SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #205 http://www.sarockdigest.com 16th June 2003 Established 27th January 1999 ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE: ---------------- Some of our subscribers did not receive the two previous SA Rock Digests - issues #203 (Monday 2 June) and #204 (Monday 9 June). If you received our subscribers' letter last week, and three editions of the Digest today (issues: 203, 204 and 205), then all is fine. If not, then please email us at mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=MissingIssues All previous editions of the Digest are available in our archives at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives/ So you don't have to miss any! All correspondence welcome! If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter! Rather email us at mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Are the Nude Girls back?... Sons Of Trout not breaking up... Mothermix Distribution... New Albums from Cofield Mundi and Piet Botha... a chat with Believable Addiction... Openroom Competition... Fresh Sampler winners... Cape Tango... Lank Sweat, Bru'... Kalahari Surfers... SA Punk... Reader's Forum... New Porn are here... Soulja live... the Last Band Standing Finals... Charts... Events... and all the recommended gigs at http://www.SAgigs.com ---------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ---------------------------------- For a full-colour 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 ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. ------------- 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 ONLINE CD STORE ------------------------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Springbok Nude Girls, Sons Of Trout, Mothermix Distribution, Openroom and Fresh Competitions 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Piet Botha, Cape Town Tango Ensemble 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Sweatband - 'Lank Sweat' 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Kalahari Surfers - 'Living In The Heart Of The Beast' 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, New Porn, Soulja, Last Band Standing 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- SPRINGBOK COMEBACK? Francois is troubled. Years ago he was the leader of a group that represented the best South Africa had to offer. A rock-solid winning combination with plenty of hits. But the time came to leave the scene that he and the others had ruled with such majesty for so long, and leave the field open for new, emerging talent. But now he looks at what has happened and he is deeply concerned. It's time to forget about retirement and get back to show them all how it's done and re-establish the pride in what can be achieved by SA's best. So he does the only thing he can in the circumstances, he puts down his packet of Lays and phones Rudolf and offers to come back and captain the team in the upcoming World Cup. Down in Cape Town some other Springboks have suddenly re-appeared (in a slightly altered line-up) as the legendary SA five-piece rock band that was last sighted doing a series of final farewell concerts a few years ago. Since then the various Nude Girls have been involved in various other projects - singer Arno Carstens has been fronting New Porn and singing on Breyten Breytenbach albums, Francois Kruger has been drumming for Luna's new band, and guitarist Theo Crouse and Francois Blom are due to release a second Kobus! album, following the critical (but not major financial) success of their debut. So the sudden re-appearance of the Springbok Nude Girls on the 'Jammin In Da Park - Free2Speak' music festival bill (Parktown Boys in JHB on Monday 16 June) has SA rock fans wondering about the possibility of a serious comeback from this adored '90's SA rock band. The Nude Girls are due to appear at the London MoshFest (supported by Mann Friday) in July. Seems their still-loyal following in London may have necessitated these reunion concerts. Or are these just some quickies, like those extra farewell concerts? Whatever, just stay away from Scotland! -------------- SONS OF TROUT - THE CURRENT SITUATION Following the success of their recent 'Odd Times' album, Cape Town favourites, Sons Of Trout, have recorded some new demos and are filled with a "new confidence and energy" as they head off in a new direction, some of them overseas. But the band have stressed that they are not breaking up but are rather now looking at promoting themselves more prominently in the international arena, with a lesser focus on SA gigs for a while. Jason Rosenstein is off to do some drumming in Bahrain while Mike Rennie, the group's violinist, will be settling in New York, and looking out for band opportunities in the US. Sons Of Trout have been a popular musical fixture in SA for the past seven years, they supported Hootie and the Blowfish in SA in 1998, and have headlined all the major SA music festivals. The band recently performed at the World ASP Championships in Jeffrey's Bay, a surfing and live music event that was televised to a global audience. The band also appeared on the 'Jerry Springer Late Night Live Show' on national TV in South Africa. Sons of Trout have already begun preparation for their eagerly anticipated fourth album to follow 'Take Me To Your Fishmonger' (1998), 'Ticks on George' (1999), and 'Odd Times' (2002). The first of their recently recorded demos to be released as a free mp3 download is a new song called 'Sold Out'. It will be followed shortly by a new version of 'Kom Psalm', a favourite off the 'Ticks On George' album. LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com -------------- MOTHERMIX DISTRIBUTION OFFERS DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR ALL BANDS AND LABELS It all started when The Mothermix Group founder Alexander Gregori spent some time thinking about how to make CD's more attractive and came up with a revolutionary price strategy: under R50 for a hot-off-the-press album. Read the interview at: http://www.cd.co.za/interviews/mothermix.html After selling about 1,500 CD's of KGB's debut album, 'The First Born', released on Mothermix Records, Mothermix Distribution was able to close deals with Pick 'n Pay and Musica recently. After only two weeks, 'The First Born' was sold out in many stores and Mothermix Distribution has just shipped its first re-order. "This phenomenal success for a small start-up company like us made me think again", said Alexander Gregori, "and I developed a unique new way of distributing CD's internationally, basically from the comfort of your own home. This incredible business opportunity is open to anyone and you can earn from R500-R2000 per month part time, or R20,000 and more per month full time. Mothermix Distribution