SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #187 http://www.sarockdigest.com 27th January 2003 Established 27th January 1999 -------------*********-------------- SPECIAL 4th BIRTHDAY BUMPER EDITION -------------*********-------------- -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- A variety of mp3s this week including a Namibian gospel-country-rock singer, a Beatles cover, a John Lennon tribute and a guitar-rock version of 'Sarie Marais'... pass the tissues please, Perez are splitting up... new and recent releases and re-issues from the Radio Rats, Joe Public, Johann Erasmus, Cutt Glas and Trevor Rabin... Urban 2 book now available... Shiloh throws his spotlight on Al Casey... Kurt and John look back over the last 4 years... Tertius looks back over the last 40 years... Jeremy Taylor writes about 'Ag Pleez Deddy'... Daniel says GO TEAM!!!... Carina gets a charge out of Battery 9... and there is a bunch of recommended gigs at SAgigs.com... ---------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ---------------------------------- For a colorful and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://www.cd.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. ---------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ---------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan' ... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ----------- SAMP3.com ----------- Recent new releases on http://www.SAmp3.com include: 'Day Tripper' - Joe Public 'Friday Night' - Terry Griffin 'Got The Time' - Serving Suggestion 'Long Time Ago' - Rupert Mellor 'Sarie' - Mike de Jager 'Stay With Me' - Koos van Zyl 'There'll Always Be Your Songs' - Rupert Mellor 'Time' - Starseed 'Die Trein' - Richard Black 'Wise Old Me' - Koosh ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. ----------- ONE WORLD ----------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Perez split, Woodstock 5, Sharkbrother, Bheki Mseleku, Aardklop, RP Studios 2.CHARTS: Top 30 mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: mp3s, CDs & Books: Radio Rats, Joe Public, Johann Erasmus, Cutt Glas, Trevor Rabin, Urban 2 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Kurt looks back 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: John looks at the last 4 years 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: We Love You Beatles, Al Casey, Springbok radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.FORUM: Readers views and comments: Ag Pleez Deddy 8.SOUND SOLUTIONS: Questions and Answers 9.LIVE MUSIC: Go Team!!!, Battery 9 10.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- PEREZ TO SPLIT Can it be true? Mamma Mia! This week we received an urgent news flash from the Blue Moon in Nelspruit, which said, well, here, you read it, we're too emotional... "Change Of Line-up For The Blue Moon Castle Loud Holdtight!! Concert On 1 Feb. Perez are breaking up - sorry to all you Perez fans!! - but as you know the Titanic sank with the orchestra playing, Kurt Cobain shot himself, and now they've made Mick Jagger Sir Mick!! Strange things happen in music. The new line-up is: Wonderboom, Jimmy 12", Siamese, Fuzigish, Even Flow, St Nemo's Cat, C-Four, DJ Eddie". The Digest checked with sources close to Perez's management who confirmed that SA's strongest contenders for top rock act in 2003 are to disband. Perez will be releasing an official statement during the week. Bad news all round, seems things weren't so picture perfect after all! Details of that Perez-less concert on Feb 1, and other upcoming dates, at http://www.sagigs.com -------------------- WOODSTOCK 5 - CALL FOR DEMOS AND ARTIST SUBMISSIONS Woodstock, South Africa's premier youth music and lifestyle festival will be taking place once again on the last weekend of September from Thursday the 26th to Sunday the 29th of September. Submissions are open to all artistes who fit into a youth category of music or entertainment. Music genres that will be given preference include rock, pop, hip-hop, variations of dance, hard-core, punk and rap. Submissions should include CD or tape, biography and video material if applicable. No mp3's or DATs are accepted. Submissions should be sent to: Woodstock 5 P.O. Box 91657, Auckland Park, 2006 Gauteng Submissions will be accepted up until the 31st of May 2003. For queries, contact: Authentic Ideas Nancy Hillary mailto:nancy@authentic.co.za 011 646 6467 --------------------- SHARK WARNING! During 2000 the Johannesburg band Sharkbrother released their underground cult SA classic 'Taj Mahala', later named as the SA Rock Digest's Best SA album of that year. And then, fin. Or rather, no more fin. Actually they just took a long breather, while the trio's bass player stopped sending hot glances at the gorgeous violinist, married her, and took her off into Africa for a long honeymoon. But now Steve Savage and Sam Goosen are back together with guitarist Cobus Roussouw, and a new album is pending in April. The group have added a drummer to their line-up and appeared live last week at Cool Runnings in Melville alongside Binary, Brixton Moord En Roof Orkes and newcomers Plank. Get ready for 'Jaws 2'! --------------------- BHEKI MSELEKU RECORDS A NEW ALBUM AFTER A SIX-YEAR INTERVAL Bheki Mseleku, the internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger, is currently in studio at the SABC, recording his new album, provisionally titled 'Home At Last'. This recording follows a six-year break since Mseleku's last album, 'Beauty of Sunrise', was released on the Verve label. Mseleku released his acclaimed debut album, 'Celebration', through World Circuit in 1991, paving the way for his career in the international jazz arena. He then recorded four albums for the prominent Verve jazz label from 1992 - 1997. This latest recording features Bheki Mseleku on piano, Feya Faku on trumpet and Winston Mankunku Ngozi on sax, amongst others. The album will be released by Sheer Sound in February 2003. ---------------------- AARDKLOP 2003 - PRODUCTION DEADLINES The closing date for proposals for productions in all genres for this year's Aardklop National Arts Festival is 30 April 2003. This year's festival will be held in Potchefstroom from 23 to 27 September. Prospective participants can apply for two types of productions: commissioned or box-office productions. For commissioned productions, the festival organisers pay a set fee, but all the takings at the door go to Aardklop. For box-office productions, the participants pay their own expenses, but a large percentage of the takings will go into their own pockets. The aim is to have a total of 75 productions (compared with last year's 87): 30 commissioned productions and 45 box-office productions. "Aarklop urges the artists to present new and cutting edge work - that would complement the festival's development and future vision. However the challenge exists to still ensure that these productions are financially viable and successful, since that would