cover of Blondie's 'The Tide is High' (their third #1). Thursday 22nd May - Ratanga Junction, Cape Town Friday 23rd May - Carnival City, Johannesburg Saturday 24th May - Carnival City, Johannesburg Booking at Computicket ---------------------- BOO! - TOUR AND NEW ALBUM TO FOLLOW SAMA WIN South African "Monki Punksters" BOO! picked up the SAMA award for Best Pop Album a week ago, beating the likes of 101, Heinz Winkler and MIC to the goalpost. BOO! received the award for their previous album, 'Shooting Star', which is a live album that was recorded on the road in Europe, and the USA, during late 2001. BOO! are set to release their new album, 'TNTLC', in SA at the end of April. The album was produced locally by Jasper Williams. The first single will be 'Come' (produced by Brian O'Shea). BOO! will be back home in May to tour the album. BOO! are currently touring Italy and Spain with German rock sensation Guano Apes, who recently played the MTV Extreme Games, and are billed to play the MTV Campus Invasion in Europe. Guano Apes new album, 'Walk The Thin Line', has recently been released in South Africa. If you're in the area you can catch BOO! and Guano Apes at the following venues in Italy and Spain: Mon 7 - Alcatraz, Milan, Italy Wed 9 - Tenax, Florence, Italy Thu 10 - 041, Venice, Italy Sat 12 - Velvet, Rimini, Italy Sun 13 - Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain For more information contact: Maryke Zietsman mailto:maryke@boolive.com READ http://www.cd.co.za/legends/90s/boo_index.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=boo -------------------- OPPIKOPPI EASTER FESTIVAL The Oppikoppi 'If Not Tomorrow Then The Next Day' Easter Festival will be held at the original venue on the farm at Northam in the Bushveld from 18-21st April 2003. Just like that. The line-up is still in the planning stages, but so far includes: Valiant Swart*, Tweak*, Slugs of War, Tidal Waves, Duck and Cover, Albert Frost*, Liela Groenewald, Zef Sketse, Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes*, Pestroy, Norman Chauke, Soil 7T7, The Narrow, Dan Patlansky, Gary Two-teeth and the Slashdogs, Gert Vlok Nel, Marlowe and Tumi and the Volume to join us and belt it out on the legendary wooden stage at the top of THE koppie. A total of about 20 acts will perform over the three-day period and the additional names will be added shortly. Go to www.oppikoppi.co.za for constant updates and important news for discerning party entrepreneurs. Tickets are R150 for the entire weekend, including camping, braaing, fishing, swimming (or attempting to), and free generous dollops of time to just hang around or -over (while stocks last). Contact: mailto:info@oppikoppi.co.za or phone 012 460 7431. *Listen to mp3's of these artists at http://www.SAmp3.com ---------------------- LUSITO LAND FESTIVAL 2003 Thurs April 24th - Sunday May 4th Wemmer Pan, Turf Road, La Rochelle Lusito Land 2003 is a celebration of all things Portuguese, including food, wine and entertainment. As well as the bands performing on the Festival's Centre Stage, visitors will be able to revel in the Mediterranean atmosphere, with traditional Portuguese folk singers and dancers. The festival line-up ranges from singing sensation, Danny K, to evergreen crowd-pleaser, Manuel Escorcio. Also on the bill for the eleven-day long Festival are Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels, Sunways, Mandoza, Wonderboom, Mean Mr Mustard, Jo Day, Semisane, Cutting Jade and Tweak, as well as D'Arrasar who will be jetting in from Portugal. The main purpose of the annual Lusito Land Festival is to raise funds for the Lusito School, an institution run under the auspices of the Lusito Portuguese Association for the Mentally and Physically Handicapped. The School is entirely dependent on the funds raised by the Lusito Land Festival. This year's festival starts on Thursday April 24th and goes through until Sunday May 4th. Gates open at 10h00 on weekends & public holidays and at 17h00 on weekdays and entertainment will run until 22h00 every evening. The Festival is timed to take advantage of the coming public holidays and there is ample parking at the venue - Wemmer Pan, Turf Road, La Rochelle. Lusito Land Hotline 082 979 5096 mailto:Lauren@protactic.co.za ---------------------- AFRICAN DOPE PRESENTS 'A DOPE NIGHT OUT' Thurs 17 April 2003 - Camps Bay Clubhouse, Camps Bay beachfront "On Thursday 17 April 2003 - Friday is Good Friday and the start to the Easter beats feaster - African Dope Records Presents 'A Dope Nite Out', utilizing both upstairs and downstairs halls of this styling venue - with