SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #211 http://www.sarockdigest.com 28th July 2003 Established 27th January 1999 ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------- If you miss any issues of the Digest (please check with your ISP or Network Administrator for possible reasons), then you can still read each week's Digest online at http://www.cd.co.za, and you can find all the previous editions of the Digest archived at http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives The deadline for submissions and gig info is Friday 12 noon. If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter! Rather send an email to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com Thanks! Ed. -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Sepultura and Joe Sample to perform in SA (but not together)... Terminatrix... CD Wherehouse/SA Music week special ... Vusi's 'The Voice' Released in the US... Superfine... Soul Proxy... Karen Zoid Live in London... Durbands... Free State Weekend... Readers' letters to Sound Solutions... Charts... Recommended Live Events... with a full list of those concerts and all the details at http://www.SAgigs.com ------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ------------------------------------- For a full-colour and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://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 ----------------------------------------- http://www.rock.co.za From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Daddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ http://www.SAgigs.com The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ----------------------------- ONE WORLD ONLINE CD STORE ----------------------------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Sepultura and Joe Sample in SA, CD Wherehouse/SA Music week special 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Winston Mankunku, Celtic Rumours 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Back soon, somewhere in Yellowstone 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: 'Ethnic/Shmethnic' - Mel, Mel And Julian 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, Zoid In London, Durbands, Free State weekend 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- SEPULTURA TO PLAY IN SA WitchdoctorRecords, the good folk who delivered The Haunted and Entombed to SA stages, will be going one better by bringing Sepultura to South Africa in September. The organisers tell us that the support bands have not been chosen yet, and venues are still being negotiated. But they do assure us that the rig will be the most powerful a South African club has ever had! Dates: Durban (3 Sept), Johannesburg (5 & 6 Sept), Cape Town (10 Sept) Tickets will be on sale soon and will be through Computicket and the www.witchdoctorrecords.com website Bands looking to grab that prestigious support slot on the Sepultura tour - Contact Shaughn Pieterse mailto:shaughn@witchdoctorrecords.com www.witchdoctorrecords.com Tel/Fax: +27 (0)31 208 0911 Cell: +27 (0)72 384 2409 -------------- JOE SAMPLE IN SA Joe Sample, the Jazz maestro and member of the legendary quartet, The Crusaders, is heading to South Africa this August for two performances, as part of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival series on the 28th of August at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg, and on the 30th at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. These concerts are presented by Standard Bank 'Joy of Jazz' - in association with Telkom and Metro FM. The performance in Johannesburg will be used as the opening act for the Jo'burg International Festival under the auspices of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. The festival is scheduled to take place in Newtown from August 29 -30. Joe Sample started his musical journey in the late '50's, as a founding member of the pioneering quartet, The Jazz Crusaders. The group quickly established themselves with their unrivalled style of R&B-infused soul-jazz. "Jazz" was dropped from the name the following decade to reflect the group's shift to a more accentuated jazz/funk sound. Joe Sample has had a successful career that has spanned more than four exciting decades and includes more than twenty albums with the Crusaders and a dozen solo albums. He has also just been nominated for Keyboardist of The Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Instrumental Song of The Year at the 2003 Smooth Jazz Awards. The impressive support line-up for these concerts features legendary saxophonist, Donald "Duck" Harrison, and local favourites, Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi and Bheki Mseleku. Tickets: Johannesburg - R125; R175; R200 Cape Town - R150; R200; R250 *Excluding Computicket service charges Book at Computicket www.computicket.com Computicket Call Centre - 083 915 8000 For more information on upcoming shows www.bigconcerts.co.za -------------- TERMINATRIX ARE HERE Goth is even bigger then ever with the success of Evanescence in the UK charts. So hold up your crosses and say a polite hello to Terminatrix, a new Cape Town fearsome foursome, featuring Christina Storm (vox), Sonja (vox), Paul Blom (programming, drums, bass, keyboards, backing vox), and someone just called Tom on guitar. The first music release from the group, an instrumental called 'Absinthminded', headed out into the world in mp3 format this week and we now await news of some gigs. Like the band's press release says... "FINALLY! - A female fronted SA band... with balls!". -------------- LADYSMITH ON NEW BEN HARPER CD There was one important omission from our Ladysmith Black Mambazo story last week. The SA vocal group are currently also featured on one of the tracks on Ben Harper's highly rated new album called 'Diamonds On The Inside' (an obscure reference to that 'Graceland' song maybe?). 