was able to grow its catalogue over 1,000% in only three months and many independent artists, bands and record labels already make use of this phenomenal new way of distribution." Another great advantage is that the owners of the work, e.g. artists, bands or record labels, decide on the price of their CD's. Gregori continued: "It's really all about better service for a better price. We are all aware of the apparent "crisis" in the music industry, where we have an ever growing demand for music on the one hand, an ever growing supply of music on the other hand, and a bottleneck of labels, distributors and retailers, which prevent the end consumers to buy what they really want at a price they can afford. With this set-up, most of the music actually NEVER gets heard by the consumer! While the internet is a welcome alternative to get your music heard, this doesn't mean yet that anybody actually buys it, and let's be honest, we all want to hold the actual product in our hands! "Mothermix Distribution distributes all music through a dedicated network of distributors, who make sure that your music does get heard. We also allow labels to decide on how much they want to earn per CD, and present consumers with a better price than anywhere else. So this is a real team effort". People who are interested in either the business idea or in a distribution deal, can contact Alexander Gregori at mailto:alex@themothermixgroup.com -------------- OPENROOM COMPETITION 2003 Openroom Productions ran a competition during April to give bands the opportunity of winning a free high-quality production of one of their songs. It was really a difficult choice as there were many good, emerging bands that had entered, including Little Oblivion, 8 year Itch, Springcan, and Minority. After much disagreement among the judges it was finally decided that Gauteng-based band, Pyramid Tongue, would win the prize. This includes pre-production, recording and postproduction of one of their songs as well as the opportunity of working with producer Darryl Torr. The song will be submitted to various radio stations as chosen by Openroom Productions. Openroom Productions believes in the importance of pre-production, and wants to stress this by working with bands and helping them to get the best out of their songs. Patience and hard work is required! It is vital to work through songs thoroughly before even entering the studio and this pre-production phase in recording is so often overlooked. If you are looking to record and would like to find out more about pre-production, Openroom Productions would like to help you. They will meet with you and talk through some steps that will help you better your songs and your playing. Darryl Torr and the Openroom Productions Team look forward to working with Pyramid Tongue and hope that they will be pleased when they walk out the studio with their finished product. To find out more about Openroom Productions visit: http://www.openroom.co.za or Contact: Tanya Stander, Studio Manager at: mailto:tanya@openroom.co.za Tel: 011 453 4518 Listen to 'INCISION' by Pyramid Tongue at http://www.SAmp3.com -------------- FRESH MUSIC SAMPLER COMPETITION We had an excellent response to last week's Fresh Music 5th anniversary competition, thanks to you all! The 10 winners of those 20-song 'Wanna Get Fresh' CD samplers are: Michael Cross, Donovan Campbell, Joshua Creasy, Charl Fourie, Stan Bezuidenhout, Stephan Forster, Catherine Gray, Ryan McDiarmid, Mike Hahn, Eugene Lebreton. Congrats! Those CDs will be on their way to you shortly. READ http://www.freshmusic.co.za __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) Anything - Helen Desbois (Fresh) 2. [3] (2) Wonderboom Sampler - Wonderboom ('Tell Someone Who Cares'/DGR) 3. [4] (3) Die Mamba (demo) - Piet Botha (SAmp3.com) 4. [10] (4) Mooie Vrou - Kaal ('Blues To The Bone'/Indie) 5. [7] (5) Springbok Nude Girls Sampler (SAmp3.com/SonyMusic) 6. [1] (1) Shine - James Stewart (SAmp3.com/Street Level) 7. [16] (7) Get Some - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7'/Indie) 8. [5] (5) Push-up Bra - Uzo Blaker ('Volk Jou Ook'/Wildebeest) 9. [21] (9) Geraamtes - Ekstra Dik ('Uit Ons Koppe Uit'/Indie) 10. [6] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty ('Awakening'/Go!Hemp Music) 11. [9] (1) Jy Is Opium - Valiant Swart ('Song Vir Katryn'/Rhythm) 12. [8] (2) Spook - Spinnekop ('Soet September'/Afrimusik) 13. [18] (13) Mellow Drama Sampler - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/USM) 14. [19] (14) Bleed - Loogaroo ('Loogaroo'/Indie) 15. [20] (15) The Banded - The Narrow ('Selfconscious'/Intervention) 16. [17] (16) Moan In Blues - Akkedis with Albert Frost ('Husse Met Lang Ore'/Wildebeest) 17. [22] (17) Madiba 1990 - Bright Blue (SAmp3.com/Bright Productions) 18. [24] (18) Ek En Jy In Die Kaap - Lize Beekman ('Iemand Het Gesê'/Indie) 19. [13] (1) Tweak Sampler (Micassomix) - Tweak ('Dirty Sanchez and the Misfit Kidz'/BMG) 20. [23] (20) Pink Pork Noise - Benguela ('Digital Inability'/Rhythm) 21. [25] (21) Race Past The Sun - Dolly Rockers ('Glory Glory'/Indie) 22. [12] (4) A Man Like Me - James Stewart (SAmp3.com/Indie) 23. [11] (5) Let Us Be Heard Sampler - Various ('Let Us Be Heard'/Wicked Rock) 24. [-] (24) O Boereplaas - Kobus! (SAmp3.com/ENT) 25. [29] (25) 'Sense' - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Forest Moon) 26. [-] (26) Drop 'n Roll - Track 4 (Demo/Indie) 27. [14] (4) Pre-Seether Sampler - Saron Gas ('Fragile'/Musketeer) 28. [30] (28) Let's Get Naked - Evolver (Demo/Indie) 29. [-] (29) Ugly - Springcan ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 30. [-] (30) Incision - Pyramid Tongue ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock). -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [10] (1) Wrapped In Stone - Watershed (EMI) 2. [5] (2) Soil 7t7 - Soil 7t7 (Indie) 3. [6] (3) Kaal - Blues To The Bone (Indie) 4. [1] (1) Song Vir Katryn - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 5. [2] (2) Selfconscious - The Narrow (Intervention Arts) 6. [7] (6) Gypsy - Anna Davel (Rhythm) 7. [4] (2) Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 8. [3] (3) Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign language - Buckfever Underground (Indie) 9. [11] (9) Adam Tas - Nag Van Die Nerf (Wildebeest) 10. [13] (10) Uit Ons Koppe Uit - Ekstra Dik (Indie) 11. [8] (1) Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 12. [12] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty (Indie) 13. [16] (13) Wicked Demos - Various (Wicked Rock) 14. [22] (14) Confessions In Dub - Jerome Arthur (Forest Moon) 15. [24] (15) Mellow Drama - Phringe (USM) 16. [14] (3) In Different Voices - KJ Stone (Sonic Orange) 17. [9] (2) Wicked Rock: Let Us Be Heard - Various (Wicked Rock) 18. [15] (1) Ligdag - Laurinda Hofmeyr (Rhythm) 19. [18] (1) Luxury - Robin Auld (Free Lunch) 20. [23] (20) Roger Lucey - 21 Years Down The Road (3eM) 21. [26] (21) Ceremony - Cofield Mundi (Fresh) 22. [21] (1) Catfish - Albert Frost (Rhythm) 23. [28] (23) Afrikaanse Reggae - Various (Hoezit) 24. [17] (2) Something Cool - Eden Brent (Rhythm) 25. [-] (25) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) 26. [20] (2) Sacrificial Etchings - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 27. [25] (4) Motive For Breathing - PetFlyz (Intervention Arts) 28. [19] (4) Khetha - Khumbula (African Cream) 29. [27] (5) Elephant - Tim Wells (Indie) 30. [29] (1) The Listening Room - Neo Muyanga (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 ------ 'Sold Out' - Sons Of Trout The first of the new demos recently recorded by the 'Trouts' prior to the band's beginning an international push. 