SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #186 http://www.sarockdigest.com 20th January 2003 Established 27th January 1999 ----------*********----------- -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- An eclectic mix of new mp3s this week on SAmp3.com... brand new CD from Semisane... free CD give-away from KGB... new "best of" CD from The Awakening... debut releases from Forest Moon, Terry Griffin and Sarah Theron... Kurt listens to All Night Radio... John reviews Falling Mirror's 'Fantasy Kid'... a load of questions (and some answers) in the new Sounds Solutions section... Daniel Neville reports on SA Punk... Don Bryce saw Twiddler live in East London... Wicked Mike reports on the Durban(d) scene... and there is a bunch of recommended gigs at SAgigs.com... ---------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ---------------------------------- For a colorful and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://rock.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. ---------------------------------------- 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 ----------- Recent new releases on http://www.SAmp3.com include: 'Boneyard' - Metalmorphosis 'Dinosaur' - Forest Moon 'Eclipse (special edit)' - Tribe 'Jazzman' - Terry Griffin 'Man Met Kitaar (demo)' - Piet Botha 'Never Before' - Dayspring 'New Heart' - Phringe 'Room2Breathe' (sampler) - Semisane 'Shooting The Breeze' - Terry Griffin 'Suit' - 12Hz ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ----------- ONE WORLD ----------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Semisane, KGB 2.CHARTS: Top 30 mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: mp3s & CDs: The Awakening, Forest Moon, Terry Griffin, Sarah Theron 4.USA FOR AFRICA: All Night Radio 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Falling Mirror 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.FORUM: Readers views and comments 8.SOUND SOLUTIONS: Questions and Answers 9.LIVE MUSIC: SA Punk, East London Calling, Durbands 10.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- SEMISANE RELEASE NEW ALBUM Semisane's second album, 'Room2Breathe', is being released in SA this week on Musketeer Records. The Cape Town pop band's new album has already produced a charting single, 'Girlfriend (Of Mine)', and the 10-track album is sure to yield more hits during 2003. Semisane's successful 2001 debut album, 'A Life Less Ordinary', introduced the ex-Black Diamond gang's new line-up featuring their novice vocalist Tikara. 'A Life Less Ordinary' produced four successful singles - 'Alright', 'Trying To Believe', Southbound', and 'Right Here' - before being re-released to include the band's massive Platinum hit, 'Life', the theme from the first Big Brother series on M-Net. 'Room2Breathe' was recorded during 2002 at the Control Station Studios in Cape Town by Charlie Hamilton with Brian O'Shea as executive producer. O'Shea produced the band's first album and worked with Hamilton on the 'Life' single. The band's line-up is Tikara (vocals), Sascha Muller (drums), Chris Acker (guitar) and Nic Acker (bass). The bulk of the new material was written by Chris Acker and Tikara and moves from dance ('Rush Me In') to rock ('Gone', 'Anonymous') to girlie vocal pop ('Fly', 'Now That I Found You' and 'Breathe In'). The new album also includes the band's cover of 'Hold Me Now', the '80's pop hit for The Thompson Twins. Semisane are planning to repeat the hectic touring schedule that surrounded the release of their first album. The band's first live appearance for 2003 will be at Doodles Deli in Parklands (Cape Town) on Sat 8 Feb. After that, the band will be spending a few weeks in Johannesburg and surrounds for a series of concerts. Check out http://www.semisane.com for more info. Read http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/semisane.html Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists_l_s.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=semisane --------------------- KGB GIVE-AWAY Mothermix Records, the company behind Cape Town hip hop sensations, KGB, are pretty thrilled that the duo's controversial 'Kwaito' single is topping the SAmp3.com charts. So they have made a big pile of free copies of KGB's full album, 'The First Born', available to Digest subscribers and downloaders. To get one of these CDs in the mail, simply send an email titled 'The First Born' to mailto:kgb@themothermixgroup.com The first 10 e-mails received will each receive one copy of the "Best SA Hip Hop Album of 2002" (according to a very hip SA hip hop site). Please also remember to include your name and address. This is one KGB you'll want to find you. __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Album/Label) 1. [1] (1) Kwaito - KGB ('The First Born'/Mothermix) 2. [10] (2) Psycoparalysis - Dayspring ('Never Before'/Indie) 3. [5] (3) Go F*ck Yourself (demo) - Janie Jones (SAmp3.com/Indie) Level) 4. [7] (4) Arm Man se Hond - Pienk Prinsessie (Demo/Indie) 5. [8] (5) A Million Miles - The Space Committee (Single/Indie) 6. [2] (2) Don't Push - Mikanic with Ernie Deane ('Swimming With The Women'/Rhythm) 7. [6] (6) Johnny Sampler - Falling Mirror ('Johnny Calls The Chemist'/RetroFresh) 8. [30] (8) Passion Mother - Metalmorphosis ('Blistered'/Silva Moon) 9. [3] (3) Braai Pack (sampler) - Not My Dog ('Braai Vibes'/Sheer) 10. [4] (3) Red Rock