SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #83
The South African Rock Music Digest
is a free, subscription e-mag, edited
by Brian Currin and Stephen Segerman
and delivered direct to your e-mailbox.
Established January 1999.
To unsubscribe: reply to this issue
with "unsubscribe digest" as subject
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CONTENTS
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1.WHAT'S NEW - MELT 2000, New World, Untamed Sounds, Retro Fresh, Semisane, Robin Auld
2.CHARTS - Top 10 SA CDs, Top 20 SA songs, Top 20 SA Albums, Top 20 SA MP3 downloads, This week 30 years ago, Top 10 Classic SA Rock albums, Top 10 All-time Great SA Pop and Rock songs
3.ON STAGE - Sony Summer Sounds, The Jam, Sunways
4.NEW RELEASES - Digital Cupboard
5.USA for SA - The History Of Contemporary Music Of South Africa
6.CLASSIC ROCK - Not The Midnight Mass
7.FORUM - Boo!
8.REQUESTS - Concerts?
9.ON THE NET - Charts
10.WHAT'S ON
11.LINKS
12.BACK ISSUES
13.CONTRIBUTIONS
14.CONTACT DETAILS
15.SUBSCRIPTIONS
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1.WHAT'S NEW
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NEW RELEASES FROM MELT 2000
World music label MELT 2000 has unveiled a diverse bunch of new CD titles as the year-end approaches. Renowned for a broad and eclectic catalogue of artists, styles and titles, predominantly from the African continent, MELT 2000 and their constantly curious and committed head Robert Trunz have some very interesting new sounds heading our way.
Firstly, there's a new collection from Amampondo, SA's "marimbas and much, much more" outfit, called 'Vuyani', which celebrates their 20 years of music making and mixes some new material with some reshaped older favourites. All the multi-talented Plaatjies family are present (Dizu mostly runs the show here, Lungiswa has risen through the ranks to release her acclaimed and wonderful debut album) as well as the many talented musicians who have added to the Amampondo canon of evocative music over the years. Highlights on 'Vuyani' include 'State of Emergency', '9.15', 'African Pride' and 'Xoliswa'.
There's also a swinging new SA compilation called 'Jazzin 'N Jivin' which features all the current, hot names in SA jazz - Moses Molelekwa ('Down Rockey Street'), Sipho Gumede ('Mamaye'), Zim Nqawana ('Amagoduka'), Madala Kunene ('Mamgobhozi') as well as Pops Mohamed, Simpiwe Matole, Barungwa and Vusi Khumalo - in a spicy musical stew that actually adds credibility to an otherwise strangely-titled album.
Another new compilation is 'Global Vibes - South Africa' which will appeal more to the world music fraternity as it contains the finest contributions from MELT 2000/ South Africa's world music artists' A-list including Amampondo, Shana, Busi Mhlongo, Max Lasser, Deepak Ram, "Mabi" Gabriel Thobejane, and Skeleton. Sixteen superb tracks!
Busi Mhlongo is definitely MELT 2000's most valued asset these days following the worldwide world music success of her 'Urbanzulu' album. Amongst these new releases is 'Urbanzulu - The Remixes' which contains funky reworkings of three of the tracks off the original album, 'Oxamu', 'Yehlisan'umoya ma-Afrika' and 'Uganga Nge Ngane'. Busi then joins Mabi Thobejane, Madala Kunene and Brice Wassey on 'Respect' a warm and worthy musical tribute to SA guitarist Robert "Doc" Mthalane, who passed away in 1998. Mthalane wrote most of the tracks on Busi Mhlongo's first album 'Babemu' and performed regularly with her group Twasa. Kunene and Thobejane were in England to help "Doc" with the recording of 'Respect'. "Doc" Mthalane was already being treated for his Tuberculosis and after he passed away, these artists combined to ensure that this album was completed and released. The final track, 'Song For Doc' is Busi Mhlongo's moving tribute to her much-missed musical colleague, Robert "Doc" Mthalane.
The album 'Syncopation' by Changuito is described as "Cuba meets South Africa in London". This is an accurate description as Changuito, who is a master of the congas and timbale, found himself ready to record, but without his Cuban musicians. Having recently discovered a whole range of African percussion instruments, Changuito recorded the album solo and later Tony Thorpe was called in to add some extra African touches to the album, creating an exotic mix of cross-continental percussion and rhythm.
Politico Hip Hoppers Achisa release their second album 'Bill Of Rights', a hard hitting but hard-beating 10 song collection featuring 'Baya Beleka', 'Achisa's In Control', 'Tales Of The City' and the opening title track. Finally, there's 'Pops Mohamed presents Bushmen Of The Kalahari', which is described by Mr Trunz himself on the cover thus: "This enhanced CD contains original music and film from the earth's earliest surviving race to take you to the very roots of trance". And he should know. As MELT 2000 and its expanding and excellent world music catalogue continually reaffirm, the roots of much that is good in music are somehow and always linked to Africa. Except for the word "Jazzin" which is an old New Orleans term not usually found in album titles. (SS)
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NEW WORLD LAUNCHES THREE NEW ALBUMS
For some years now, Barney Rattle’s dynamic Cape Town-based New World Africa Records label has been uncovering, sponsoring, recording and releasing some of the finest, previously-unheard, indigenous music from the Cape Peninsula and beyond. Artists from every nook and cranny of the sprawling Cape Flats and townships were discovered and included on the NWAR catalogue’s initial releases from 1998 - ‘Hola Cape Town’ (a Cape Kwaito collection), ‘Music From The Townships Of South Africa’ (a diversity of styles and sounds), ‘Popular Gospel, Choral and a Cappella’ (self-explanatory), ‘The Bloodline Series Volume 1’ (Cape-tinged dub reggae), and the best-known, ‘Journey Through The Townships', which introduced artists like Vuyani Qali & Joint Effort, Abaligani Brothers, The Jam Band, and Lennox T.