'Picture Of Jesus' is a slow, Gospel song with Harper's voice blending in perfectly with the LBM choral backing. Harper devotees say it's his best album yet! -------------- VUSI MAHLASELA'S 'THE VOICE' RELEASED IN THE US Vusi Mahlasela's album, 'The Voice', was released into the US market on July 22 on Dave Matthews' ATO Records label. This album is already receiving great reviews, like this one from Doug Levy of CMJ: 'The Voice' takes its title from the singer's nickname, and it's easy to see how he got it: acting like a vessel for pure emotion, Mahlasela glides across octaves effortlessly, slipping into an angelic falsetto and back, while translating his passion into songs that resonate on a universal level - regardless of which language he's singing in. The diverse selections here range from the epic Peter Gabriel-esque 'Weeping' to the more traditional acoustically driven 'Emtini Wababe', but while the former may sound more instantly familiar, it's Mahlasela's remarkable ability to use words - even foreign ones - to make his message of peace and hope so instantly recognisable that makes him easy to take to heart. Doug Levy: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 822 - Jul 14, 2003 Vusi just completed his July series of Canadian and US concerts. He first appeared in Toronto, and then did a series of performances in New York City including a Virgin in-store appearance, a free show in Union Square Park, an appearance at MAKOR (the SA Music Festival held in NYC at Joe's Pub), and finally at BAM (the Brooklyn African Music festival) with Oliver Mtukudzi. More info about Vusi's US visit and release: www.atorecords.com -------------- CD WHEREHOUSE (CT) HAS BIG SA MUSIC MONTH PLANNED Compact Disc Wherehouse has announced that it is now a proud co-sponsor of the biggest SA Music Week Event in the country. Joining forces with the V & A and the City of Cape Town, this seven day music extravaganza runs from August 25th-31st with live performances on Market Square at the V & A Waterfront and workshops everyday. The event is a partnership of the V & A Waterfront, Compact Disc Wherehouse, and the City of Cape Town, with support from Gallo Music, Downtown Studios, and the MIDI Trust. Live performances will take place in the marquee on Market Square daily from 5pm-9pm. The line-up will range from national legends such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo to emerging artists competing for a prize of a professional demo to be recorded at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg. The line-up will cross all genres and there will be something for everyone with CD's available for signings, as well as a relaxed coffee shop on-site. The timing also coincides with the first year anniversary of Compact Disc Wherehouse's Living Music Workshop Series. This series, supported by Paul Bothner's Music and New World Productions, has produced weekly workshops every month for the last year. These workshops are produced in conjunction with TOMECY (Township Music Education for Children & Youth), and the Langa Arts Forum. These workshops focus on: Music appreciation, Instrument skills (focus on children), and Business of music. Last year the series was launched at Compact Disc Wherehouse by the Soweto String Quartet and it looks like they will be with us to celebrate our first anniversary. Artists who have hosted workshops include Selaelo Selota, Tony Cox, Hotep Goleta, Madosini, Aviva Pelham, Neo Muyanga, James Armoed and many others. In honour of this celebration, CDW will be hosting 21 free music workshops in 7 days, daily at Market Square during SA Music Week. The workshops will take place on the hour between 12pm and 3pm, and already Joseph Shabalala has agreed to host one of these. A full schedule will be available in early August. The City of Cape Town will also be assisting by providing free transport from outlying areas for those who wish to attend. These workshops are being made possible in part due to the support of the MIDI Trust. Compact Disc Wherehouse will host a whole month of events focused on SA Hip Hop. A full line-up of hip hop acts will grace the CDW Live stage on August 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Artists scheduled to perform include Amu, Black Noise, Ready D, Max Normal, and many others. These events build up to a full week of live music and workshops in Market Square. For more information on line-up for SA Music Week Concerts: Craig Parks JCQ Productions: mailtocraig@jazzathon.co.za For more information on Living Music Workshop series SA Music Week line-up: Rebecca Atherstone New World Productions: mailto:rebecca@new-world.co.za 072 242 2685 For more information on CD Wherehouse Live and other CDW Promotions & Events: Lara Utian-Preston mailto:lu@cdwherehouse.co.za 082 346 7176 -------------- INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSICIANS AND SOUTH AFRICAN JAZZ MUSICIANS FUSE IN CAPE TOWN A world first attempt of bringing together renowned classical musicians from India and South African musicians was announced in Cape Town recently. The project attempts to fuse the Indian classical sounds of