City - Mac Mckenzie and the Goema Captains of Cape Town ('A Moment In Cape Town'/Wonder Label) 11. [14] (11) Losing Control - Venessa Nolan ('Burn'/Rhythm) 12. [9] (2) JK Voëlvry (sampler) - Gereformeerde Blues Band ('Voelvry Die Toer'/Sheer) 13. [25] (13) Beach Girl - Natalia ('The Street Level Sessions'/Indie) 14. [16] (14) Wasted Time - Illana May ('I've Gotta Try'/Yellow Rose) 15. [13] (1) Social Ills - Godessa ('Cape Of Good Dope'/African Dope) 16. [11] (4) Need - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/Indie) 17. [20] (17) So Jy Skim - Kop (Demo/Indie) 18. [-] (18) Gommora Sampler - Gommora ('Gommora'/Gallo) 19. [18] (1) Seether Sampler - Seether ('Disclaimer'/Musketeer/BMG) 20. [15] (1) The Maker - The Awakening ('Roadside Heretics'/ Intervention Arts) 21. [12] (6) Holy Water (sampler) - Wendy Oldfield ('Holy Water'/SAfm) 22. [17] (4) Jou Oë - Kobus ('Kobus!/ENT) 23. [-] (23) Kitty (Demo) - Piet Botha (SAmp3.com/Indie) 24. [29] (24) Strive (To Be Happy) - Paul Abro ('Songs From The Small Settee'/Indie) 25. [19] (3) Jeff - Sons Of Trout ('Odd Times'/Safm) 26. [-] (26) Stoute Boude - Anton Goosen en Beeskraal (''n Vis Innie Bos'/Gallo) 27. [22] (2) The Shape That I'm In - The Usual ('Born In A Storm'/BMG) 28. [-] (28) Vreemdeling - Dertien (SAmp3.com/Indie) 29. [24] (1) Believe - Mauri Moncada (SAmp3.com/Indie) 30. [-] (30) Sweet Stellenganga - Akkedis ('Voortvlugtend'/Rhythm) ----------- 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) Swimming With The Women - Mikanic (Rhythm) 2. [3] (2) Braai Vibes - Not My Dog (Sheer) 3. [5] (3) Lank Sweat! - Sweatband (RetroFresh) 4. [7] (4) Three - Sunways (Sheer) 5. [6] (5) Another Time Another Place - Ken E Henson (3rd Ear) 6. [2] (2) The First Born - KGB (Mothermix) 7. [4] (1) A Moment In Cape Town - Various Live (Wonder Label) 8. [12] (8) The Great South African Trip - Various (African Cream) 9. [8] (1) Kobus! - Kobus! (ENT) 10. [14] (10) On Track 2002 - Various Artists (On Track) 11. [20] (11) Live At Jamesons - Cherry Faced Lurchers (RetroFresh) 12. [11] (2) Roadside Heretics - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 13. [10] (1) Holy Water - Wendy Oldfield (SAfm) 14. [23] (14) Tap Into The System - Dorp (Contains Nuts) 15. [25] (15) Gommora - Gommora (Gallo) 16. [13] (1) Disclaimer - Seether (Musketeer/BMG) 17. [21] (17) Medicated - Chris James (Cooler) 18. [19] (18) Afrikaans Met Attitude - Vari-ous (Hoezit) 19. [9] (1) Cape Of Good Dope - Various (African Dope) 20. [15] (1) God Is African - Various OST (Sony) 21. [16] (1) Groen Kitaar - Gian Groen & Spinnekop (Afrimusik) 22. [18] (1) Between Two Lives - Cutting Jade (DGR) 23. [17] (3) dream hope fear - New World Inside (Revolution) 24. [22] (14) Take The Good - Duncan Faure (EMI) 25. [-] (25) Never Before - Dayspring (Indie) 26. [24] (8) The Other Side - Ankha (Inhouse Records) 27. [26] (1) Freefall - Ian Henderson (N3) 28. [-] (28) Forest Moon - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Forest Moon) 29. [27] (1) Ordinary Day - The Fortune Cookies (Muskateer) 30. [-] (30) Songs From The Small Settee - Paul Abro (Indie) Read http://rock.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 ------ Some recent releases on SAmp3.com: 'Boneyard' - Metalmorphosis Following on the download success of 'Passion Mother', here is another Hardcore Metal song from Metalmorphosis featuring Marq Vas. Prepare for some bone-crushing metal in this boneyard. Taken from their 1996 EP 'Blistered'. Visit http://www.marqvas.com 'Dinosaur' - Forest Moon See album review under "New Releases" below. 'Eclipse (special edit)' - Tribe A track from the Wonder Label's 'A Moment In Cape Town' CD. You've heard of "radio edits"? This is a "net edit" especially prepared for SAmp3.com by the Wonder Boys. 'Jazzman' - Terry Griffin A track from Jazzman Terry Griffin's debut CD 'Shooting The Breeze'. Visit http://rock.co.za/terrygriffin 'Man Met Kitaar (demo)' - Piet Botha Piet Botha sings about life on the road and the places he's seen along the way. This beautiful song will be appearing on 'Die Mamba' CD due for release in March. Visit http://www.pietbotha.com 'Never Before' - Dayspring The rocking title track from the debut album by Cape Town's Dayspring. 'New Heart' - Phringe Phringe's 'Need' refuses to leave the charts, and now we bring you another track from their soon-to-be-released album 'Mellow Drama'. Oasis influences abound, and this is definitely not a bad thing. 'Room2Breathe' (sampler) - Semisane Sampler from Semisane's brand new CD, see review below. 'Shooting The Breeze' - Terry Griffin The title track from Terry Griffin's debut CD. Cool jazz for those warm summer evenings. 'Suit' - 12Hz You've probably already heard the 'Tassenberg All*Stars 3' live version of 'Suit' on SAmp3.com, now listen to the studio version from 12Hz's debut CD 'Nou' released on Rhythm Records. 12Hz is a collaboration between Riku Lätti and Duusman's Jean Marais. Listen to all the mp3s listed above at the biggest South African mp3 website in the world at http://www.SAmp3.com ----- CDs ----- THE AWAKENING RELEASE CAREER RETROSPECTIVE 'Sacrificial Etchings' is The Awakening's sixth full-length album to date, and is an epic selection of the band's best work from 1996 to 2002. The Awakening has remained consistently popular both in South Africa and abroad, despite the fluctuating fortunes of the dark alternative subculture. More than a simple 'Best Of' compilation, 'Sacrificial Etchings' is a 15-track odyssey that features one previously unreleased track, four completely new versions of classic Awakening favourites, seven tracks remixed to current production standards, and a complete re-mastering for every previously released song. 