New World Records are now about to release three new titles and will be throwing one of their legendary launch-type things to introduce us all to these new albums from Bloodlines (‘Love Destruction’), Jika (‘Phambili’), and Copious (‘Egotourism’). This launch will be on Thursday 16 November at The Coffee Lounge (76 Church Street, Cape Town) 10Pm 'till late ... Door R20
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JOSE CUERVO UNTAMED SOUNDS COMPETITION
The heat is on in the annual hunt for emerging rock and pop talent. The nationwide Jose Cuervo Untamed Sounds Competition kicks off in November and will run weekly at various venues around the country until February next year. This is a prime opportunity for young musicians to get a break and stand the chance of winning a day in a recording studio, as well as cash prizes. All competing bands must be unsigned and perform six of their originally composed numbers before a panel of judges. The clubs' crowds can help sway the decision as each person is given a voting slip, and their vote contributes 20% of the overall count.
Three bands will compete each week. There will be three first-round heats at each venue during November, December and January with the finals culminating in February. Places are limited, as only nine bands will be allowed to compete per venue. Bands have to apply at the following venues in order to compete:
Boogie Nights in Pretoria (Stefan - 082 499 3976),
Roxys in Johannesburg (011 726 6019),
The Jam in Cape Town (021 465 2106) and
The Burn in Durban (031 210 0076).
These venues will play host to this nationwide competition.
The Roxys’ leg starts on Tuesday, November 14; at Boogie Nights and The Jam on Saturday, November 18; and at The Burn on Saturday, November 25. The second and third round heats will then return to each of the venues during December and January culminating in the finals at each venue during February. The winning band at each final will get a day’s recording in the studio - In Pretoria the band will record at Wolmer Records, in Johannesburg at Waycool Studios, in Cape Town at Paris Studios and in Durban at Dog Ear Studios.
Bands also stand in line to win cash prizes courtesy of Jose Cuervo. During the first round heats the winning band wins R300 cash and the other two bands R200. Then on the finals the winning band in each region wins R500 cash with the other two R250. Patrons will also have the opportunity of winning various prizes courtesy of Gallo and Sony record companies.
Simon Foulds from Emerging Sounds will coordinate this exciting project as Cuervo Gold takes the music to the people as it develops untamed sounds from around the country. For further information contact Simon on 082 770 7524 or visit http://www.emergingsounds.com for further information.
BOOGIE NIGHT HEATS
Saturday, November 18
Saturday, December 2
Saturday, January 6
Saturday, February 3
ROXY'S HEATS
Tuesday, November 14
Tuesday, December 7
Tuesday, January 9
Tuesday, February 6
THE JAM'S HEAT
Saturday, November 18
Saturday, December 16
Saturday, January 20
Saturday, February 17
THE BURN'S HEATS
Saturday, November 25
Saturday, December 16
Saturday, January 27
Saturday, February 24
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RETRO FRESH RELEASES
16 November 2000:
Via Afrika - Via Afrika (freshcd 107)
Late November 2000:
Hawk - African Day (freshcd 108) with bonus live tracks
Otis Waygood Blues Band (The "Black" album) (freshcd 109)
Lesley Rae Dowling - Conspirare (compilation) (freshcd 110)
January 2001:
The Dynamics (freshcd 116)
February 2001:
Falling Mirror - Johnny Calls The Chemist (freshcd 112)
Visit the SA Rock Legends website for more info on the artists mentioned above.
http://rock.co.za/legends
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RADIO BELIEVING IN SEMISANE
It's exciting times for young Cape Town based pop rock group SEMISANE. On Sunday 29th October, the group made a little history as their second single 'TRYING TO BELIEVE' reached the coveted No.1 slot on national pop station 5fm's Top 40 chart show - their first No.1.
The catchy 'Trying To Believe' is also receiving extensive airplay across the country, and is just one of the many hits featured on this hard working bands debut album 'A LIFE LESS STRANGE'. The timing could not be more perfect as the band finalise negotiations for a release of their single 'Alright' via BMG Germany at the end of November. The groups first single 'Right Here' also enjoyed huge local radio support, establishing the group as potent new musical force. 'A Life Less Strange' was helmed by the top Johannesburg based production team of Christopher Tuck and Brian O'Shea (Fetish, Saron Gas).
And there's more in store as the Semisaners are set to roll out a relentless regional Eastern and Western Cape tour throughout December. Confirmed dates so far as follows. Keep clicking on http://click2music.co.za for tour info and updates.
8th Dec Settler's Sports Bar Gonubie
9th Dec Settler's Sports Bar Gonubie
13th Dec Buccaneers East London
15th Dec Buccaneers East London
16th Dec Flashbacks Plettenberg Bay
20th Dec Tin Roof Knysna
21st Dec Tin Roof Knysna
| 22nd Dec Hermann's Café |
George |
29th Dec Independent Armchair Theatre Observatory, Cape Town
Semisane on the net:
http://www.semisane.com
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NEW ROBIN AULD ALBUM
The new Robin Auld album, "Iron in the sky", is to be released on the 15th Nov by Value/EMI in Johannesburg at the Bassline. Recorded at Beach Rd studios in Cape Town, the album features Peter Cohen on drums and Nelson Barbosa on bass guitar. It also features Louis Mhlanga on guitar, who recorded his tracks in Johannesburg. Produced by Auld, the sessions were engineered by Cape Town's David Langeman who brought his experience of working in Nashville to the albums country flavoured textures. With an overall acoustic sound, the album's songs fuse the Celtic, African and folk influences of Auld's later work with the pop/blues guitar styles more familiar to his fans.
While the Bassline gig is invitation only, there will be a Cape Town launch at the Armchair Theatre in Observatory on Sat Nov 18th which will welcome all comers, starting at 10pm.
The album is a joint venture with SAfm, who will be promoting the album nationwide on the air and also with a TV ad and video campaign. The video and TV ad was shot by filmmaker Stephen Schmidt, who has worked extensively in New York. Auld will be in Cape Town until early next year when a tour of South Africa will be undertaken, followed by trips to the UK and the USA in order to shop the album internationally. The Armchair launch will feature much of the albums acoustic material as well as many of his electric favourites.
