SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #199 http://www.sarockdigest.com 21st April 2003 Established 27th January 1999 -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- A whole Easter basket full of mp3s this week... new issue of Stage magazine hits the shelves... Tweak CD launch... Brandon October is not sitting idol, er, idle... Luna has a new band... new 'Wicked Demos' CD coming from Wicked Rock... Kurt reviews the band in the sand, Bedrock... John cuts himself with a Six-String Razor... John saw Dorp in London Town... and all the gig info is at http://www.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. --------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ON THE RADIO --------------------------------------- Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman presents his SA music slot on the Bruce Millar Show on SAfm (103-106fm) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.ROCK.co.za ----------- SAmp3.com ----------- Some of the new mp3's added to http://www.SAmp3.com website this week: 'I Don't Have To Crawl' (demo) - Susan May 'Dethrayboosterokkit' - Tykoon Suit 'What Ya Gonna Do?' - Mr Mo & G-Steel 'Dankbaar Vir Aeroplanes' - Lize Beekman 'Mooie Vrou' - Kaal 'Troos Van Die Teerpad' - Adam Tas 'Afrika Son' - Ekstra Dik 'The Mississippi Muthers Blues' - The Mississippi Muthers 'Elungelo' - RSL featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo 'Tell Someone Who Cares' (Sampler) - Wonderboom 'Who Cares (Not Us)' - The Buckfever Underground 'I Guess This Is The New South Africa' - Biff & Jethro 'Thunder' - Brian Finch with Ken E Henson 'Bringing Back The Good Times' (live 1972) - Brian Finch with Mike Dickman 'Bermuda Triangle' - Mr Mann & Pointblank 'Awakening' - HappyFourTwenty 'Electric Train' - The Blues Broers 'Can't Judge A Book' - The Boulevard Blues Band 'Mamba' (demo) - Piet Botha 'Nuwe Suid Afrika' - Kop 'Almal Maak Haar Mal' - Valiant Swart 'Rooiwyn' - Gas! 'Bleed' - Loogaroo 'Six Feet' - Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com please e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. ------------- SAKLANK.com ------------- Sluit aan by http://www.SAKlank.com deur e-pos te stuur aan mailto:intekenaar@saklank.com?subject=SAKlank Alle rasionele idees, gedagtes, bydraes, briewe en konsert-/CD-resensies is altyd welkom! ----------- ONE WORLD ----------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Stage mag, Tweak, Oppikoppi, Brandon October, Luna 2.CHARTS: Top 30 mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: mp3s & CDs: Wicked Demo 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Bedrock 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Mauritz Lotz 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Dorp, SA Punk 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- STAGE MAGAZINE NOW MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE IN SA The latest quarterly edition of Stage Magazine is now available at a broader variety of news agents around South Africa. Following the disappearance of Top40 magazine from SA shelves, Stage Magazine has further cemented its position as the major (off-line!) SA music and entertainment magazine. One can now buy copies of Stage at most CNA, PNA, 7 Eleven, Spar, and most recently Checkers, outlets for R8,95 (Hey! don't read in the shop!). Stage Magazine covers hot music and hip entertainment. Regular features include music tabs, educational bits like "Know your guitar", loads of snippets and reviews on SA music and entertainment, an insert of Hip Hop magazine 'Da Juice', and some social contemporary 'controversial' issues. Always good value! Info and subscriptions (R100 for 15 editions) at: http://www.stage.co.za ---------------------- TWEAK CAPE CD LAUNCH - TICKET GIVE-AWAY Tweak are currently introducing some of the youth of this country to their new album, 'Dirty Sanchez and The Misfit Kidz', as part of a national launch tour. The Cape Town leg will be on Sunday 27 April at the Hottentots Holland High School with support acts Jesse Jordan and Surreal. The concert organisers have generously donated 10 sets of double tickets to any Digest subscribers keen to be there. To win one of these sets, please answer the following two easy questions and email your answers to mailto:gapower@icon.co.za: 1. What is the latest Tweak single off the 'Dirty Sanchez & Misfit Kidz' album called? 2. What is the latest Jesse Jordan Band CD called? (clue: visit http://www.jessejordan.co.za) Tweak - "Dirty Sanchez & the Misfit Kidz" CD Launch Sunday 27 April 2003 - Doors open at 17h00 Venue: Hottentots Holland High School (On the N2, Opposite Helderberg BMW), Somerset West. Tickets: R40 available from 072 128 5783 B4 the 25th April, R50 at the door. Ages: All ages welcome Bar: Separate bar available, very strict ID & no alcohol to leave bar area READ LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/samplers.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=tweak ---------------------------- OPPIKOPPI PRODUCTIONS - UPCOMING EVENTS The Oppikoppi production crew have their hands full over the next few weeks, with shows of every kind around the country. Below is a brief calendar of upcoming events, and updates on these shows. Full details of all these at http://www.sagigs.com Dates: April 22, 23, 24: Valiant Swart gigs in and around Pretoria. April 25, 26: The Vodacom Magoebaskloof Herfsfees. May 03: Ketapele Jazz Festival at Northam. May 10: Vodacom's Square Tunes 2, Hatfield Square, Pretoria. Details: Valiant Swart Gigs In Pretoria - Details: Tues 22nd April: Tings 'n Times, Hatfield with Albert Frost. 