guarantee the continuation of the festival and that of the arts," says festival manager Giep van Zyl. Like last year, Aardklop will accept tenders. More information on tender procedures will be available on the website later this month, as well as in the media. Commissioned and box-office productions are announced simultaneously and bookings for both open on the same day, which place all participants on an equal footing. Prospective participants can obtain application forms from Tineke van der Walt at (018) 294-7509 or via the e-mail address mailto:admin@aardklop.co.za. It is also available from the Web site http://www.aardklop.co.za. Media enquiries: Ronel Nel, tel: (012) 362-2054 or e-mail: mailto:ronel@aardklop.co.za ------------------------ RP STUDIOS SEARCH FOR SA BANDS CONTINUES INTO 2003 The RP Studios Demo Deal is currently up-and-running in Gauteng and offers exciting opportunities for emerging SA bands during 2003 Every Saturday afternoon at Tempos, and Kyasands, Randburg, patrons can hear the freshest sounds emanating from Johannesburg as these weekly heats lead up to a monthly final. One band then has the opportunity of performing at Caesar's Gauteng during the monthly regional finals along with bands from the Vaal Triangle and Pretoria. For more details on these events, see the RP Studios section at http://www.sagigs.com __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Album/Label) 1. [2] (1) Psycoparalysis - Dayspring ('Never Before'/Indie) 2. [8] (2) Passion Mother - Metalmorphosis ('Blistered'/Silva Moon) 3. [3] (3) Go F*ck Yourself (demo) - Janie Jones (SAmp3.com/Indie) 4. [4] (4) Arm Man se Hond - Pienk Prinsessie (Demo/Indie) 5. [5] (5) A Million Miles - The Space Committee (Single/Indie) 6. [1] (1) Kwaito - KGB ('The First Born'/Mothermix) 7. [18] (7) Gommora Sampler - Gommora ('Gommora'/Gallo) 8. [11] (8) Losing Control - Venessa Nolan ('Burn'/Rhythm) 9. [14] (9) Wasted Time - Illana May ('I've Gotta Try'/Yellow Rose) 10. [6] (2) Don't Push - Mikanic with Ernie Deane ('Swimming With The Women'/Rhythm) 11. [13] (11) Beach Girl - Natalia ('The Street Level Sessions'/Indie) 12. [12] (2) JK Voëlvry (sampler) - Gereformeerde Blues Band ('Voelvry Die Toer'/Sheer) 13. [7] (6) Johnny Sampler - Falling Mirror ('Johnny Calls The Chemist'/RetroFresh) 14. [17] (14) So Jy Skim (demo) - Kop (SAmp3.com/Indie) 15. [28] (15) Vreemdeling - Dertien (SAmp3.com/Indie) 16. [-] (16) Sheriff Bush And Deputy Blair - The Nukular Stompers (Indie) 17. [10] (3) Red Rock City - Mac Mckenzie ('A Moment In Cape Town'/Wonder Label) 18. [9] (3) Braai Pack (sampler) - Not My Dog ('Braai Vibes'/Sheer) 19. [19] (1) Seether Sampler - Seether ('Disclaimer'/Musketeer/BMG) 20. [26] (20) Stoute Boude - Anton Goosen en Beeskraal (''n Vis Innie Bos'/Gallo) 21. [23] (21) Kitty (demo) - Piet Botha (SAmp3.com/Indie) 22. [15] (1) Social Ills - Godessa ('Cape Of Good Dope'/African Dope) 23. [16] (4) Need - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/Indie) 24. [24] (24) Strive (To Be Happy) - Paul Abro ('Songs From The Small Settee'/Indie) 25. [-] (25) Boneyard - Metalmorphosis ('Blistered'/Silva Moon) 26. [22] (4) Jou Oë - Kobus ('Kobus!/ENT) 27. [30] (27) Sweet Stellenganga - Akkedis ('Voortvlugtend'/Rhythm) 28. [20] (1) The Maker - The Awakening ('Roadside Heretics'/ Intervention Arts) 29. [-] (29) Dinosaur - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Indie) 30. [27] (2) The Shape That I'm In - The Usual ('Born In A Storm'/BMG) ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [4] (1) Three - Sunways (Sheer) 2. [15] (2) Gommora - Gommora (Gallo) 3. [5] (3) Another Time Another Place - Ken E Henson (3rd Ear) 4. [11] (4) Live At Jamesons - Cherry Faced Lurchers (RetroFresh) 5. [1] (1) Swimming With The Women - Mikanic (Rhythm) 6. [14] (6) Tap Into The System - Dorp (Contains Nuts) 7. [2] (2) Braai Vibes - Not My Dog (Sheer) 8. [8] (8) The Great South African Trip - Various (African Cream) 9. [6] (2) The First Born - KGB (Mothermix)) 10. [3] (3) Lank Sweat! - Sweatband (RetroFresh) 11. [17] (11) Medicated - Chris James (Cooler) 12. [25] (12) Never Before - Dayspring (Indie) 13. [10] (10) On Track 2002 - Various Artists (On Track) 14. [28] (14) Forest Moon - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Forest Moon) 15. [18] (15) Afrikaans Met Attitude - Vari-ous (Hoezit) 16. [9] (1) Kobus! - Kobus! (ENT) 17. [7] (1) A Moment In Cape Town - Various Live (Wonder Label) 18. [13] (1) Holy Water - Wendy Oldfield (SAfm) 19. [16] (1) Disclaimer - Seether (Musketeer/BMG) 20. [12] (2) Roadside Heretics - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 21. [19] (1) Cape Of Good Dope - Various (African Dope) 22. [20] (1) God Is African - Various OST (Sony) 23. [22] (1) Between Two Lives - Cutting Jade (DGR) 24. [21] (1) Groen Kitaar - Gian Groen & Spinnekop (Afrimusik) 25. [30] (25) Songs From The Small Settee - Paul Abro (Indie) 26. [23] (3) dream hope fear - New World Inside (Revolution) 27. [24] (14) Take The Good - Duncan Faure (EMI) 28. [27] (1) Freefall - Ian Henderson (N3) 29. [29] (1) Ordinary Day - The Fortune Cookies (Muskateer) 30. [26] (8) The Other Side - Ankha (Inhouse Records) Read http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus Listen http://www.samp3.com Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ----------------------------------------- ------ MP3s ------ Some recent releases on SAmp3.com: 'Day Tripper' - Joe Public A great cover of the Beatles hit song from 1965 - one of the best we've heard... see the Joe Public review below and also Tertius Louw's 'We Love You Beatles' article under the "Classic Rock" section. Download this song at http://www.SAmp3.com and http://www.rock.co.za/joepublic 'Friday Night' - Terry Griffin A perfect song to relax to on a Friday night after a hard week's work. Download this song (and other Terry Griffin tracks) at: http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_e_k.html and http://www.cd.co.za/terrygriffin 'Got The Time' - Serving Suggestion Cape Town punk-rockers Serving Suggestion have released their debut CD 'What's In A Box' and the 2 and a half minute driving 'Got The Time' is the opening song. Pounding drums, ripping guitars, harsh vocals... all the punk ingredients are here, as well as a catchy little tune. 'Long Time Ago' - Rupert Mellor England has Elton John, the US has Billy Joel... and South Africa has Rupert Mellor. Singer-songwriter Rupert Mellor first recorded and released 'Long Time Ago' in 1995. Download it at http://www.SAmp3.com. Visit http://www.cd.co.za/legends/rupertmellor for more info. 