'Sacrificial Etchings' takes the listener from the very beginning with the first official album, 'Risen' (we're impressed by the far heavier, new version of 'Sounds of Silence'), through 'Request', 'Ethereal Menace' and 'The Fourth Seal Of Zeen' to 'The Fountain' EP, stopping just short of 2002's 'Roadside Heretics' ('Vampyre Girl' from the same period having been left off that album's final tracklisting). The CD packaging features photographs from the different phases of The Awakening's existence, including shots from the Music videos, unreleased promotional photographs and shots of previous members of the band's ever-changing live line-up, digitally enhanced and catalogued into a beautiful visual interpretation of the album's aural retrospective. The album will be distributed internationally and the Awakening will be touring Europe in April/May this year. Tracklisting: 'The Dark Romantics' (single mix) - 'The Sounds of Silence' (Splintered Version 2002) - 'Vampyre Girl' (previously unreleased) - 'Eve' (Wish Version) - 'Before I Leap' (Dark Mix) - 'The March' (Single Mix) - 'Rain' - 'Martyr' - 'Maree' (Version 2) - 'To Give' - 'The Fountain' - 'Standing' (Solitude Version '02) - 'Dreams In Fire' - 'Sacrificial' (Lacerated Version 2002) - 'Amethyst' (Live Piano Version) Read http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/awakening.html Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=awakening -------------------- FOREST MOON - 'FOREST MOON' (INDIE) Forest Moon's debut album is the musical equivalent of a hammock, strung between two of the trees in the forest that surrounds the duo's small high-tech studio in Franschhoek where this chilled, nu-folk collection was recorded. 'Forest Moon' is an unassuming and gentle slice of melodic acoustic tunes with scattered rock and world influences, all embellished with soft vocals and harmonies and lush but not overdone string and vocal harmony arrangements. The duo met by chance when Belgian singer-songwriter Jerome Arthur knocked on producer-musician Greg Gordon's door looking for some cables. Arthur began his career with Belgian rock acts Hindu Nail and Cunzi while Greg Gordon grew up in Johannesburg and began drumming with bands and doing some home recordings at 16. During the '80's, Dave Matthews (yeah, that one with the 'Band') lived with the Gordon family and Greg collaborated with Matthews until the future US mega-star left SA in 1986. This album, which was carefully assembled over a two-year period, is mostly a quiet and calming musical ride through songs like 'This Love', 'Stay' and 'Just Like You Said', with the exception of the more pop-focused first single, 'Dinosaur', with its lazy, grungy '60's chorus. Right now (if Mojo magazine is at all interested), 'Forest Moon' is my favourite Sunday morning album. (SS) Listen http://www.SAmp3.com Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=forest%20moon -------------------- SARAH THERON - 'EGOLI VOL 1' One sweltering hot afternoon in Oudtshoorn, this dame steps on stage. It's the 'All Daai Jazz' show. Va-va-vooom! She's a hot, snazzy number in red, she opens her mouth, and out comes this throaty purr - a most delicious song about peanut butter and jam. The audience's thoughts about heat, ostriches and food are promptly discarded. She bewitches her microphone with an impish mixture of glee, sensuous jazz and culinary snags. The stage is her domain. She laughs, she teases, she transfixes. She tells you about food, cyber romance and curvy women, while her hips, hands and wicked smile add tidbits of spice to the tale. She is Sarah Theron. A divine enchantress who only needs one song to reverse the calamity of curves. Lo and behold, here's the CD. Engineered and mixed by Jasper Williams, and recorded at Radio Park Studios. Don't be confused when you check out the CD cover. It's called 'Egoli Vol. 1', but this stunning, sultry songstress looking straight through your spleen, does not look like Baby Botha at all. Egoli should be put in the past {For non-South Africans: "Egoli" is a local soap opera - ed}. This is Sarah with the voice. A voice the colour of warm caramel and cool deep lakes. The CD is alive with yummy jazz tones and smooth, cunning interpretations of Chaplin's 'Smile', a slow, sweet 'Cry Me a River', and 'Stormy Weather' without malice, but a lot of soft rain and quiet whispers. The tongue-in-cheek 'Peanutbotter & Jam' is right up there with a kick-ass, sparkling version of the traditional Afrikaans folk song 'Mamma, Ek Wil 'n Man Hê'. Sarah knots your guts with Joe Niemand's 'Voete van Beton' - this one is unashamedly open, raw, bold and bloody beautiful. She also does an intense duet with Joe in Track 10. You will also find more interpretations done by her in Track 6, 'You Are Too Beautiful', Track 7, a lovely languid 'I Am What I Am', Track 11, 'Stay With Me Baby', a fervent plea for truthfulness, one not even ole Lazarus can ignore, and Track 12, 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. So! Here you have twelve songs, stacked with the indelible