SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #207 http://www.sarockdigest.com 30th June 2003 Established 27th January 1999 ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------- If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter! Rather email us at mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com The deadline for submissions and gig info is Friday 12 noon. -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Gallo sign SA hip hop act... Dayspring... Neo Muyanga... SpringCan... NuSounds in Cape Town... New Stage Mag now out... Open Record launches first 4 titles... SA artists needed for US Festival... Retro Fresh release NFOH and OWBB... 'Grannysmith'... 'Die Mamba'... The Zoid album launch... 'The Message' at the Mercury... readers' letters to Sound Solutions... Charts... Recommended Live Events... with a full list of those concerts and all the details 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://rock.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 Daddy' 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: New Gallo signing, Neo, Dayspring, SpringCan, Stage Mag, US Festival. 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Open Record, Retro Fresh Releases. 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Piet Botha - 'Die Mamba' 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Grannysmith - 'Grannysmith' 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, The Message, Karen Zoid new album launch 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- SKWATTA KAMP SIGN TO GALLO The emerging SA hip hop culture has, until now, been predominantly an underground movement, and previously only acknowledged by some small independent labels. But hip hop has taken the country by storm and is set to become a major factor in the South African music industry. This is borne out by the fact that Gallo Records has announced the signing of the group Skwatta Kamp, a dynamic new SA hip hop group. Skwatta Kamp broke into the industry in 2001 with their debut album, 'Skwatta Kampain', which released through the independent label, Buttabing Records. The group's second album, 'Khut En Joyn', won them the 'Best Rap Album' award at the 2003 SAMA Awards ceremony. Skwatta Kamp is comprised of seven members and has collaborated with many artists during their career including N8ive, Spexx, Amu and Ramesh. The band's name derives from the many squatter camps (shantytowns) littered around South Africa's open landscapes. The group explained that the people who live in these settlements are seen as outcasts and a nuisance. This is the situation that Skwatta Kamp themselves have found in the music industry, where their style of music is not seen as an art form, but a passing fad. So the band's major label signing indicates an important shift in philosophy on both sides. Lebogang Mothibe, a member of Skwatta Kamp, stated that hip hop is becoming a musical form ready to be noticed. "Anybody can rap to the beat or rhythm, but hip hop is a way of life: hip hop is a lifestyle and lifestyles are relevant to the people. So, if hip hop can find relevance to the people, then hip hop is going places." Gallo believe that the hip hop culture, which has till now been a predominantly underground movement, and only acknowledged by some small independent labels in the past, has taken the country by storm and is set to become a major factor in the South African music industry. Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Gallo Music Group, Sipho Sithole, said: "As a record company and the only South African-owned major record label, Gallo wants to ensure that hip hop and rap music is given the platform and status it deserves. Our commitment is to continue to be a key player on the world music stage through showcasing our South African artistic talent, as well as ensuring that the product coming out of our stable reaches international channels: This is the intention with the signing of Skwatta Kamp." ----------------- 'AMANDLA!' OVERPOWERS 'COLUMBINE' The Videovision Entertainment feature, 'Amandla! A Revolution In Four-Part Harmony', which was released in South Africa on Friday, June 20, has already out-grossed the Oscar-winning documentary, 'Bowling For Columbine', in its first weekend of release. If you want some figures, then know that 'Amandla! A Revolution In Four-Part Harmony' earned R76,168 with eight prints, out-grossing 'Bowling For Columbine' on a per screen average basis. ----------------- NEO MUYANGA TO PERFORM IN ITALY AFTER THE GRAHAMSTOWN FESTIVAL Neo Muyanga, otherwise known as one half of the Blk Sonshine duo, will be performing material off his new, solo album, 'The Listening Room', at the Taphuis in Grahamstown on Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July, before leaving for Italy on July 11. In addition to Neo's numerous talents, he also happens to be fluent in Italian, and spent some time lecturing music in Italy, so it should come as no surprise that he has been invited back to a country that has been an important aspect of his musical growth in the past. This time, Neo Muyanga will perform at one of the largest music festivals in Rome on Sunday 13 July. The Villa Celimontana is an annual music festival drawing over 100,000 music lovers each year. Looking forward to these performances, Neo said: "I am hoping that the performances will be an interactive extension of the recorded music as it translates to a different experience every time we are on stage. I look forward to interacting with the audience in Grahamstown, joined by my band comprised of Priyesh Bhana on harmonium, Concord Nkabinde on bass and Barry Van Zyl on drums". The performance in Italy will take on a different flavour with the addition of percussive instruments and violin, featuring Neo Muyanga (guitar and vocals) joined by Priyesh Bhana (harmonium), Ashish Joshi (tabla, percussion) and Julia Kim (violin). ------------------------- 'NUSOUNDS' IN CAPE TOWN Mercury Live, Stage Magazine, and Urge Events Media have announced 'NuSounds', a series of free concerts showcasing the newest bands on the Cape Town live scene. The first three NuSounds showcases will take place on July 18, August 22, and September 19. Each show will feature three bands. Entrance is FREE to the public. Stage Magazine has a proud track record of showcasing new talent, through its many previous events and with Stage's extensive coverage of local music in its pages. Mercury Live is the premier venue for live original music in Cape Town, hosting several of Cape Town's (and SA's) finest performers