'Sarie' - Mike de Jager The traditional Afrikaans folk-song 'Sarie Marais' (which is over 100 years old and is possibly based on an old Scottish folk-song called 'Sweet Nellie Rhee') has been performed in many various versions, but not as far as we know, as a rock-guitar instrumental! Think Joe Satriani meets Mauritz Lotz in Nico Carstens lounge. Hear Mike de Jager's version off his brand new CD 'Blue Room' at http://www.SAmp3.com 'Stay With Me' - Koos van Zyl A CD from Namibian gospel-country-rock singer Koos van Zyl was passed on to us by Brian Finch, and like Brian we are blown away by his powerful voice and lyrics. This song also features the awesome guitar of Wouter de Bruyn. Download at http://www.SAmp3.com 'There'll Always Be Your Songs' - Rupert Mellor McCully Workshop keyboardist Rupert Mellor is the voice behind that Nukular Stomper's 'Sheriff Bush & Deputy Blair' song which is currently receiving unprecedented downloads at SAmp3.com after radioplay on SAfm. Here Rupert pays tribute to John Lennon with a beautiful self-composed ballad. See http://www.new.co.za/~currin/mike_mind_games.html for an obsure SA album cover featuring a photo of John Lennon in front of Table Mountain. 'Time' - Starseed SA band Starseed, now based in the UK, have released a powerful 3-track demo EP 'three point one' and the slow-burning 'Time' is one of the tracks from it. Keep a close eye (and ear) on these guys... we have high hopes for them. 'Die Trein' (The Train) - Richard Black Prolific guitarist Richard Black (McCully Workshop, Special Edition, Late Final, Nukular Stompers, Rupert Mellor Band, to name just a few) released a solo instrumental album a while ago titled 'Skadu Dans' (Shadow Dance). Early 60s guitar groups like The Ventures and The Shadows are an obvious influence. Take a listen at http://www.SAmp3.com 'Wise Old Me' - Koosh With Mauri Moncada's 'Believe' still getting huge downloads from SAmp3.com, we take a listen to his previous band Koosh. In that band, Moncada shared lead vocal duties with Craig Coltham. But this new Koosh demo features Coltham on his own and includes the endearing 'Wise Old Me' alongside 'You Have No Idea (Best Movie)', and 'Limestone Smile'. Listen to all the mp3s listed above at the biggest South African mp3 website in the world at http://www.SAmp3.com ----- CDs ----- RADIO RATS - 'INTO THE NIGHT WE SLIDE' The first new release on the RetroFresh label for 2003 is from the Radio Rats, and is a remastered version of 'Into The Night We Slide', the Springs band's brilliant rock album from 1978. The album has been re-released with two bonus tracks - 'Rocket Road' and 'Crazy Caroline' - as well as the original classic tracklisting, kicking off with the Rats' huge SA pop hit, 'ZX Dan' (number 2 on 5fm this week (!) in 1979). The liner notes for this re-release were compiled and written by Digest co-editor, Brian Currin, and includes a chronology of the band's history as well as a Radio Rats' Family Tree as a centrefold (what were you expecting - a nude shot of Johathan Rat?). This is the first time a South African Rock Family Tree has ever appeared in print form. For more info please visit The South African Rock Family Trees Website at http://www.rock.co.za/familytrees Read http://www.rock.co.za/radiorats Look http://www.freshmusic.co.za/retrofresh.htm Listen http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=radio%20rats Family Tree http://www.cd.co.za/legends/radiorats -------------------- JOE PUBLIC - 'THE TERRIBLE TWO'S' A few things happen to those less young rockers among us, like Joe Public. Firstly they call their album 'The Terrible Two's', which as any parent knows, is neither a reference to the rhythm section nor that difficult second album. Then they take an old, classic Beatles song and give it a severe hard rock pounding with some appropriately mixed-in movie sound snippets, leaving it sounding like the angry howl of a world about to have a war thrust upon it by the "StrawBlairy Bush" Gang. Which is what they do with poor old 'Day Tripper'. So Cape Town's Joe Public have gone public with a big opening roar. Those vocals you'll hear are those of Ryan de Freitas (vocals, guitars), alongside Aeron Brown (imagine Ernie Els with Evan Dando's hair) on guitar (and he wrote all these songs), Pieter Heyns on drums and Geoff Ross on keyboards. Joe Public was formed by Aeron Brown and Pieter Heyns, who decided to focus on recording and playing the original material written mostly by Brown over the past decade. Originally a three-piece band, the two remaining members of Joe Public began recording at the beginning of 2002, with 'The Alien' assisting with the initial production. Brown and Heyns were later joined by Ryan de Freitas and Geoff Ross. Apart from the four principle members, other musicians that feature on the CD are Pieter Human and Gareth Sherwood (bass guitar), Mick Clyde (slide guitar), Derek Harper Jnr (harmonica), Alli Heyns (guitar) and legendary SA axeman Jethro Butow (lead guitar on 'Death Row'). The band describe themselves as a traditional rock band, but the feel and intensity of the tracks on the CD varies considerably. The album contains nine original tracks alongside that Beatles cover. 'The Terrible Two's' takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride from the grinding guitars of the opening track, 'Closing Up' and 'Day Tripper', to the acoustic guitars of 'Black 'n Blues' and 'Tanic Twist', and the fusion rock oriented 'King Of Swing'. This is reflective of the band members' varying musical influences, which include ZZ Top, Deep Purple, Nickelback, Weather Report, B.B. King and Jamiroquai. The album was recorded at The Pit of Despair in Paarl, and 'The Alien' mixed and mastered the CD at the Pakistani Boarding House in Johannesburg. Joe Public are currently rehearsing for upcoming performances in and around Cape Town and a tour of the Garden Route and Johannesburg are in the planning stages. For details of upcoming gigs and more information on the band, visit the Joe Public webpage at http://www.rock.co.za/joepublic Read http://www.rock.co.za/joepublic Listen http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_e_k.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=joe%20public ------------------------ CUTT GLAS - 'SLEGS GLAS - GLASS ONLY' This creative and vibey ensemble of effervescent Eves can be thoroughly enjoyed on their fifth CD - 'Slegs Glas / Glass Only'. It's different from the other tongue-in-cheek and live cabaret songs in that it's aimed at and recorded for the listening ear, resulting in a smooth, finely-tuned sound. The a capella sound created by Anna, Karen, Jolette, Shireen and Bondina, is done - wait for it - by their vocal chords (like - duhhh), feet, zips (indeed), nails, mouths, hands, cheeks, fingers, tongues, lips, teeth, chests and palates. 