'Die Mamba' - Piet Botha Here Piet rocks out on the title track from his latest album. This is a tongue-in-cheek song about the life of a band on the road and the people they meet along the way. "Jong bokkies, bokkies om te byt". 'Die Mamba' has a great riff which aims right at the soul and the guitar solo in the coda has flashes of Machine Head-era Deep Purple. 'Made In Africa' - Cape Town Tango Ensemble The Cape Town Tango Ensemble was started by Stanislav Anguelov in 1996 as an accordion and piano duo. They added a double bass in 2000 and a violinist a year later, followed by an African drum, which was when their sound got really interesting. 'War' - 12th Avenue 'Klein Karoo Cowboy' - Jakkie Louw 'Lenny' - Joe Public 'Hands Down' - Track4 Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud ----- CDs ----- COFIELD MUNDI - 'CEREMONY' (FRESH) When you get a media release like the one that accompanies this debut album (with more spin then Shane Warne produces in a season!), one feels a little daunted to actually hear what it sounds like. Cofield Mundi's history sees her meeting Tim Parr at 11, who influenced her to write her own songs. At 16 she sang for cult Shifty band, The Aeroplanes, before studying in London and fronting a band called My My My in Boston. Back in SA, she specially composed and performed the song 'Lay My Head Down' at the wedding of the son of Botswana President, Sir Seretse Khama. That led her to Neal Snyman with whom she first recorded. She turned down the opportunity to work with the late George Harrison at Abbey Road Studios (!?), and refused to sign with a queue of interested parties, before eventually signing with Fresh Music and recording and releasing 'Ceremony'. These are all Cofield's own songs and they're not a bad bunch overall. 'Leave The Bones' is the stark and spacious opener with violin accompaniment, and first single, 'River', has a sweet, catchy chorus ("I wanna get Hi-Hi-High on you"). 'Count Me Out' is a trip-hop highlight and the likely second single. But too many of the 12 tracks on 'Ceremony' are given an '80's synth-pop wash with breathy vocals. Songs like 'Back To This', 'I Feel', 'Got To', and 'Trust Yourself' leave this obviously talented singer-songwriter's material sounding like a young Annie Lennox fronting Yazoo. When Cofield is given the opportunity to work in more challenging styles, one gets a glimpse of her potential, as on 'Days', a subtle rewrite of Astrid Gilberto's Brazilian classic 'The Girl From Ipanema', the guitar-rock of 'Give It Up', and the countryish 'I Forgive', another highlight that closes the album. On 'I Forgive', it sounds like all the musicians on the album decided to finish off with a blast, and gave Cofield a ripping Sheryl Crow-like slide guitar arrangement to let her hair down to. It left me keen to hear her stretching her voice and songwriting into a harder rock style. So there's enough on 'Ceremony' to indicate that Cofield Mundi has the songs, voice and ability to make the anticipated impact. Just keep her away from those soppy keyboards. (The Tortoise) -------------- PIET BOTHA - 'DIE MAMBA' (RHYTHM) As with Van Morrison (...relax), Piet Botha is an acquired taste, either his songs sound like the same chords and tune over and over again, or he's simply a musical genius, cut after cut. If you want to decide for yourself, then 'Die Mamba', Piet's new album of (almost) all originals is regarded by his devotees as one of his best, alongside his classic '`n Suitcase Vol Winter'. For these 14 songs Piet Botha worked with a more progressive producer, Lani van der Walt (Not My Dog), at Wolmer Studios. He was looking to give this new set of songs, and the whole album, an edgier feel to match some of his most harrowing lyrics in ages. As a result, 'Die Mamba' is an intense and intelligent piece of work, mixing sparks and flashes of South African imagery, border war memories, and love stories, into that acoustic ballad Jack Hammer style. All that is supplemented by saxophones, some cello, mandolin and even some banjo, adding to the deep emotion in all these songs. (SS) CATALOGUE: 'n Suitcase Vol Winter (1997)***** Jan Skopgraaf (1999)**** Bootleg (live) (2001)**** Die Hits (2002)**** Die Mamba (2003)***** READ, LISTEN & BUY http://www.PietBotha.com -------------- CAPE TOWN TANGO ENSEMBLE - 'TANGO IN AFRICA - EL TANGO EN AFRICA' (RHYTHM) If you're into Argentinean Tango, ranging from the old fashioned classical style of the first half of the 20th Century right up to the "Nuevo" Tango style developed by Argentinean composer and Bandoneon virtuoso, Astor Piazzolla, but always felt that it needed a touch of African rhythms, then 'El Tango En Africa' is for you. The Cape Town Tango Ensemble was started by Stanislav Anguelov in 1996 as an accordion and piano duo. They added a double bass in 2000 and a violinist a year later, followed by an African drum, which was when their sound got really interesting. 