instruments like the sitar, tabla, violin, and dholak, with saxophone, bass, guitar, piano, and African percussion in a unique way. For the past week Indian musicians Kala Ramnath (violin), Purbayan Chatterjee (sitar) and Akram Khan (tabla) have been laying down some of their works in Cape Town and working out African grooves with their South African counterparts to the amazement of the studio personnel and technicians. The project is the initiative of Nisaar Pangarker: "My aim was to bring the Indian Classical genre and Afro Jazz genre much closer together. Indian musicians have performed and collaborated the world over, and I was most pleased when I received positive interest from local musicians and music labels to be involved in this project. In the '60's Ravi Shankar took the sitar to the west; the '70's and '80's belonged to Shakti (collaborations between John McClaughlin, Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar, and Vikku Vinayakram), and the 'nineties saw the rise of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on the global music scene. I felt that something significant should happen between India and South Africa on a musical platform". The three Indian musicians involved in this project are of world repute and perform and teach their respective art forms all over the world. Kala Ramnath hails from Mumbai and teaches Indian classical music in Florida and Atlanta, USA. Next month she performs in Greece and Italy with their philharmonic orchestras for which she has composed works herself. Kala has 24 albums to her credit and has recently released some fusion works with Chinese, Arabian, Spanish, and Australian musicians. Purbayan Chatterjee, at the age of 26, is touted as India's next Ravi Shankar. Purbayan has performed extensively in Europe, UK, USA, and India. He has the privilege of doing an annual teaching session at the Trinity College of Music, London where he lectures the jazz majors on sitar and Indian music. He has been invited to do a teaching session at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in July this year. His collaborations with Spanish Flamenco guitarists have been highly acclaimed. Akram Khan is one of the foremost tabla players in India. He has performed on every continent, and was part of the academic staff at Washington University's Department of Ethnomusicology. He is the only tabla player in his generation playing in his particular style (Ajarara style) which is centuries old. For further information/interviews contact: Shabbir mailto:fusion@cinetalkies.com ---------- 2.CHARTS ---------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [1] (1) Madiba 1990 - Bright Blue (SAmp3.com/Bright Productions) 2. [2] (2) Fallen - Velve (Single/Indie) 3. [4] (3) Let's Get Naked - Evolver (Demo/Indie) 4. [11] (4) Ugly - Springcan ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 5. [7] (5) Race Past The Sun - Dolly Rockers ('Glory Glory'/Indie) 6. [8] (6) War - 12th Avenue (Demo/Indie) 7. [18] (7) Hillary - Mitsoo (Indie) 8. [3] (3) Paralyzer - Ghetto Muffin ('Paralyzer'/Milestone) 9. [5] (1) The Banded - The Narrow ('Selfconscious'/Intervention) 10. [22] (10) Make It Your System - Lazarus ('Parallax View'/Indie) 11. [9] (5) Bleed - Loogaroo ('Loogaroo'/Indie) 12. [6] (2) Incision - Pyramid Tongue ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 13. [15] (13) Sold Out - Sons Of Trout (Demo/Indie) 14. [19] (14) Die Mamba (Album version) - Piet Botha ('Die Mamba/Rhythm Records) 15. [20] (1) Donkey Rattle - Felix Laband ('4/4 Down The Stairs'/African Dope) 16. [21] (16) Geek - Jakkie Louw en Daai Band ('Klein Karoo Cowboy'/Afrimusik) 17. [14] (2) Drop 'n Roll - Track 4 (Demo/Indie) 18. [12] (1) Get Some - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7' & 'Wicked Rock: Let Us Be Heard'/Indie) 19. [10] (5) Moan In Blues - Akkedis with Albert Frost ('Husse Met Lang Ore'/Wildebeest) 20. [13] (3) Geraamtes - Ekstra Dik ('Uit Ons Koppe Uit'/Indie) 21. [16] (16) Girl - Myburgh ('Burnt Bachelor'/Indie) 22. [26] (22) Affliction - Scarlet Host ('Do It Yourself Volume 1' EP/Indie) 23. [25] (23) House (mix) Of The Rising Sun - Hot RS ('I Get So Excited'/EMI) 24. [29] (24) Fallacy - Not My Dog (Wolmer) 25. [27] (27) Lungile Tabalaza - Roger Lucey ('21 Years Down The Road'/3rdEarMusic) 26. [17] (17) Firelight - Brian Finch ('Never Look Back'/Indie) 27. [24] (24) Jacob Klipkop - Piet Botha ('Die Mamba'/Rhythm Records) 28. [30] (28) Save Your Love For Me - Grant Nuss ('Diversity'/Indie) 29. [23] (5) Mellow Drama Sampler - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/USM) 30. [28] (28) Made In Africa - Cape Town Tango Ensemble ('El Tango En Africa'/Rhythm) -------------- 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) TNTLC - BOO! (BMG) 2. [3] (2) Healing Destination - Mac McKenzie and The Goema Captains Of Cape Town (Afribeat) 3. [4] (3) Paralyzer - Ghetto Muffin (Milestone) 4. [5] (4) Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 5. [1] (1) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) 6. [11] (6) Amandla! - OST (BMGSA) 7. [6] (2) Ceremony - Cofield Mundi (Fresh) 8. [8] (1) Mellow Drama - Phringe (USM) 9. [15] (9) Homegrown Vol 2 - Various (EMI) 10. [9] (1) Wrapped In Stone - Watershed (EMI) 11. [10] (3) Uit Ons Koppe Uit - Ekstra Dik (Indie) 12. [7] (4) Confessions In Dub - Jerome Arthur (Forest Moon) 13. [16] (13) Mamani - Joy Denalane (SonyMusic) 14. [14] (14) Roger Lucey - 21 Years Down The Road (3eM) 15. [19] (15) No Warning - Jo Day (Legend) 