The first single is a departure for Auld in that it is a cover. "Rikki Tikki Tavi" was written by Donovan in 1970 and is a wry look at the battle between individuality and the institutions of church, school and government. One previously recorded track is on the album, namely "Charly go crazy". Some of the tracks are solely guitar and vocals done in one take, and the album also features the song Auld wrote with James Phillips, "Which way to go", which was recorded live at Grahamstown by SAfm at Auld/Mhlanga's acclaimed collaboration there this year. The track listing is as follows; Ophelia, Rikki Tikki Tavi, Drunken Girl, Driving to Johannesburg, You've met someone, Which way to go, Charlie go crazy, Queen of Pain, Iron in the sky, Day I said goodbye.
Robin Auld on the net:
http://www.robinauld.co.za
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2.CHARTS
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TOP 10 SOUTH AFRICAN CDs
Position Artist - Title
1. Twistyle - Who's Twistyle?
2. Oleseng - Oa Lebona Naa?
3. Brenda Fassie - Amadlozi
4. Positive K - Plus 8 Various Mixes
5. Mafikizolo - Gate Crashers
6. Brothers Of Peace - Presents Project A
7. Coenie De Villiers - Karoonag 2000
8. Theuns Jordaan - Vreemde Stad
9. DJ Nasty - 2
10. Steve Hofmeyr - Beautiful Noise - The Music Of Neil Diamond
Supplied by One World
http://www.oneworld.co.za
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THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Label)
1. [1] TajMahala - Sharkbrother (indie)
2. [-] Alternatief Op Sy Beste - Various Artists (Hoezit)
3. [2] Greatest Hits - Koos Kombuis (Gallo)
4. [7] Tattered and Torn - Henry Ate
5. [3] The Best Of Mango Groove (Gallo)
6. [4] No Regrets - Kevin Duke (Ugly Duck Records)
7. [10] Strange World - Just Jinger (BMG)
8. [5] Miyela Afrika - Vusi Mahlasela (BMG)
9. [6] Lately When She Cries - Jesse Jordan (Universal)
10. [13] Faith In Love - Coleske (Gallo)
11. [8] Almost Human - Even Flow (demo)
12. [9] Seventies, Eighties, Nineties, Naughties - Boo! (Sony)
13. [17] Delenta - Jenny Delenta (Renegade)
14. [18] Relaxzor - Springbok Nude Girls (Sony)
15. [11] A Life Less Strange - Semisane (BMG)
16. [12] Tassenberg All Stars (live) - Various (Rhythm)
17. [14] Die Ander Kant - Johannes Kerkorrel (Gallo)
18. [15] Version 1 - Mjojo (Digital Cupboard)
19. [16] Nkalakatha - Mandoza (CCP)
20. [20] In The Meantime - Watershed (EMI)
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THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN SONGS OF THE WEEK
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Album/ Label)
1. [3] Higher Ground - Jenny Delenta (off album 'Delenta'/ Renegade)
2. [6] Nkalakatha - Mandoza (off album 'Nkalakatha'/ CCP)
3. [2] Aphrodite (feeling much more) - Coleske (off album 'Faith In Love'/ Gallo)
4. [9] Wish I Could Have Told You - Just Jinger (off album 'Strange World'/ BMG)
5. [4] Eastern Bridge - Jesse Jordan (off album 'Lately When She Cries'/ Universal)
6. [1] Smiley Skull Of Faith - Springbok Nude Girls (off album 'Relaxzor'/ Sony)
7. [8] Fall - Jenny Delenta (off album 'Delenta'/ Renegade)
8. [-] Unworldly Beauty - Springbok Nude Girls (off album 'Relaxzor'/ Sony)
9. [5] Your Song - Just Jinger (off album 'Strange World'/ BMG)
10. [10] Satisfy - Dreamshop (off EP 'Satisfy'/ BMG)
11. [11] African Dance - Mjojo (off album 'Version 1'/ Digital Cupboard)
12 [14] Bicycle Sonder 'n Slot - Koos Kombuis (off 'Greatest Hits'/ Gallo)
13 [7] Agitation - Blk Sonshine (off album 'Blk Sonshine'/ Fresh)
14. [19] Right Here - Semisane (off album 'A Life Less Strange'/ BMG)
15. [15] Slow Down - Yvonne Chaka Chaka (off album 'Yvonne And Friends'/ Digital Cupboard)
16. 18] Kwaito Right - Paul Hanmer (off album 'Playola'/ Sheer Sound)
17. [17] I Need Your Sex - Casey B (off EP 'I Need Your Sex'/ DGR)
18. [16] A Proud People - Vusi Mahlasela (off album 'Miyela Afrika'/ BMG)
19. [13] All Roads - Liesl Graham (off album 'Something To Believe'/ Gallo)
20. [20] Woman - Ras Sheehama (off album 'Traveling'/ Digital Cupboard)
Sponsored by Networld
http://www.new.co.za
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TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3 DOWNLOADS
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Style)
1. [1] Margarida - Choppa (Latino Kwaito)
2. [18] DNA - QZoo (Pop)
3. [-] Temptation - Chromozone (Dance)
4. [RE] Damage - Peta Teanet (Shangaan Disco)
5. [-] First Try - JP (Dance)
6. [-] Inhouse Joke - Gigo (Dance)
7. [-] The Nam - Black Lab (Dance)
8. [4] Beautiful Thing - E'smile (African R&B)
9. [5] Wena U Bani...? - O'Da Meesta (Kwaito)
10. [2] Blast - asqus (Dance)
11. [7] Asyn - Brixton Moord & Roof Orkes (Afrikaans Alternative)
12. [RE] Joburg Stomp - Mr Bishop (Dance)
13. [-] Sibali - Khumbula (African Pop Fusion)
14. [8] War On the Dancefloor - Nexus (Dance)
15. [RE] I Love You Africa - Peta Teanet (Shangaan Disco)
16. [RE] Far & Away - DJ Stevie (Dance)
17. [3] Crush - Fruit Fly Navigators (Modern Rock)
18. [-] The Light - DJ Stevie (Dance)
19. [10] Kom Kom - Kom Kom (Kwaito)
20. [RE] Makoti - Yvonne Chaka Chaka (African Pop)
Supplied by Digital Cupboard
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za
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SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS: 30 YEARS AGO
Friday, 13 November 1970
This week [last week] Title - Artist
1.[1] Burning Bridges - Mike Curb Congregation
2.[2] Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond
3.[4] Candida - Dawn
4.[3] Cha-La-La, I Need You - The Shuffles