oomph of piano, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, violin, viola, cello, melodica, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone and trombone. Quite the valuable music potjie, this one. Play Sarah's voice anywhere, anytime. She makes quite a delightful demand on the restless ear. (Carina Laubscher) Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=sarah%20theron --------------------- TERYY GRIFFIN - 'SHOOTING THE BREEZE' (INDIE) Terry Griffin began playing the guitar in the early '60's, playing briefly in two garage bands that did the local party circuit. He then settled into being a "one-man band" playing covers whenever anybody wanted to listen and began writing his own (largely folksy protest songs) in 1975, He continued in this vein until the late '90's when he met and recorded a CD of favourite covers with Dan Ahern. In 1999 Ahern introduced Griffin to Alvin Dyers, who became his teacher and introduced him to a whole new jazz interest. Griffin worked with Dyers on these songs, and all the songs on this CD have resulted from this collaboration. In May 2002 Griffin entered two of his songs - 'Shooting The Breeze' and 'Jazzman' - in the Old Mutual Jazz Competition and was invited to perform in the regional finals at the Galaxy. Beverly Rinkwest and Griffin performed the two songs, and following some encouraging reviews from Don Albert, one of the judges and a respected jazz critic, Griffin recorded and released his debut solo album, 'Shooting the Breeze', and is currently recording a second CD of his own songs. Terry wrote the words and music for all the tracks and recorded them in his home studio, playing all the instruments and doing all the vocals apart from the title track, 'Shooting The Breeze", where he is accompanied by the acclaimed new Cape diva Beverly Rinkwest. Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists_e_k.html#terry Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=TERRY --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://rock.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------ Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music ALL NIGHT RADIO - 'THE KILLING FLOOR' Beginning with a snippet of song that later returns as the intro to the title track, then plunging henceforth into a straight-ahead rocker 'Bernadette', and ending with 'Hopetown 1975', 'The Killing Floor' covers some righteous ground, from partytime rock territory to District Six. That every one of Steve Louw's albums sounds better than the one before doesn't mean each sounds worse as one goes back in time. This 1986 release is a nice rocker replete with rock-steady drums and clear guitars. A sophomore effort, as they say, but no sophomore slump, I say. This early promise has been fulfilled by the masterful songwriter Steve Louw has become. I say "Steve Louw", but of course other musicians play on 'The Killing Floor'. All Night Radio is Nico Burger playing electric guitar, slide guitar, and dobro; Mike Campbell, electric bass; Tony Drake on piano, organ, and sythesisers; Herman Eugster on drums; Mike Faure on the sax; Steve Louw singing; while Tim Parr plays guitar on 'The Killing Floor'; and others contribute to an album produced and engineered by Kevin Shirley. The hindsight entailed by listening to an earlier album shows that Steve Louw has worked with many musicians through the years, especially as Big Sky -- where the early promise of All Night Radio is made good. Here on 'The Killing Floor' you get a couple of covers and seven original compositions (I particularly enjoy 'Bernadette', 'Prisoners', and 'Hopetown 1975') on a drum-thumping and guitar-playing, and even sax-honking, album composed of some good-for-you-rockers, and some songs with a deeper social sensibility, all without a dog in the bunch. What more does one want from a rock album? Read http://www.stevelouw.com Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists.html 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 'FANTASY KID' - FALLING MIRROR Falling Mirror had released 'Zen Boulders' in 1979 and 'The Storming of the Loft' in 1980, both to critical acclaim. So 1981's 'The Fantasy Kid' must have been eagerly awaited by those in the know. And it didn't disappoint. In fact one would be hard pressed to choose between the first 3 Mirror albums (or all 4 of them for that matter). All the essential ingredients are here for another classic, the psychotic, wonderfully warped lyrics about cosmic and earthly things, the trademark rock n roll track, and some exceptionally fine guitar playing. Any album that includes the lyric 'And now the Ashtray is starting to talk' (from the title track) must be worth a listen. This gives some indication of the fragile state of mind of the band who were on the verge of imploding (hence the comparatively long wait till 'Johnny Calls The Chemist'). The brittle, vulnerable vocals (particularly on 'Ballad of a Failure') give a further sense of a band on edge. Yet among all this, they still manage to produce beautiful sounding songs like the country tinged closing track 'You Lost Your Way On A Dreamy Day' or the prog rock-ish 'Theme of a Dream' with its magnificent guitar solos. Few South African bands can claim to have produced 4 classic albums, in fact few bands in the world can make that claim, but every Falling Mirror album has been a classic. 