the kick-ass backdrop of da mountain and sea, top quality sound, stage & lighting from Ultra Sound, and of course the dopest entertainment in the Mother City". With live performances from: Godessa - The all-girl hip hop trio are blowing up the world with their single 'Social Ills'. Featuring their full band, that recently smoked the North Sea Jazz Festival. Golliwog - The 8 piece funkhopbreaks are already legends on the local live scene, and are enjoying national exposure with their hit 'Mattress Mambo'. Red Lion - The mother city raggamaster. D-Form - The Moodphase5ive front man will be hosting the event. Waddy Jones - One of the truest and most well respected MC's on da block will be hosting the event with D-Form, Chromoscience (Ex Max Normal members: Sean O' Tim & Sibot have formed the hippest, low slung groove collective the city has ever seen. Plus DJ performances from: Krushed & Sorted, Shaun Duvet & A Blunted Stuntman, The Milk Bar Kid, Honey B. A sneak preview at CD Wherehouse, Waterfront on Tuesday 15th at 6pm. Plus a special sundowner set at Caprice, Camps Bay on Wednesday 16th. Tickets on sale at CD Warehouse Waterfront: R40 Only 800 tickets! book early to avoid disappointment R40 @ the door! www.africandope.co.za mailto:info@africandope.co.za Listen to mp3's of African Dope artists at http://www.SAmp3.com/africandope.html ------------------- SOULJA IN CAPE TOWN Soulja have completed their recording sessions in Cape Town with producer Paris Lucas. 'Sad', an elegantly-penned song about the ultimate feeling of loss after break-up, will be made available as a single to Campus stations countrywide within April/May 2003. Other songs slated for future release include 'Royal Tommy' and 'Infrastructure'. Soulja will also be recording a new arrangement of 'Turning in Vain'. Soulja's current line-up consists of Warren Haviside (vox), Stuart McLaren (drums), Greg Seller (rhythm guitars/backing vox), Lee Radmall (lead guitar), Curve (bass guitar). The band will be performing their brand of catchy, and sometimes sexy, energetic rock all over Cape Town over the next few weeks. Future and as yet unconfirmed performances in Stellenbosch and Worcester will be announced soon. The next Soulja in Cape Town is on Thursday 17 April when Soulja will support Arno Carstens' new outfit, New Porn, at Mercury Live. See http://www.SAgigs.com for all the Soulja in Cape Town gigs. --------------------- 'OPEN MIND SESSIONS' After a very successful hip hop-themed run at the Bassline, 'Open Mind Sessions' returns on a spoken word tip. This time around, with the backing of Vodacom 4U and the Oppikoppi production house, the 'Open Mind Sessions' aims to take spoken word out of the smoke-filled dungeons to the stage and from the hubs of Jo'burg to the alleys of Pretoria. The sessions were born out of a need to build a respectable platform for urban arts, and the people that indulge in them, at the same time instilling high standards of performance in these artists. This includes spoken word, all fields of hip-hop culture, dub, afro-reggae, and more. The first run of sessions took place in 2001, and featured an array of artists, some of whom have become popular in their respective forms of urban arts, such as 340ml, Optical Illusion and Makgabe from C4 Tupperware from Mars. The focus now turns to Pretoria, where the second chapter takes place on Wednesday the 16th of April, at the Pretoria Technikon Arts Campus. The line-up is an impressive list of artists that includes the following: Keorapetse "Bra Willie" Kgositsile, who is one of the fathers of South African poetry and literature. He wrote six books of poetry, and has published numerous poems in literary journals and anthologies. He has been the recipient of a number of literary awards over the last four decades - inter alia the Conrad Kent Rivers Memorial Poetry Award, the National Endowment for the Arts poetry award, the New York Council of the Arts poetry award, the Rockefeller Foundation poetry grant, and the Artists' Public Service Poetry Award. Lebo Mashile has performed all over the globe and shared the stage with internationally acclaimed poets Saul Williams, Sarah Jones and more. Master Sip is the wordsmith extraordinaire, previously of Skwatta Kamp, and Samm is part of PERM, and has headlined countless shows. Kano's hip hop-infused poetry has also seen him at both Urban Voices, and Tumi, who has graced Urban Voices, the Dead Prez concert, Black August 2001, and is now working with his band Volume, who also feature on the bill. Zee, who is part of PERM, appeared in both Urban Voices and helped organise