5.[13] Me And My Life - The Tremeloes
6.[8] Like I Do - Barbara Ray & 5th Association
7.[9] Montego Bay - Bobby Bloom
8.[12] All The Tears In The World - Dave Mills
9.[5] Mademoiselle Ninette - Mike Holm
10.[6] Brown Eyes - Chris Andrews
Supplied by John Samson
mailto:Thesamsons@aol.com
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LM RADIO CHARTS: 30 YEARS AGO
Sunday, 15th November 1970
1.[1] Indiana Wants Me - R Dean Taylor
2.[13] Black Night - Deep Purple
3.[11] You Can Get It If You Really Want It - Desmond Dekker
4.[2] Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond
5.[-] Beaucoup Of Blues - Ringo Starr
6.[12] A Time For Us - Jody Wayne
7.[-] Mornin' Mornin' - Bobby Goldboro
8.[20] Sacha - The Eric Smith Movement
9.[-] Paranoid - Black Sabbath
10.[-] We Can Make Music - Tommy Roe
Thanks to Dave Malherbe
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SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SA CLASSIC ROCK ALBUMS
1.[1] Time To Suck - Suck (1970)
2.[2] African Day - Hawk (1971)
3.[4] Africa She Too Can Cry - Hawk (1972)
4.[3] Battle Hymn Of The Broken Hearted Horde - Freedoms Children (1968)
5.[5] Boys Will Be Boys - Rabbitt (1975)
6.[6] A Croak And A Grunt In The Night - Rabbitt (1977)
7.[7] Astra - Freedoms Children (1970)
8.[8] Live And Well - Hawk (1974)
9.[-] Jack Of All Trades - Jack Hammer (1987)
10.[10] Galactic Vibes - Freedoms Children (1972)
As voted by visitors to the SA Rock Files website:
Go here and cast your vote:
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sarock
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SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 ALL-TIME GREAT SA POP AND ROCK SONGS
This week [last week] Song - Artist
1.[1] Hey Boy - Via Afrika (1983)
2.[3] Weeping - Bright Blue (1987)
3.[2] This Boy - Sweatband (1986)
4.[4] ZX Dan - Radio Rats (1978)
5.[5] Who Killed Kurt Cobain - Koos Kombuis (1997)
6.[6] Hold On To Love - Rabbitt (1977)
7.[7] You're Living Inside My Head - John Ireland (1978)
8.[-] Master Jack - Four Jacks And A Jill (1968)
9.[8] Peace On Earth - Little Sister (1992)
10.[9] Blue Water - Julian Laxton Band (1976)
As voted by visitors to the SA Rock Files website:
Go here and cast your vote:
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sapop
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NUMBER ONE HIT SONGS WORLDWIDE
12th November 2000
Oz: Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) - Spiller
UK: My Love - Westlife
US: With Arms Open Wide - Creed
Info from the OzNet website
http://www.q-net.net.au/~methinks/oz_net_music_chart.html
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MULTIPLE CHART-TOPPERS 1969 - 1989
The following songs reached the number 1 position in the US, UK, Australia and South Africa between 1969 and 1989.
Careless Whisper - George Michael
Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
Dancing Queen - Abba
Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee
Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
I Want To Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
If You Leave Me Now - Chicago
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Knock Three Times - Dawn
Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
La Bamba - Los Lobos
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
Seasons In The Sun - Terry Jacks
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Dawn & Tony Orlando
Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
We Are The World - Usa For Africa
Woman In Love - Barbara Streisand
Compiled by John Samson, November 2000
For more Chart Statistics visit:
http://rock.co.za/charts
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3.ON STAGE
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SONY SUMMER SOUNDS
Sony music SA has launched the 2000 version of the "Sony Summer Sounds" which will be jointly sponsored by Smirnoff and Schweppes Sparkling Granadilla. The "Sony Summer Sounds" is a nationwide Kwaito Showcase event which has run successfully around the country for the past three years.
The artists who will be featured in this year's concerts are Alaska, Brothers Of Peace, Guffy, Mafikizolo, Ntokozo, Sharon Dee, Stouters, Thebe, Trompies, Vibe Squad, MaWillies, Hunger Boyz, Mdu, Mashamplani, and DJ Kaitano.
Sony Summer Shows Dates:
Sunday Dec 3 - Johannesburg (Mofolo Park)
Sunday Dec 10 - Nelspruit (Matsulu Stadium)
Tuesday Dec 12 - Pietersberg (Seshego Stadium)
Wednesday Dec 13 - Bloemfontein (Seiso Ramobudu Stadium)
Friday Dec 15 - East London (Sisa Dukashe Stadium)
Sunday Dec 17 Durban (King Zwelithini Stadium)
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THE JAM
December Live highlights
Fri 8: Springbok Nude Girls - Having just released their brand new album, ‘Relaxzor’, the Nudies kick off their coastal tour with a performance at The Jam. Nude Girls fans can expect to hear songs off the new release including the first single, Unworldly Beauty, which is receiving extensive airplay on all major radio stations. Doors open at 9pm and R30 couvert charge.
Sat 9: Justin Robertson - Now a resident at the hugely successful underground institution Bugged Out!, a status that has enabled him to show off his deck skills alongside the likes of Carl Cox, The Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk.
Wed 13: Jimmy 12" & Plum - "Hard, melodic, innovative, intelligent, uncompromising energy. Rock stars all the way. Jimmy 12" are the most exciting band since the Springbok Nude Girls" - Therese Owen, The Daily News.