16. [21] (16) Release - Zen Arcade (Indie) 17. [12] (8) Nag Van Die Nerf - Adam Tas (Wildebeest) 18. [13] (2) Soil 7t7 - Soil 7t7 (Indie) 19. [23] (19) The Present Is Passed (The Best Of) - No Friends of Harry (RetroFresh) 20. [17] (3) Blues To The Bone - Kaal (Indie) 21. [25] (21) Kicking and Screaming - Toxic Shame (Legend) 22. [18] (2) Selfconscious - The Narrow (Intervention Arts) 23. [20] (2) Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 24. [22] (3) Wicked Demos - Various (Wicked Rock) 25. [30] (25) Rocking Against The System Vol 2 - Various (RetroFresh) 26. [26] (3) Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign language - Buckfever Underground (Indie) 27. [-] (27) The First Lady And The Boys - Tamara Dey (Gallo) 28. [24] (1) Song Vir Katryn - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 29. [28](1) Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 30. [27] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty (Indie) READ http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarock_legends_2000.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ----------------------------------------- ------ MP3s ------ We now feature readers' MP3 reviews in this section. If you feel the urge to tell us, in less then 50 words, why you like any MP3 currently hosted at SAmp3.com, then please email us at: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews and all worthy contributions will be published. -------------- NEW MP3's: 'SUMMER SUN' - ZEN ARCADE [INDIE] http://www.SAmp3.com The dazzling first single off Zen Arcade's second album, 'Release'. Even among the parade of fine, new songs, strutting power chords, and general all-round strong rock on 'Release', 'Summer Sun' shines like its eponymous self, with a jagged groove full of sparkle, joy and a 'happy-to-be-alive and on a South African beach' vibe with vocalist Iain McKenzie riding the song like a surfboard. All over your radios, soon! -------------- 'TRULY YOURS' - ANANDA VARDHANA DASA [INDIE] http://www.SAmp3.com Something very different, devotional and poppy! Ananada Vardana Dasa is from Cape Town and has just released this first CD of original songs called 'What's Life Without Love'. 'Truly Yours' is the first single off the EP and epitomises these songs' uplifting feel and sound, described by the artist as "emotional funk" or "rainbowsound". The CD is dedicated to "freeing our minds, softening our hearts and giving soul comfort. It facilitates the practice of Sacred Sound meditation, in particular that of the Jaya Gauranga mantra and is especially helpful for stress release and making soultime". 'What's Life Without Love' features original songs composed by Andrew Freedman and engineered at the Milestones Studios in Cape Town. The CD was featured at this year's 'Art of Living' festival as well as the 'Celebrate Life' festival, and recently also on 'Free Spirit', a programme on SABC 2. 'What's Life Without Love' is available in selected Musica stores nationwide, at Look & Listen Cape Town stores. Buy 'What's Life Without Love' online at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDAVD1 -------------- OTHER NEW ADDITIONS: 'Immigrant Song' - Not My Dog A hardcore cover of Led Zeppelin's pile-driving song about Vikings. 'Heksery' - Laurinda Hofmeyr Another beautiful and powerful song from Laurinda's 'Ligdag' out now on Rhythm Records. 'Alie Barber' - TV Soundtrack The theme from the TV show about Alie the Barber and his cronies. 'Milk Cow Blues' - Delta Blue As promised in last week's review of the new Delta Blue CD 'Inbluesstation' here are the Stellenbosch blues boys (and a girl) with 'Milk Cow Blues'. Download all these mp3's at http://www.SAmp3.com -------------- Email your MP3 reviews (or lists) to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud ----- CDs ----- BUCKFEVER ALBUM TO BE RE-RELEASED IN AUGUST Due to huge demand, 'TAFL - Teaching Afrikaans as A Foreign Language', that recent cult CD release by The Buckfever Underground, will be generally available in music stores nationwide from 8 August. "After having struggled against adversity for so long I think it's only fair that we get more of our fifteen minutes", Toast Coetzer was reported to have said while being mobbed by school children in a South Korean zoo. "We got three minutes back in '99 and we've always held out for the chance of getting another four or five", he continued. The rest of the band were unavailable for comment although a spokesperson stressed that the CD was in no way connected with the global spread of a western cultural hegemony as it was recorded over two days in Fish Hoek. What the critics said: Tiaan Olivier - The Cape Argus Tonight "The seven tracks... are so unique and experimental, comparisons are unavoidable: Johannes K meets Zappa, Gert Vlok Nel meets early Beck... lyrics that compel, shock, absorb... each song, line for line, is a vivid verbal voyage much in the vain of Ginsburg and Dylan" Ami Kapilevich - Editor, Pulse Magazine "The Buckfever Underground are just that: wild, hot and eccentric. It's paradoxical music: stuff you can listen to very carefully or just leave playing in the background: Tom Waits-meets-Evan Dando. Nice" Jeremy Abbott - Cape Town Today "The strength is in the lyrics... it's one of those albums that grows on you. To enjoy this you need to realise it's not easy listening, rather intellectual listening" Also available by the BU are 'Jou Mede Mens Is Dood' and 'Survival Is Personal'. The Buckfever Underground are: Toast Coetzer, Gilad Hockman, Jon Savage, Steven Timm. Download 'Oom Willem Strikes Back' at http://www.SAmp3.com/songs_l_s.html -------------- CELTIC RUMOURS - 'SLOW RAIN - THE COMPLETE CELTIC RUMOURS' [RETROFRESH] One of the highlights of the vibrant South African music scene in the mid 80's was without doubt Celtic Rumours. Bursting out of Durban at the turn of the decade the band were inspired by the then emerging 'New Romantics' musical movement that produced artists like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, etc. 