'Fantasy Kid' still sounds fresh today and can be listened to time and time again each time drawing on different elements of the fascinating sounds and lyrics that Faull and Marias (aided by Tully McCully) have produced. So come on guys when do we get to hear 'Hammerhead Hotel' (the so far unreleased new album)? The wait is becoming so unbearable that this Johnny may just have to get in touch with his pharmacist for something to help him cope. Read http://rock.co.za/fallingmirror Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists_e_k.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=mirror John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://rock.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (19 January 1973) 1 [1] I'd Love You To Want Me - Lobo 2 [2] I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash 3 [4] I Need Your Love - Letta Mbulu 4 [8] Woman (Beautiful Woman) - Don Gibson 5 [5] Run To Me - Bee Gees 25 YEARS AGO (20 January 1978) 1 [1] Barracuda - Heart 2 [9] Substitute - Clout 3 [2] I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) - Margaret Singana 4 [4] The Name Of The Game - Abba 5 [3] Buccaneer - McCully Workshop 20 YEARS AGO (21 January 1983) 1 [1] Words - FR David 2 [2] I Don't Wanna Dance - Eddy Grant 3 [3] The Clapping Song - Belle Stars 4 [4] Heart Attack - Olivia Newton John 5 [8] Let's Go Dancing (Ooh La La La) - Kool & The Gang 15 YEARS AGO (23 January 1988) 1 [1] Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley 2 [2] (I've Had) The Time Of My Life - Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley 3 [3] You Win Again - Bee Gees 4 [4] Faith - George Michael 5 [8] Mony Mony - Billy Idol Don Gibson had had numerous hits in the US in the 50's and 60's. In 1972 he had his only SA hit with 'Woman (Beautiful Woman)'. Sources I have looked at suggest that this song was called 'Woman (Sensuous Woman)'. I am not sure if this song title was changed in South Africa or not. Answers on a postcard to the usual address. 1978 began with one of the biggest worldwide hits produced by a South African group crashing into the South African charts. 'Substitute' had entered the charts at number 18, jumped to 9 and then to 2. This weeks chart in 1978 also had an all female top 3. While FR David clung to the top spot in 1983 for the 7th week running, Kool & the Gang followed up the funky number 1 hit 'Get Down on it' with another top 5 hit in the form of 'Let's go Dancing'. The top 2 songs this week would end up being the top 2 songs for the year, while 'The Clapping Song' and 'Heart Attack' would end up as 18 and 19 respectively. As with 1983, this week in 1988, the top 4 positions remained unchanged. The new entry was punk icon Billy Idol's cover of the 1968 Tommy James hit 'Mony Mony'. James had had a number 1 hit in SA with 'Crimson and Clover' the follow up to 'Mony Mony', but 'Mony Mony' did not chart. The word Mony was an acronym of Mutual of New York, a sign on a rooftop that James saw when trying to write a song. South Africans at number 1 this week: Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow - Dealians (1971) Find 'Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow' (written by Neil Diamond) on 'The Best Of SA Pop Volume 2' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=cdgmpd40486 --------------- 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 Jack Hammer - 'Jack Of All Trades' (LP) Jeremy Taylor - 'Back In Town (Live in JHB)' (LP) Bruce Millar - 'I Won't Give Up' (LP) Malopoets - 'Malopoets' (LP) Charles Jacobie - 'Mockin' Bird' (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com ------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium on Main, Claremont, Cape Town Alan Hilton (021) 683 5676 mailto:ahilton@mweb.co.za ------------ BIRTHDAYS ------------ Jan. 20 - Crocodile Harris (born Robin Graham, 1950) Jan. 20 - Paul Stanley (1950), Kiss Jan. 20 - Eric Stewart (1945), 10cc Jan. 21 - Wolfman Jack (born Robert Weston Smith 1938, died 1 Jul 1995) Jan. 21 - Richie Havens (1941) Jan. 22 - Sam Cooke (1931, died 11 Dec. 1964) Jan. 22 - Steve Perry (1953), Journey Jan. 22 - James Phillips (1959, died 31 July 1995) Jan. 23 - Robin Zander, Cheap Trick Jan. 24 - Tony Cox Jan. 24 - Neil Diamond (1941) Jan. 24 - Warren Zevon (1947) Jan. 25 - Steve Newman (1952) Jan. 26 - Eddie Van Halen (1957), Van Halen Jan. 27 - Nick Mason (1945), Pink Floyd Jan. 29 - David Byron (1947, died 28 Feb. 1985), Uriah Heep Jan. 30 - Marty Balin (1943), Jefferson Airplane/Starship Jan. 30 - Allan Faull (1949), Falling Mirror Jan. 30 - Steve Marriott (1947), Small Faces; Humble Pie Jan. 31 - Phil Collins (1951), Genesis Jan. 31 - Phil Manzanera (1951), Roxy Music Jan. 31 - Johnny Rotten (1956), Sex Pistols;PiL ______________________________________________ 7.FORUM --------- HOGS DRUMMER WANTED For those of you who don¹t know already, Hog Hoggidy Hog have sadly had to say goodbye to yet another drummer. We will therefore be needing another one. If you think that you or anyone you know can fill the position. Please email us: mailto:hog@fishpaste.com or call Adrian: 0828775387 to arrange an audition. ---------------------- SO..... WANNA JOIN FUZI? Due to stresses and nature of touring a few line-up changes have been made to the FuziGish crew. Lord Zoltan and Skankin' Daddy have left the band. Both have personal reasons for leaving the band, such as other