Thurs 14: Sons of Trout return from the deep - Bring your rods and sweaty bods for an all night dive in memory of commander Trout.
Sat 16: Efrain Toro and Guests - After a tour of India and China, Efrain Toro arrives in South Africa and will be performing at The Jam as part of his nationwide tour. Joining him on the night will be Andrew Lilley (Head of Jazz piano at UCT. Studied at Berkeley in Boston), Concord Nkabinde (freelance bassist in Johannesburg. studied at Natal Varsity Music College, busy with a solo album at present) and Barry van Zyl (freelance drummer who has played with the likes of Johnny Clegg, Black, Hothouse Flowers).
Mon 18: African Jazz Pioneers: This ten piece band sound derives from marabi and evolved to include the instrumental sounds of the swing bands of Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
Sat 23: Boo! - Boo has captivated audiences all over SA, playing at all the major music festivals and clubs and has also dazzled new fans abroad, taking their extreme original sound to stages in The UK, Holland, Germany and Australia.
Wed 27: Cape of Storms - The highly successful double headline act of Nine and Brasse Vannie Kaap goes national this festive season ending their tour at The Jam.
For any more info, please contact us on 021-465 2106 or e-mail us at
mailto:live@thejam.co.za. Otherwise, our web-site http://www.thejam.co.za will give you all the latest info on what’s up at The Jam.
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SUNWAYS
Critically acclaimed newcomers Sunways launch their new single 'Colour Me In' on Saturday 18th Nov at Bugsy's cnr of Rabie and Republic roads. The song will be featured for the first time on radio on 5fm on Barney Simon on the evening of 21st November. Also, the new video for this single will premier on http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za on the same evening, it will also be included on http://www.powerzone.co.za as well as MWeb. Prizes will be given away on the evening including a weekend away at Sunways' touring accomodation sponsor Kopanong Hotel, with dinner/bed/and breakfast included. Cuervo Gold will also be involved at the launch with giveaways and free tequila on arrival. Arrive at 9:00pm, show starts 10:00pm to 11:00pm.
Sunways has also got a new website up and running, http://www.geocities.com/friendsofsunways
Currently receiving many press reviews rating them as..." arguably the best live rock band in the country" come and see what the fuss is about at Sunways'90th performance in 2000 on Sat 18th Bugsy's Randburg.
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4.NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES
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NEW MP3 HIGHLIGHTS AT DIGITAL CUPBOARD
AQUARIAN QUARTET - LIVE
Take four SA acoustic guitar-playing icons, each born under the sign of the water-bearer; each having developed an almost unreasonable passion for a small ancient wooden box with six strings. Give each musician a penchant for originality, formidable musical flair and a great sense of humour and there, almost in a nutshell, is the Aquarian Quartet.
COMMITTED - UNGUMSINDISI WAMI
Traditional rhythmic acoustic guitar and accordion driven African gospel music. A simple song of praise littered with the sounds of rural African guitar playing.
DANTAI - PYJAMA JAM
Dantai is kwaito with an innovative mix of mid-tempo house, rhythm & blues and hip-hop. Kwaito, as with rap and hip hop, is a musical style that offers a fresh canvas to any artist willing to experiment with beat, melody and samples.
FLY - AFFECTED
The band that opened the main stage at Woodstock SA 2000, Fly have been in existence for just over a year. Their new single "speaks of strong emotions within love ... the space where love and hate collide causing nothing but confusion and frustration".
SOLLY MABENA - COLOURS
Easy listening African jazz, especially for lovers of the soprano saxophone. Solly Mabena composed, arranged and produced this, his debut album, out on the Nebula Bos label.
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za/
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5.USA FOR SA
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THE HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
(TOGA, 1994)
A coin collector's saying is "Buy the book before you buy the coin."
I bought the book 'The History of Contemporary Music of South Africa' by Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz early on in my South African music enthusiasm because I needed to know more and more, even with the Internet. This book has been an invaluable purchase.
Here's what I got from One World for my dollars into 140 Rands: 172 slick pages of information about all kinds of South African bands: rock, pop, township, and more. Also included are two indices: one a list of international musicians mentioned in the book, the other a list of South African musicians and the bands they played with. Scattered throughout are dozens of black and white photos that put faces to the names. It's a nicely-made coffee table-sized book in softcovers.
I tell you what, it's helped me flesh out my I-wish-I-could-hear-that-album list. Fortunately and coincidently, some of that wish list is now coming back into print (éVoid, Via Afrika, Otis Waygood, Hawk, and others). The book still makes me curious about other groups that maybe someday will have their day again (No Friends of Harry, Staccatos, Snakeshed, John E. Sharpe and others).
The text is Just-the-facts-ma'am for the most part, though here and there flashes of opinion or sparks of humor shine. Much info is packed into these pages because Tom and Garth write informatively and in a condensed manner. They don't often ramble on with stories, anecdotes, and trivia (though these are present). These pages are long on valuable facts and information.
Want to know what bands Kevin Kruger played in? (Backtrax, Barons, Dickory, Foxy, Fuzz, Gentle People, Hot RS, Kariba, Kynd, Julian Laxton Band, Music Corporation, Stone & Anvil, Tidal Wave).
How about Kenny Henson? (Abstract Truth, Antithesis, Borstal Boys, Collinson McBrian, Finch & Henson, Freedom's Children, Harambee, Leeman Ltd, Medium Wave Band, Neil Solomon and the Uptown Rhythm Dogs).
Those two paragraphs give an idea of how complete the book is, but it is not just a list of bands. The typical band or performer entry, such as Des and Dawn's, begins with a brief biography, lists singles and their labels, then lists albums and their labels. (In the case of Des and Dawn, the singles and albums are sub-divided into their solo work). SARIES are listed, and quite often Tom and Garth have a closing paragraph or more about the subsequent career or activities of the performers or band.