almost nightly. Urge Events Media is an events, promotions and publicity company with more than 15 years' collective experience in media and entertainment. Details of specific dates and performers to follow. Contact URGE MEDIA: mailto:urge@worldonline.co.za ---------------------- DAYSPRING IN NAME CHANGE SHOCK After establishing themselves on the Cape Town rock scene as Dayspring, with their hit 'Psycoparalysis', the band has now changed its name to Six Of Nine. How come, we asked? David Kirkwood, the band's spokesman, explained: "We've been needing to change the band name for over a year now, since we found out that someone else owns the name as a trademark. There are also at least two other 'Dayspring' bands out there in the world. So, this has been on the cards for a bit." The band also parted company with current vocalist, Dave, and replaced him with ex-Southpaw vocalist, Eugene Vermeulen. As a result, Dayspring made the decision to take the line-up change and just call it what it is, a new thing, and as opposed to giving the old band a name change, just to give the new band its own name - Six of Nine. Dayspring performed their final gig under that name at the Wesley Hall in Parow last weekend. Now it's Six of Nine, with a whole bunch of new songs, and the new website, www.sixofnine.com, which will go up on the 31st July. (The Dayspring site will remain up for the next month). Six Of Nine will be on the Solarpop X-Tour in and around Cape Town during August alongside Serving Suggestion, 5-Star Society, Neshamah, Flint, Sidearm 66, and Not Guilty. LISTEN Dayspring's 'Psycoparalysis' can be downloaded at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html ----------------- SPRINGCAN TO REPRESENT THE FREE STATE AT BATTLE OF THE BANDS OFM has announced that SpringCan, the highly rated Bloemfontein rock band, will be representing the Free State at the 'Vodacom Beach Africa Battle of the Bands' Competition which is to be held at North Beach, Durban from 7-11 July 2003. The competition is being hosted by eTV, East Coast Radio, OFM and YFM. The prizes to be won at the 'Vodacom Beach Africa Battle of the Bands' are: - The winning band will win R15000 cash plus R5000 worth of music equipment from Music Land. - The two runner-up bands will win R5000 and R2500 respectively. - The top three bands will receive live airtime play on eTV, East Coast Radio, OFM and YFM as per organisers' conditions. SpringCan will be competing against 11 other bands from around the country. LISTEN download Springcan mp3's at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html ---------------------- SA ARTISTS WANTED FOR US FESTIVAL Leigh Barrett, a SA Music DJ on KRVM in Eugene, Oregon explains: Hi there! Most of you are familiar with me and you know what I'm trying to do for South African music here in the USA, and I hope you're as pleased as I am of the small breakthroughs we get as a result of the radio shows I do on KRVM, Eugene, Oregon. It has been hard to get the music here to Eugene without proper distributors, and it's frustrating for the listeners who want the great SA music I (and the other 2 public stations in the area) get to play as part of their collection. However, that's not what this is about - this time! KRVM is a public station, owned by the local school district, and has been running for nearly 55 years, growing stronger each year by not only offering great programming - the kind you just don't get on commercial radio (listen to Tom Petty's 'The Last DJ' for clues), as well as an awesome student broadcasting programme. Students from 5 of the local middle and high schools participate in a broadcasting class, where they learn about being a broadcaster, the technical aspects, and all the wonderful benefits of being on radio - learning self-confidence, self-esteem (you don't have to be a jock or a Grade A student to be on radio!) as well as learning valuable public speaking skills. The latest school budget resulted in KRVM losing all its funding, and we now have to be totally self-financing. A small group of us have formed a group called "Friends of KRVM", our goal being to keep a very public face on the station, as well as hold benefit events to raise funds for the station. In this way, we hope to increase membership (who pay a minimum of $35 a year, the money that keeps the station on air) and spread the word in a fiercely competitive market. I have mentioned to some of you that I have wanted to arrange a South Africa Festival for some time now. (For more details, check out www.geocities.com/safestival) An opportunity has arisen that may make a small festival in Eugene, Oregon a possibility. We are arranging a KRVM-Aid concert in early to mid-September 2003, and I would love to have a couple of SA artists involved. This is a benefit, so they won't be paid for the performance, HOWEVER!, there are plenty of opportunities for bands or singers to make money to pay for the trip by booking other gigs along the West Coast. Eugene is around halfway between San Francisco and Seattle, with Los Angeles being a few hours south of San Francisco and Portland 2 hours north of Eugene - in other words, plenty of appearance possibilities, chances to get the CD's into stores and start to establish a name. While the artists would be playing as part of a larger performance roster, (and not simply fellow South Africans), it's a great chance to get the music heard live. Established artists whose music is already played on world music programmes here should contact me. For those who can make it over and start to establish a name, there are other opportunities to play during that weekend to support the main benefit concert. For the KRVM-Aid concert, I'm looking for musicians who have a more "world music" or ethnic sound, rather than rock/pop/folk, as we already have those genres represented on the bill. This may require artists to seek sponsorship to get themselves here, but once here, you have an amazingly receptive audience, who are familiar with a lot of SA music already - and quite passionate about it, too! Regards Leigh Barrett Friends of KRVM mailto:krvm919@hotmail.com 479 Dublin Ave Eugene, OR 97404 USA www.friendsofkrvm.org www.krvm.org www.geocities.com/newworld92v ----------------- NEW STAGE MAGAZINE - OUT NOW Stage, the very popular SA music and entertainment magazine, will now be appearing bi-monthly instead of quarterly as it has been for many years. This is the result of a recent affiliation with the Johannesburg media company, Replay ITV Media, who are also known for their 'Replay' programme on