interests and commitments. Their time with Fuzigish will always be remembered and we wish them all the best in the future. They both contributed to where Fuzi is today! Skank on brothers. Thanks dudes! FuziGish are now looking for a trumpet/brass player to join the band. Must have a demented sense of reality, bad dress sense and be able to play foosball. Phone 082 330 7372 for an audition. ---------------------- SEETHER ON THE TONIGHT SHOW For years some people have been saying it, and now it's happening. While visiting my brother in Canada recently, I flip the TV channels late one night and, low and behold, there is Shaun Morgan! Millions of Americans and Canadians watch as Seether perform a rocking rendition of 'Fine Again.' When they are done, Jay Leno thanks them, and suggests you buy their debut album, 'Disclaimer'. So Seether have made it on to The Tonight Show as well as on to many radio stations in the US, and even got a decent review in Rolling Stone. On rocknworld.com they write: "Simply put, Seether is basically Nirvana with heavier guitars and in my opinion better lyrics". Some criticise Seether for not offering anything new, but there can be little doubt that they are soon going to be stars in the same league as Creed or Nickelback. So there it is, finally a SA band cracks it overseas. About time! Marcus Low {Ed's note: Marcus is a freelance journalist who has written for the M&G and the Sunday Independent and is now in Canada.} Read http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/seether_disclaimer.html Listen http://www.samp3.com/favourites.html#link8 Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=seether --------------------- BARLEYCORN AGM Notice to all Barleycorn Members and Interested parties: Annual General Meeting. Notice is hereby given in terms of Paragraph 5(d) of the Constitution, that the Annual General Meeting of the Barleycorn Music Club will be held on Monday 27 January 2003, at the River Club, Observatory, Cape Town. Commencing at 8.30pm. Please note that the continued existence of the Club depends on the will of the Members, so if you have an interest in the Club please make an effort to attend. Likewise the Club's survival depends on a Committee of dedicated able and motivated People. Several of the present Committee members will not be available for re-election. Please consider either volunteering yourself or nominating someone you think will be right for the job. Nominations can either be made at the AGM or emailed to Bill Knight. mailto:billknight@mweb.co.za ---------------------- INTERESTED IN SKWIRMISH? Hi my name is Sean and I'm part of Skwirmish, an original, young Pop Punk band based in Cape Town. The three piece is looking for any kind of gigs from around late-January onwards. If interested, please contact me: email: mailto:sean2me@worldonline.co.za cell: 0833557751 --------------------- LOOKING FOR JHB BASSIST I am looking for a bassist age 25-35 - funk rock - to join established JHB band. Please contact: Graeme Holtshausen mailto:graeme@rslsa.com ___________________________________________ 8.SOUND SOLUTIONS ------------------ AG PLEEZ!! I am looking for a very old favorite song of mine for a reunion party - I need to get the correct words. Can you help me with Jeremy Taylor's old song 'Ag Pleez Deddy'? thanx Kalyn Press Ed. - 'Ag Pleez Deddy's' lyrics must be the most Frequently Asked Question on the Digest and the SA Rock Files. The lyrics are here... http://www.rock.co.za/files/ag_pleez_deddy.html They are also here with a bit of an explanation from Jeremy himself... http://www.3rdearmusic.com/lyrics/pleezdaddy.html And you can visit Jeremy's website at http://www.jeremytaylor.info -------------------- LOOKING FOR SA PRESSINGS I'm trying to find a place where I can buy old records. If not originals, then re-pressings on CD or even old cassettes would be great. I've got the 'Flame' LP on Brother records and also 'Come Back Silly Girl' with the Staccatos, which I both really like a lot. But it's not easy to get hold of old SA records from Sweden. Hope you can help me. Ulf Bystrom mailto:ulfbystrom@hotmail.com {Ed's note: See Mabu Vinyl's advert above} ------------------------ TOMMI Can you please tell me what happened to Tommi, a family band during the seventies? I have an LP in mint condition called 'Midnight Special'. Music on it is just great. It is a mom and dad band with one son and two daughters. Please let me know. Jacques Mostert mailto:jmostert@pawc.wcape.gov.za ------------------------- LOOKING FOR ALBUMS I am looking for copies of: 1) Candy & Kisses - Geoff St. John - on the Philips label cat. # STO.776, and there is another number underneath 6355 041. Cassette # is MCSTO 776. Trutone was the distributor. Remember we are going back to around 1976/78. 