I just regard it as The Book on South African Music and constantly learn from it. I flip through it and read a few pages here and there during the course of the week, and when I want to answer a question that has occurred to me. Whenever I receive a new CD order, especially one with a compilation CD in it, I check out what Garth and Tom say about the bands on the comp. This book adds fun knowledge to the music I'm hearing.
The fact that this first edition was published in 1994 means that tons of new bands don't have entries, but since this is, after all, a history, that's not a drawback, only an indication that there's material for a second edition. Come to think of it, parts of the South African Rock Files website <http://rock.co.za/sarock> nicely help to bridge the gap between 1994 and now. However, 'The History of Contemporary Music of South Africa' is sub-titled on the title page as "Part I", so, what do you think Garth? Tom?
This book is a companion to the 'Best of SA Pop' series (six discs of great pop & rock), but of course it is more than that. It is also a historical document, and it is a companion of mine -- a valued part of my SA music collection.
Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas
mailto:kbshoe@hotmail.com
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6.CLASSIC ROCK
----------------
LIVE - NOT THE MIDNIGHT MASS
Recorded live at The Dock Road Theatre on the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, this rare tape captures the feel of a Midnight Mass gig. Although there was a bit of cabaret act to the live show, listening to the songs, you quickly realise that these guys are serious musicians. This group pushed the boundries of a capella singing to the limit with their use of sounds, words and noises. (Bet you've never heard the word "songalolo" used in a rock song before).
The line up has constantly changed over the years, but this was probably the best loved. Built around the brother and sister partnership of Graham and Christine Weir, Jenny Delenta, Alan Glass and Terence Reis all added their unique vocal talents to produce a rounded sound that generally left me awestruck every time I saw them.
Doing mostly cover versions they cover vast ground starting with Bach's
"Fugue in D(u)" through the Stones' "You can't always get what you want", touching on Carole King's "Natural Woman" and Jethro Tull's "Moths" then side tracking for the nursery rhyme "Thumberlina", rocking through Zeppelin's "Whole lotta Love" and Aerosmith's "Janie's got a Gun" and even putting part of Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" to music in "Your Children". All of which is executed with respect to the original work, but adding to it their charm and wit.
A couple of original songs pop up with Alan's "Tha Thumba", a lighthearted attempt at making "African" music and Graham Weir's homage to his Scottish roots in "Och Aye" a strong love song with a stirring chorus. A bit of nonsense is included in the form of "The night Paul Simon was lost in a Glasgow Subway" which is really each member of the group giving Paul instructions as to how to get around the subway while maintaining thick Scots accents. Cacophanous, but rhythmic and funny.
Each member gets a chance to take lead vocals and show off their voices. Graham Weir has a great rock voice which handles the vocals well on "Whole Lotta Love" and the emotional "Och Aye". Terence Reis has a similar tenor voice and handles "You can't always get..." along with the Mick Jagger pouting and poncing actions. He also takes control of "Janie's got a Gun" and really makes it rock.
Alan Glass' baritone voice could mellow whiskey at 50 meters. He doesn't often venture to the front, usually giving the songs a richness with his background bass tones. However he gets to shine in "Georgia" the old Ray Charles classic finishing with a falsetto note so high that one would think his trousers were about 10 sizes too small.
Where Alan has the mellow baritone, Christine mirrors this in the alto
department. Her super smooth delivery of "Natural Woman" ("an old Carole King number written by the old Carole King") should even bring out goosebumps on a biker's leather jacket. She also hammers out John Lennon's "Working Class Hero" with surprising venom (Queen's "We will Rock you" being cleverly woven into the song over a marching beat).
But it's Jenny Delenta who steals the show, not just because she's short and cute, but she renders a spine chillingly accurate cover of Kate Bush's classic "Wuthering Heights", at times adding more soul to the song than Kate Bush could ever manage. This became her trademark and to a degree that of the Midnight Mass.
This eclectic bunch brought a credibility to a capella that the Flying
Picketts all but destroyed. Tinged with a gothic punk image they are always a joy to watch and listen to, leaving you feeling good about life. A capella can't possibly be classed as rock you may say, but listen to "Janie's got a Gun" and "Whole Lotta Love" and you will soon realise what a marvelous rock instrument the human voice can be.
Sold mostly at their live gigs, this cassette is highly sought after by Mass fans as is "Mass Hysteria" (anyone out there got a copy of this for me?). They also released a CD called "Mass Hysteria" which I believe is different to the cassette. You may be able still to get the CD and it's well worth it. The Mass are currently touring South Africa although Graham and Christine are the only ones who remain from this line up, but I'm told it's still worth seeing. Jenny Delenta has also just released her solo album which was reviewed in last week's Rock Digest.
John Samson
mailto:TheSamsons@aol.com
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7.FORUM
---------
WHO ARE BOO!???
With this very alternative, strange, dynamic and thoroughly original band’s new album (‘Seventies, Eighties, Nineties, Naughties’) now out, it’s time to look back at this cross-dressing, brassy, ska-obsessed live phenomenon’s story.
Boo! emerged on the South African music scene in October 1997, with their mind-bendingly weird, and deliciously consumable sound. The band described their music as "Monki Punk", as it broke away from the usual bass/drums/guitar combination, and replaced the guitar with brass and keyboard sounds.
The three members of Boo! are: (1) The genderless phenomenon, Miss Chris Chameleon, who is the bass player, lead vocalist, and writes all the music and lyrics. (2) Princess Leonie, who provides extremely unconventional, yet wildly rocking beats on the drums. (3) The blonde bombshell, Ampie Omo, who produces the rest of the colourful spectrum of sounds on his trumpet, trombone, keyboard and percussion instruments.
The extremely original sound of Boo! was initially captured on the "live" tape, ‘Banana Flava’, and subsequently on their debut CD, ‘Pineapple Flava’. The last of this series of fruity flava releases the video compilation ‘Cherri’. A new project ‘The 3 Boo?dists’ was released in Dec 1999 focusing on three of SA’s current producers, each working in his own genre.