'Rum & Coca-Cola' is the first and most spunky track. "Dusshhh-aahhh" and you can hear the Coke cap popping. Icy sweet bubbles. Tropical harmonies that drag you straight to the beach with ice cubes in your ear. Track 2 starts with a distinctly ethnic rhythm - almost aboriginal. Quite surprising to hear they're actually covering 'Always Forever' by that sweet lil' Donna Lewis. Then there's the quiet 'I Only Want To Be With You', presented with a clear "too-too-tooorrroooo..." like a thin silver thread. A favourite cover by Cutt Glas is 'All I Have To Do Is Dream'. This is a smooth, velvety mixture of high and low harmonics, crystal clear vocals and stunningly multi-faceted finish. Then the lasses grab Annie Lennox's 'There Must Be An Angel'. Remember that music video, where a rather hefty angel mimes the angelic voice chorus? Aye caramba! This angel kicks ass with an ardent, unwavering pitch, peaking effortlessly in shades of blue ice. You hear all five voices at once as they "tummm-tummm" out a restless beat in Vusi Mahlasela's 'Basimanyana'. There's also a darker "hahmmm-hahmmmm" drum rhythm, communicating the pulsating and robust African ambience. You will also find the busy vocal fusion in 'Wanneer Dit Reën Op Rietfontein'. The subtle unity in Cutt Glas' voices builds up, it ebbs, it titters and soars. Give 'Warrior' a good ear. Feel how they draw the story with their voices. Cutt Glas. A most flavoursome percussion kaleidoscope. (Carina Laubscher) Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=cutt%20glas -------------------- JOHANN ERASMUS - 'KLEINHOEWE OP DIE MAAN' Johann's debut CD was recorded in Stellenbosch and mixed by Jürgen von Wechmar at Sunset Recording Studios. Here's a grainy, warm voice, combined with acoustic guitar, Tim Rankin on drums, Schalk van der Merwe on bass, Albert Frost (the King) on electric guitar, Simon Orange on keyboard, Reinier Oosthuizen with a radical concertina, and, most delightfully, Nina Swart and Lize Beekman on background vocals. Johann sets a rough rustic vibe with a strong voice and honest lyrics. The opening 'Dryfhout' is quiet but restless - "Ons is die dryfhout van society se storms, almal van ons het ons wortels verloor ... "). Then you're flung to 'Kleinhoewe op die Maan' where a communal yearning is verbalised in clipped, curt tones with "My kar is gesteel, met 'n mes teen my keel, ek wens ek kan net gaan, na my kleinhoewe op die maan". The anger dilutes subtly with the feisty slow shuffle. Yummy. Then Johann grabs Koos Kombuis' lekker 'Liefde uit die Oudedoos' and gives it a cool new jacket - "Ek wil jou rook soos goeie kruie...". Ah yes. Good stuff. 'Vooruitgang', is a good klap against the head with a zany rhythm and stuff like "Dis demokrasie sê dié wat weet, vooruitgang in reverse gear, op die blou planeet". Shake dem bones, Dude. You hear "Hulle noem dit als technology, maar die waarheid is hulle worry nie..." and you jive like a mosquito with malaria. Whoa, here's that concertina in 'Pot se Stroom'. Johann tells you about "Vurige passie op 'n klaphaarmatrassie, maar die ergste van alles is, ek weetie wie sy wassie..." and hee hee, it was all "net 'n droom". Concertina goes nuts in 'Bok is 'n Bliksem'. You smell braaivleis and taste the lager. It's about the other woman - "Maar 'n man is mos 'n bok, en 'n bok is mos 'n bliksem, al skel jy hom uit, of al slaat jy hom met 'n besem". 'Net Woorde' is slow and utterly stunning with backing vocals that are soft, sad, strong. Listen with your guts. "Hoe gaan my siel dan versadig raak, akkoorde en woorde wat ry op die wind, die soeke na iets wat ons nooit sal vind..." Play this one to someone who sees right into your soul. Johann knots your gut with 'Bagasie', which is the type of song that follows you to work, no matter how noisy your head. "Bacchus het my ingespan, met 'n stang in my mond, met 'n flipflap van waansin, rol hy my rond". It's short and simple, but strong - without steroids. There are also two other covers to round off the album, Koos Du Plessis' evergreen 'Sprokie van 'n Stadskind', and a turbo-boosted folk song - 'Die goeie oue tyd'. On this one you'll dance until your eyebrows sweat. Grab the dude's tunes and savour the honest passion. 'S good for you. (Carina Laubsher) ------------------- TREVOR RABIN - '90124' (info from Voiceprint website) Immediately prior to joining Yes for their come back album, 1983's massive selling '90125', Trevor Rabin had been recording songs for his next solo album which remained unreleased until now as many of them formed the basis for the Yes album. Now, for the first time we can hear Trevor's original versions of several songs that appeared on '90125' including 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart' and 'Changes'. Also included are some fine songs which were not used by Yes, such as 'One Track Mind' and 'Moving In'. These are firmly in the hard rock category, with Trevor's distinctive voice and exceptional guitar skills to the fore. '90124' is a fascinating compliment to '90125' showing how Yes developed the songs and also demonstrating how much his presence influenced the band's sound. It will appeal to fans of Yes as well as fans of Trevor's music. Tracks: 'One Track Mind', 'Hold On', 'It's Enough', 'Changes', 'Love Ain't Easy', 'Moving In', 'Who Were You With Last Night?', 'Baby I'm Easy', 'Would You Feel My Love?', 'Tonight's Our Night', 'Owner of A Lonely Heart', 'I'm With You', 'Must Be Love', 'Don't Give In' Read and buy at: http://www.voiceprint.org.uk/catalogue.php/Release/930/ ------- BOOKS ------- 'URBAN 2' - VARIOUS Good to see that a second collection of these South African short stories is now keeping 'Urban 1' company on SA bookshelves. 'Urban 1' was a smart idea by Dave Chislett, who rounded up a posse of some of the hippest young SA writers, gave them a general focus and set them loose. The resulting mixture of short stories featured gritty slices of urban imagination focusing on either living in our cities or getting the hell out of them, if only for a catharsis. 'Urban 2' repeats the formula and is as consistent and eclectic as its predecessor. Daryn Katz returns with a road trip saga called 'Gone West', and Dave Chislett again manages to out-weird all comers with 'Nice Day For The Beach', a scary yarn that begins as an innocent cruise down the Breede River. Funnyman Tshepo Mogale relates the zany tale of a couple of students going to Soweto and getting an expensive lesson about participating in the crime chain. Special mention to Sons Of Trout's Mike Rennie, who uses a live gig at the Oudtshoorn Festival as a backdrop to a story about life on the road, musical epiphanies, and spending an evening with a bottle of "Disney de Melker". That is one special, potent brew concocted by Dagga Dirk Uys' wife and named for the notorious SA husband-killer Daisy de Melker. For a list of the drink's contents, you'll have to get the book. There's plenty of other booze and zol and existential urban despair soaked into these stories by writers like Gilad Hockman, Nokuthula Mazibuko, Desne Maisie, Beth Peterson, Dana Aires, Hagen Engler, Marcus Ramogale, Patrick Cairns, Nkonki Maphiri, and Tracey Farren. This is the real 'Urbal Life! Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=urban2 --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://www.cd.