SABCTV3. Cathryn Pearman has joined the editorial team alongside Gustav Andor and Lizl Strauss. The June/July issue of Stage is the one with the very sexy cover shot of Candîce (with a ^ on the 'i') with mike in hand. Besides the centre feature on our new blonde pop diva, there's the usual range of film, theatre, gig, and CD reviews all looking a lot fresher for the change. Subscriptions and other details at http://www.stage.co.za --------- 2.CHARTS --------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) Die Mamba (demo) - Piet Botha (SAmp3.com) 2. [4] (2) Springbok Nude Girls Sampler (SAmp3.com/SonyMusic) 3. [8] (3) Geraamtes - Ekstra Dik ('Uit Ons Koppe Uit'/Indie) 4. [10] (4) Drop 'n Roll - Track 4 (Demo/Indie) 5. [1] (1) Get Some - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7'/Indie) 6. [5] (5) Mellow Drama Sampler - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/USM) 7. [11] (7) The Banded - The Narrow ('Selfconscious'/Intervention) 8. [12] (8) Madiba 1990 - Bright Blue (SAmp3.com/Bright Productions) 9. [6] (1) Anything - Helen Desbois (Fresh) 10. [13] (10) Bleed - Loogaroo ('Loogaroo'/Indie) 11. [7] (2) Wonderboom Sampler - Wonderboom ('Tell Someone Who Cares'/DGR) 12. [14] (12) Moan In Blues - Akkedis with Albert Frost ('Husse Met Lang Ore'/Wildebeest) 13. [3] (3) Mooie Vrou - Kaal ('Blues To The Bone'/Indie) 14. [16] (14) Incision - Pyramid Tongue ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 15. [17] (15) Pink Pork Noise - Benguela ('Digital Inability'/Rhythm) 16. [18] (16) Race Past The Sun - Dolly Rockers ('Glory Glory'/Indie) 17. [20] (17) Let's Get Naked - Evolver (Demo/Indie) 18. [21] (18) Sense - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Forest Moon) 19. [9] (1) Shine - James Stewart (SAmp3.com/Street Level) 20. [22] (20) Ugly - Springcan ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 21. [25] (21) O Boereplaas - Kobus! (SAmp3.com/ENT) 22. [15] (5) Push-up Bra - Uzo Blaker ('Volk Jou Ook'/Wildebeest) 23. [27] (23) Sold Out - Sons Of Trout (Demo/Indie) 24. [28] (24) War - 12th Avenue (Demo/Indie) 25. [-] (25) Fallen - Velve (Single/Indie) 26. [-] (26) Paralyser - Ghetto Muffin ('Paralyser'/Milestone) 27. [19] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty ('Awakening'/Go!Hemp Music) 28. [-] (28) Die Mamba (Album version) - Piet Botha ('Die Mamba'/ Rhythm Records) 29. [-] (29) Girl - Myburgh ('Burnt Bachelor'/Indie) 30. [-] (30) Firelight - Brian Finch ('Never Look Back'/Indie) -------------- 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) Wrapped In Stone - Watershed (EMI) 2. [5] (2) Mellow Drama - Phringe (USM) 3. [6] (3) Wicked Demos - Various (Wicked Rock) 4. [9] (7) Uit Ons Koppe Uit - Ekstra Dik (Indie) 5. [2] (2) Soil 7t7 - Soil 7t7 (Indie) 6. [18] (6) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) 7. [10] (7) Confessions In Dub - Jerome Arthur (Forest Moon) 8. [13] (8) Ceremony - Cofield Mundi (Fresh) 9. [11] (9) Adam Tas - Nag Van Die Nerf (Wildebeest) 10. [4] (3) Blues To The Bone - Kaal (Indie) 11. [24] (11) TNTLC - BOO! (BMG) 12. [7] (1) Song Vir Katryn - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 13. [3] (3) Gypsy - Anna Davel (Rhythm) 14. [8] (2) Selfconscious - The Narrow (Intervention Arts) 15. [12] (3) Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign language - Buckfever Underground (Indie) 16. [14] (2) Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 17. [17] (17) 21 Years Down The Road - Roger Lucey (3eM) 18. [29] (18) Paralyser - Ghetto Muffin (Milestone) 19. [15] (1) Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 20. [16] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty (Indie) 21. [19] (3) In Different Voices - KJ Stone (Sonic Orange) 22. [25] (22) Afrikaanse Reggae - Various (Hoezit) 23. [20] (2) Wicked Rock: Let Us Be Heard - Various (Wicked Rock) 24. [23] (1) Catfish - Albert Frost (Rhythm) 25. [21] (1) Luxury - Robin Auld (Free Lunch) 26. [-] (26) Healing Destination - Mac McKenzie and The Goema Captains Of Cape Town (Afribeat) 27. [26] (2) Something Cool - Eden Brent (Rhythm) 28. [22] (1) Ligdag - Laurinda Hofmeyr (Rhythm) 29. [30] (1) The Listening Room - Neo Muyanga (BMG) 30. [27] (4) Motive For Breathing - PetFlyz (Intervention Arts) 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 ------ We will occasionally be running some readers' MP3 reviews in this section in the future. If you feel the urge to tell us, in less then 50 words, why you like a particular MP3 currently hosted at www.SAmp3.com, then please email us at mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews and all worthy contributions will be published. ----------------- RECENT ADDITIONS ----------------- 'Save Your Love' - Grant Nuss (Street Level) http://www.SAmp3.com This track is the second mp3 taken off 'Diversity', the recently-released debut album by Capetonian Grant Nuss. This is a gentle song about longing and loving, ideal for those long winter nights. ------------------ 'Jacob Klipkop' - Piet Botha (Rhythm Records) http://www.SAmp3.com A song that bravely tackles the effects that the Border War had on the returning soldiers. Jacob Klipkop struggles with civvie life and what was he really fighting for, and why did so many of his friends have to die. The haunting lyrics are offset by Piet's cheerful whistling, which makes this song even more poignant. Piet namechecks a few places that will bring goosebumps to many, like "Ondangwa" and "Ovamboland". READ, LISTEN & BUY http://www.PietBotha.com http://www.RhythmRecords.co.za ------------------ 'Orang Otang' - Brian Finch (3rd Ear Music) http://www.SAmp3.com 'Orang Otang' was penned by the larger-than-life Ramsay Mackay, the prolific songwriter from Freedom's Children, who now lives in Scotland. This song was originally recorded by Hawk and released as a single in 1972. It has been covered many times by artists like Kenny Henson's Harambee and Margaret Singana. Brian's new version off last year's 'Hero For Heroes' CD features the nDloko (oil-can violin) of John Gcaba and the wonderful harmony vocals of Mary-Ellen Blackman. READ, LISTEN & BUY http://www.rock.co.za/brianfinch ------------------ READERS' CHOICE: Johnny from Boksburg recommends: 'Strive to be Happy' - Paul Abro (Indie) http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html Cape Town singer-songwriter Paul Abro offers up a bouncy pop tune which, ... er strives to be happy, and generally succeeds. A catchy chorus, happy violin and merrily strummed guitar makes for an uplifting tune. http://rock.co.za/paulabro ----------------- 'Androgyne' - Ankha (InHouse Records) http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html A moody gothic instrumental, full of foreboding with the occasional buzzing guitar. ----------------- 'Die Trein' - Richard Black (Street Level) http://www.SAmp3.com/streetlevel.html One-time occupant of McCully's Workshop, Richard Black has spent his time recently fixing up his train. A nice bluesy guitar-driven instrumental that chugs merrily through some great South African scenery. ----------------- Email your MP3 reviews to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud ----- CDs ----- OPEN RECORD LABEL LAUNCHES FIRST FOUR TITLES Open Record, the newly established Cape Town record label, is about to launch its first four albums into the world. Those four new albums are from Benguela; Enkeleen; Alex van Heerden and Derek Gripper; and Brendon Bussy. Benguela are releasing their third album, 'Sui', a double album featuring six live tracks, and an album of 12 remixes by artists such as Felix Laband, Burnt Friedman & The Nu Dub Players, Paul Riekert, Goodmorningboy, Captain Asthma, James Webb, Dror Eyal and others. Enkeleen is Ian Watson (ex-Blackmilk), who is releasing 'Ek Is Legio', described as "a fertile album of free range orgaanika". Alex van Heerden & Derek Gripper are releasing the long-awaited 'Sagtevlei', some contemporary classical interpretations of klopsa folk melodies. Brendon Bussy's debut album, 'Diesel Geiger', is a blend of classical electronica, field recordings, African roots and Turkish delvings. The official launch of the new Open Record albums will be happening on Tues 15 July at Mercury Live - starting at 8pm with the first of four live performances starting at 9pm promptly. The line-up will be: Derek Gripper - new solo 8 string guitar material Brendon Bussy - and guests Benguela - improvising trio of double bass, guitar and drums Enkeleen - featuring all the ex-Blackmilk crew and more In a statement, an Open Records spokesperson also announced that "those four albums will be on sale for the very first time at the gig, at very much less than the average over-inflated prices, and you'll need to buy all four..." Details at http://www.openrecord.co.za ----------------- TWO NEW RELEASES FROM RETRO FRESH - NFOH AND OWBB The Retro Fresh label has been releasing some new, previously unreleased on CD, album titles to follow that recent release from the Radio Rats of 'Into The Night We Slide'. First up is 'Simply Otis Waygood' by Otis Waygood (they had dropped the "Blues Band" suffix by this time) which was the band's second album that saw the blues-based sound of their debut mutate into a more acid rock direction. The songs are longer and structured to allow for more improvisation on tracks like 'In The Sun' and 'The Messenger'. This reissue also includes six bonus tracks from their third and final album, 'Ten Light Claps And A Scream', giving this legendary Zimbabwean blues band's albums an almost full re-airing. The second release from Retro Fresh is called 'The Present Has Passed' and is subtitled 'The Best Of No Friends of Harry', which explains it all. N.F.O.H. can rightly claim the mantle as the first and most influential of the South African alternative/goth bands. For years they stood alone as the spokespersons for disillusioned white youth, tired of the pop fodder dished out by radio. 'The Present Has Passed' is the definitive NFOH retrospective and includes all their classic songs. READ & LISTEN http://www.freshmusic.co.za BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------------- VARI-OUS - 'GERAAS: ALLESBEHALWE! VOL 1' [SHEER] 'Geraas' is the Afrikaans pop music programme that has been airing on SABCTV 2 for the past five years. To celebrate this very popular TV show's birthday, Sheer Music will be releasing the programme's first compilation album called "Geraas: Allesbehalwe! Vol. 1". The compilation features the best of the new and old artists who have been popular on the show, with a mixture of Dance, Rock and some Ballads. Featuring hit songs such as Kurt Darren's 'Meisie Meisie', Valiant Swart's 'Donkerpad', and Johannes Kerkorrel's 'Die Ander Kant', this is a "BAKGAT" album!! ----------------- SWING WITH SWERVE The theme from the current 'Big Brother Africa' reality TV show has now been released. The rappy pop song called 'Take It Up' is performed by ex-Big Brother housemate Swerve and features guest artists Shaluza Max, Caz, and KBand Priyesh. This is the first time in Big Brother "history", that an ex-Big Brother housemate does the theme song for a Big Brother show, and unlike the two previous Big Brother theme songs, this song was not specifically written for Big Brother. 'Take It Up' was composed a year ago as a first single for Swerve, but Endemol, the series organisers, liked the song and chose it as the theme song just a few weeks before the start of the show on TV. Swerve was introduced to the South African audience as Irvin, one of the first Big Brother housemates in 2001 but waited for two years before launching his music career. A full album will be released in a few months. ----------------- AFRICAN FOOTPRINT The soundtrack to the hit export South African musical, 'African Footprint', was recently updated and remixed with additional songs and music as the 'World Tour album' by Ron "Bones" Brettell for the beginning of the current Australian tour. That's 90 minutes of new, original South African compositions, with no re-hashing or compiling of all the old stuff. The vast majority of the music for this production was written and composed by the late Dave Pollecutt, with contributions by Ron Brettell, Don Mattera, Richard Carter, Anthony Farmer and Mzwandile Menziwa. The CD album was produced by Dave Pollecutt and Ron Brettell. In the meantime, to cater for SA demand, a second local cast has been formed to perform at the Globe Theatre at Gold Reef City, Johannesburg from 29 July 2003. Some may regard this show, in some respects, as theatre or dance, but it is an important part of the tapestry of SA music. 'African Footprint' has already performed approximately 1,200 (mostly sold out!) shows since 2001. --------------- 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 PIET BOTHA - 'DIE MAMBA' (Rhythm Records) Piet Botha didn't have to look farther than his latest gig to find excellent musos, he just hired the Jack Hammer Band for his solo outing! A tight band, these longtime bandmates play perfectly together. 'Warm Heuning', the mood and tone-setting opener, has a golden, mellifluous sax, and earth and love. 