Boo! completed a very positive tour of Australia in April ’99. They toured London in the first two weeks of November 1999, and UK, Holland and Germany in April/May 2000.
The band’s latest album ‘Seventies, Eighties, Nineties, Naughties’ has just been released and will be reviewed shortly, or longly, depending on how excellent it may be.
Visit their website at http://www.boo.co.za for gig dates and more information.
___________________________________________________
8.REQUESTS
-------------
CONCERTS
I am trying to find out various information about the following concerts and was wondering if you could help.
1) What was the date of the Indecent Obsession concert at Expo Centre, Durban that Little Sister supported. I know it was sometime in 1993.
2) What was the date and who supported Duran Duran when they played the Expo Centre, Durban in 1993.
3) Who supported Crowded House at the Village Green, Durban on the 25 August 1993.
4) Who supported Bryan Adams at the Village Green, Durban in April 1994 and do you know the exact date?
5) Who supported Bon Jovi at Kings Park Stadium, Durban in December 1995 and do you know the exact date.
I know this must seem a bizarre e-mail but I would appreciate it if you could help me out with any bit of it.
Thanks and cheers
Trent
mailto:trent_baby@hotmail.com
____________________________________________
9.ON THE NET
---------------
SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO CHARTS 1969-1989
http://rock.co.za/charts
Who had the most hits on the SA charts, who spent the most weeks on the charts, who had the biggest gap between hits? If these are burning questions in your life, then this website will answer all of them... and a whole lot of other questions you never even thought to ask.
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10.WHATS ON
--------------
AMETHYST
23 Nov: The Big Easy, 61 Langerman Drive, Kensington.
Music starts from 21:30 and there is a R10 cover charge.
--------------
BARLEYCORN
Cape Town's Music Club
http://twisted.co.za/barleycorn/
--------------
BASSLINE
Mon 13th: THE FRANK OPPERMAN BAND (Live recording ) - R30 - 9:00pm
Tues 14th: AMORYONI - R 30 - 9:30pm
Wed 15th & Thurs 16th: TONY COX - R 40 - 9:30pm
Fri 17th, Sat 18th & Sun 19th: ERIK VAN DER WESTHUIZEN from Holland & LOUIS MAHLANGA - R 50 - Fri, Sat 9:30pm - Sun 9:00pm
Please note that performance starting time on Sunday is 9:00pm
Bookings: 011 - 482-6915
----------------
THE BIG TREE
Gant's Centre, Strand
http://www.icon.co.za/~diner/gigs.htm
--------------
DORP STRAAT TEATER, STELLENBOSCH
NOVEMBER
Wo 15: Lize Beekman met haar "Cake"-liedjies! & vergesel deur Hanno!
Vr 17 & Sa 18: Valiant Swart
So 19: Jazz: Riaan en Carina speel vanaand blueserige klassieke musiek - met dwarsfluit en kitaar
Wo 22: Tinus van Dyk speel akoestiese kitaar, asook Francois le Roux op die basviool
Do 23: Danie Niehaus sing sy gunsteling liedjies
Vr 24 & Sa 25: Daniéle Pascal met Edith Piaf
So 26: Jazz
Wo 29: Robin Auld
Do 30: Debora de Waal en die "Baba-Blues": een van die top 10 produksies by Aardklop
DESEMBER
Vr 1 & Sa 2: Laurinda Hofmeyr
So 3: Jazz
Ma 4: Planke toe met poësie: Die laaste een vir 2000
Wo 6: Delta Blue
Vr 8 & Sa 9: Vuurklip met Richard van der Westhuizen & Lochner de Kock
So 10: Jazz
Ma 11 & Do 14: Rory Rootenberg
Vr 15 & Sa 16: Piet Botha
So 17: Jazz
Wo 20: Die Grafsteensangers
Navrae en besprekings by
(021) 886-6107
083 4179 389
mailto:dorpteat@xsinet.co.za
Die nuutste programinligting ook op
http://www.stellenbosch.co.za
---------------
HARBOUR MUSIC CLUB
The Troubadour, Kalk Bay
Every Wednesday night 8:30
Entrance R15 - bar available
Rob Anderson (021) 7891021
mailto:anderson@botzoo.uct.ac.za
Nadia Scaillet (021) 4489834
mailto:noid@netactive.co.za
----------------
JESSE JORDAN
BIG TREE - Strand
Friday November 17 21:00
Friday November 24 21:30
Wednesday December 6 Rock Festival Sponsored by Bavaria 20:00-02:00
4 bands for R20
Tuesday December 26 Rock Festival Sponsored by Bavaria 20:00-02:00
4 bands for R20
HIDDEN CELLAR - Stellenbosch
Saturday November 18 21:30. Couvert charge: R10
--------------
JULIAN'S
Wednesdays from 9 P.M. Blues Rock with "The Julian Laxton Band"
Thursdays from 9 P.M. "Highway Jam"
Fridays from 9 P.M. Blues with "The Mississippi Muthers"
Saturdays from 8.30 "THE LEGEND OF CLAPTON".
(Book at Julian's on 011-678-2880, or at Computicket)
Sundays from 2 P.M. Beer Braai & Music in the Garden with Colin Shamley.
Sundays from 6.30 P.M. Jazz with "The Art Kelly Band" + Guest Artists
For more info visit Julian's Website at: http://www.artslink.co.za/julian_laxton
-------------
LITTLE SISTER
http://www.rock.co.za/littlesister
15 November
Up the Creek, Hatfield, Pretoria 9pm, tel. no 012 362 3712
16 November
Up the Creek, Hatfield, Pretoria 9pm, tel. no 012 362 3712
18 November
Centurion Lake shopping Centre, Centurion 13h30.