9pm. R15 Wed 23rd April: Steak & Ale, Centurion. 9pm. R50. Phone 012-664 5155 Thurs 24th April: Barcelona, Elardus Park. 9pm R40. Phone 012- 345 3602 Fri 25th April: Magoebaskloof Herfsfees, Polokwane. Ketapele Festival At Northam: The Thabazimbi Municipality, along with Vodacom and Motsweding Fm bring you the first ever Jazz-and-more festival to descend on the small town of Northam. The date is set for the 3rd of May, at the Northam High School grounds. The line-up carries some heavyweights such as Sipho Gumede, Mandoza, local hero Solly Moholo, Jazz Unlimited, Norman Chauke, Heavy Spirits, and Fuz, a young band fresh from the Pretoria Technikon. Tickets are R20 at the gate, and the show starts at 3pm 'Square Tunes 2': Vodacom and Kyknet present the second Square Tunes concert at Hatfield Square on Saturday 10th May. After the success of last year's show, which attracted in excess of 6000 people, the decision was made to present another chapter in this unique concept. Unique in that all nine artists that perform on the day are recorded for broadcast on Kyknet's Draadloos programme. This includes behind the scenes interviews and live footage of their performances. The line-up this year: Toxic Shame, Duck & Cover, Slugs of War, Godessa, 't Hof van Commerce (Belgium), Arno Carstens' New Porn, Brasse Vannie Kaap, Valiant Swart, and Ollie Viljoen. Tickets are R30 at the gate and the tunes start at 2pm. More info or any queries about the shows can be addressed to: Rob Allan mailto:bob@oppikoppi.co.za 082 321 8113 012 346 2011 ---------------------------- BRANDON OCTOBER - NOT AN IDLE IDOL Brandon October may not have won the SA 'Pop Idols' in the end, but, as a worthy finalist, this talented 25-year-old has risen from the heart and hardship of Mitchell's Plain near Cape Town, to become an inspiration to millions, through talent, raw power and sheer determination. Born Brandon Steve October on 30th May 1977, he is the oldest and only boy of three children. His schooldays were spent at St Clements Primary and he matriculated from Claremont's Livingstone High School. Who can forget those heady days of 'Pop Idols' last year, where Brandon's memorable renditions of 'Escape', 'Let's Stay Together' and 'Hurts So Bad' thrilled fans and got the vote lines humming. Since then, the young singer has been swamped with live performances, competition judging, product launches, corporate entertainment, motivational speaking, charity functions and event appearances. The highlight of 2002 for Brandon, apart from appearing and performing as part of 'Idols', was his performance at the opening ceremony of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, at which he sang the summit theme song to all delegates and millions of television viewers around the world. Brandon October's debut album is set for release in the middle of 2003, and will be supported by a national tour, with an all-African trek also in the pipeline. The man's got soul. --------------------------- LUNA'S NEW BAND We've been wondering what happened to Luna since we first heard her on Afrimusik's 'Eve: Women in the Garden of Song' CD collection from 2000. Luna opened the album with the song 'When Things Get Too Hard' and contributed two others - 'La Luna' and 'Three Words' - appearing alongside those other Cape vocal luminaries, Lesley Rae-Dowling, Laurinda Hofmeyr, Nicole Holm, and Eugenie. After finishing school she decided to study Social Work at the University of Stellenbosch, while at the same time building up a collection of well-crafted original songs. In Stellenbosch she heard about Afrimusik - the local label dedicated to promoting new local talent. At the urging of a friend, Luna sent some demos off to Johann Kotze, one of the co-founders of the label. He was impressed enough to contact her and she started performing at Afrimusik events, mostly the poetry evenings. At one of these evenings, two of her songs were recorded live and released as mp3's, as well as on a CD called 'Roes Van Die Eeu' (1999). Solo performances followed and the combination of her powerful voice and mature song writing ability immediately caught people's attention. She was approached by Sunset Recording Studios and performed backing vocals on an album by Jack Hammer, and one by Theuns Jordaan. She also performed at the Women's Art Festival in Durban in 2000 and in 2002 she performed at the Women of the Year Awards at Artscape. But now, after performing on her own for four years, Luna has decided to work with a full band. At the beginning of 2003 she put together her new line-up consisting of (ex-Springbok Nude Girl) Francois Kruger on drums, Barry Steenkamp on bass guitar, and Tinus van Dyk on acoustic guitar and mandolin. The band has already played successful shows at Wingerdstok 2003 and KKNK 2003, and is currently working on pre-production for Luna's first EP to be recorded in early May. A full-length album is planned for recording in August. Luna and her new band will be making their club gig debut at the Dorpstreet Theatre in Stellenbosch on the 25th of April. Tickets are R30 at the door and bookings can be done at (021) 886 6107. Listen to the mp3 of Luna's 'Three Words' at http://www.SAmp3.com/afrimusik.html __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [1] (1) Wish Your Were Here - Liela (SAmp3.com/Indie) 2. [4] (2) Vampyre Girl - The Awakening ('Sacrificial Etchings'/Intervention Arts) 3. [2] (2) Fishes Of Men - Metalmorphosis ('Blistered'/Silva Moon) 4. [5] (4) Say Goodbye - Scarlet Host (Demo/Indie) 5. [8] (5) The Warrior Sampler - Ipi 'NTombi featuring Margaret