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------ Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music Happy Fourth Birthday, SA Rock Digest! The editors of our South African Rock Digest have asked for my thoughts on a favorite album or event in SA music from the past four years, which happens to be how old the Digest now is. And I wish I could do that, but I can't. Too many nice people have been met via the Internet and so much music has filled my life. How can one single out one item when fascinated by a world in a country? I thought at first to write about the Very Significant re-releases of RetroFresh. Then I thought, "Right now I'm listening to a CD of over one hundred mp3s from SAmp3.com, that's pretty major." About three years ago, when seeking Four Jacks and a Jill led me to the rest of South Africa's rich musical variety, I at first had precious little to satisfy my desire for more. Then, the readers and writers in the Digest lamented how much good music was out of print and generally unavailable. Now, instead of precious little I have a precious lot. Y'all have a creative scene. Your musicians are sincere and energetic, your SA music fans dedicated, and SA music has an extra energy I don't often hear in the frequently monochrome radio here. Further, within your creative music, the modern Afrikaans musicians like Piet, Valiant, and Koos are creating music with great élan and intelligence -- not forgetting the fun. Wonderful stuff. So how can I write about one event or one CD? I guess I can't. I'm just going to keep listening to my CDs and enjoying my new friends. 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 THE LAST FOUR YEARS As the digest celebrates its four years of existence, I thought I would take a little time to reflect on four things in South African music that have stood out in my mind over that period. The first and most recent was the profound shock at the death of Johannes Kerkorrel. I met him briefly when he came and performed in London. He seemed a really gentle soul, somewhat at odds with the hard stance he took against apartheid in his Voëlvry days. He was an important man in the South African music business, particularly in the Afrikaans rock (now dubbed Klank Rock) movement. He will be sorely missed. The second event also revolves around a Voëlvryer but is much happier. This was the astounding first concert that Koos Kombuis gave at the Walkabout in Shepherd's Bush in London. The venue was heaving, the atmosphere electric and the Bard Father was in fine form. This was a ground breaking concert that opened the doors for other artists to come over and earn a few pounds and hopefully make a few contacts. All together now "Dit was lente in die Boland". The much publicised last ever gig of the Springbok Nude Girls at the Shepherd's Bush Empire has to be amongst my top gigs of all time. Ignore the fact that it ended up not being their last ever gig, this was an emotional affair powered by the blistering noise that was the Girls. As one of the audience enthused after the show 'Have you ever experienced anything like that in your life'. The answer is simply no I haven't and doubt I ever will again. It was a moment to treasure. Lastly, discovering the music of Syd Kitchen was, for me, a major event. Yes I know he's been around for ages and I should have picked up on him earlier, but in the last four years I have found a copy of the stunning 'Waiting for the Heave' and the jazzy 'City Child'. I was then treated to possibly his best work to date when 'Africa's Not for Sissies' was released in 2001. This an essential album for anyone serious about music. Provocative and evocative, it is a most beautiful album and highly treasured in my collection. These are only the brief highlights of four years of highly enjoyable South African music. The more I listen to SA rock, the more disillusioned I have become with the established UK and US scene. While SA Rock is on the ascendancy, it seems the established scene is running out of ideas. Here's to the next four years then. If the SA music scene continues in this vein, these are times to eagerly look forward to. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- WE LOVE YOU BEATLES [1963 - 2003] Vinyl collector and SA Rock Encyclopedia archivist, Tertius Louw, put finger to keyboard and wrote a short article on 40 years of South African Beatlemania. Let's remind ourselves that Beatlemania hit South Africa during 1963, exactly 40 years ago. Like everywhere else in the world, the Beatles changed the face of rock music in South Africa too. Thousands of teenagers flocked to record shops to spend their weekly pocket money on the first Beatle single release in this country, namely 'Please Please Me'/ 'Ask Me Why'. Beatle music swamped the local scene and by the end of '63 most Beatle fans had the following records in their collection: 'Please Please Me'/ 'Ask Me Why' (red label pressing: collectors item) 'From Me To You'/ 'Thank You Girl' (ditto) 'She Loves You'/ 'I'll Get You' (ditto) 'Twist and Shout'/ 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' (SA release only: collectors item) 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'/ 'This Boy' 'Just Seventeen (I Saw Her Standing There)'/ 'Roll Over Beethoven' (SA release only: collectors item) 'Please Please Me' (the album: albums sold for R3,99 in 1963) South African bands started to play Beatle songs on stage, but it was actually the Flames and the Meteors, both signed to the Rave label, who recorded the first Beatle songs in studio. Sadly, The Flames' versions of 'Just Seventeen' and 'Boys' are still lying in the vaults today. The Meteors, however, got the green light and their versions of 'Just Seventeen', 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'Boys' were converted to vinyl status. The local Beatles fan club was also established with the help of it's London counterpart. Miss Diane Kelynack, PO Box 239, Saxonworld, Johannesburg, (then, not today!) was the local fan club secretary. Other local acts tried to cash in on the Beatle phenomenon and recorded songs about the Beatles. Again, Rave label took the initiative and released 'Gogga', the first South African rock song recorded in the Afrikaans language. Glenys Lynne gave us 'My Boyfriend Got A Beatle Haircut', and Danie Pretorius recorded 'Ek Wens Ek Was 'n Beatle'. In Cape Town, Ronnie Singer and the Settlers released 'What About The Beatles', followed by Charles Segal's tribute album about the Beatles, 'From Me To You'. Dennis Pregnalato's band, the Valiants, provided instrumental backing. The album included Charles's own composition 'Beatle Top'. Even the local fashions houses got on to the bandwagon and sold Beatle tops, blouses, skirts and dresses for less than R6. Come on Grandmothers, show us what you bought in '63! Those items are probably worth "thousands" today. In conclusion; it was in the year 1963 that I used some of my birthday (also 27 Jan) money to purchase a copy of 'Just Seventeen'. "Sold out, son!", the lady behind the counter said. "But don't despair, I have one by local boys, the Meteors". I didn't know who the Meteors