'Bye Bye My Darling' tells of the Boer War and a man's slow-burning anger. To call 'Man Met Kitaar' a road song is to diminish it. Piet has written and sung about the road before, but never so poetically about a man's travels, and Jacob by the river with his guitar. Afrikaans blues, that's how I think of the album 'Die Mamba' as it reflects on life, and a people, yet makes us feel good and strong. But don't think the album is too grim - the title track is a tongue-in-cheek account (that's how I hear it) of seeking lovely young prey, with amigo Johno. 'My Heiland' showcases the perfect melding of drums, guitars, voice, and lyrical expression of this profound album that skillfully, not heavy-handedly, gives us something to think over with our musical pleasure. 'Al Die Stede' is a hard appraisal of the world today (love the honest line about the US), that ends as a paean to hope as "Nelson Mandela" is sung in bright, beautiful female voices to the fade. The clever 'Die Gemmerbroodman' moves nicely from jazzy-nightclub to heavy guitar. But beware, it is insidious. It has lodged in my brain, endures doses of Rodriguez, and won't go away - as if I wanted it to. 'Bordello' (a Jo'burg 'House of the Rising Sun'), and the thoughtful 'Herfsdagtes' are moving songs. 'Kitty' is a femme fatale worth chasing. The cheery whistling in 'Jacob Klipkop' belies the two war-torn veterans who understand each other in silence, as Jacob tells their tale. The instrumental coda, 'Jeffreysbaai', is a song of gentle swells and a reprise of the golden sax. 'Die Mamba' is an artistically mature album. Many of 'Die Mamba's' songs are poetic vignettes of human conditions, sometimes in a South African setting, sometimes lacking topical references and so are universal songs for all of us. READ http://www.PietBotha.com LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 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 GRANNYSMITH - 'GRANNYSMITH' I was going to start this review by pointing out the similarities and differences between Grannysmith and Des & Dawn, but then I remembered that you can't compare apples with pairs. The three musicians that make up the group look too masculine and too young to be grannies, but there is a bit of a Smiths influence here. However the influence of that seminal '80's band is very slight and there is fortunately not a tatu in sight. So down to the core of Grannysmith's music. If you're looking for influences, I think it's fair to say that there is a fair REM sound coming through. The guitars form the pleasant foundation of this tuneful rock album. This is supplemented by healthy doses of piano and string arrangements which give the songs form and body, often adding an air of melancholy. This is especially evident on 'Good Enough', where the haunting cello sucks you in while the piano gently lulls you into complete submission to the song. Adrian Olivier's quiet, breathy vocals add the finishing touch to this and many of the songs on offer. In juxtaposition to the quieter, melancholic ones, there are the perkier opening track 'All Ways', the bouncy 'Getting Stronger', and the nearly funky 'Time', which helped the album to finish 4 positions behind Watershed's debut in our Albums of the Year for 2000. ('Grannysmith' was at 13 while 'In The Meantime' was at 9). There is a real similarity between these two albums, although as our countdown suggested, Watershed's was just that little bit stronger. Overall, the mix of highly listenable-to guitars, delicate harmonies, emotive vocals, and atmospheric piano and strings make for a very pleasant listening experience. It is a very accessible album, in fact you can access it at One World and probably at your nearest CD shop. While you're all running out to grab yourself a copy of this, and while the hidden track (a sparse, moody piano instrumental) fades away, it time to move on. I can't think why I have this urge to listen to 'The Orchard' by Mann Friday now. BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=grannysmith 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 (29 June 1973) 1 [1] Never, Never, Never - Shirley Bassey 2 [2] Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley 3 [5] Get Down - Gilbert O'Sullivan 4 [4] Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Dawn & Tony Orlando 5 [3] Can't Keep It In - Cat Stevens 25 YEARS AGO (30 June 1978) 1 [1] Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M 2 [5] Heidi - Peter Lotis 3 [3] Make Love To Me - Kelly Marie 4 [6] If You Can't Give Me Love - Suzi Quatro 5 [4] Night Fever - Bee Gees 20 YEARS AGO (01 July 1983) 1 [1] Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler 2 [2] Der Kommisar - After The Fire 3 [3] Let's Dance - David Bowie 4 [8] Drop The Pilot - Joan Armatrading 5 [5] Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics 15 YEARS AGO (30 June 1988) 1 [3] I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue 2 [2] Get Outta My Dreams - Billy Ocean 3 [1] Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil 4 [4] Love Changes Everything - Climie Fisher 5 [5] My Arms Keep Missing You - Rick Astley ------------ CHART CHAT: ------------ It was week 4 at the top for Dame Shirley Bassey in 1973, although back then she was simply known as Shirley. Lauren Copley continued her pressure on the top spot with a second week at number 1. There was a nice balance of the sexes in the top 5 with 2 solo female, 2 solo male and a group of females with a male singer. However the women were certainly faring better. 'Stayin' Alive's' 11-week run in the 1978 top 5 (8 of which at number 1) finally ended, although the habit of being side by side with another Bee Gee hit could not be broken as it dropped to number 6, a position below 'How Deep Is Your Love'. Suzi Quatro's first top 20 hit, 'If you Can't Give Me Love', climbed into the top 5. Quatro also become the second act to be filed under Q in the chart history, following Queen's earlier hits in 1976 and 1977. Joan Armatrading had her second top 20 hit in 1983 with 'Drop The Pilot'. This followed up her 1980 hit, 'Me Myself I', which had peaked at number 13. Bonnie Tyler (born Gaynor Hopkins) was spending her 5th week at the top and was looking unmoveable. Her trademark husky vocals came about from a throat operation in 1976. The dropping of 'Beds Are Burning' from the number 1 spot in 1988 coincided with the band's announcement that all proceeds from the sale of their album 'Diesel and Dust' from which the single was taken, would be donated to Amnesty International. Apart from the drop down the charts, the song was no longer played as part of the weekly