'Slow Rain..' brings together for the first time, on one CD, both of the band's albums "This Day" and "Greed". READ http://www.freshmusic.co.za BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=freshcd136 -------------- WINSTON MANKUNKU NGOZI - 'ABANTWANA BE AFRIKA' 35 years after the release of 'Yakhal'Inkomo', Winston Mankunku's latest album, 'Abantwana be Afrika', was recorded and released in Johannesburg between March and June 2003. To add to the anniversary, the recent album launches at Johannesburg's Civic Theatre and Bloemfontein's Andre Huguenot Theatre coincided with the week of Winston's 60th birthday! Still, even at this respectable age, Winston remains (as do we all) a 'Child of Africa'. 'Abantwana Be Afrika' reflects a number of similarities to 'Yakhal'Inkomo' - Mankunku has gone back to a smaller, more traditional jazz outfit, in this case a quintet; it is essentially an acoustic album, using acoustic bass and grand piano; and finally, the recording is largely a live recording, with few overdubs or other studio techniques used to enhance or manipulate sounds. The repertoire consists of 10 tracks, six of them all new, and four that have formed part of the live repertoire for some years, but were never before recorded. Those are Mankunku's signature tune, 'Tshawe', Duke Makasi's classic composition, 'Inhlupeko', a quintet version of 'Dedication' from his first album, as well as a definitive arrangement of Mackay Davashe's standard, 'Lakutshon' Ilanga'. Among the new compositions, there are a few that stand out. There's 'Give Peace A Chance' (Een Liedtjie vir Saldanha Baai) combining Mankunku's life-long philosophy and his growing affection for the West Coast town where he has been spending much time over the last few years; the title track 'Abantwana Be Afrika' (Children of Africa), with its call for all of us to recognise that we are Africans, and that we must stand proudly together in facing the future; 'George & I' a reminiscence of trumpeter George Tyhefumane (ex-Soul Jazz Man and Spirits Rejoice) featuring Andile Yenana's distinctive piano riff; and finally 'Thula Mama', which features a rare performance from behind the piano by Mankunku. The musicians on the album are: Andile Yenana (piano), who also co-produced this album, Herbie Tsoaeli (bass), Prince Lengoasa (Trumpet / Flugelhorn) and Lulu Gontsana (Drums). www.sheer.co.za -------------- SPOTLIGHT ON SUPERFINE AND SOUL PROXY Two more emerging SA bands that we/you need to keep watching! SUPERFINE When the manager of the Mercury Live in Cape Town tells you that Superfine are the most exciting new Cape Town band he has seen in the past two years, you'd better listen, because he sees them all. Superfine began in 1996 with three Hout Bay classmates - Andrew McKellar, Kevin Mitchell and Richard Wouters. They named the band Superfine and began appearing live all around Cape Town, often playing with bands such as Naked Lyric, Peculiar People, and Critical Mass. They also opened for Tree63 when the band was in Cape Town recently. Superfine recorded their first demo EP during late 1999 and early 2000 and launched it at New Song Festival in September 2000, and sold out all their stock straight after the show. They then played in the 5Fm/Gallo Records/Hose Cuervo Untamed Sounds competition at The Jam in Cape Town, winning against other top unsigned bands from Cape Town. In 2003, apart from attracting record company attention from a major American label, they also released their second EP, 'For The Kid At The Back', at New Song in September, and again sold out their entire travelling stock of CD's at the festival after their performance. The tracks on 'For The Kid At The Back' are appealing and fresh, packed with a raw energy and lyrical sincerity that has become synonymous with their sound. Although Superfine gig mostly in and around Cape Town, they have gigged at a few other locations around the country, more recently finishing a successful nationwide tour as the support act for Tree63 in February and March 2003. Superfine are planning to tour around the States in the middle of 2004. ED. - Catch Superfine at the 'Newsong Festival 2003 - Before Party' on the 1st August at Friends First (off Rondebosch Common) and 2nd August at the Stellenburg NG Church (in Mountain View off Old Oak), alongside Serving Suggestion, 5 Star Society and Rustiband. These are the acts chosen this year to represent the festival, which takes place in September (www.newsong.co.za). See http://www.sagigs.com for details -------------- SOUL PROXY Soul Proxy is a young, four-piece band that was formed in 2002 and has since created a sound that has best been described as "varied Rock" - a wicked fusion of the sound of bands like Creed, The Calling and Incubus. William Loots (20) fronts the band on vocals and thundering bass, with Ewald Janse van Rensburg (20) on lead guitar, together with JJ van Staden (21), also on guitar and backing vocals, and Dale Schnettler (20) on drums. The band's song, 