Singana ('The Warrior'/Gallo) 6. [3] (3) Stand By Me - Tait (Fresh) 7. [10] (7) Powerzone Roadshow Sampler - Various (SAmp3.com/Sovereign) 8. [7] (2) Spook - Spinnekop ('Soet September EP'/Afrimusik) 9. [11] (9) South Africa - Eden Brent ('Something Cool'/Rhythm) 10. [6] (1) LekkerByDieSee - Diff Olie ('Die Borrelbad Insident'/Boereplaas) 11. [13] (11) Open Your Eyes - KGB ('The First Born'/Mothermix) 12. [18] (12) Tweak Sampler - Tweak ('Dirty Sanchez and the Misfit Kidz'/BMG) 13. [21] (13) Onder In My Whiskeyglas (Live) - Koos Kombuis ('Tassenberg All*Stars'/Trippy Grape/Rhythm) 14. [9] (1) Beach Girl - Natalia ('The Street Level Sessions'/Indie) 15. [24] (3) Braai Pack (Sampler) - Not My Dog ('Braai Vibes'/Sheer) 16. [19] (16) Pre-Seether Sampler - Saron Gas ('Fragile'/Musketeer) 17. [20] (17) Ek en Jy en die Highway - Valiant Swart ('Deur Die Donker Vallei'/Rhythm) 18. [12] (2) Room2Breathe Sampler - Semisane ('Room2Breathe'/BMG) 19. [22] (19) James Brown (I Ain't) - Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop ('Product Of Bad Breeding'/GosaTango) 20. [28] (20) Pretty Baby - KJ Stone ('In Different Voices'/Sonic Orange) 21. [-] (21) Jy Is Opium - Valiant Swart ('Song Vir Katryn'/Rhythm) 22. [25] (22) Push-up Bra - Uzo Blaker ('Volk Jou Ook'/Wildebeest) 23. [-] (23) Wicked Rock Sampler - Various ('Let Us Be Heard'/Wicked Rock) 24. [15] (7) Diep In Gauteng - Stefan Lombard ('Alleen'/Afrimusik) 25. [14] (1) Stoute Boude - Anton Goosen en Beeskraal (''n Vis Innie Bos'/Gallo) 26. [16] (2) Siamese Sampler - Siamese ('Three Piece Project'/BMG) 27. [-] (27) I'd Rather Be Sad Than Happily Married - Blues Broers ('The Cellar Tapes'/Rhythm) 28. [17] (8) Broken Innocence - Alexis ('Overload'/Pt. Music) 29. [-] (29) Die Gipsy In Jou Oe - Anna Davel ('Gypsy'/Rhythm) 30. [27] (1) Dinosaur - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Forest Moon) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [2] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty (Indie) 2. [3] (2) Ligdag - Laurinda Hofmeyr (Rhythm) 3. [5] (3) Sacrificial Etchings - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 4. [7] (4) Khetha - Khumbula (African Cream) 5. [1] (1) Luxury - Robin Auld (Free Lunch) 6. [12] (5) Elephant - Tim Wells (Indie) 7. [4] (4) Motive For Breathing - PetFlyz (Intervention Arts) 8. [14] (6) Something Cool - Eden Brent (Rhythm) 9. [8] (1) Room2Breathe - Semisane (BMG) 10. [10] (2) Killing Time - Anika (Outbox/Rhythm) 11. [9] (4) Romance And Finance - Citizen Jones (Flying Kitty) 12. [21] (12) Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 13. [24] (13) Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 14. [22] (14) In Different Voices - KJ Stone (Sonic Orange) 15. [6] (2) Into The Night We Slide - Radio Rats (RetroFresh) 16. [11] (1) The Listening Room - Neo Muyanga (BMG) 17. [13] (1) Tap Into The System - Dorp (Contains Nuts) 18. [15] (1) Catfish - Albert Frost (Rhythm) 19. [17] (1) Three Piece Project - Siamese (Muskateer) 20. [20] (1) Forest Moon - Forest Moon (Forest Moon) 21. [-] (21) Song Vir Katryn - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 22. [16] (16) Lorraine Shannon - Lorraine Shannon (Gallo) 23. [19] (12) What's In A Box? - Serving Suggestion (Indie) 24. [18] (16) Koning Van Die Hawaiise Ghitaar - Jerry Shanahan (Gallo) 25. [-] (25) Wicked Rock: Let Us Be Heard - Various (Wicked Rock) 26. [26] (2) The First Born - KGB (Mothermix) 27. [25] (4) Getting Stronger - SteveVan (Silvertree) 28. [23] (2) The Terrible Two's - Joe Public (Indie) 29. [-] (29) Gypsy - Anna Davel (Rhythm) 30. [27] (1) Gommora - Gommora (Gallo) 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 ------ As promised in last week's issue we have a bumper Easter basket full of goodies this week. 'I Don't Have To Crawl' (demo) - Susan May A previously unreleased demo song from the Stevie Nicks-styled Susan May recorded sometime in the late-90s. Benjy Mudie says it best: "tailor-made for rainy, red wine nights!". 'Dethrayboosterokkit' - Tykoon Suit African Doper's Tykoon Suit combine rap, hip-hop and electronica in a sci-fi mix. "Thunderbirds Are Go!" 'What Ya Gonna Do?' - Mr Mo & G-Steel Reggae Drum 'n Bass Rap from Mr Mo and G-Steel with some awesome electronic effects. 'Dankbaar Vir Aeroplanes' - Lize Beekman More about Lize Beekman in the lastest issue of SA Klank (#4), out now. 'Mooie Vrou' - Kaal Kaal means "naked", but there is no connection here to Kaolin Thompson's band (and song) of that name (also available on SAmp3.com). This Kaal is Carel du Preez on vocals and guitars, Richard Mitchell on bass, Garth Airey on keyboards (no relation, that we are aware of, to Don Airey, Jon Lord's replacement in Deep Purple), James Porter on drums and Willie van Zyl on saxophone. Together they play rock and blues with lyrics in both English and Afrikaans. Their debut CD 'Blues To The Bone' features all original songs written by Carel du Preez. 'Mooie Vrou' is a catchy, sax- and organ-driven song to the love of his life. Buy 'Blues To The Bone' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=KAAL01 'Troos Van Die Teerpad' - Adam Tas A quiet ballad by newcomer Adam Tas underpinned by a mournful harmonica. Taken from the 'Volk Jou Ook' CD recently released by Wildebeest Records. Buy 'Volk Jou Ook' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=WILD024 'Afrika Son' - Ekstra Dik Female-fronted bilingual alt.rock band with touches of blues and reggae... and more. This song has a distinct African feel and is taken from their recent CD 'Uit Ons Koppe Uit'. Lead vocalist Ilse Klink is also famed for her role in Isidingo as "Vanessa". The name "Ekstra Dik" (Extra Thick) was inspired by seeing the label on a condom saying "extra thin for maximum sensitivity" and thinking an extra thick one might have no sensitivity at all! More info on Ekstra Dik (and many other artists) at the http://www.steakandale.co.za website. Read a review of a recent live performance in the lastest issue of SA Klank (#4), out now. 