one of them. The Volume are one of the most versatile, talented and entertaining live bands out there. Dj Kenzhero is the original 'Open Mind Sessions' DJ and returns, stolen for a moment from the beaches of Cape Town where he holds various residencies. Rude Boy Paul, the popular YFM DJ, has been involved with various poetry events in Jozi, and will be the host mc for the show. Wednesday the 16th of April at the Pretoria Technikon Arts Campus. Proudly sponsored by Vodacom 4U. Enquiries: Eric 083 517 8070 or Rob 082 321 8113. Or visit www.oppikoppi.co.za. For a map and more information. ------------------------- CORRECTION Last week we told you that Moses Khumalo received a 'Lifetime Achievement' award at the 2003 SAMA's ceremony. That's a little ahead of its time as Moses Khumalo did win the 'Best Newcomer' award for 'Mntungwa', but it was Moses Dhlamini who received the 'Lifetime Achievement' accolades. __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [3] (1) Wish Your Were Here - Liela (SAmp3.com/Indie) 2. [6] (2) Fishes Of Men - Metalmorphosis ('Blistered'/Silva Moon) 3. [4] (3) Stand By Me - Tait (Fresh) 4. [5] (4) Vampyre Girl - The Awakening ('Sacrificial Etchings'/Intervention Arts) 5. [10] (5) Say Goodbye - Scarlet Host (Demo/Indie) 6. [1] (1) LekkerByDieSee - Diff Olie ('Die Borrelbad Insident'/Boereplaas) 7. [2] (2) Spook - Spinnekop ('Soet September EP'/Afrimusik) 8. [9] (8) The Warrior Sampler - Ipi 'NTombi featuring Margaret Singana ('The Warrior'/Gallo) 9. [7] (1) Beach Girl - Natalia ('The Street Level Sessions'/Indie) 10. [14] (10) Powerzone Roadshow Sampler - Various (SAmp3.com/Sovereign) 11. [21] (11) South Africa - Eden Brent ('Something Cool'/Rhythm) 12. [8] (2) Room2Breathe Sampler - Semisane ('Room2Breathe'/BMG) 13. [15] (13) Open Your Eyes - KGB ('The First Born'/Mothermix) 14. [11] (1) Stoute Boude - Anton Goosen en Beeskraal (''n Vis Innie Bos'/Gallo) 15. [13] (7) Diep In Gauteng - Stefan Lombard ('Alleen'/Afrimusik) 16. [12] (2) Siamese Sampler - Siamese ('Three Piece project'/BMG) 17. [16] (8) Broken Innocence - Alexis ('Overload'/Pt. Music) 18. [23] (18) Tweak Sampler - Tweak ('Dirty Sanchez and the Misfit Kidz'/BMG) 19. [27] (19) Pre-Seether Sampler - Saron Gas ('Fragile'/Musketeer) 20. [28] (20) Ek en Jy en die Highway - Valiant Swart ('Deur Die Donker Vallei'/Rhythm) 21. [30] (21) Onder In My Whiskeyglas (Live) - Koos Kombuis ('Tassenberg All*Stars'/Trippy Grape/Rhythm) 22. [25] (22) James Brown (I Ain't) - Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop ('Product Of Bad Breeding'/GosaTango) 23. [18] (18) Crowd Invasion - Bedrock ('So Where's The Party?'/Criminal Records) 24. [RE] (3) Braai Pack - Not My Dog ('Braai Vibes'/Sheer) 25. [26] (25) Push-up Bra - Uzo Blaker ('Volk Jou Ook'/Wildebeest) 26. [17] (17) Charlie - Lorraine Shannon ('Lorraine Shannon'/Gallo) 27. [20] (1) Dinosaur - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Forest Moon) 28. [-] (28) Pretty Baby - KJ Stone ('In Different Voices'/Sonic Orange) 29. [22] (22) Ingoma - Khumbula ('Kheta'/African Cream) 30. [19] (5) Toeka Sampler - Steve Hofmeyr ('Toeka'/EMI) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [1] (1) Luxury - Robin Auld (Free Lunch) 2. [3] (2) Awakening - Happy420 (Indie) 3. [5] (3) Ligdag - Laurinda Hofmeyr (Rhythm) 4. [10] (4) Motive For Breathing - PetFlyz (Intervention Arts) 5. [4] (4) Sacrificial Etchings - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 6. [2] (2) Into The Night We Slide - Radio Rats (RetroFresh) 7. [8] (7) Khetha - Khumbula (African Cream) 8. [6] (1) Room2Breathe - Semisane (BMG) 9. [7] (4) Romance And Finance - Citizen Jones (Flying Kitty) 10. [9] (2) Killing Time - Anika (Outbox/Rhythm) 11. [11] (1) The Listening Room - Neo Muyanga (BMG) 12. [14] (12) Elephant - Tim Wells (Indie) 13. [13] (1) Tap Into The System - Dorp (Contains Nuts) 14. [21] (14) Something Cool - Eden Brent (Rhythm) 15. [15] (1) Catfish - Albert Frost (Indie) 16. [17] (16) Lorraine Shannon - Lorraine Shannon (Gallo) 17. [12] (1) Three Piece Project - Siamese (Muskateer) 18. [16] (16) Koning Van Die Hawaiise Ghitaar - Jerry Shanahan (Gallo) 19. [18] (12) What's In A Box? - Serving Suggestion (Indie) 20. [19] (1) Forest Moon - Forest Moon (Forest Moon) 21. [25] (21) Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 22. [28] (22) In Different Voices - KJ Stone (Sonic Orange) 23. [20] (2) The Terrible Two's - Joe Public (Indie) 24. [-] (24) Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 25. [23] (4) Getting Stronger - SteveVan (Silvertree) 26. [26] (2) The First Born - KGB (Mothermix) 27. [24] (1) Gommora - Gommora (Gallo) 28. [22] (2) Never Before - Dayspring (Indie) 29. [27] (2) Live At Jamesons - Cherry Faced Lurchers (RetroFresh) 30. [30] (1) Disclaimer - Seether (Musketeer/BMG) READ http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ----------------------------------------- ------ MP3s ------ No new mp3's this week, because there are plenty of gigs and festivals that need your support, so drag yourself away from your computer and experience South African music live and in-your-face. See the "News" section above and the http://www.SAgigs.com website. However next week's edition of the SA Rock Digest (#199) will list a bumper selection of mp3's including a mini-Blues Boom from The Blues Broers, Kaal, The Mississippi Muthers, The Boulevard Blues Band and Albert Frost; some good-time rock from HappyFourTwenty and Martin Rocka, metal from new band Loogaroo and great Afrikaans pop and rock from Valiant Swart, Lize Beekman, Kop, Gas!, Piet Botha and Ekstra Dik. Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com ----- CDs ----- VALIANT SWART - SONG VIR KATRYN (SWART007, Rhythm Records) Here's Jan Scholtz, Valiant Swart and a mean posse of insanely talented musos with the magic behind the story. Song vir Katryn started April 10 on kykNET - Valiant Swart (Jinx), Therese Benade (Katryn), Mel Botes, Marius Weyers and others in a local and lekker story of 13 episodes. Musos like Valiant (umm - like - yeah! on vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, dobro, keys and harmonica), Schalk van der Merwe (kick-ass bass), Barry van Zyl (drums and spicy percussion), Melissa van der Spuy (ivory keys), Shannon Mowday (succulent sax), Mel Botes (brilliant electric guitar), Simon Orange (suave on keys), Schalk Joubert (yes - that bass), and Albert du Plessis with Anika (very unshabby background vox). The first track kicks you straight into dance mode with the Delta blues twanggg of the slide guitar. Whhrooom-whrooom goes the motorbike down the road with "Dans Met My Baby" - what a raunchy blue shuffle. "Wat's jou nommer Baby, wat is jou naam, en waar kom jy so skielik uit die bloute vandaan?" You will dance. Ohhh yeah. Then there's the deep, slow "Ek wens jy was hier". Find the old rock guitar rhythm and nuances of melancholy, listen to "Jy lag vir my oor jou glas se rand" - strong, no frills. "En ek weet dit is eintlik net jou donker kant." Dark hypnotic glimpses of a phantom woman in "'n fontein in die sand". In the breezy "Jakarandastrate" you hear the tale of the unquiet traveller, walking through strange cities, finding continents and islands, his search taking him home with "en ek volg my hart waar hy gaan". Yummy piece of slow sad love in "Hawelose Lewe". It's got a harmonica in there that will turn your heart into mush - "jou oë die weerkaatsing teen 'n muur van klip". Oh and here's "Lekker Verby", same harmonica, stuffed with happy thoughts. Also bodaciously frisky. "Dan vat ek jou ver met my saam langs die hoogspanningsdrade" and ooohh yes, "dan kuier ons saans met jou katte en jou tapes en jou wyn". Now we're getting' it on - "Meisie van die plaas, met jou wil ek rol in die hooimied, al wil jou pa my doodskiet" - listen to the shotgun talk! "Jy Is Opium". You hear an old, dark slide guitar with echoes of dark hungry nights and desolation. You see dusty red plains, wild horses, taste the heat. You see the guitar. "Die opium van my lewe is die lyne van jou lyf, jou oë die planete wat deur die melkweg dryf, en ek en jy ons wentel in 'n dubbele spiraal, hoe is dit dat ek en jy nog saam dans in die strale" - feel the hair at the back of your neck stand on end. GOOD ONE. "As ons ons harte aan die somerhemel hang, saam met Jupiter en Venus en die maan" haunts your ears and brings gooseflesh right into your room. "Die Sewe Af" chugs with a chummy rhythm from De Aar and back "waar die jakkalse tjank en die engele wag, om jou weg te dra na jou graf in die nag". The guitar snarls in the back while you shoot through the wind on the roof of the train. There's yet another mood change in "Verdwyn", with a moody, bitter and bluesy tune. "Herinnerings waai weg soos winterdatums" - previews Jinx and Katryn's evocative alliance. "Maar jy was altyd iewers in die gange of agter 'n gordyn" - and the guitar stays in your head. Then it disappears. The three 'jive' tracks are "Die son sak in Danville" (to the tune of Valiant's hectic 'Durbanville' creation), "Dad Se Vastrap", and "Hey Hey Katonkel", the tune about Jinx's motorbike. Two remixes of "Verdwyn" and "Hawelose Lewe" close the door most deliciously. Just a soundtrack? Yeah right. (Carina