'Solitaire', was recently playlisted on 5FM, after having been selected to appear on 5FM's upcoming 'Unearthed' compilation. They will also be appearing on another local compilation in August/September this year through Cape Town-based music company, Floodwall Music. Soul Proxy's track was also recently playlisted on a European radio station with requests by even more European radio stations to submit their track for airplay. What makes this notable is the fact that they have no more than a demo-single. mailto:soulproxy@hotmail.com -------------- ONE WORLD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Selling South African Music To The World --------------- 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 usually gives his unique views on SA music, but he's currently vacationing in the Yellowstone National Park, so no review this week. Last week Kurt gave us a rundown on the music he took along for his trip. Kurt's passion for SA music was piqued by the US success of 'Master Jack' and Four Jacks And A Jill. He's moved on to far harder stuff since then, but in response to an editor's comment last week - that he had not mentioned Four Jacks and a Jill in that mix? - Kurt assured us that he has "a CD I made of all my versions of 'Master Jack', except the one by David Marks himself which I just received. It has versions by Jennifer Ferguson, Carike, and 4J&aJ (several times, several versions)". Back soon... 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 ETHNIC/SHMETHNIC - MEL, MEL AND JULIAN Most people my age will remember Mel Miller from 'Biltong and Potroast', that early SABC TV program that now has legendary status. They will also know Julian Laxton as a hard rocking axe hero. Few will be aware of Mel Green and when hearing of him will, like I did, probably think, wasn't he also in 'Biltong and Potroast'? No, that was Cyril Green who sat next to Mel Miller. But, between the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth and when 'Biltong And Potroast' ruled the airwaves, these 3 formed a formidable trio that ranked highly on SA's folk scene, at times apparently pulling bigger crowds than Des Lindberg. Until recently most of this trio's recordings have only been available to connoisseurs of vinyl (well those that could find copies), however, Mel Green, who now lives in the States, has put together 'Ethnic/Shmethnic', a collection of songs from their early albums. These songs have been re-mastered from the original vinyl and thus a few crackles appear on the CD, but nothing that will distract the listener. And so to the music. The first thing that strikes you is the great vocals and vocal harmonies that the 2 Mels put together. At times there's a twangy American styled vocal such as on the opener, 'Katy Cline'. Then there are some quite beautiful harmonies like on 'Gypsy Rover' and 'Mary Anne' where they take on a softer, more gentle tone. Also Mel Green's solo vocals on 'The Water Is Wide' is pure joy to listen to. Underpinning this is some magical guitar plucking. Quite different to what Laxton fans would be accustomed to as it's acoustic for a start and secondly... well it's folk not rock. But this is top quality folk and one can only admire the guitar skills on show. The songs are all traditional folk tunes that are given the MM&G treatment to good effect. Tracks like 'Irish Rover', 'Banks Of The Ohio' and 'Sinner Man' will probably be familiar to most while some others may only be immediately recognised by folk aficionados. This is a laid back album that gently flows from your sound system and cascades over your senses for a soothing 40 minutes or so. It is available from the MM&G website www.melmelandjulian.com along with a detailed history of the group. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA -------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (27 July 1973) 1 [1] Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley 2 [2] Never, Never, Never - Shirley Bassey 3 [3] Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Dawn & Tony Orlando 4 [4] That's Why I Love You - Richard Jon Smith 5 [7] Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel 25 YEARS AGO (28 July 1978) 1 [1] Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M 2 [4] So You Win Again - Copperfield 3 [2] Heidi - Peter Lotis 4 [3] Follow Me - Amanda Lear 5 [6] Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young 20 YEARS AGO (29 July 1983) 1 [9] Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley 2 [1] Drop The Pilot - Joan Armatrading 3 [3] I Eat Cannibals - Toto Ceolo 4 [2] Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler 5 [4] Der Kommisar - After The Fire 15 YEARS AGO (28 July 1988) 1 [1] I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue 2 [2] Love Changes Everything - Climie Fisher 3 [5] Dreaming - OMD 4 [3] Get Outta My Dreams - Billy Ocean 5 [6] Stay On These Roads - A-Ha ------------- CHART CHAT ------------- 1973 saw Lauren Copley enjoying her 4th week at the top. The top 4 remained unchanged while Gilbert O'Sullivan made way for Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan as Stealer's Wheel made a second appearance in the top 5. 