'Tango In Africa - El Tango En Africa' is the resulting sensual and dance-tastic album from the ensemble who comprise Stanislav Anguelov (accordian), Jacek Domagala (violin), Albert Combrink (piano), Basil Heald (double bass, bass guitar). The group have appeared on eTV's 'Backstage' and have provided the accompaniment at the very popular Argentinean-style Tango lessons held at venues like The Valve in Adderley Street and the Hidding Hall at UCT. They also perform live all around the Peninsula as well as at the Klein Karoo, Grahamstown and Potchefstroom festivals. First track, 'Made In Africa', establishes the Afri-Tango mood immediately and there's also 'Libertango' (remember Grace Jones?), 'Adios Nonino' and 'Jealousy'. Song titles aside, if you love to tango like Al Pacino, then this is for you. (SS) -------------- ASHTON NYTE'S THIRD SOLO ALBUM ON THE WAY Whilst waiting for upcoming tour dates in Europe with The Awakening, Ashton Nyte could be expected to be chilling out. Two Awakening albums and a solo release in the space of a year could be considered quite enough for any normal artist to have achieved for a while. But Ashton Nyte is no normal artist! Nyte is nearing completion of his third solo album, provisionally titled 'Sinister Swing', and will be showcasing tracks from it in pre-release form at an upcoming arts festival in Pretoria. -------------- INTERVIEW: AN INTERLUDE WITH BELIEVABLE ADDICTION Believable Addiction are a Pretoria-based band who have been around for a while but have only just found the right line-up, and a new sound that really works for them. They recently recorded a new single, 'Going Down', with Dave Cohoe (former Saron Gas drummer) at Grey Studios and this single has already been released to radio. Genevieve Watkins recently caught up with the guys from Believable Addiction at a band practice (or was it fooz ball practise).... And managed to get some coherent answers out of this hotly-tipped band: G: So who is Believable Addiction? - "We are Darren, Fagan, Dian, Bunny and Eben and we are from Pretoria" G: What is the band currently listening to and what are your influences? - "Listening to Hed PE, Coal Chamber, Disturbed, Soil and what ever tickles Bunny's fancy... and influenced by everything from Jimi Hendrix and The Doors to Slipknot and Mudvane" G: Where does the name Believable Addiction come from? - "The name Believable Addiction comes from a drunken state while f*cking with band names. It means everybody has got an addiction of some sort, but wouldn't be addicted to that addiction if they didn't believe in it" G: What has been your most bizarre and most interesting gig? - "Best gig was at The Songwriters Club, played an awesome gig with the band Orange, the bands just had a lot of fun with each other, and the worst was two power failures during the same set at a small festival in the Free State" G: Where do you see yourselves as a band in the next five years and in those five years, which international artists would you like to play with? - "We set high goals, so signed to a U.S label and making it big overseas, like to perform with Celine Dion (I like her voice Ha Ha), Deftones and Korn." G: Do fans need to support more or does the industry need to jack itself up? Who does the responsibility lie with? - "Both, the fans don't really support South African Rock Music, but the industry doesn't invest in rock enough. So the fans don't really get enough to listen to, but there aren't enough fans for the industry to invest in." G: Any final thoughts? - "Thanks to the people who do support and believe in South African music. Special thanks to Orange and Dave Cohoe of Grey Studios for the help and support, and to our management- G&H Management and EWM Publishing, thanks a lot." Genevieve Watkins For information on Believable Addiction, contact mailto:ghmanagement@hotmail.com --------------- 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 'LANK SWEAT' - SWEATBAND (RetroFresh) First impressions: sharp guitar by the sadly late John Mair, who wrote or co-wrote all of the songs. Classy, artful singing (by the classy and artful Wendy Oldfield). A solid rhythm section and backbeat. Overall: whole lotta catchy music goin' on. The first song, 'Shape of Her Body', sung by a woman about a woman, seems a tad odd, but "her skirt dancing in the wind" and "...naked to the waist" takes my mind off that. Next comes the magnificently flying 'This Boy'. 'Lank Sweat' is '80s rock, but 'This Boy' is a timeless rock song that focuses attention on the song, not on its era. 'Defence Mechanisms' fulfills a pop rock requirement and has me singing along by the second chorus. Never thought I'd one day sing along to a pop psychology term! '200 Watts'--Sweatband's show opener? When listening to SA bands like Sweatband I often think, "What great live shows they must have put on!" {Oh yes... saw them a few times at the old Pig and Whistle in Cape Town - ed.} Marvel of marvels, unlike most bonus tracks, these seven bonus tracks stand up with the A material of the original release. 'Rainy Day' has deliberately crafted lyrics and a sense of suspense. Wendy belts out 'All I Need' with rock-fueled lung-power--Thandeka could do a good job with this one, too. The CD closer, 'Nobody Else', is exultant pop that has me grooving (yes, grooving) along. 'Lank Sweat' has plenty of up-tempo rockers and a double handful of gettin' close songs. The shining musical pleasures of this tight band come from John Mair's sharp and inventive guitar and Wendy Oldfield's artily arch voice. Though I missed their live shows, alas, the power of Sweatband still moves me. http://www.new.co.za/~currin/sweatband.html http://www.retrofresh.co.za http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=sweatband Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com _________________________________ 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK ------------------------ London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music KALAHARI SURFERS - 'LIVING IN THE HEART OF THE BEAST' The Surfers gained a reputation in the 1980's of being a banned band. Apart from 'Akasic Record', released a few years back, all their other albums were banned by the apartheid government. With that in mind, one can't approach this record expecting sugar sweet songs about flowers and lovely things like that. In fact don't even expect songs about people ringing up their local pharmacist or having a bit of a cry. While many bands like Bright Blue and Juluka made some form of protest music, few did so as blatantly and vehemently as Warrick Sony and his Kalahari Surfers. Take the opening lyrics of 'Dance of the Young Fascists' which go "Some reluctant womb spat you out amongst the weeds of the Vaal where your forefathers cheated natives out of every inch of land". Even in these post apartheid days, this is pretty difficult stuff for some to swallow. But it's not just the lyrics that are difficult. The music is harsh and angular, opening with some piercing white noise going into non-rhythmic, avante garde, synth-driven music. Most of the songs that follow do get more melodic, but there is always a sense of foreboding in the air. More haunted than haunting, these songs are bleak views of the townships from the perspective of both those living there and those forced into doing military service there. This is very different to other "township-influenced" music that comes from South Africa. There are no infectious beats and sunny guitars, just hard hitting, in-your-face songs. Whilst most of the material is original, there are a few semi-cover versions of well-known songs. I say semi, as words are changed to give more meaning. Freedom's Children's "1999" is almost completely changed other than the paraphrase, "In 1999 will we still be around", while Nancy Sinatra's boots that were made for walking are converted into army boots that will walk all over you in 'Song for Magnus'. The album closes with 'The Voice of Rage and Ruin', which apart from being the bounciest track of all, is a cover of 'Bad Moon Rising' where the phrases "I see trouble on the way" and "Don't go out tonight, they are bound to take your life" take on completely new meanings. Someone I used to work with had a habit of saying: "I like a challenge" when asked to do things. Well, this record is for people like him because it is challenging, both musically and lyrically. This is certainly not for the faint hearted, nor for those who don't like to mix politics with music. But for those who are still reading this, this stands out as an essential part of South Africa's musical history as one of the few albums that was truly outspoken when it came to apartheid, and it paid the price. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (15 June 1973) 1 [1] Never, Never, Never - Shirley Bassey 2 [2] Can't Keep It In - Cat Stevens 3 [4] Get Down - Gilbert O' Sullivan 4 [9] Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley 5 [3] We Believe In Tomorrow - Freddy Breck 25 YEARS AGO (16 June 1978) 1 [1] Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees 2 [2] Night Fever - Bee Gees 3 [3] Make Love To Me - Kelly Marie 4 [15] Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M 5 [7] If You Can't Give Me Love - Suzi Quatro 20 YEARS AGO (17 June 1983) 1 [1] Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler 2 [3] Let's Dance - David Bowie 3 [5] Der Kommisar - After The Fire 4 [2] Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes 5 [4] Billie Jean - Michael Jackson 15 YEARS AGO (16 June 1988) 1 [1] Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil 2 [2] Get Outta My Dreams - Billy Ocean 3 [4] I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue 4 [5] Love Changes Everything - Climie Fisher 5 [3] My Arms Keep Missing You - Rick Astley ------------ CHART CHAT: ------------ 1973 saw local lass Lauren Copley jumping up into the top 5 with 'Kentucky Blues'. This was her 3rd top 20 hit; her first, 'Flower of Life' stalled at number 11 while 1972's 'It's Too Late Now' made number 2. Being only a tender 15 years old, Lauren had to be one of the youngest local stars to make the top 5. The Bee Gees continued their domination of the top 2 spots in 1978 with no change from the previous week. Meanwhile as the disco bug bit South Africa, Boney M had their 3rd top 5 hit with 'Rivers of Babylon'. The song was based upon Psalm 137 and was the group's only US hit reaching number 30 there. Bonnie Tyler spent her 3rd week at number 1 in 1983, a year that only saw 10 local songs on the charts. The number of SA songs had been constantly dwindling since a high of 37 in 1973. After the Fire made some headway up the charts while Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes were no longer up where they belonged. Midnight Oil were at number 1 for their 4th consecutive week while Kylie edged up a notch. There was not a single South African song in the top 20 which was not surprising as 1988 featured only 2 local songs, 'My Kinda Girl' by Cinema, which had just missed the top 5 in February, and a cover of 'Pump Up The Volume' by Mas, which had peaked at number 5 in April. South Africans at number 1 this week: One Day At A Time - Marie Gibson (1976) Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith (1979) South African New Entries this week: 16-Jun-67 Cookie - Jody Wayne 16-Jun-72 I Need Someone - Alan Garrity 16-Jun-78 Heidi - Peter Lotis 18-Jun-76 Take My Heart - Pendulum 18-Jun-76 Charlie - Rabbitt 19-Jun-82 Just How High - Mike Eager 22-Jun-73 Sunday Girl - Peter Lotis John Samson --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Bayete - 'Mbombela' (LP) Margaret Singana - 'Lady Africa' (LP) Asylum Kids - 'Solid Principles' (LP) Talking Drum - 'The Song, The Dancer' (LP) Syd Kitchen & The Utensils - 'Waiting For The Heave' (LP) Thomas Mapfumo and Blacks Unlimited - 'Chimurenga Music' (LP) Thomas Mapfumo and Blacks Unlimited - 'Zimbabwe/Mozambique' (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: Yvonne Chaka Chaka - 'Motherland' (sealed LP) Des & Dawn - 'Folk On Trek - On The Banned Wagon' (LP) Dog Detachment - 'The Last Laugh' (LP) Lancaster Band - 'Comic Strip Heroes' (LP) Sakhile - 'New Life' (LP) And! in case you missed last week's Digest, here again are those opening specials at Vibes Vinyl!! Circus - 'In the Arena' (LP) eVoid - 'éVoid' (LP) Rabbitt - 'Rabbitt 1972-1978' (Limited souvenir edition 12" Maxi single) Sweatband - 'No Sweat' (LP) V/A - 'Folk '75' (2LP) V/A - 'Original Mountain Rockers' (RED Vinyl) We pay top prices for top quality. Want Lists Welcome! Call us at: 021-683 5676 mailto:claus@vibesvinyl.com Visit our website at http://www.vibesvinyl.com ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- 19 - June Dyer (1942) If you have info on any South African artists' dates of birth, please send them to mailto:brian@rock.co.za?subject=birthdays ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS ------------------- A Readers' Forum featuring a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks! -------------- BYE BYE MISS AMERICAN PIE I grew up believing that the phrase, "The day the music died", from Don McLean's song, 'American Pie', referred to the day Buddy Holly died in a plane crash {3 February 1959 - ed.}. But as with most modern music, everything gets redone, revisited, and badly covered. So may I suggest that "The day the music died" now refers to the day TATU recorded 'How Soon Is It Now' by The Smiths! Where is the Cold War now that we truly need it! Lenny Mailer mailto:Lenny@rock.co.za Ed. - We agree! A close second is Madonna's new song called 'Hollywood' which is possibly the lowest point pop music has sunk to since Gareth Gates covered 'Suspicious Minds' last year. -------------- DVD'S ONLINE? Could u please let me know the best list of sites to buy music DVD's on the net. Should preferably be a South African company - my musical taste is live rap, R&B, jazz concerts. I have tried to do searches on the Web but to no avail. Thanks! Denton Ferndale mailto:ferndal@vwsa.co.za Ed. - try http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 -------------- DOES THE "B" STAND FOR "BENJY'S"? Hi Francois (Botha), Saw your mail on the Rock Digest last week regarding B-World. I signed the band to Tusk Music in 1995 and released the 3-track CD single and the 10-track cassette. The company was sold to Gallo in 1997 and they have not re-released the B-World stuff on CD. However the track 'Rain' has been included on the upcoming 'Rocking against the