Laubsher) READ, LISTEN & BUY http://www.RhythmRecords.co.za/valiant_katryn.html ------------------------- HIP REPLACEMENTS ALBUM ON THE WAY The Hip Replacements are Paul Areal (drums, percussion), Mark Bennett (vocals, guitars), Andrew Donaldson (mandolin, acoustic, steel and slide guitar), Allan Lusk (bass, vocals) and Dennis Platt (lead guitar). For the past two years this "insurgent country outfit" has appeared regularly in venues around the Big Smoke, mostly at the Bassline and Roxy Bar Rhythm Bar in Melville venues, as well as The Mixer, The Bohemian, and The Horror Cafe. The Hip Repacements are about to release their debut album, which was recorded and produced by Willem Moller. The band play "songs of love, unnatural middle-aged urges, huismoles and 12-step recovery programmes - this is the sound of the New West (west Jo'burg, that is) - original acoustic guitar thrash with a twang and thunder shot through with acid cynicism". The group's pedigree stretches way back into the darkness of the 1980s and beyond, comprising members who've "done time" with Corporal Punishment, The Cherry Faced Lurchers, Bernoldus Niemand & Swart Gevaar, The Softies, The Spectres, No Exit, Heavy Weather, The Facts and Young, Dumb & Violent, among others. The Hip Replacements will be playing a rare Cape Town gig at The Independent Armchair Theatre in Observatory on Thursday 17 April. --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://www.cd.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------ Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music COMPLETELY NUDE, A BODY OF WORK: THE SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS Any look at the Springbok Nude Girl's body of work must be less complex than their music. The Nudies have volume, but also surpass sonic boom bands in musical variety - they are the band of a thousand riffs. That is not to say this ten-legged groove machine doesn't know a catchy hook or smooth groove. The five guys of SNG are (or rather were): Adriaan Brand, trumpet and synth; Francious Kruger, drums; Theo Crous, guitar; Arno Carstens, vocals; and Arno Blumer, bass. Their original rock has breathtaking moments, and entertains even when it doesn't make one gasp, from the relative simplicity of 'Neanderthal 1' to just about any song on 'Afterlifesatisfaction', 'Surpass the Powers', or even 'Relaxzor'. The Nudies could do it all: fast, heavy, and hard (yet not repetitive) songs, medium-tempo rock, or lovely ballads - sometimes all in the same song. Metallic blasts, thundering rock, clear singing, and precise control coupled with party enthusiasm - they don't run out of ideas through four EPs or CD singles, and four full-length CDs; hours of creativity inspiring creativity. I doubt they'll reunite like Sugardrive, who, when in rocking and non-aural tapestry non-monochromatic moments, are themselves a fine rock band, but we still have the band Kobus with ex-Nudies Theo and Arno. Kobus is... different, engaging, and inventive. Still, a nice double CD live set from SNG as a career coda would make many fans, like this one, feel their collection is complete, Nudie-wise. Sure, some few songs are replete with excesses, but songs like 'Giant Love Affair', 'I Love You', 'Shot', 'Supergirl', and 'X' among others, are awe-inspiring rock. The Nudies weren't one or two talents leading sidemen, but a tight rock ensemble. And though I own all their commercially available work, and though I live way over here in Texas, I still miss them. Goddank vir klank, y'all. Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com READ http://www.cd.co.za/legends/90s/springbok_nude_girls.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/samplers.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=springbok _________________________________ 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK ------------------------ London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music SERIAL BOYFRIEND - FRANK OPPERMAN AND PRIME TIME ADDICTION There are some that believe that the bar code stripes are the biblical mark of the beast, however, those well known thick and thin stripes that adorn Frank Opperman's forehead on the cover of 'Serial Boyfriend' are more like the mark of the beat. The term 'easy listening' is usually applied to those crooners of the 50's like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, however, listening to this Serial Boyfriend, I can't get that term out of my head, despite this sounding nothing like Old Blue Eyes. I think it has more to do with the way Opperman's raspy vocals seem to caress one's ears