countdown. Kylie's 'I Should Be So Lucky' became the 5th number 1 by an Australian act, and was the only one to take over the top spot from a fellow Aussie. South Africans at number 1 this week: Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith (1979) South African New Entries this week: 02-Jul-71 Sally Sunshine - Clive Bruce 02-Jul-71 Flower Of Life - Lauren Copley 02-Jul-76 Celebrate - Julian Laxton Band 02-Jul-76 That's The Way - Lionel Petersen 03-Jul-70 Round And Around - John Edmond 03-Jul-82 I Like - John Ireland 04-Jul-69 Montreal - Judy Page 04-Jul-75 Baby Love Affair - Buttercup 04-Jul-75 Another Love To Come - Cornelia 05-Jul-74 Give A Little Love - Little Ronnie Joyce 05-Jul-74 Baby, Baby Answer Me (I'm Calling) - Peter Vee 05-Jul-80 Paradise Road - Joy John Samson --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. --------------- MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town ***THIRD ANNIVERSARY SALE*** Jacques Vosloo opened Mabu Vinyl three years ago as a section of a second-hand shop in Kloof Street in Gardens, Cape Town. Since then the shop has moved a few yards down the pavement to its current premises. To mark this occasion, Mabu Vinyl is holding a 3rd anniversary sale with discounts of up to 50% on selected items! Final Week!! This week's specials: John Edmond - 'Rhodesia-The Brave and The Beautiful' (LP) Patrick Mynhardt - 'Reads Herman Charles Bosman - 4 Stories' (LP) John Berks - 'The Best Of John Berks' (LP) Mankunku Quartet - 'Yakal Inkomo' (LP) Yvonne Chaka Chaka - 'Sangoma' (LP) Sakhile - 'Phambili' (LP) Sipho Gumede - 'Thank You for Listening' (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: Various Artists - 'Pop Shop No's 1 - 50' complete (Offers!) (LP) Kramer/Petersen - 'District Six' (Original release) (LP) Kramer/Petersen - 'District Six' (With 3 Tracks substituted from Original) (LP) Kramer/Petersen - 'Fairyland' (LP) Sipho Gumede - 'We Know Who We Are' (LP) Miriam Makeba - 'Miriam Makeba Goes International' (LP) 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 ----------- JULY 10 - Rodriguez (1942) 16 - PJ Powers (born Penelope Jane Dunlop, 1960), Hotline 17 - Julian Laxton (1944), Freedom's Children, Hawk, Julian Laxton Band 18 - Piet Botha (1955), Raven, Wildebeest, Jack Hammer 23 - Amanda Strydom (1956) 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! -------------- WHY THE F***ING STARS? I've noticed that on the SA Rock Digest you always put * in certain swear words like f*ck, and sh*t, etc. Why? Is this a form of censorship? Thanks Joe Moor Ed. - Easy Joe, nothing like that at all, we just don't want to attract surfers looking for certain porn site-linked keywords, and we are trying to avoid being bounced by some ISP's who look out for those words in incoming emails. Okay? Now p*ss off! ----------------- WAS IT JIM BAKKER? Do you maybe know who was the singer of a song called 'Heaven Is My Woman's Love"? I think it was a hit in the '70's. Regards Elize mailto:ElizeT@denel.co.za Ed. - It was US singer Tommy Overstreet in 1973. -------------------- GOSPEL COMPANIES I am looking for a list of South Africa gospel record companies? Also are there any contacts in the mainstream record companies that I could have as well on this one. Thanks Maseda Ratshikuni mailto:MasedaR@nedcor.com Ed. - Not sure of the names of independent Gospel labels, but most of the major SA record companies have Gospel artists and titles on their catalogues. There is a list of these companies, and contact details at our SA Record Companies section at http://rock.co.za/sarecord.htm --------------------- WHO SANG 'MAMA LAND'? Who sang the song "African Beer" or Mkomboti? I wanna know where this lady is. She also sang the song "Mama Land" Goes something like "You that man, telling me go, from my land, my Mama Land? where can I buy this album? and what is it called? Thanks mailto:Ekimori@aol.com -------------------- SWOP SHOP I'm putting together a nationwide "Musicians Bartering Club". Please let me know if anyone is interested. Peter Paul mailto:peterpaul@apni.net ED. - Please let us have more details about this for our readers. We have this excellent bass player we want to barter for a lead guitarist/vocalist, drummer, and other bass player. ----------------- SCOTLAND THE ANNOYED? Dear Mr. Editor Sorry if I'm wasting your time at all, but I'll be brief {famous last words - ed.}. In your SA Rock Digest Newsletter from two weeks ago (issue #205) you mentioned something in your news section which caught my eye, concerning the very possible re-emergence of the Springbok Nude Girls as a major force in SA, and (who knows?) world music. In mentioning that they would be playing at the London Moshfest in July (which more or less made my day) you said something like 'Whatever, so long as they don't go to Scotland!' OK, we might have the cloudiest, sh*t-rotten piece of land in the world, the most unbelievably ugly females, a mediaeval sectarian problem and a 'pretendy' parliament to boot but hell we pride ourselves on having the biggest, bravest (if the most critical) music scene in Western Europe. God! We've even got one of Eddie van Halen's guitars in a closet in the Cathouse! (That's Union St., Glasgow, if you're ever in town.) Fair enough, you could've been meaning any one of two things. Perhaps, beyond my knowledge, Carstens & Co. put on their snow-shoes and made it up north at some point in my early adolescence to be welcomed with boos and hisses by the Scottish rocking public in some backstreet brothel-cum-pub. Or perhaps you've another reason for slating my pathetic little thingemy-nation. So if you have 5 seconds spare this week, (that's one for each million of our population) then explain to me why the Nude Girls shouldn't come to Scotland. Just in case you're wondering how I came to be a subscriber to SA Rock Digest Online I'll tell you quickly. At some point in the far-off past I used to be an Afrikaner, but emigrated to Scotland when I was about 5. So twelve years later I came back for a jol and drank lots of Tassenberg with other folk who introduced me to this already recently-deceased phenomenon called the Springbok Nude Girls. I liked what I heard and back in Silva Caledonia started to download some of their beats from the net. I look forward to seeing the Nude Girls in London next month, and hopefully up here at some point. All the best, keep it running Tot siens Pat mailto:tbdscotland@yahoo.co.uk Ed.