'The Mississippi Muthers Blues' - The Mississippi Muthers There is no blues like a slow blues, and if this one was any slower it would stop altogether. Great bass solo as well (whatever happened to bass solos, anyway?). Remember ZZTop's 'Blue Jean Blues'? Eric Clapton's live version of 'Double Trouble'? Gary Moore's blue phase? Then give 21-year old (or so) Dan Patlansky and his Mississippi Muthers a listen (at just under 8 minutes, its still too short). And catch them live, often, at Julian's in Northcliff. 'Elungelo' - RSL and Ladysmith Black Mambazo Ever wonder what African traditional a cappela vocals would sound like mixed with UK Drum 'n Bass? Two pale-faced English boys known as RSL meet the Zulu Mbube sound of Grammy-award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo. And it works... taken off the 1998 Fresh Music compilation CD 'Re-Rooted'. Buy 'Re-Rooted' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=freshcd102 'Tell Someone Who Cares' (Sampler) - Wonderboom Wonderboom have been around for quite a while now and never fail to please, both live and in the studio. Their latest release 'Tell Someone Who Cares' features 12 original tracks, and shows their love for pop ('Night Falls Like A Grand Piano', 'Son Of A Gun'), glamrock ('Dead Right', 'Wild Sunshine') and nu-metal ('House Of Cards', 'White Lines'). So, a varied album then, which is highly recommended for anyone who loves good guitar rock with some pop sensibility. Pity they left off the recent Johannes Kerkorrel tribute 'Love Crash', but maybe hip-hop was pushing the variety just a bit too far? See also Martin Rocka's 'Six Feet' below. Buy Wonderboom CDs at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=wonderboom 'Who Cares (Not Us)' - The Buckfever Underground Wonderboom suggest we "tell someone who cares", but don't bother talking to the Buckfever Underground who tell us in no uncertain terms that they don't care! In this track, taken off the new CD 'Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign Langage', they spout a stream-of-consciousness of spoken words over Aladdin Sane-type (insane?) piano and real drums. And there's a lot of free advertising in this song! Listen carefully (or not, who cares?). The Buckfever Underground are Steven Timm, Jon Savage, Gilad Hockman and Toast Coetzer. Buy Buckfever Underground CDs at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=buckfever 'I Guess This Is The New South Africa' - Biff & Jethro A quote from the Amuzine website 15 May 1998: "Still haven't found out who Biff and Jethro are or who "Biff's Friend" is who adds those jazzy la-las to the end of this intelligent, pertinent and damn fine, hip hop, anti-SA-crime protest blast." - Stephen Segerman Its lyrics include: "I guess this is the new South Africa/You work for your car/And they take it from ya/I guess this is the New World/It's the law of the jungle". Looks like nothing has changed; we still don't know who Biff and Jethro are (or were) and SA-Crime is still uncontrolled. This song was pulled from radio-play for being "too negative" and "undemocratic" (huh?). Authorized for SAmp3.com by Benjy Mudie from Fresh Music. 'Thunder' - Brian Finch with Ken E Henson Brian Finch has been performing since the 60s and is probably best known for his collaborations with Kenny Henson as Finch & Henson in the 70s and 80s. Last year's epic 'Hero of Heroes' re-established Finch as a master of his craft, and now here's a taster off his lastest album 'Never Look Back' which is soon to be released. Henson guests on a few tracks including the incredible 'Ghost Riders In The Sky' and the album closer 'Thunder' which is available to download at SAmp3.com. READ http://www.rock.co.za/brianfinch LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/3rd.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=finch 'Bringing Back The Good Times' (live 1972) - Brian Finch with Mike Dickman Brian Finch's first album 'Bringing Back The Good Times' was released in 1974 and has recently been remastered and released by 3rd Ear Music (thank you Dave Marks) with bonus tracks. This mp3 is a previously unreleased live version of the title track featuring the talents of Mike Dickman, recorded at Hillbrow's NiteBeat club sometime in 1972. READ http://www.rock.co.za/brianfinch LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/3rd.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=finch 'Bermuda Triangle' - Mr Mann & Pointblank This is not the SA Rap Digest nor the SA Classical Digest (but hey, "rock" is a very wide-ranging term, isn't it?), but when we heard the mix of Cape Town's Mr Mann and Pointblank's rapping over Beethoven's 'Für Elise' (with some operatic vocals in the background) we just had to ask Fresh Music head honcho, Benjy Mudie, for permission to mp3 it... and he said "go ahead". A very cool and clever hybrid of sounds and styles... and it has a message. FreshMusic http://www.freshmusic.co.za 'Awakening' - HappyFourTwenty The title track from this week's number one album. Fans of slow-burning acoustic guitar rock will love this. 'Electric Train' - Blues Broers Original boogie blues from the original Blues Broers. This track, written by Simon Orange, is taken from 1995's 'Sharp Street' CD which has recently become available again through Rhythm Records. 