system Vol.2' album, which will be out at the end of June. Best regards Benjy Mudie Fresh Music http://www.freshmusic.co.za -------------- SAY HI TO RUSSEL COOPER! Hi everyone at the Digest Thanks for all the hard work in keepin' it together. May it last forever! Any musos who knew, worked with, or bought music instruments from Russell Cooper [Strand Music House, Pelegals, R. Muller etc] are invited to write to him at the following address. Russell is now a bigwig at Yamaha in Australia and he loves to hear from old friends. Oh yes, he also reads SA Rock Digest avidly. Russel is at: mailto:russki@iinet.net.au regards Don Bryce -------------- SUNWAYS NEWS Things are going well for Sunways in the UK and they've been busy gigging, averaging about 3 gigs a week. They also have their new website up and running at http://www.sunwayslive.com. Baie dankie Cheers, Sarah (Sunways) -------------- HORST WENDE Many years ago, in the days of the newfangled Stereo Radiograms being exhibited at the Rand Easter Show, an excellent LP recording by Horst Wende of South African songs was used by virtually all exhibitors to show off how good their equipment was. Songs included were, amongst others, 'Skokiaan', 'Zambezi', 'Hambe Kahle', 'Kwela', 'Fanagalo'. I have the Mono versions of these songs (kindly sent to me by another reader), but I am really looking for the Stereo versions. The album must have come out during the middle to late `60s. I believe the name of the album was 'Africana'. Any help will be greatly appreciated. That Guy In Africa... My Treetop: http://www.gds.co.za/northcom/ ICQ# 39461303 -------------- PIP FREEDMAN ON DVD I am selling Pip Freedman TV shows on DVD... If you are interested in obtaining a DVD of Pip Freedman, please contact sheri at mailto:kiwikatz@yahoo.com thanks! Sheri -------------- SIGUR ROS ARE NOT AFRICAN In last week's article about Dr Frank Lipman and the music he uses, I noticed you mentioned Sigur Ros. A misquote there, as they are not African at all, but from Sweden or one of the other north European countries. Definitely worth listening to, but hard to come by... Karina Ed. - Well spotted about Sigur Ros (they are from Iceland), but the article said that the Doctor used and recommended African music "amongst" and as well as other World music... Manu Chao's 'Clandestino' is also not African. But I can see how it could be confusing the way it was written. -------------- PLATFORM 6 In response to a recent request for info on Platform 6... The SA band, Platform 6, are well known for their '70's hit, 'Woogie Boogie'. But additional information on the band was, as far as I know, not readily available. So, a few months ago I decided to do my own investigation in this regard! I eventually ended up making contact with a member of the band as well as a relative of one of the members who supplied me with valuable information which I now wish to share with everybody who is interested in the history of Platform 6. The band originally started in 1966 when Hennie Botha (bass) and Mike Nosworthy (keyboards) decided to form a group after the band they were playing for ended. In March 1966 they were joined by Keith Taylor (vocals), Pierre Odendaal (lead guitar), and Jannie Labuschagne (drums) and started performing as Platform 6. The band was together until early 1970 when Keith decided to return to the U.K. and Pierre decided to go solo. Jannie got married and decided to quit the band and Hennie and Mike were left alone again! They shopped around Vereeniging (where they lived and performed regularly as a band) and eventually had George Cellier (lead and vocals), Hans von Burg (trumpet), and Innes van Niekerk (drums) join them. It was then that the band really started doing well as they were compatible as musicians and individuals. Platform 6 started recording and they were also popular on T.V. They also travelled locally and abroad for functions. In 1980 Piet Strydom (sax) joined the band and he was soon followed by Ramona Marais, who joined the band as an additional vocalist. All the members of the group sang harmonies and a few of them played various instruments. They cut a number of records of which 'Woogie Boogie' was the most successful. Since the band split in 1983, Hennie, Hans, Piet and George have remained in Vereeniging whilst Innes and Mike are in Johannesburg. Ramona and her husband, Willie, settled near Nelspruit. George contracted a very bad illness which attacked his muscular system a few years ago and he is practically a paraplegic. Hennie and Piet have suffered heart attacks and Innes is suffering from diabetes. However, the members of Platform 6 are still very positive about life and they get together on a regular basis to look back on many happy years of entertaining people and of having had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people during the band's travels. Regards André Korkie (Pretoria) mailto:akorkie@webmail.co.za Ed. - 'Woogie Boogie' by Platform 6 is available on 'The Best Of SA Pop Volume 3' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDREDD610 -------------- CAYTIE MARVELIS SAY BYE JOJO Funk soul Brudda's - The phenomenon that is Caytie Marvelis and was Caytie Marvelis has unfortunately come to an end, due to forces beyond da band's control, so yup another SA band falls to da mercy of the almighty "BREAKA UPPA BUG", but da band had a great time and many laughs and lots of free beer, and there will be side projects from certain guys in da band DATS 4 SURE. We will be finishing our album 'Perpetual Groove Motion' and it should be out end of June, so if ya want a copy of da funkest and most original beats around let us know. mailto:greg@offthewall.co.za Listen to mp3s by Caytie Marvelis at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html -------------- MASTERING AND ANALOG SYNTHESIZER WORKSHOPS Hi, Ankha is giving a series of DJ Mastering workshops in all the major centres of S.A. These workshops give you tips and techniques on how to squeeze the last dB of level from your master and with her extensive vinyl cutting experience, she will show DJ's how to get the "Hottest" cuts onto vinyl from their digital or analog masters. Next workshop 11th, 12th, 13th July Mastering Workshop Topics: Phase coherency, Equalization and Loudness curves, Compression, Rooms and Monitoring, Vinyl Mastering, Vinyl Jargon Buster, and Quality control The DJ Mastering workshop is over two days and costs R800.00 per person, all workshop material is supplied by Ankha. This is a "Hands On" workshop so bring your master along with you. Analog Synthesizer Workshop (1 day) Ankha's "Hands On" guided tour thru an analog synthesizer gives you an in-depth look at each section and how it works. She shows you which sections work with each other and how they work