were, but nevertheless bought the single and invested my first 75 cents in South African rock music. The rest is history! Happy birthday Rock Digest. May you go from strength to strength, and who knows, maybe the future editors will remind readers of the impact of Digestmania on the local rock scene when they celebrate the Rock Digest's 40th birthday on 27 January 2039! (Tertius Louw) Ed's comment: many other SA artists have recorded Beatles songs with varying success. One of the best must surely be Hotline's outstanding version of 'Help!' (featuring the vocal talents of PJ Powers) off Hotline's 2nd album 'Burnout'. And to bring us right up to date we have Joe Public with their hard-rocking version of 'Day Tripper', available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com and http://www.rock.co.za/joepublic ----------------- SHILOH'S CORNER ----------------- Our rock historian with an eye for the obscure, the conspiracies, and the real facts. AL CASEY - THE "SULTAN OF TWANG" In 1963 Duane Eddy and his Rebels arrived in South Africa for the last leg of their world tour. Their bass guitarist, Al Casey, decided to stay and jam with local musicians, and that lasted six months. Al started his career as guitar teacher for Twang man Duane Eddy, playing the vibrato riffs on his 'Guitar Man' and 'Forty Miles Of Bad Road', which he co-wrote. Al also wrote the pumping 'Ramrod' that kept the dollars rolling in for Duane Eddy. In 1957 Casey stole a Howling Wolf riff, added it to Sanford Clarke's 'The Fool', and slashed it all the way to the top in 1958. Johnny Kidd and the Pirates later took the 'Fool' into the English charts for a second reign amongst the beat classics. Casey's close association with lyricist Lee Hazelwood resulted in his rhythm propelling a major portion of notable hits in the Sixties. The moody atmospheric feel on Jody Reynolds' 'Endless Sleep' was also courtesy of the Al Casey twang. Lee Hazelwood finally stomped into the charts with his self-penned sadomasochistic 'These Boots Are Made For Walking', featuring the sultry voice of Nancy Sinatra. Casey was the "Sultan of Twang" yet the glory went to Duane Eddy. Casey's sessions moved from rock to Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald. When Casey played the lead, Carol Kaye would stammer away on her fluid bass lines. In 1957 Eddie Cochran backed him on his 'Willie Mae' single released by Liberty records. The elephant walk bassline was originally sourced from a Phoenix group called Grapes of Wrath. The first couple of seconds of their self-penned single 'Irene' featured Jim Simmons on the bass that was later flown to Los Angeles for the Sinatra session. Al Casey played the rhythm. In 1967 Lee Hazelwood cracked the #1 position with his self-produced 'Something Stupid' sung by Frank and Nancy Sinatra and written by C. Carson Parks. Wherever Lee Hazelwood moved, the red Hagstrom V2 hollow-bodied electric guitar of Al Casey would follow. During the recording of 'Something Stupid', Billy Strange had called in future Beach Boy Glen Campbell to play the rhythm, but he could not hack the sound that Sinatra wanted. Al Casey had already played on the demo and stepped in, to Sinatra's satisfaction. Sinatra then hired him for 'Strangers In The Night' and 'That's Life'. Apart from Al Casey becoming one part of the virtual Monkees in the sixties, he also introduced the five-note riff for the Association's 'Never My Love'. In 1969 Nilsson's hit single, 'Everybody Talking', written by Fred Neil, received the swirling rhythm of Casey's high-speed fingers. He went on to play a number of stringed instruments on the Beach Boys' 'Good Vibrations' and played most of the guitar licks on their monumental 'Pet Sounds' LP. From 1968, Casey played on all the Elvis soundtracks sessions, and donated his Hagstrom V2 electric guitar to the King. Although Elvis is often pictured with a guitar in his hand, he could hardly play a single note. Casey went on to play a major role as a session musician on soundtracks such as 'Smokey And The Bandit' and was also one part of Dean Martin's back-up group. Hazelwood's contribution to echo and reverb perpetuated itself through the Ace guitar riffs of Al Casey. Casey also played the Fender Jaguar, impersonating Dick Dale, and the six string Rickenbacker electric lap steel for hits such as 'Some Velvet Morning' and the eerie 'Summer Wine'. Casey's best known single, 'Surfin' Hootenanny', received a heavy pounding from his Fender Jaguar and had heads turning everywhere. Al Casey stands in the shadows like George Barnes, who played those fearless breaks on Connie Francis' 'Lipstick On Your Collar'. (Shiloh Noone) -------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (26 January 1973) 1 [1] I'd Love You To Want Me - Lobo 2 [2] I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash 3 [3] I Need Your Love - Letta Mbulu 4 [4] Woman (Beautiful Woman) - Don Gibson 5 [5] Run To Me - Bee Gees 25 YEARS AGO (27 January 1978) 1 [2] Subsitute - Clout 2 [9] Mull Of Kintyre - Wings 3 [4] The Name Of The Game - Abba 4 [12] It's A Heartache - Bonnie Tyler 5 [1] Barracuda - Heart 20 YEARS AGO (28 January 1983) 1 [2] I Don't Wanna Dance - Eddy Grant 2 [1] Words - FR David 3 [3] The Clapping Song - Belle Stars 4 [5] Let's Go Dancing (Ooh La La La) - Kool & The Gang 5 [4] Heart Attack - Olivia Newton John 15 YEARS AGO (30 January 1988) 1 [2] (I've Had) The Time Of My Life - Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley 2 [1] Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley 3 [4] Faith - George Michael 4 [5] Mony Mony - Billy Idol 5 [3] You Win Again - Bee Gees Johnny Nash seemed to be missing the number 1 spot as he spent his 3rd week at number 2 since his record breaking run at the top. Lobo however managed to cling to pole position. In fact it was as you were in the 1973 top 5. On their 4th week in the top 20, Clout hit the top spot, knocking Heart down to number 5. Heart had spent a total of 7 weeks at the top. In terms of the Springbok charts Heart are classified as one hit wonders as this was their only song to chart. This despite a strong revival in the mid 80's. In 1982 Eddy Grant became the only Guyanan to top the SA charts. 