'Can't Judge A Book' (live) - The Boulevard Blues Band When not playing with The Blues Broers, vocalist Dr John Mostert also sings with the Boulevard Blues Band. This Bo Diddley classic is taken from the live compilation CD 'High On Blues' released in 2000 and also includes tracks from Delta Blue, Valiant Swart, Piet Botha and Frosted Orange. 'Mamba' (demo) - Piet Botha Piet Botha fans have been waiting since 1999 for a full new album from this Afrikaans Rock Poet (the 4 new tracks on 'Die Hits' in 2001 helped a bit, but we need more!). Fortunately he plays and tours consistently so we have been able to hear many of his new songs performed live. Botha has authorized an mp3 of the demo version of the title track from his new album 'Mamba' due for release very shortly on Rhythm Records. 'Mamba' (a poisonous snake, also slang for "cool") is a tongue-in-a-cheek song about a musician's life on the road. "Daar is jong bokkies, bokkies om te byt". READ LISTEN BUY http://www.PietBotha.com 'Nuwe Suid Afrika' - Kop Afrikaans Reggae featuring the unusual vocals and penetrating lyrics of Marcell Brits and his band from Port Elizabeth. 'Almal Maak Haar Mal' - Valiant Swart The rare acoustic version of this song (one of our favourites) has been on SAmp3.com for a while now, and here is the uptempo rock version from the 'Kopskoot' CD featuring Anton L'Amour on guitar. All Valiant Swart's CDs have been recently re-released by Rhythm Records. READ LISTEN BUY http://www.rhythmrecords.co.za/valiant_kopskoot.html 'Rooiwyn' - Gas! As winter approaches Gas! give us a gentle song about drinking red wine in Cape Town whilst a table-cloth of clouds covers Table Mountain. Hmmm... 'Bleed' - Loogaroo Metalmorphosis fans, who are disappointed because there are no more gut-wrenching metal tracks from Marq Vas and the boys here at SAmp3.com, need not despair (though I understand "despair" is sometimes part of the attraction), because new boys on the (chopping) block Loogaroo are here. The 2 minute 26 seconds 'Bleed' (which will do just that to your ears) is taken from their debut 5-track self-titled EP. {"Loogaroo" is a West Indian term for a vampire, just thought you might like to know. - ed} 'Six Feet' - Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop Need a lesson in rock and roll boogie? Start here. Martin "Rocka" Schofield moonlighting from his other job as Wonderboom guitarist. Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com ----- CDs ----- THE WICKED DEMO CD Wicked Mike, who is the regular contributor to our 'Durbands' section, has a new CD release to follow his limited edition 'Burn Rock Machine' demo compilation and the recent 'Wicked Rock: Let Us Be Heard'. That double CD featured the pick of the new SA rock acts from the past few years including Karen Zoid, Just Jinger, Not My Dog and Battery 9. Now he is releasing a second demo collection called, naturally, 'Wicked Demos'. Wicked Mike explained that "An eclectic bunch of solid musos got together with me to finance the Wicked Demo CD which contains a diversity of music ranging from folk and commercial rock to death metal and punk". The bands appearing on the 'Wicked Demos' collection are: SEVEN 13, Happy420, Soil 7t7, Lilo, The AK Massive, Track4, Idle Minds, Sutherland, Scarifist, Arcana, XX11, Pyramid Tongue, Springcan, Forest Moon, Janie Jones, What Now?!, Joe Public, and Lance Goldman & Reptile. Wicked Mike emphasised that this was a promotional item and would not be available for sale through retail outlets. As part of the promotion, copies of the 'Wicked Demos' CD were thrown to the crowd at 'The Cause 3' festival last weekend, and will again be flung at the fans at The Doors on the 30th April. If you want to win a copy, then listen out for competitions on UCT radio this week, and on RAU and Tuks FM every day in the last week of this month. The biggest competition will run on Friday the 25th April. Tuks, in one show, will give away 10 'Wicked Demos', 10 'Wicked Rock - Let Us Be Heard' and 10 copies of SEVEN 13's 'Unleashed'. CDs will also be up for grabs (from Tuesday) on the Wicked Rock website at http://www.wickedrock.co.za READ http://www.wickedrock.co.za LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/wickedrock.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=wr001 --------------- 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 BEDROCK - SO WHERE'S THE PARTY? (Criminal Records) The jol is right here, y'all. Bedrock's third album is immediately accessible fun. This Bedrock outing is nicely consistent, the best yet by a band surely fun to party with, to last call and beyond. For one thing, 'So, Where's the Party?' is freer, with an aggressive, purposeful guitar. No pretentious noodling here. This creative bar band has an irreverent attitude, an ironic stance, and songs featuring drinking beer and recreational inhaling. 'So Where's the Party?' open with the title track and two other palpable rock songs, slides into a smokey reggae tune, then back to rock with 'Mobile Party'. The sad sing-along 'I Believe In Angels' proves you can catch Bedrock being serious. 'Yeah Yeah' has a modified 'We Will Rock You' Queen beat behind a motivating fierce rock guitar and excessive partying lyrics. Sounds great. (We should grant that beat public domain status, like Bo Diddley's shave and a haircut.) 'Cliché' plays on clichéd rock lines such as "You're always in my dreams, even when I'm asleep"! Then a touching song that brings tears to a grown man's eyes, 'Last Round'. 