with each other, paying particular attention to the modulation matrix. Lots of tips and techniques to get you up and running A.S.A.P. Software and hardware versions will be dealt with. Ankha has been using analog synths since she was sixteen years old and still has her Roland SH3, which is in perfect working order. Cost of the Analog Synthesizer workshop, R450.00 per person If you attend both workshops (3 days) cost is R1000.00 per person. Thanks, Patrick Schärer Contact Details: Inhouse Records Tel: 011 326 1929 Fax: 011 886 3060 mailto:inhouserecords@syrex.co.za Listen to mp3s by Ankha at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html -------------- WWW.RECORDING.CO.ZA Hello everyone, we have incredible show week specials for this week, merely call us and we'll let you have pricing, Monitors, Mixers, Microphones, Software, Hardware, Soundcards, and more. M-Audio - a new range of soundcards (here soon) Samson - active & passive studio monitors 5", 6.5" & 8" Samson C-control - provides a control room Provides a control room matrix previously available only on consoles costing thousands. A unique solution for studios with multiple monitors, headphone mixes and tape or digital sources. Provides easy, heretofore impossible to achieve, instant monitor mixes or dubs. Select from three pairs of speakers with dim and mute. Use the talkback mic to give instructions to the musicians in the headphone mix. Push-to-talk also records slates. Includes a headphone amp with level control. Three sets of stereo ins and outs are included, with dubbing capability to three outputs. Recording World Contact Julia mailto:julia@recording.co.za 011 7925480 - 083 4402442 -------------- DRUMS FOR SALE The drums are: One full set of 'Tama Rockstar' (value R11000) with an expensive "Pacific Throne" leather Seat (value R900). A retail value of approx R12000. Will sell for R8800 ono Contact: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=drums -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com -------------- GET YOURSELF A LEKKER, NEW REDIRECTABLE EMAIL ADDRESS Are you tired of complicated hotmail or yahoo email addresses, or is your corporate address very uncool? Or is your favourite nickname already taken? For only R150 per year we will supply you an email address such as "yourname@rock.co.za" which will redirect to your current address. Choose from the list below: sarockdigest.com (be part of our community) rock.co.za (tell people what you love){sorry, but sex.co.za is not available from us - ed.} samp3.com (for mp3 addicts) saklank.com (for Afrikaans Rock fans) sagigs.com (for concert-goers) sugarman.org (for Rodriguez fans) vagabond.za.net (for Web Wanderers) Email: mailto:CanIgetAnewEmailAddressPlease@rock.co.za for details. -------------- 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: ------- Full details at http://www.sagigs.com Watch Out for: IAN HENDERSON - Durban's own mystery boy will be touring solo around the Cape coast of South Africa this June and July in support of his SAMA-nominated album 'Freefall'. LAZARUS - Hot new Cape Town band are launching their debut CD, 'Parallax View', at the Mercury Lounge in Cape Town on Tuesday 24 June 2003. 'ZIMBABWE RUINS'- Mann Friday, who are unable to perform this show at home in Zim without fear of reprisals, are bringing this electrifying and important stage show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (1-24 August]. First there are some preview performances in London (6th and 13th July 2003 at The Latchmere Theatre, Battersea) JA RULE - Multi-award winning Hip Hop superstar coming to SA in July for three shows. RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS COMPETITION - At Tempos every Saturday afternoon. The JHB leg of the competition is on Saturday 21 June featuring Turning Point, Blemish, Placid Rage, and Track 4. NEO MUYANGA - Neo Muyanga and band will be performing material off 'The Listening Room (Mudra No 28)' in Grahamstown on 30 June and 1 July. 'A MEETING OF THE GIANTS' - Sheer Sound present Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi, Zim Ngqawana, and Music Ye Afrika - 16 and 21 June in JHB and Bloem. KAREN ZOID IN LONDON - Karen Zoid and her band will be performing two shows in London during July at the Ukkasie Festival at Wembley in London (July 12), and at the Underworld in Camden (July 19). HENRY ATE SA TOUR - All the dates for the nationwide tour from June 25 - July 26. THE ROSWELL KINGS - Back with a new line-up in residency at the Independent Armchair Theatre, Thursdays in June BOO! - The crazy trio are taking their new album, 'TNTLC' for a European jaunt till August with one quick stop at The Bassline in Melville. See all those dates below. NIANELL - Still riding high on the nation`s charts and playlists with 'Who Painted The Moon?', Nianell continues to tour the country with her very special brand of aural magic, and has been in the studio finalising the production and mixes of tracks for her soon to-be-released second album. STEVE NEWMAN AND DAVE GOLDBLUM - Acclaimed guitar guru Steve Newman (Tananas), and singer/songwriter Dave Goldblum, will be performing together as part of a coastal tour they are doing together during June. 'JAMMIN' IN DA PARK' FREE2SPEAK CONCERT - With Springbok Nude Girls, Tweak, Wonderboom, Bongo Maffin, Skwatta Kamp. Monday, June 16th, Parktown Boys High School, JHB THE OPPIKOPPI 'HOND UIT 'N BOX' FESTIVAL - 8-10 August, OppiKoppi farm, Northam. Details of all these events at http://www.sagigs.com -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville A big Well Done!! to the management (Sean and Kevin) at the Mercury Live in Cape Town who arranged the under-18 alcohol-free FuziGish afternoon gig on Sunday. They, and many other venue owners, are starting to realise that most of the SA punks are between 14 and 18 and they want to go to gigs!! Hope these all-age, no-booze gigs become a regular feature of the Cape Town rock scene. SA's top Ska-punk group were in Cape Town for a quick visit before heading off on their Australian Tour. FuziGish's SA-flavoured ska and punk sounds are making waves globally with fans in Canada, Poland, Japan, USA, UK, Australia and Cuba. The group played two shows, one in the afternoon (from 1-6pm, supported by Squirmish and False Pretence) and then in the evening with Half Price and Curbdog as the support. There are some other rad shows coming up... holidays always pick things up! The most notable of those gigs is going to be the Purple Turtle on the 21st June. An assorted group of Cape Town band members (me included) are going to cover the song by NOFX called 'The Decline'. The classic song is 18 min long! See http://www.sagigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs -------------- LIVE REVIEWS: -------------- NEW