- No intention to defame Scotland, its lovely folk, or booming rock scene. It was a rugby reference suggesting the SNG should avoid playing in Scotland, if they are going to play anything like the real Boks played recently in those two tests against your brave warriors in blue. Okay? ----------------- HEY SHORTY, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY! We are a local Club magazine that publish monthly a shortlist of SA Celebs that have a birthday in that month. We are looking for local artists whose dates of birth fall in October, November, December and January. Do you have any names for us? We also need pictures of them if you have or can help us with that. Thanks, Annalie mailto:annalie@quantumpublishers.co.za Ed. - Artist birthdays are archived on the SA Rock Digest archives at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives/ ----------------- JUST JINGER JOE? Does anyone know where I can find a copy of the Jinger Joe song that's been getting some radio airplay, called something like 'Out Of Control'. Thanks, Ros mailto:ros@cricinfo.com ----------------- MAMA DANCING INTO NEW PREMISES 2003 is turning out to be another good year for Mama Dance! The label is really flying with a number of overseas and SA releases that include the very successful KB and Jerusha. We have also signed a label deal with Universal Records that will provide Cape Town musical talent with major record company marketing and distribution. Our Mama Dance! Music Library series has become first choice amongst TV and film editors looking for cutting edge mood music with a South African flavour. The two recording studios are continually busy with music and commercial projects including multi media, jingle production, voice-overs, final mixes, etc.... To keep up the momentum we have decided to move from our rather shabby, although full of character, studios and offices in Observatory. We have found an amazing well-finished 200-sq metre space in the Gardens/Dunkley square area and are currently looking for other companies to share it with. Offices/studios would be available from Sept/October 2003. Ideally we would be looking to rent out space to dynamic companies in the following sectors: Internet/Web marketing, Music producers, promotions, Entertainment, Film/Video/TV pre- and post production, Multi media, ad agencies, Events/Artist management, Graphics design, all media etc.... If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact me. Cheers Craig McGahey Mama Dance! Records The Fat Mama Publishing cc Mama Dance! Recording Studios 83 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7905 South Africa tel: 27 21 447 5253 cell: 082 6879469 fax: 27 21 4477344 email: mailto:craig@mamadance.com http://go.to/mamadance ------------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com -------------- GET YOURSELF A 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 "yourchoiceofname@rock.co.za" which will redirect to your current address. Choose from the list below: sarockdigest.com rock.co.za samp3.com saklank.com sagigs.com sugarman.org vagabond.za.net 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@rock.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- --------------- UPCOMING EVENTS --------------- Watch out for: CARLOS MOMBELLI AND THE PRISONERS OF STRANGE - Catch them down at the Grahamstown Arts festival, performing on Monday the 30th June at the National Youth Jazz Festival. GUY BUTTERY - A 19-year-old multi-instrumentalist, Guy Buttery is currently performing around Durban and KZN, and will then be in Cape Town for a 3-week tour promoting his highly acclaimed debut album, 'When I Grow Up..." HENRY ATE SA TOUR - All the dates for the nationwide tour from now till July 26. 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'. JA RULE - Multi-award winning Hip Hop superstar, Ja Rule, is coming to SA in July for three shows. LUNA - This new Cape vocalist will be playing shows in Pretoria in July. This is the first time this artist will be seen in action in Gauteng. With Francois Kruger (ex-SNG) on drums. MITSOO AND JANIE JONES - Two of Cape Town's newest rock bands will be co-headlining at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday 10 July. And both bands represent a welcome female and melodic change from the limp testosterone male rock that seems to be in vogue at the moment. MYBURGH - 4-track debut EP, 'Burnt Bachelor', and first single, 'Girl', will be launched at The Lemon Connection on Thursday 3 July at 8.30pm with support band Janie Jones. (see below) 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, and then in Italy. PIET BOTHA - Currently touring as a part of the launch of his new album, 'Die Mamba' on Rhythm Records. SIX OF NINE - Cape Town band, previously known as Dayspring, heading off in August on the Solarpop X-Tour around the Cape. Details below. UNCIVIL WAR - Urge Media and The Mercury Live are hosting a special US Independence Day (July 4) rock event featuring Scarlet Host, Ghost, and The Rock DJ. '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]. Prior to that there will be some preview performances in London (6th and 13th July 2003: 7:15pm at The Latchmere Theatre, Battersea) 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). Details of all these events at http://www.SAgigs.com --------------- MYBURGH LAUNCHES BURNT BACHELOR' EP Myburgh's debut EP, 'Burnt Bachelor', and first single, 'Girl', will be launched at The Lemon Connection in Durbanville on Thursday 3 July at 8.30pm with support band Janie Jones. Janie Jones is a new Cape Town teenage rock band that is about to release their debut single, 'Girlfriend'. The band, featuring Natalia (guitar and vocals), Stacey (bass), Alex (lead guitar), and Rafi (drums), recently supported Henry Ate at the Mercury Live. Tickets available from The Lemon Connection Contact: Colin Swart - 946 3501 'Burnt Bachelor' EP available online at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=myburgh LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville Live Review: THE MESSAGE 21 June at the Purple Turtle Featuring: Hoax, War-On-Salt, Carea and The Decline There hadn't been a show at the Turtle in ages so I was very amped for this one and arrived too early (around 6 pm), so apart from the Barman and Francois and Wynand, I was the only person there. But it was still early and I guessed that people would only start arriving around 8. So I got myself a drink and settled down to wait for things to get going. Eventually, around 9PM, five guys went on to the stage, picked up their instruments, and announced to the crowd (now about 90-strong) what they were about to do. Sean (ex-Threefifty and False Pretense), Marc (ex-Skanking Nelson), Peter and Devon (both Zero Tolerance members) were going to cover 'The Decline'. For those of you who don't know what 'The Decline' is, allow me to explain. 