'Stuck In The Middle' had reached number 5 three weeks previously and subsequently dropped down the charts. This week though it jumped the 2 spots back into the limelight. John Paul Young clocked up his 4th straight top 10 hit in 1978 with 'Love Is In The Air'. This was also his first hit to crack the UK and US charts reaching numbers 5 and 7 respectively. The song was recently dusted off as was John Paul Young for the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. Robert Nestor Marley died in May of 1981, but his first posthumous single, 'Buffalo Soldier', released in 1983, rocketed up the charts, jumping a massive 8 places to number 1. Despite this huge jump, it was not the single biggest jump to the top. Albert Hammond's 'Everything I Want To Do' and Kris Kristofferson's 'Why Me?' had both made the leap to the top from number 10. Five weeks at number 1 was the story for Kylie in 1988. Climie Fisher waited patiently at number 2 for the 3rd week running. A-Ha's 5th top 20 hit made the top 5 becoming only their 2nd to do so. Surprisingly their US number 1, 'Take On Me', had only reached number 7, and the UK number 1, 'The Sun Always Shines On TV', stalled at 8. South Africans at number 1 this week: Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley (1973) South African New Entries this week: 28-Jul-78 My Life's In Good Hands - Gene Rockwell 29-Jul-77 I Believe In You - Sharon Tandy & Graham Clarke 29-Jul-83 Live On - Pierre De Charmoy 30-Jul-65 Ciao - Gene Rockwell 31-Jul-82 I Found Love - Alida White 01-Aug-75 Please Stay - Jonathan Butler (aged 14 years) John Samson --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town The Don Albert Band - 'Party For Beatniks' (LP) Falling Mirror - 'Johnny Calls The Chemist' (LP) David Kramer - 'Delicious Monster' (Signed LP) Via Afrika - 'Scent Of Scandal' (LP) Ballyhoo - 'Man On The Moon' (LP) Ian And Ritchie - 'How About That!' (LP) Blend - 'Let's Blend The Night Together' (Signed LP) (and terrible title pun! - Ed.) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: Jonathan Butler - 'Jonathan Butler' (2LP) Isja - 'One For All' (LP) Pacific Express - 'Expressions' (LP) Prophets Of The City - 'Our World' (LP) Syndicate Sisters - 'Every Song (has a beginning)' (LP) We pay top prices for top quality. Want Lists Welcome! Call us at: 021-683 5676 mailto:claus@vibesvinyl.com Visit our website at http://www.vibesvinyl.com ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- 5 Iain Mckenzie (Zen Arcade) 7 Rupert Mellor (McCully Workshop) 8 Vicki Sampson 8 Karen Zoid (1978) 10 Neill Solomon (The Uptown Rhythm Dogs, The Passengers) 15 Debbi Lonmon (Little Sister) 16 Lionel Bastos 19 Lorne Shields (1948) 20 Gwynneth Ashley Robin (born Gwynneth Joubert 1960, died May 1976) 24 John Ireland (born John Griffith, 1954) 28 Johnny Gibson (1947) 29 Steve Hofmeyr (1964) If you have info on any South African artists' dates of birth, please Send them to mailto:brian@rock.co.za?subject=birthdays ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS --------------------- A Readers' Forum featuring a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks! -------------- SA BREL ON CD? I have an album (MVN records - MVC3541) of Taubie Kushlik's original cast 'Jacques Brel is alive and well and living in Paris' which ran for several years in the seventies at the Chelsea Theatre in Hillbrow, Jhb. Do you know if this is available on CD? Best regards Dave Plester mailto:drplester@aol.com -------------- SA MUSIC MARKETING SKILLS NEEDED Hi You may remember me - I organised the Rock vs Punk 2002 in Pinelands. How about some profiles on SA bands: like brief history, where they are now (I don't think that most people know Just Jinger is alive and kicking just finishing off a US and UK tour for example!) on bands like Sugardrive, JJ, Wonderboom, Henry Ate etc. with some photos? I find that the marketing strategies that SA bands/artists managements use (if any!) is poor and ineffective. Only a small minority of the musos really know what's going on with the other bands within our industry. I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about as it has been a sore point in our industry. I think that the bands need to realise that marketing yourself in a respectable manner is not "selling out"! Also that the public need to realise that they need to back the bands/artists by buying their music and going to their gigs if they want our music scene to grow and to one day be able to compete with the international music scene. I'm not talking about bands being good enough... the Nudies will take out any international band with regards to CD's and live performance! If you put this message across in your publication (or get someone to write a piece about it) it would make waves within our scene. Yours in rock 'n roll, Robert Watt Frontman of Murdock mailto:murdockband@webmail.co.za Ed. - Any comments? -------------- OLDER SA TUNES WANTED ON MP3 Hi there I was wondering would it be possible to have some older music dating back to early '80's from the likes of éVoid, John Ireland, Ellamental and Juluka, etc on your SAMP3 site. I am from Northern Ireland and used to live in S.A. back then and loved the music and would love to hear some of the old stuff again. Cheers Ian Barrons mailto:IANB@fergus1234.fsnet.co.uk Mp3 Ed. - the problem here is that we only host authorized mp3s at SAmp3.com, so if we can get permission to put up old mp3s we gladly will... while you wait we can suggest buying the 'Rocking Against The System' CD which focusses on SA Rock of the '80's, available from http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm/bec=4321&id=freshcd119 -------------- CSR STUDIOS OFFER Attention all aspiring vocalists in Gauteng! For a limited period only - the opportunity to record your own version of any of the latest pop songs available from our catalogue