with a velvety sandpaper sound combined with the relaxed guitar playing of Michael Maxwell and Anton L'Amour. The opener 'Messing With Love' has rock written all over it, yet one never feels the urge to grab the air guitar. And that sense remains throughout the album. It's a bit like listening to the local drunk in the pub, but somehow he's more lucid, musical, makes a lot more sense and doesn't smell of beer and urine (Although if your CD smells like this, you're not really taking good care of it.) Other interesting tracks include 'Happy Birthday', a sort of Christian Rock song wishing Jesus a happy 2000th birthday and 'Sentimental Trash' with its acoustic rock sounds and clever lyrics. For those of you who enjoy this album, you are well advised to check out Frank's sublime version of 'Johnny Is Nie Dood Nie' on last year's Koos Kombuis tribute album 'Kombuis Musiek'. This was one of my musical highlights of last year. Those of you who haven't heard this album, take some time out from your prime time addiction and get addicted to this easy listening rock album. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com READ http://www.cd.co.za/legends/90s/opperman_boyfriend.html http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/kombuis_musiek.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=GWVCD17 http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=freshcd125 _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (13 April 1973) 1 [1] We Believe In Tomorrow - Freddy Breck 2 [2] The Love In Your Eyes - Vicky Leandros 3 [4] I Don't Wanna Play House - Barbara Ray 4 [3] Woman (Beautiful Woman) - Don Gibson 5 [5] I'm On Fire - Maria 25 YEARS AGO (14 April 1978) 1 [1] Mull Of Kintyre - Wings 2 [2] How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees 3 [10] Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees 4 [4] Desiree - Neil Diamond 5 [3] Subsitute - Clout 20 YEARS AGO (15 April 1983) 1 [1] Talk Talk - Talk Talk 2 [4] Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes 3 [2] Mad World - Tears For Fears 4 [7] Dirty Laundry - Don Henley 5 [3] Vyfster - Lloyd Ross 15 YEARS AGO (16 April 1988) 1 [1] Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlise 2 [2] I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany 3 [3] Always On My Mind - Pet Shop Boys 4 [6] Everlasting Love - Sandra 5 [7] Need You Tonight - Inxs Freddie Breck spent his 3rd week at the top in 1973 while the rest of the top 5 remained relatively static. Barbara Ray was into her 11th week in the top 5 and 13th in the top 20. Don Gibson had entered the top 5 the same week that Barbara Ray entered the top 20 and was the oldest of the top 5 hits Forget Beatlemania, in 1978 it was BeeGeemania. Occupying the number 2 and 3 spot simultaneously, the Brothers Gibb performed a feat that was only emulated only twice after this. Kim Wilde had the number 2 and 3 spot with 'Kids in America' and 'Chequered Love' in 1981 while in 1988 Climie Fisher was at number 2 with 'Love Changes Everything' and 3 with 'Rise To The Occasion'. Eagle frontman Don Henley enjoyed his only solo hit in 1982 with 'Dirty Laundry'. The song also made top 5 in the states, but stalled at number 59 in the UK. Interestingly, the hits from his highly successful 1984 album 'Building the Perfect Beast' failed to chart on the SA chart, but the album spawned 2 top 10 US hits with 'Boys Of Summer' and 'All She Wants To Do Is Dance'. In 1988 Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley along with local group Mas made way for Germany's answer to Kylie Minogue Sandra and Australia's finest Inxs. Sandra (Lauer)'s debut single was a German cover version of Alphaville's 'Big in Japan' entitled 'Japan ist Weit'. South African's at number 1 this week: Love Is A Beautiful Song - Dave Mills (1970) I Won't Give Up - Bruce Miller (1976) South African New Entries this week: 13-Apr-73 Toy Train - John Edmond 13-Apr-79 Kruidjie Roer My Nie - Anton Goosen 14-Apr-78 Bluest Heartache Of The Year - Clive Risko 15-Apr-77 Isn't She Lovely - Leslie Kleinsmith 16-Apr-76 Shame On Me - Gene Rockwell 16-Apr-76 But I Do - Richard Jon Smith 17-Apr-64 Breathless - Billy Kimber & The Couriers 18-Apr-69 Melody Fayre - Quentin E. Klopjaeger 18-Apr-75 Private Number - Lionel Petersen 18-Apr-86 What Have We Done To The Song - Tom Inglis 19-Apr-74 I Need A Little Love - Lionel Petersen 20-Apr-73 Harmony - Neville Whitmill --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section (named after the much-missed shop from Fishhoek) is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town The Passengers - 'Rule