'Rickshaw Baby Blues' is a skankin' Beatles-Dylanesque number. 'Crowd Invasion' is like a big truck barreling down the highway, a wow song (made me say "Wow" a few times, anyway), and it's up on SAmp3.com, too. Its rock movements features an assertive classic rock sound this classic rock guy enjoys. Bedrock is a band of... mature musos who know our world's rock heritage and play their own original Bedrockin' jams of mostly big, up-tempo songs. Play hard, and be sure to replace those precious body fluids, guys. The party is wherever Bedrock plays fun hard rock. Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com READ http://www.bedrockband.com/ LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=bedrock _________________________________ 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK ------------------------ London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music SIX STRING RAZOR - MAURITZ LOTZ I have heard lotz about Mauritz so I thought I would have a listen to 'Six String Razor' to see how sharp the lad is. There have been comparisons made between him and Joe Satriani, however as my collection is a Satriani free collection I can't comment. What I can say is that this album was made during the great vocal shortage of 1990 as there are none to be seen here. What you will find though are some hard rocking, blistering guitar soloing tracks that will have you grabbing for that old air guitar and jamming along in no time. The title track is so fast and furious that it has been known to cause a few air blisters amongst listeners who manage to keep up. However for the less experienced there are the steady rockers like 'White Lights' and 'Aerial Landscape' that have that vast sort of sound that expands into the room finding its way into every corner and filling them with warmth. On the quieter front there's the beautiful acoustic pluckings of 'Desert Rain' which is obviously not a downpour but rather a gentle soothing rain bringing relief to an arid landscape. 'Reflections' keeps the electric, but it is toned down to levels that parents will accept and is reminiscent of those pieces in movies where the hero appears to have lost his love and is wondering the empty streets at some godforsaken hour feeling sorry for him/herself (usually done in the rain). But unlike 'Desert Rain', this one builds up into a bit more of a rocker, but by then it's too late, your parents have already given it the thumbs up. The album finishes pretty much as it started, mainly because the closing track 'The Belonging' is a reprise of the opening track. This is certainly an album for those who love the crisp clear wailing of a guitar in full flow. Some may argue that the lack of vocals is a bit off putting and makes it boring, but if you're that concerned, make up your own lyrics and sing them along with Mauritz. Despite this being called 'Six String Razor' I would not recommend listening to this while shaving as you may find yourself becoming more familiar with Mauritz' brother Nick Lotz (which, if you then try and remove the CD from the CD Player may result in some 'Blood on the Tracks' which is of course Dylan who sounds nothing like Mauritz). So rather find yourself somewhere with lotz of room, remove all sharp objects as the only sharpness you'll need is Mauritz' playing. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com READ http://www.new.co.za/~currin/mauritz_lotz.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=mauritz _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (20 April 1973) 1 [1] We Believe In Tomorrow - Freddy Breck 2 [2] The Love In Your Eyes - Vicky Leandros 3 [5] I'm On Fire - Maria 4 [4] Woman (Beautiful Woman) - Don Gibson 5 [7] Can't Keep It In - Cat Stevens 25 YEARS AGO (21 April 1978) 1 [1] Mull Of Kintyre - Wings 2 [3] Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees 3 [2] How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees 4 [4] Desiree - Neil Diamond 5 [7] Mellow Lovin' - Judy Cheeks 20 YEARS AGO (22 April 1983) 1 [2] Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes 2 [4] Dirty Laundry - Don Henley 3 [1] Talk Talk - Talk Talk 4 [8] Living On The Ceiling - Blancmange 5 [3] Mad World - Tears For Fears 15 YEARS AGO (21 April 1988) 1 [2] I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany 2 [1] Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlise 3 [3] Always On My Mind - Pet Shop Boys 4 [8] Get Outta My Dreams - Billy Ocean 5 [6] Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison Before he became Yusuf Islam and recorded a comeback single in South Africa, he was the well know Cat Stevens and in 1973 he was experiencing top 5 status with 'Can't Keep It In'. Vicky Leandros was however unable to dislodge Freddy Breck from the top spot. It was Vicky's 3rd week as the bridesmaid. Would she eventually be the bride? In March of 1978 Judy Cheeks had made a brief appearance on the top 5 with 'Mellow Lovin'. It then dropped out of the top 5 and spent 3 weeks lurking just outside. Now she was back for a second bite of the cherry. Paul McCartney's Wings were spending their 5th week at the top. 