'The Decline' is an 18-minute piece of music, written by Fat Mike of NOFX, about "the decline of western culture", specifically in America. It was a very ambitious thing to attempt, and everybody in the Turtle was very keen to see it done. I must say that as a very big fan of the song (it was also released as a single), and as someone who listens to it at least once every week, I thought they played it extraordinarily well, and received some huge applause from the crowd. The only thing missing was someone to play the trombone section of the song. Hoax was up next. This is normally a four-piece but today they were playing as a trio because Cheese (their second guitarist) was sick. I thought they handled the whole thing very well and did not sound any worse without Cheese although I do think they work better as a four-piece. But apart from all that, they played all the usual songs like 'Jack and Jill' and even a new one that I liked very much. It was good to see Hoax back and playing gigs after being absent for so long. Then came War-On-Salt, a band who deserve so much more credit than they get, and when they got on to stage they reminded me again on how good they are. They gave a flawless performance and really got the crowd going with all the favourites like 'Ska Government', 'War Is Not The Answer', and 'Happy Salt'. Luke looked completely stoned behind the drums as usual and everybody else seemed to be enjoying themselves. Next time you have a chance I really suggest you go and see this band. Then came Carea who hail from beyond the "boerewors curtain" (northern suburbs). I had had never heard these guys before and I was very interested to hear them because when I had spoken to one of them earlier I had found out that they had two vocalists. Carea have apparently been around for about a year and the members of the band are an average age of 17. They have a very Korn meets Slipknot sound and came across very nicely although their set was a bit short, and although I am not really into their style of music I reckon that they are a very good band. So that was it - 12 o'clock it all finished (very early for a Turtle Show) and I went home happy at having seen a new band, and also hearing my favourite song played live (even if was not NOFX playing it) [DN] See http://www.sagigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs -------------- LIVE REVIEWS ------------- KAREN ZOID LAUNCHES 'CHASING THE SUN' It's second album time from the "Queen of the SA Rock Scene/Leader of The Zoid Generation". Carina Laubscher tells all. Boy, did she launch. Back o' the Moon was the perfect venue - high stage, large dance floor, lots of room at the bar, and excellent sound. The natives were restless, chatting amongst themselves, sipping at ciders or spirits, some young 'uns craning the necks toward the entrance for the Zoid muso to materialise. And so she did. But it took her a while to get through the crowd to the stage. Once or twice you could see the blonde mane bobbing amongst other heads, making her way toward the backstage area. Hugs, yelps, kisses, hellooooos, more hugs - and eventually she got behind the mike. Bradley Cooper sat ready with sticks in the air, Don Reyneke - hell he was born ready, and Llewellyn John clutched the bass guitar like his only lung. They opened with "Ons Soek Rock & Roll", one of the new tunes, and it became rather evident that Karen Zoid is indeed a rocker SUPREME. Yeah man. The dance floor was taken, mostly by the whippersnappers, but behind them - behind me - everybody was taken. "Ons soek rock & roll! Om aan vas te hou! Om ons op te bou!". She was everywhere and angry, worked up like us and caught in the excitement of finally handing out the new songs. The new stuff. The song for Johannes Kerkorrel, "Foto teen die muur", was done hectic and dark, just like it's lying there on the CD. She screamed her feelings, showed the rage, made it palpable - because there is no other way. "Ons helde hang aan bome en die media steel my drome en die meaning gaan verlore". Read her words for him in the CD booklet. It won't make the song any quieter, but it will open a window. Most of us were incredibly disappointed because "Drie Dae" wasn't included on "Chasing the Sun", but some of the songs she did here filled the gap for a bit. Especially with "Deurmekaar", a stunning favourite with Bradley picking up the beat halfway through the song, hexing your heart with sticks and all. "Beautiful" was done quietly, I could hear the muffled jingles of the slot machines outside. This one is love with notes. "'Cause lately I'm beside myself, take me to the stars, show me the room in the corner of your heart" and Don smiles as she continues with "You're beautiful in your ugly shoes, you know that I still hate them, but I can stand by you." The vibe was changed with the next strum on her Gibson. "Danville Diva" with that cocky "uhh-uhh" into the mike, the sardonic "Dieselhemp, designer drugs, julle e-mail ek wil faks, maak staat op jou eie smaak, sonder labels is jy naak, it's all just marketing, baby..." and that crazy rhythm that mulches your guts with glee. They finished with "Afrikaners Is Plesierig", with Karen's dad doing a jive in front, on the left tresses moshed with fervour - and another tight-tight ending by Don, Llewellyn and Bradley. The CD is kick-ass. The quieter songs are "Suburbs", "Deurmekaar", "Beautiful", "Verandering", "Meisie Wat Haar Potlood Kou", "Born To Shine", "Jan" and "Gentleman's Song". Inbetweeners are the yummy "Oh My Love" with an irrepressible chorus rhythm, "Black Guitar" (and yes, the guitars still blend like lava and flames in that one) and "Forty-Seven". If you want to rattle the balcony door or wake up the dead, play "Ons Soek Rock & Roll", "Dinosaur", "Danville Diva" and "Foto Teen Die Muur". Guaranteed to reanimate any dead brain. Inside the booklet you will find one helluva stunning Karen pic. See the spirit in her. AND LISTEN. Carina Laubscher Melville 'Chasing The Sun' is released on the EMI label and is now available. BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=zoid ---------- 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: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- 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=SubscriberAddressChange 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 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>