PORN IS HERE Ah for Pete’s sake, just check the line-up. Arno Carstens on vocals and acoustic guitar, Albert Frost on vocals, acoustic and Fender, Brendon Jury on violin, Woody on bass and Barry van Zyl’s been seen throttling the drums. Sometimes there’s this yummy throaty cello. They are evil. Yes. Stand in front of them, experience their sound and they will - oh yes they WILL take you. But don’t be afraid. This is unadulterated hard-core thoroughbred local talent like you’ve never heard before. Albert Frost’s like a Ferrari on slicks, teasing the mike with a darker voice, his hands and fingers working at a pace that makes you stare and drool like a starved Salieri. Look out for the part where Albert and guitar echo Arno’s voice note for note. Sweet Mama, this ain’t no illusion. Have paper bag ready, you will hyperventilate. Of course you won’t be prepared for those insane classical solos, best just sit quietly and let it nibble at your spine. It’s Spanish, it’s sexy, it runs up and down oiled ladders, and Albert walks the stage with those stiff leggs, taking the guitar and shoving her right in your heart. Ah yes. Bodaciously delicious. Brendon reads the guitars, takes the sound of Albert and Arno and blends all of that with his violin, standing there, playing away, looking like not even Medusa on crack can faze him. Artist and instrument delivers with such quiet glee, it knots your gut and addicts you without even bothering to ask for permission. This guy is a breathing volcano. Never let the cool face fool you. Never. Arno’s totally relaxed, stopping conversations with the way his voice soars and dips, he dances, he teases, his guitar loves him, he closes his eyes and shows us where he’s at, singing with a cool kick-ass confidence that will make the mediocre want to puke. He is master of this niche that has no name. It has no boundaries, it’s new, free, and it’s bloody stunning. Look out for these songs. You will hear them and you will want them in your house. Another Universe Neon Girl Hiroshimama Something we started Dynamite Daughter My Boy Cooler Lifestyles Bitch Tonight’s Dragons The gig can be with the full band, or it can be unplugged. No matter. New Porn delivers with a hypnotism that you cannot fathom. Wait for Arno to return from the UK in a little while, and watch out for the new gigs. The CD should be ready in August. Be ready. I’ve seen their effect on crowds. They’re not just eye candy. These guys have created some of the best new songs you will hear in today’s maze of wannabees, doofus dudes and impostors. New Porn will renew you. Carina Melville -------- SOULJA Mercury Lounge - 12 June 2003 Finally, a sign of pure professionalism - a band who had clearly practised very hard for this acoustic "unplugged" gig. Given a prior warning of "this will be a quiet gig" from Soulja frontman, Warren Snaith, and watching support act Velves's acoustic, soft, lazy Sunday afternoon rock, I must admit that I was slightly biased in my expectations. For the record, I was wrong. This was by far the hardest, heaviest "unplugged' set I have heard in a very long time! Finding the stage over the sea of heads proved quite difficult (and I'm not short), and there were other distractions, like the drunk nutters dancing at the foot of the stage and Warren's "Beckham-style" mullet-inspired hairdo. However, his voice was by far the biggest distraction - it's fantastic! From soft to hard rock, it changed effortlessly throughout each song, providing a distinctive African flavour. He seems more than comfortable on stage, one hand on the mike, the other holding a cigarette. Two songs really stood out for me. 'Girlpower' was one of the first to be played, and only one word can be used to describe it... WOW!. If there were a chance for an encore, this would be the song that I would most want to hear, repeatedly. I have heard about their infamous song, 'F*ck America', and anticipated it throughout the performance. It was well worth the wait, and nothing like I expected. The crowd responded enthusiastically, judging from comments behind me, like "Give us more Motherf*ckers", and Soulja certainly did. There is a distinct Red Hot Chilli Peppers influence in Soulja's music, although they have definitely made their sound their own. With an album on the way, Soulja are on the march. Gabi Muller -------------- THE FINALS OF THE LAST BAND STANDING COMPETITION - THE PURPLE TURTLE The tension was high at the finals of the first ever 'Last Band Standing' battle of the bands competition, which took place at The Purple Turtle in Cape Town on the 31st of May. The first prize being a day at Paris Studios, or R1000, as well as a good old bottle of Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey! The first of the bands on the list were newcomers to the scene, 12th Avenue. With their indefinite in your face, no-nonsense rock, combined with their cutting edge stage performance, these guys knew how to make the crowd enjoy themselves. Solid beats, pounding bass, dynamic double guitar solos, and vocals to blow you away made their act a definite toughie to follow. Next up were the boys from A Perfect Day. Definitely born into the nu-skool way of things, A Perfect Day looks and sounds like today's kind of music. Pop Punk at its ultimate coolest, with the sk8ter Boi look to match. Not afraid to call it like it is, A Perfect Day looks and truly sounds like they're enjoying the music. Third up was Toyland. Heavy doesn't even describe what I'm trying say. These guys are Hard Core at its hardest of cores, and even join in on the mosh pit when given a chance during the show. Toyland knew how to break it down. Last up was 'Antipathy', ecstatic at the idea of playing last, due to the fact that they had played first in all of the previous legs of the competition. Definitely in a class of their own, Antipathy delivered a Hard Core, Nu Metal, Jazzy type of vibe to the show. It's refreshing to see a nu-skool band with a hint of old-skool blended right in. Third place went to 12th Avenue, much to the disappointment of the audience; Second Place went to Antipathy, and First place went to Toyland. Mark Hanekom ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs in a plain text e-mail. ___________________________________________ 9.INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubcriberAddressChange 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?subject=SARockDigest -------- EDITORS -------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest ------------- CONTRIBUTORS ------------- John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Carina Laubscher Don Bryce Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Wicked Mike Gabi Muller Proofed by Ronx A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>