'Mull Of Kintyre' remains one of the biggest selling singles of all time in the UK. 2 synth duo's made up the bottom of the top 5 in 1983. Tears For Fears were on their way down, while Blancmange were heading upward with 'Living On The Ceiling'. There were a number of versions of the latter with the more radio friendly line 'I'm Up The Cuckoo Tree' replacing 'I'm Up The Bloody Tree'. There was talk of a version using the F word, although I have never heard it. George Harrison clocked up the 4th biggest gap between hits when 'Got My Mind Set On You' entered the top 20. This came 4 747 days after 'Ding Dong' had left the charts in 1975. Harrison was also the first Beatle to chart in just over 4 years. The previous being Paul McCartney's duet with Michael Jackson 'Say Say Say'. Even Harrison's work with the Travelling Wilbury's failed to chart. South African's at number 1 this week: Love Is A Beautiful Song - Dave Mills (1970) I Won't Give Up - Bruce Millar (1976) South African New Entries this week: 22-Apr-66 Die Gezoem Van Die Bye - Des Lindberg 22-Apr-83 Last Night A Deejay Saved My Life - Margino 23-Apr-71 Put Your Hand In The Hand - Alan Garrity 27-Apr-79 Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith --------------- 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 Various - 'Remember District 6' (LP) The Knights - 'Invasion' (LP) Jim Reeves, Floyd Kramer, Chet Atkins - 'In Suid-Afrika' (LP) Hawk - 'Africa She Too Can Cry' (LP)* Various - 'Mbube Roots' (Zulu choral music from South Africa 1930-1960) (LP) * incorrectly listed last week as 'Africa She Too Will Cry'... ooops! Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com ------------ BIRTHDAYS ------------ April 21 - Iggy Pop (born James Jewel Osterburg in 1947) April 22 - Peter Frampton (1950) April 23 - Roy Orbison (1936, died 7 December 1988) April 29 - Una Valli (1950) ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS A Readers Forum ----------------------------------- HELLO HELLO I heard a song twice on the radio and I like it and want to buy it.... It is called 'Hello' and I think it is by a new South African band ? It is pop/rock and is played on 5FM every now and then. Marcus mailto:marcusb@cybertrade.co.za {That could either be 'Hello' by Candice Hildebrand off her new album, or it could be 'Hello Hello' by Prime Circle who are a new release on the David Gresham Records label, or it could be that "Hello hello hello hello" advert for one of our cellphone companies... - ed} --------------------- STUDIOS SOUGHT I am currently recording a demo with a local Malawian studio. But would like to move on to record with an experienced Rock studio down there in SA. So I require establish contacts or to be contacted. Steven Perete mailto:sbperete@yahoo.com -------------------------- LOOKING FOR SIXTO RODRIGUEZ I am looking for the ways to buy Sixto Rodriguez' albums, preferably 'Cold Facts' or any others. Could you suggest how I can do that? I am not able to find them at any of the music stores in the States. Natasha mailto:natashaterex@yahoo.com {You can buy Rodriguez CDs at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=rodriguez - ed} -------------------------- QZOO Where can I find QZoo's 'Child Inside' on CD? Paul mailto:paul@oldschool.co.za {This great dance single, off the SA world-pop trio's wondrous debut album, 'Wake Up And Dream', topped the Billboard Dance Charts in 1996 and gained an instant international reputation for Owl, Levannah, and Tziki, known then as Qcumba Zoo. 'The Child (Inside)' can be found on the 'SA Artists Top 40 Hits Of All-Time Volume 6' CD released by Sting Music. Read more about this superb compilation at: http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/top40_6.html - ed} -------------------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com This section is sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers music searches, and the sourcing and recommending of songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@cd.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------- EVENTS ------- SAFM PRESENTS 'LIVE JAZZ ON THE SQUARE' WITH MONDETTA Open to the public. Come down to Sandton Square on Fri 25th April from 7pm-9pm. Relax & dine out to the Afro-fusion sounds of Mondetta featuring: Steve Newman (SA) - acoustic guitar Gito Baloi (Mozambique) - bass & vocals Wendy Oldfield (SA) - percussion & vocals Julia Kim (Canada/Korea) - violin Elad Neeman (Israel) - percussion & vocals For further info phone 011 883 2011(Sandton Square) or Kerry Friedmann on 082 455 3447 or mailto:dewberry@iafrica.com ---------------- LIVE IN LONDON ---------------- 'LITTLE SATURDAY/KLEIN SATERDAG' - WITH DORP Wednesday 14 May @ Cargo - Kingsland Viaduct, 83 Rivington Str, London EC2A 7pm-1am, £5 b4 9, £6 after, NUS £4 www.cargo-london.com Little Saturday... no, not Saturdays during winter when it's dark by 4pm, but "Klein Saterdag" as it's known in South Africa. Wednesday to the rest of us, Little Saturday is for those who just can't wait till... Saturday. After the successful and somewhat hazy event last November, LS will combine the South African tradition with a London flavour. Headlining the live action will be one of South Africa's finest bands Dorp. Dorp incorporate styles ranging from d&b, hardstep, garage, and hip hop to pop, to create a unique blend of experimental pop drawing influences from Bjork, Beck, Mouse on Mars, Stereo MCs and Beastie Boys. No strangers to the London live scene, Fat Man Kicks Cat will be back in after rocking out the arches on a number of occasions alongside Casual Records' Ross Allen for his acclaimed Destination Out night. Their live mix of filthy funk and dirty disco has made them one of the best party bands you`re likely to see these days, as Ross will tell you, "By far the BEST unsigned band I've seen..." Keeping the toes tappin' in between will be 4Headed Monster whose identity is a mystery to many - but 4 heads keeping an eye on the dancefloor can't be a bad thing. Little Saturday, like a Saturday night, but on Wednesday. Klein Saterdag, soos n Saterdagaand, maar op n Woensdag. Fat Man Kicks Cat www.fmkc.co.uk Dorp www.dorp.co.uk For more information on Little Saturday, contact Etienne Pansegrauw on 07866 808 085 / etienne.p@cantaloupegroup.co.uk For more information on Cargo, contact Luke Wallace on 020 7613 7732 / luke.w@cantaloupegroup.co.uk tubes: Old St + Liverpool St General Enquiries: 020 7613 7730 Directory: 020 7739 3440 Restaurant: 020 7749 7844 READ http://www.cd.co.za/legends/90s/dorp_index.html LISTEN to 'Razorback' at http://www.SAmp3.com/songs_l_s.