2) Buttercup - Baby Love Affair - released by EMI/BRIGADIERS - # EMCJ(C) 11509. There is another number on the sleeve LSS 42, but I do not know what that refers to. I would love to obtain the above albums, on CD and/or cassettes. I am sure they have been deleted. Since I wrote numerous songs on both the albums they have a special meaning to me. Roy Bulkin and Michael Eager were others that recorded some of our hits. I am not aware of albums that were released by them other than compilations. I still have the home made cassettes of all the radio interviews that took place around that time. The music Biz has certainly changed, and every now and again I will get a note from someone about a Golden Oldie being played. Many thanks Ken Levine mailto:klus2648@aol.com --------------------- LOOKING FOR URBAN CREEP I have a couple of questions that I hope either you or someone accessing your site may be able to help me with. I am looking for a copy of 'Sea Level' by Urban Creep (on CD). Also are there any good South Africa music DVD's around. I am looking more for stuff like éVoid and Via Afrika rather than trad stuff. Cheers Trent mailto:trent_baby@totalise.co.uk --------------------- LOOKING FOR LYRICS Hi, I need to find the words to Jody Wayne's 'The Wedding'- its been a family tradition to have this played at weddings and as I am getting married soon, would really appreciate some help. Thanks a lot Jenni mailto:jvermaak2@toyota.co.za {Ed. - buy Jody Wayne CDs at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=jody%20wayne } --------------------- LOOKING FOR CUTT GLAS I came across your web site while searching for information about Cutt Glas. Unfortunately, it is impossible to buy their recordings here in Germany and I have already got all recordings available from the OneWorld cyberstore. In issue #130, the album 'Snykant/Cutts' is listed as "Beste Humoristiese Album". Is it possible to buy that CD? I also know that Cutt Glas has published a CD named 'Singcopation'. Is it still available in South African shops? If not, are you aware of any Internet sites or information boards where I could ask for a used item? Thank you very much for any help you can give me. Kind regards, Werner mailto:wh@lrs.eei.uni-erlangen.de {Ed. - Buy 'Slegs Glas / Glass Only' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=cdcll7042 } --------------------- LOOKING FOR CANAMII I am Kim, Gi-tae and I am a General Manager in M2U Records. http://www.m2urec.com/index_engl.html M2U Records is an independent reissue label specialising in classic highly collectable albums in 1970's. And we make Mini LP sleeve from original cover artwork. And now I will revive CANAMII: CONCEPT. So I am looking for CANAMII members. If you know, please help me. All the best, Gi-tae M2U Records mailto:m2urec@chollian.net Canamii on the SA Rock Files http://www.rock.co.za/files/canamii.html ---------------------- RODRIGUEZ One of the most frequently Asked Questions on the Sugarman.org Forum is where to buy Rodriguez CDs. Well, you can buy Rodriguez CDs online at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=rodriguez ----------------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com This section sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS http://rock.co.za/soundsolutions Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers: 1) Music Searches - Sourcing and recommending songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials 2) Music Licensing - Assisting in obtaining the publishing and recording rights for music to be used as soundtracks for TV commercials, movie soundtracks and other productions. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@rock.co.za ______________________________________________ 9.LIVE MUSIC --------------- RECOMMENDED GIGS See http://www.sagigs.com If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. --------- REVIEWS --------- --------- SA PUNK --------- By Daniel "More Phil then Gary" Neville HALF PRICE CD LAUNCH Wed 8th Jan - Dirty Dicks, Hout Bay. Right from the beginning I knew this one was going to be interesting - firstly this was the first time a show had ever taken place at Dirty Dicks and, secondly, Half Price were playing. Before the show started there was a bit of skating going on outside and by 8 the place was filling up. False Pretence took to the stage first and played their usual energetic set. The pit was going strong and I got hit in the face by a flying hand and my nose started to bleed, so Graham gave me a T-shirt because I was the first person to ever bleed for their band! Next up was Sweet Victory but unfortunately I could just hear them in the background because I was busy trying to stop looking like I'd been in a fight - but from what I heard and hear, they played pretty well. Then came Half Price, the band that we had all been waiting for. It's funny how every time I see this band they seem to get a little bit funnier, and tonight was no exception. Right from the beginning, Pete was making jokes in-between the best set that I have heard them play so far. The crowd was going off and the pit was insane especially when there were free CD's and stuff flying around. It was a brilliant show, good bands, great sound and cool venue. Hope to see more of these little parties going down at Dirty Dicks. Look out for a review on Half Prices' CD, 'Bush Bin Ladin And My Moms Nought'. [DN] --------------------- EAST LONDON CALLING --------------------- With Don Bryce TWIDDLER: YOUNG EAST LONDON TRIO WITH ATTITUDE Don Bryce found them jammin' in a Vincent granny flat Don't expect to hear about lofty ideals and ambitions when speaking to this band. If you ask them about their aims and aspirations, they will tell you that their primary goal is "to survive as long as possible before they die of starvation, and that they don't want to make much money, they just want enough for cigarettes". Their answers are flippant, but they have a serious approach to their music, with