'I Don't Wanna Dance' was taken from his album 'Killer on the Rampage' which also topped the SA album charts. While he was the only Guyanan to chart on the album chart, his step brother Rudy Grant managed a top 20 single with a cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Lately'. In 1988 Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley became the 6th duet to top the charts in the years 1969 to 1989 when the charts stopped. '(I've Had) The Time Of My Life' was also to be the also number 1 by a duet. Probably the most successful duet to top the charts was Elton John's teaming up with Kiki Dee for 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'. This combo made number 1 in SA, the UK and the US. South African's at number 1 this week: Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow - Dealians (1971) She's A Woman - Neil Herbert (1975) Substitute - Clout (1978) Find these 3 no.1's on 'The Best Of SA Pop Volumes 1 & 2' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=cdgmpd40485 http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=cdgmpd40486 Letta Mbulu's 'I Need Your Love' can be found on her 'Greatest Hits' CD at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=cdcol8109 NEW ENTRIES THIS WEEK As a new feature in the Springbok Radio Charts section we will be listing the songs by local artists that entered the charts this week in years gone by. The information we have for the charts prior to 1969 is sketchy, relates to a top 10 only and the dates are not 100% certain, however we will be including these songs to give readers an idea of what SA songs were hot way back when. In this first listing we have listed all those new entries on dates since the start of the year. 17-Jan-64 Mockin' Bird Song - Charles Jacobie 07-Jan-66 Come Back Silly Girl - Staccatos 19-Jan-68 Master Jack - Four Jacks & A Jill 24-Jan-69 Cry To Me - Staccatos 09-Jan-70 Fairy Tales - John Edmond 01-Jan-71 Mango, Mango - Tidal Wave 08-Jan-71 Sing Out Glory - Bernie Brown 15-Jan-71 Cry Blue Bird Cry - Rising Sons 07-Jan-72 All Of The Time Girl - Dealians 05-Jan-73 Home Isn't Home Anymore - Alan Garrity 05-Jan-73 Locomotive Breath - Rabbitt 19-Jan-73 I Don't Wanna Play House - Barbara Ray 04-Jan-74 Sweet Mama - Richard Jon Smith 11-Jan-74 The Tips Of My Fingers - Peter Vee 25-Jan-74 Little Jimmy - Gwynneth Ashley Robin 17-Jan-75 You Asked Me To - Bobby Angel 02-Jan-76 Sha La La La - Buttercup 14-Jan-77 Blue Water - Julian Laxton Band 06-Jan-78 Subsitute - Clout 05-Jan-80 Where Have All The Flowers Gone - Roy Bulkin 26-Jan-80 Ain't Gonna Stop 'Till I Get To The Top - Joy 17-Jan-81 Love Connection - Plastik Mak 14-Jan-83 Vyfster - Lloyd Ross --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section (named after the much-missed shop from Fishhoek) is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Anton Goosen - 'Boy From The Suburbs' (LP) Jack Hammer - 'The Judas Chapter' (LP) Mfusi Nyamza - 'Crossroads' (LP) Johnny Windemere - 'Where It Never Stops' (LP) David Kramer - 'Eina' (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com ------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium on Main, Claremont, Cape Town Alan Hilton (021) 683 5676 mailto:ahilton@mweb.co.za ------------ BIRTHDAYS ------------ Jan. 27 - Nick Mason (1945), Pink Floyd Jan. 29 - David Byron (1947, died 28 Feb. 1985), Uriah Heep Jan. 30 - Marty Balin (1943), Jefferson Airplane/Starship Jan. 30 - Allan Faull (1949), Falling Mirror Jan. 30 - Steve Marriott (1947), Small Faces; Humble Pie Jan. 31 - Phil Collins (1951), Genesis Jan. 31 - Phil Manzanera (1951), Roxy Music Jan. 31 - Johnny Rotten (1956), Sex Pistols; PiL ______________________________________________ 7.FORUM --------- AG PLEEZ DEDDY As we wrote in last week's issue, the lyrics for 'Ag Pleez Deddy' is propbably the most Frequently Asked Question on the SA Rock Digest. We asked Jeremy Taylor to write something for us for the Digest about this famous South African song and here it is... 'Ag Pleez Deddy' has been a real globetrotter. At a club in Melbourne, Australia, where I was entertaining a few years ago a fellow came up to tell me that he had first come across the song while sharing a shower with a nun - in Jerusalem. The song has appeared, more sobrely, in school text books in South Africa and in the Oxford Book of South African Verse where it provoked controversy because of the understandable reluctance of editors to stick to the original chorus which contains, among its list of lekkers, "nigger balls". These colour-changing gob-stoppers were sucked innocently by South Africans for over a hundred years with no thought of racial insult, the word "nigger" not being part of the South African glossary of terms. Globalisation and other sensitivities have changed that and nigger balls have found themselves excised from formal texts as well as from the British stage. In the London run of "Wait a Minim!" in the early 1960's I was obliged to substitute rugger balls. Still, balls is balls.. I am glad that 'Ag Pleez Deddy' has given so much pleasure to so many people. I never expected it of course. I had taken up a teaching post at St Martin's School in Rosettenville in 1959 and, fresh from England, was all eyes and ears. I studied my pupils, and being a devotee of accents - of all kinds - I was intrigued. My response to their vigorous vernacular was to write 'Ag Pleez Deddy'. It seemed a way to celebrate a new world, a new people, a new identity still struggling to be born. A year later the song was released on disc. It elicited stern disapproval from many sections of society who felt it was impure - a mongrelised, bastard tongue. Which of course it was. A pavement special. But it was positive, life-affirming, joyful and, above all, it was - and could only be - South African. It was banned by the SABC at once, but Radio Lourenco Marques played it non-stop. Then came the Rand Easter Show and it was blaring over the loudspeakers twenty times a day. In the stores around town the record department staff never took it off the turntable. Rhodesia got it. Voice of Kenya even eased Jim Reeves aside for a moment to air it every day. The British forces in Aden took it up. Cambridge University adopted it and many a stately home in England reverberated to the sound of the Southern Suburbs. It was quoted, in full, in the New York Times. I wonder today why the Japanese never discovered it? After all, they adopted everything else. Presumably there was a language problem. And language was really what 'Ag Pleez Deddy' was all about. That, and identity. (It has quite a sneaky melody too.) I still sing it. I have to. And as long as people enjoy it I shall go on singing it. There's no mystery about that. And I hope people will go on singing it long after I'm gone. Especially nuns. In the shower. In Jerusalem. Jeremy Taylor January 2003 Read http://www.jeremytaylor.info Buy CD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=cdred608 Buy LPs mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com Lyrics http://www.new.co.za/~currin/ag_pleez_deddy.html ___________________________________________ 8.SOUND SOLUTIONS ------------------ LOOKING FOR BASS PLAYER Centurion metal band searching for bassist to join. Own equipment essential. Give me a call on 0824159980 - name's Loris mailto:loris@clichere.co.za --------------------- BASS PLAYER LOOKING FOR BAND (But not in Centurion...) Experienced bass player looking to start or join top class Durban band. Influenced by rock, alternative and bass style of RATM, KORN & Pearl Jam. Full management also offered. Please contact Dave on 0823259746. Serious applicants only please. ---------------------- LOOKING FOR 'COLD FACT' LP I am trying to find 'Cold Fact' on