24 November
Nile Crocodile, 60 Glynwood road, Lynwood, Pretoria. Tel no. 012 361-2058. Starting at 21h30
25 November
The Barnyard, White River, tel no. 0137501117
-----------------
PLETHORA
24th Nov - Whammy Bar, Table View
9th Dec - Whammy Bar, Table View
-------------------
SARON GAS
24th November 2000 Boogie Nights Pretoria
25th November 2000 The Underground Bloemfontein
5th December 2000 Buccaneers East London [TBC]
7th December 2000 Tapas Port Elizabeth
8th December 2000 Tin Roof Knysna
9th December 2000 Independent Armchair Cape Town
23rd December 2000 Burn Durban
____________________________________________
11.LINKS
---------
LINKS PAGES:
3rd EAR MUSIC
http://www.3rdearmusic.com/links.html
AMUZINE
http://rock.co.za/links.htm
SA ROCK FILES
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarock_links.html
VAGABOND
http://www.rock.co.za/files/links.html
ONE WORLD
http://www.oneworld.co.za/links.cfm
SA MUSICIANS ON THE NET FROM A TO Z
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Rembrandt/SAArtists.html
SEARCH ENGINE:
GOOGLE
http://www.google.com
Quick and accurate, highly recommended
ARTISTS:
BERNARD BINNS
http://www.bernardbinns.co.za
PIET BOTHA & JACK HAMMER
http://rock.co.za/legends/pietbotha
JOHNNY CLEGG
http://members.nbci.com/termite2/Accueil.html
FOUR JACKS AND A JILL
http://www.fourjacksandajill.co.za/
LIESL GRAHAM
http://www.lieslgraham.com
JACK HAMMER
http://rock.co.za/jackhammer
JESSE JORDAN
http://www.jessejordan.co.za
KOOS KOMBUIS
http://www.kooskombuis.co.za
JULIAN LAXTON
http://www.artslink.co.za/julian_laxton
LITTLE SISTER
http://www.rock.co.za/littlesister
OFF THE EDGE
http://rock.co.za/offtheedge
SHARKBROTHER
http://listen.to/sharkbrother
ARCHIVES:
3rd EAR MUSIC
http://www.3rdEarMusic.com
SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://rock.co.za/sarock
SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO CHARTS 1969-1989
http://rock.co.za/charts
MESSAGE BOARD:
TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN
Post your message on the SA Rock message board
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb311757
NEWS:
AMUZINE
News, views, reviews and interviews
http://rock.co.za/
AFRICAN INVASION OF ROCK
http://www.air.org.za
POWERZONE
http://www.powerzone.co.za
SHOPPING:
ONE WORLD
Selling South African Music to the World
http://www.oneworld.co.za/
RECORD COMPANIES, LABELS & STUDIOS:
AFRIMUSIK
http://www.afrimusik.com
BMG
http://www.click2music.co.za/
CAVEMAN PRODUCTIONS
Kevin Shirley's virtual cave
http://www.cavemanproductions.com
MELT2000
http://www.melt2000.com
MOUNTAIN RECORDS
http://www.mountain-africa.com
SUNSET RECORDING STUDIOS
Stellenbosch
http://www.sunsetrecording.com
RESOURCES:
BACKSTAGE
http://www.backstage.co.za/
MAGAZINES:
AMUZINE
African Music Magazine
http://rock.co.za
RADIO:
SAFM (104-107KHz)
Sugar, Digest co-editor, chats to Bruce Millar every Wednesday at 10.30am
http://www.safm.co.za
BOOKS:
THE HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz (TOGA, 1994)
http://www.rock.co.za/files/book_order.html
TRIVIA:
CLIMB UP ON MY MUSIC
A site dedicated to Rodriguez, the Sugar Man
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rodriguez.html
SPACE HYMNS
Ramases
http://rock.co.za/ramases
VAGABOND'S WORLD
Rock Trivia
http://rock.co.za/vagabond
PIOTR'S GREEN PAGES
Discographies and lyrics for the legends of rock
http://www.zetosa.com.pl/piotrus/greenpages
MUSIC ON-LINE:
DIGITAL CUPBOARD
African MP3s
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za
We are happy to exchange links with any good website supporting SA music. A good website should be informative, regularly updated and linked back to us. If you already link to us and you believe your link should be here, please contact Brian Currin at mailto:sarock@new.co.za
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---------------
BACK ISSUES
http://rock.co.za/sarockdigest
Online and keyword searchable
DOWNLOAD
Download all back issues of the Digest as a zip file (just over 1MB).
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarockdigest.zip
__________________________________________
13.CONTRIBUTIONS
-----------------
This e-mag is a discussion forum for rock and pop music --
South African and International -- past, present and future.
All contributions, reviews, press releases, requests, searches and
comments are most welcome.
Please submit them to:
http://rock.co.za/contact
or email Brian Currin at:
mailto:sarock@new.co.za
All submissions need to be in plain text e-mail format with no attachments, please. You may, however, include URLs in your e-mails which point to websites or images on-line.
E-mails in HTML format, or e-mails all in lower-case or all in CAPITALS will tend to be ignored as they take too long to correct for inclusion in the Digest.
Any e-mail with an ".exe" file attached will automatically be trashed.
Bulk mailings which show everybody's addresses also tend to get trashed automatically.
________________________________________
14.CONTACT DETAILS
-------------------
EDITORS
Brian Currin
mailto:vagabond@new.co.za
http://rock.co.za/vagabond
http://rock.co.za/sarock
Stephen Segerman
mailto:sugar@rock.co.za
http://rock.co.za
Postal Address:
Brian Currin
PO Box 521
Eppindust
7460
Cape Town
South Africa
MAIN CONTRIBUTORS
Kurt Shoemaker, USA
mailto:kbshoe@hotmail.com
John Samson, UK
mailto:TheSamsons@aol.com
________________________________________
15.SUBSCRIPTIONS
----------------
Send an e-mail to mailto:sarock@new.co.za with any words or phrases that vaguely indicate acceptance or... visit http://rock.co.za/sarockdigest and fill in the simple form.
--------
Want to unsubscribe from this e-mag?
Surely not, but if you really must, then just reply to this e-mail,
saying "I'm bored" or "get me out of here" or "I've had enough" or whatever. I'll get the idea, eventually.
"unsubscribe digest" has been known to work too...
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