Of The Swallow' (LP) Soundtrack - 'Oliver' (original SA theatre version) (LP) Soundtrack - 'Shebeen' (LP) Hawk - 'Africa She Too Will Cry' (LP) Margaret Singana - 'Stand By Your Man' (LP) Flash Harry - 'Take What You Can' (LP) Cricket - 'SA vs West Indies' - 2nd Test at the Wanderers, Jan 28 - Feb 1 1983 with Charles Fortune commentating! (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com ------------ BIRTHDAYS ------------ April 14 - Ritchie Blackmore (1945), Deep Purple; Rainbow; Blackmore's Night April 21 - Iggy Pop (aka Iggy Stooge, born James Jewel Osterburg in 1947) April 22 - Peter Frampton (1950) April 23 - Roy Orbison (1936, died 7 December 1988) April 29 - Una Valli (1950) ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS A Readers Forum ----------------------------------- KRAMER KORDS Hi I am looking for guitar tabs for the songs of David Kramer. I just can't locate any. Can you perhaps help me? Jacques mailto:200057227@ctech.ac.za ------------------- EVOLVER I would like to book Evolver, a live rock/funk band, to play at the Grahamstown Festival. Please could they contact me asap! Misha Oswald 0832498707 maitlo:Emaiabcxxa7@yahoo.com {Do you perhaps mean Ubber Soul? Sorry, silly joke - Ed} ------------------- CT DRUMMER WANTED Hi! I am looking for a drummer for an established original mainstream rock outfit (in the Cape Town area only). Must be between the ages of 20-35 years. Must have own kit and transport. No hectic commitments (Able to tour). Must be serious about their music (NO chancers please). Influences: Nickleback, Theory of a dead man, Creed, Collective Soul. Please send your details to: mailto:weneedadrummer73@hotmail.com ------------------------- VINNI DA VINCI CD I am looking for the 'House Afrika Volume 2' CD by Vinni Da Vinci. I have tried looking in Musica and Look&Listen but no one seems to have it any more. Could you please let me know where I could buy the CD! Thanks! Chris mailto:christos.retsinas@workshare.com {Ed - Try emailing mailto:info@oneworld.co.za, they can usually track down copies of seemingly disappeared titles.} -------------------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com This section is sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers music searches, and the sourcing and recommending of songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@cd.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- -------- EVENTS -------- RUSTLERS EASTER UNITY PARTY Thurs 18th - Sun 21st April 2003 Rustlers has been rebuilt and reinvented as a small, more permanent party venue, it's now "One heart, One world, One venue, One Party". House, Trance, World, Funk and live music on one stage, over three days featuring African Sweat Huts with Niyan, West African Drumming workshop with Nicholas Kotei Djanie of Ghana Accommodation is camping only! Tickets (available from Rustlers only!) R200 (at the Gate) or R150 (pre-booked) For more info contact mailto:frik@rustlers.co.za ----------------------- 'WACKY WOODS - THE GATHERING' Thurs 17 - Sun 20 April The organisers of countless local music festivals have banded together to hold a four-day gathering over the April long weekend at Wacky Woods farm. This is set in the heart of a nature reserve and bird sanctuary on the Gamtoos River, 40 kms from PE and 500m down the road from the Gamtoos Ferry Hotel (10 mins on the old road from Jeffrey's Bay). Amongst the top names performing are: Steve Newman, Syd Kitchen, Dave Goldblum, Anton Calitz, Gerard O'Brien, Gerry van Wyk and many more. The festivities kick off on Thursday April 17, with DJs from around the country playing the first night. The live music starts on Friday (18) afternoon till late, Saturday (19) afternoon till late, Sunday (20) during the day, and then patrons are welcome to stay on Monday (21) for a relaxing time before going back to the big city once again. Camping, fishing, swimming, canoeing, bird watching, hiking and surfing are some of the activities to be enjoyed in and around the farm, and there are toilets and running water. For more info or to book phone Dave on 0825703134. Tickets are R80 all-inclusive (camping and music) for the four days. --------------------- BAD AND GOOD NEWS FOR JHB CLUBBERS Let's start with the bad news. Darklight Nocturnal Entertainment have released a statement to the effect that Omega Gothic Nightclub will be closing for a few months. The final party, a birthday-Jo'burg club reuinion-bandfest-etc event, called 'Armageddon' will take place on 3 May. Details (and there are some impressive details) are available at www.darklight.co.za. Part of