several quality original songs already to their credit. When they start playing, you realise that they could become a force to be reckoned with on the local music front. I predict that Twiddler will soon be supporting established bands. Justin Sanan, lead vocalist and bassist for the group, is also an accomplished guitarist, drummer and keyboard player. His brother Timmy, the band's guitarist, who is leaving for Port Elizabeth soon to further his studies in computers, will be hard to replace. If you are a young guitarist looking for a band and you think you will fit in, get hold of Justin. Twiddler draw from a wide range of influences, "everything from Metallica to Counting Crows to Dave Matthews", though they are working at developing a style all of their own. "Groovy" Marius Wium, drummer with a singular dress code, is instantly recognisable in a crowd, and I remember him straight away from the Tweak concert a few nights before at Settlers in Gonubie, where he stood out in his 60's hairstyle, striped pants and heavy rimmed glasses. "Single and available", Marius can usually be found listening to Cypress Hill in a horizontal position. When wielding the sticks, however, he suddenly focuses and develops some serious intensity. They launch into one of their own numbers, 'Friend', which sounds pretty good, since they only "wrote it last night, and this is the second time it's ever been played in its life!" As we talk, they go into 'Sugar Man'. Then we have two originals, 'Superman Land' and a nice mellow number, 'Game of Love', followed by some Tweak, the appealing 'Buy the World', and the mellow-hectic reggae to rage to reggae 'Down by the River'. They have developed that essential ESP, it shows in the way they run from one song to another with a minimum of verbal communication. In response to the question "Why start a band", they turn thoughtful: "Well, to refine our musical talents, but mostly for the chicks!" Music styles may change with the times, but the motive stays the same. Don Bryce (Twiddler is available to play at band bashes, festivals, private functions and parties, so give them a try. Justin can be reached at 083 6988 202 and Marius at 084 800 5969) ---------- DURBANDS ---------- An occasional look at the Durban rock scene by Wicked Mike. 2003 is here and the rumours (synonymous with drinking beer and loud voices) are that it's gonna be an attitude kick-in-the-arse for Durban. Witchdoctor Records and Wicked Rock have plans. Bands are sounding ambitious and organised. Greedy ears wanted for the rock 'n roll flow... Witchdoctor Records - It was the deliverance of what I'd being wanting for ages; a big band movie on the BIG screen. The latest Slipknot DVD pounded out of Gateway's Cinema Nouveau screen (it could be heard in the adjoining theatres and foyer) to bloat my senses. The image of a drummer strapped to a chair and rotating on a tilting floor will remain with me always. It was a pleasure to see the faces of holidaymakers as Metalheads, Goths and Slipknot-dressed patrons attacked the upper level. R2000 in prizes was given away. Congrats to Witchdoctor Records for good organisation. Apparently the new Korn is on the agenda. Seether - Wicked Rock narrowly missed hosting the incredible Seether at Durban's Wavehouse. An 11th hour decision by their record company was that the band should rest. Seether have been mapping the U.S.A. via bus, sometimes performing twice a day. Their single 'Fine Again' has been at #7 on the Billboard Modern Rock Charts for 3 weeks (an incredible feat considering that they're fighting heavyweights like Disturbed, Nirvana and the Foo Fighters). The good news is that after touring Canada, another tour will be precisioned to include Europe, Asia and (give me a "YAY!") South Africa. Durban will contend!! Listen to the Seether Sampler at http://www.samp3.com/favourites.html#link8 Fruit Fly Navigators - The enormously bad news is that the band is breaking up. The 'Flies' have been one of my favourite bands for a long time. From ninjas to santa, their shows delivered both entertainment and solid rock 'n roll. I will never forget their unplugged set at the Hilton Hotel. The bigger tragedy is that some of their best songs were recently recorded and had the making of hits. Good luck to those members that hit the British shore. Gareth, Craig and Dave remain South African and we await the next edition. WICKED MIKE http://www.wickedrock.co.za {Ed. - Look out for the lastest CD release from Wicked Rock titled 'Let Us Be Heard'; a double CD featuring a host of top SA rock bands of the last few years. Karen Zoid, The Awakening, Squeal, Fetish, Rhutz, Kelvin Declined, New World Inside, Sunways and many, many more.} This section is sponsored by: SMOKE SIGNALS http://rock.co.za/smokesignals A fully integrated publicity and events service, specialising in the music and theatre world. Band and concert promotion, press releases, media interviews and 'short hand hyping'. Contact: Brian Weinronk ph: (021) 4619152 mailto:brianwein@kingsley.co.za ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then 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. ___________________________________________ 10.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, 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 Wicked Mike Proofed by Ronx <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>