Vinyl. I heard that it had been re-released. If not could you point in the direction of where I could find a mint condition second hand copy. Thanks Taine Moufarrige Sydney, Australia mailto:taine@servcorp.com.au Ed's note: 'Cold Fact' has been re-released on CD in SA, but not on vinyl as far as we know. But there are a few LP copies available, not sure of a "mint condition second hand copy" but there are sealed/mint copies and good condition second hand. Try Jacques c/o the Mabu Vinyl section above. Read & listen http://www.sugarman.org Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=rodriguez -------------------- LOOKING FOR THE "GROOVE" Hi, I am wondering if anyone has a copy of the Mango Groove 1998 single 'Let Your Heart Speak'. If someone can email me an mp3 it would be great or I could buy a copy of the single or tape. Also looking for the video clip for Claire Johnston's solo song 'If You Go Away'. I would like to buy a copy if anyone has one. Cheers email:Neil_Gill@ap.irco.com -------------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com This section sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS http://www.cd.co.za/soundsolutions Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers: 1) Music Searches - Sourcing and recommending songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials 2) Music Licensing - Assisting in obtaining the publishing and recording rights for music to be used as soundtracks for TV commercials, movie soundtracks and other productions. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@cd.co.za ______________________________________________ 9.LIVE MUSIC --------------- RECOMMENDED GIGS See http://www.sagigs.com If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. --------- REVIEWS --------- --------- SA PUNK --------- GO TEAM!!! Daniel Neville saw them at the Purple Turtle and managed to get some info out of this manic seven-piece rock outfit who don't plan to hang around for too long after changing the SA rock scene forever... It's around 10:30pm at the Purple Turtle on a Saturday night, the place is full with the normal crowd of punks, but something is different... instead of the crowd going off like they usually do, they are just standing around with looks of complete awe across their faces. In front of them are seven guys. One of them is playing some insane riffs on a guitar, another is playing the drums like it is the last time he will ever be playing them. The bass is being played by a guy who seems to be lurking around in the shadows at the back of the stage, an electric keyboard is being played by a hunched figure sitting on the ground and running around/rolling on the floor/moshing are three guys, two with mikes and one with a loudspeaker. This is GO TEAM!!! GO TEAM!!! is a group who basically wanted to encourage originality in the Cape Town music scene. All the guys in the band have been in the scene for a long time and the band includes ex-members of bands such as Dijit and Neshama. They provide an awesome show even though their set is very short. I spoke to the band about this and other issues. They explained: "The plan was to produce a short-term original and inspirational experiment and inject it into Cape Town's music scene. We always wanted it to be short-term, because this was not about us as a band, but rather the music. This also allows us to be totally outrageous and try things that don't necessarily need to be around for a long time". They continued: "We are not in this for the fame or the money (HAHAHA - money? where?), we simply want to show the kids that there's more to music than punk/hxc. Duncan has this whole post-modernism thing with our music and I guess in a way he's right. We tried to think outside of genres and styles, incorporating various styles into our sound. That way when people walk away from our shows, they leave with an opinion, implying some thought. Most of the music being produced these days is pretty formulaic and generic in a way and we want to destroy strongholds people have about music." Because GO TEAM!!! is a short term project, the band will be gone by the end of this month, but don't worry, you still have some time to see them before they break up. They are playing on Wednesday the 29th at the Purple Turtle in Cape Town and their last gig is on the 1st of Feb at the Whammy Bar in Cape Town. So do yourself a favour and get to these shows - you will never regret it. [DN] ----------------------- BATTERY 9 Unplugged at The Bassline in Melville Do not wait for a next time. Catch Battery 9 whenever, wherever. Last night the gleaming skulls and flickering blue strobe lights threw the packed Bassline into a deep hole with a dark, dark beat. Paul Riekert breathed like a monster. "Maak 'n nuwe begin - ek is in my moer in." Then there was 'Brommers'. Ominous red lights lit up the headless red guitar. Riekert's hand in lazy curls around the mike. His cigarette breathed fear in industrial spurts. Then 'Kakstraat' was spat out in livid blotches that left me in gooseflesh for hours. Battery 9 then played the best live version ever of 'Lie If You Have To.' At the last note I heard "F*k!" all around. Tom Waits came to visit. Heavy and guttural, right up your nostrils. Someone burped. It seemed to fit. The dark quiet men gave us 'Missing Details' and 'How To Learn To Speak Norwegian'. We paid attention. Someone giggled nervously in the back. Battery 9 freaked us out and they loved it. They fluffed up our tail-feathers with 'Lucy From The Steakhouse In Delmas'. They were not allowed to leave, and had to return twice. They kicked the machine with 'Kom Hier' - slick and mean, and 'Die Nugter Wals', chucked at us in deep smokey vocals and sardonic facial contortions. Pity Paul had to ask four times for people to keep quiet. And he got up from his chair with "Tannie Marie, dankie vir die rangskikkings". The cheers and howls lifted the Bassline roof. Get addicted to Battery 9. Easy as pissing up a rope. Carina Laubscher Melville This section is sponsored by: SMOKE SIGNALS http://www.cd.co.za/smokesignals A fully integrated publicity and events service, specialising in the music and theatre world. Band and concert promotion, press releases, media interviews and 'short hand hyping'. Contact: Brian Weinronk ph: (021) 4619152 mailto:brianwein@kingsley.co.za ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com in a plain text e-mail. ___________________________________________ 10.INFO -------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=AddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=unsubscribe BACK ISSUES http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com EDITORS Brian Currin Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com CONTRIBUTORS Don Bryce Carina Laubscher Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Shiloh Noone John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Proofed by Ronx <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>