the good news is that the club will be re-opening in a new secret location in a few months' time. The really good news is that The Red Room, the exclusive alternative nightclub, has a new arrangement at its venue and from this Saturday will thankfully be able to charge a mere R20 at the door, which will be a relief to many. This Saturday at The Red Room will involve the usual mix of music, from Portishead to Placebo, from Manson to Muse, from Depeche Mode and the '80s revolution to The Strokes and the glorious Indie movement, from alternative classics to the new and the edgy... The Red Room will also feature a CD stall with hard-to-find alt. releases every week. Come prepared. Check this site for party details and keep visiting the Red Room for intelligent Alternative parties. The Red Room is situated at the corner of Beyers Naude drive and Juice street (with entrance in Juice), at the new Le Club venue, Laser Park, Johannesburg. --------- SA PUNK --------- LAST BAND STANDING The Purple Turtle presents the annual 'Last Band Standing' competition running throughout the month of May every Wednesday and Saturday night. The Purple Turtle is one of Cape Town's favourite live music venues featuring established and up-and-coming bands. Previous participants in the Last Band Standing competition include: Scarlet Host*, Velve, About Blank, New World Inside*, and Mann Friday*. Winners can look forward to various cool prizes including recording time at Paris Studios. Bands can still enter for this competition. For more information, contact Francois on 084 737 3591 or Mariska 082 375 8991 * Listen to mp3's of these artists at http://www.SAmp3.com --------- REVIEWS --------- VUSI MAHLASELA DELIGHTS CARNEGIE HALL Vusi Mahlasela has just returned from the USA, where he appeared last week at New York's famous Carnegie Hall as a featured artist during a rousing concert entitled 'African Time'. The concert was put together by Jazz legend Hugh Masekela, and also featured South African music luminaries Jabu Khanyile, Busi Mhlongo, Kaya Mahlangu and Tsepo Tshola. This awesome line-up was backed by an all-star band of New York based musicians, and the 120 member strong choir from the La Guardia High School of Performing Arts. After a gruelling week of rehearsals at the La Guardia campus in midtown Manhattan, Masekela and friends literally took over the packed Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall on the Friday night. With his stellar band consisting of Bakithi Kumalo on bass, Anton Fig on drums, keyboardist Tony Cedras, guitarists Vincent Nguini and John Seloane, Morris Goldberg on sax and pennywhistle and percussionist Francis Fuster, the musicians quickly filled the famed space with the sweet sounds of South African music. Vusi's stunning performance of 'When You Come Back' and an exquisitely rendered 'Silang Mabele' will live long in the memory and were rapturously appreciated by the capacity audience. The gig also featured a performance by 'world music' superstar Angelique Kidjo, and a highlight was the surprise appearance of Paul Simon, who arrived onstage unannounced and presented Hugh - co-incidentally celebrating his 64th birthday - with a birthday cake! Simon was then persuaded to perform a song, and borrowing Vusi's Yamaha acoustic guitar, delivered a superb version of his 'Boy In The Bubble' track off his landmark 'Graceland' album. Mahlasela then went on up to Toronto where he appeared at the Harbourfront Music festival on Saturday 5 April, before jetting home to Mamelodi via New York. Vusi Mahlasela and The Proud People's Band will be performing material off their latest album 'Jungle Of Questions' at The Bassline, Melville on 30 and 31 May Tickets: R 60 - Booking is essential Tel: 011 482 6915 ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then please e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com in a plain text e-mail. ___________________________________________ 9.INFO -------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=AddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe BACK ISSUES http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com EDITORS Brian Currin Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com CONTRIBUTORS Don Bryce Carina Laubscher Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Shiloh Noone John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Proofed by Ronx SA Rock Digest Computer Systems maintained by Karl Hansen. Karl is highly recommended for home and office PC repairs in Cape Town. mailto:karma@iafrica.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>