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=dorp --------- SA PUNK --------- News Snippets: False Pretence have recently been recording with Devon at Kreef studios and will be releasing something soon after The Cause fest. After that they will be taking a break for about two months to work on new material and getting their new drummer to learn all the new/old stuff. If you want to get the CD, which will be about R5-10 (don't worry, the quality is really good), phone: Patrick: 084 705 3553 5 Star Society's new site is up and running. Every month, starting from May, they will feature any SA band on their new site. It will feature basic information on the band as well as a photo. If your band wants to submit for this; contact Ivan, on 083 941 78 77 or mailto:schoolofhardknocks@webmail.co.za My Shade have completed their long-awaited EP, 'Bedtime Musick', which contains eight of their best songs from their live shows so far. They have incorporated everything that 'My Shade' is and delivered it to the world in one neat package. This EP will appeal to any nu-metal fan that likes a little variety. If you want to get your grubby little paws on a copy (or two), then listen to Barney's Gig Guide & buy one at their gigs or e-mail them at: mailto:myshade@webmail.co.za See SA Punk gigs at http://www.sagigs.com (DN) -------- REVIEWS -------- THE 'PHATTEST JAM EVA' A punk outing in Cape Town, Daniel Neville took a pad, a pen, and his band Zero Tolerance to join in. As the name suggests, this was shaping up to be the "Phattest Jam Eva" with continuous music promised, featuring two stages and 20 bands, and over 10 hours of entertainment. As a working member of one of the newer bands appearing, I was very excited to be a part of the event whose main aim was to raise money for charity. The venue was Wynberg Boys High, so the show took place in a large hall with each end of the hall dominated by a stage and decent sound systems. The line-up included bands such as The Rudimentals, Neshama, Serving Suggestion, and Skywire, so a big turn out was expected. The doors opened and the first few people drifted in to watch Skywire kick off the party. Then the rest of the bands followed with Skanking Nelson playing their last set together and ending it in style when Marc and Graham went off on stage and threw out copies of their stuff to commemorate their time with their fans on the scene. By the time Serving Suggestion started playing the hall had filled up. War-On-Salt played a rather disappointing set but, as Luke explained after they finished playing: "Every band has their bad days". New band Captain Stu and The Lamas surprised everybody by being, in the words of this arb guy standing next to me, "blimming good". They have a very Sublime meets Rudimentals sound and so were the perfect opener for The Rudimentals who played an outstanding set after them. By now the crowd was around 500 - 600 strong and there was a huge ass pit going, which was lots of fun. After the "Rudies" came Dingus and then a rather good jazz band called Mild Concussion. After them Zero Tolerance (my band) got up onto stage to change the mood a bit, but I can't really (objectively) tell you how we played so if you want to hear us, come to our next show. Then all the Hard/Nu Metal fans were supplied with some good heavy stuff in the form of Sidearm 66, My Shade, and Twisted Angel. I only caught bits of these sets owing to some well-earned outside fresh air time, but I saw a huge mosh pit and a lot of head banging when I exited. Then, finally, False Pretence played brilliantly as usual with Skwirmish ending the show off with a very light but enjoyable set coaxing the few remaining people to do some very strange things. All in all it was a very well organised show and it was good to see such a wide range of bands all playing together. A big shout out must go to all the bands that played for free - it was really cool to have so many bands agreeing to play for the good of others. If you missed this one, well you probably missed one of the best shows this year (apart from the Frenzal tour). But don't worry, because in the words of Hugh (the main organiser of the event) "So that was the Phattest Jam Eva?... see you soon for part 2..........." (DN) ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then please 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. ___________________________________________ 9.INFO -------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send 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, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com EDITORS Brian Currin Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com CONTRIBUTORS Don Bryce Carina Laubscher Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Shiloh Noone John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Wicked Mike Proofed by Ronx SA Rock Digest Computer Systems maintained by Karl Hansen. Karl is highly recommended for home and office PC repairs in Cape Town. mailto:karma@iafrica.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>