for the unbelievably discounted price of R1500.00 per song. This price is inclusive of Vat and a CD copy of your recording. For more information on the above offer, please contact Michele/Caroline CSR Studios (011) 463 6182 mailto:csrstu@global.co.za -------------- DATED MUSIC? Greetings, I would like to get hold of (in any format, copies or otherwise) earlier renditions by the SA group Dickie Loader & the Blue Jeans and also The Invaders. I have some of DL LP's but wish to extend this collection. Where could I try for this dated music. Thanks for any help. Regards, Ken Blann. mailto:blanderson@absamail.co.za -------------- NOT YOU AGAIN! Howzit Rock Digester Tell me something, have yous found out who's dog it is yet? Check yous Johnny van Boksburg -------------- STILL LOOKING FOR RONNIE DOMP! (Dave Marks replied in response to Paul's request last week for the whereabouts of Ronnie Domp) Dear Paul - SARD We were in touch but lost contact; we will try and locate Ronnie again - he's in OZ. I'm sure he would love to hear those recordings. Just for the record: 3rd Ear Music has many hours of some wonderful moments with Ronnie, stored in the HYMAProject, that we would like to issue officially one day - funds permitting. 3rd Ear has just recently cleaned up a particularly good (dry & hilarious) evening from an analogue open-reel master - at the Chelsea Theatre Underground (1980), where he opened for Sakhile & Neil Solomon's uptown Rhythm Dogs; so if you get Ronnie before we do, let him know his CDRs are here. As a matter of interest, we also have Ronnie at his best (from audio cassette and open-reel) recorded live at the New Troubadour (Oxford Hotel - 1974), Mangles - on cassette only (1975), The Market Theatre (1976 & 1977) and the last official pre-1976 Free Peoples Concert at Wits. (We even have a few lounge recordings when Heather Mac was jamming along.) It's a real shame that these gems are not out there in the mainstream. But that's what the HY project is trying to do. So saying, what we would like are more written anecdotes from the Ramblin' Ronnie Domp era. The HYMAProject has many photos, posters and programmes - but as archives go, never enough. Regards David Marks 3rd Ear Music Company (Est. 1969)/The Hidden Years Music Archive Project (Est. 1994) web: www.3rdearmusic.com email: mailto:thirdear@iafrica.com -------------- DEEP PURPLE GO BANANAS Deep Purple's lastest CD will be released at the end of August by EMI. It's titled 'Bananas' and features Don Airey on keyboards replacing the retired Jon Lord. Songs include the rocking return-to-form 'House of Pain', the bluesy 'Walk On' and an instrumental tribute to the crew of the space shuttle disaster with 'Contact Lost'. Musicians: Ian Gillan (vocal, harmonica), Steve Morse (guitar), Roger Glover (bass), Don Airey (organ, piano) & Ian Paice (drums). SA's biggest Deep Purple Fan http://www.cd.co.za/deeppurple -------------- SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support this SA musicians' initiative, looking to greatly increase the amounts of SA music played on the nation's radio stations. Join the movement, sign up, or read more at http://www.samqc.org.za -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com -------------- GET YOURSELF A NEW REDIRECTABLE EMAIL ADDRESS Are you tired of complicated hotmail or yahoo email addresses, or is your corporate address very uncool? Or is your favourite nickname already taken? For only R150 per year we will supply you an email address such as "yourchoiceofname@rock.co.za" which will redirect to your current address. Choose from the list below: sarockdigest.com rock.co.za samp3.com saklank.com sagigs.com sugarman.org vagabond.za.net Email: mailto:CanIgetAnewEmailAddressPlease@rock.co.za for details. -------------- This section is sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers music searches, and the sourcing and recommending of songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@cd.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------------------- UPCOMING EVENTS ------------------- Watch out for: AFRICAN DOPE 'OVERDOPE 2003' SA TOUR - a month of weekly simultaneous events in 6 cities, from 12 July - 17 August, featuring: Krushed & Sorted, The Real Estate Agents, The Kalahari Surfers, Honey B, A Blunted Stuntman, Markus Wormstorm, DJ Trouble, and Low. BED ON BRICKS - a new addition to the SA music scene featuring super Sons of Trout vocalist Mike Hardy, ballsy bassist Schalk van der Merwe, tighter-than-tight drummer Tim Rankin and Dave "The Bunny" van de Linden on lead guitar - at the Mercury Live in Cape Town on Friday 8 August 2003 FETISH IN LONDON - Saturday 2nd August - Free - Doors 7.30pm - this female-fronted, guitar driven 5-piece is now performing at the Albany, Deptford London, and will be the first band to showcase the Albany's newly installed state of the art audio visual equipment and the performance will subsequently be released on CD and DVD. GUY BUTTERY - A 19 year old multi-instrumentalist, Guy Buttery is currently in Cape Town for a 3 week tour promoting his highly acclaimed debut album, 'When I Grow Up...' THE CAPE TIMES 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' - Bands that made Cape Town rock, and the fans scream, in the sixties and early seventies will battle for recognition again, in a series of five shows at Dockside with the first of four preliminary rounds on July 27 and the finals on August 31. NOT THE MIDNIGHT MASS - Q-LYN - Graham Weir, Mzwakhe Kheswa, Donal Slemon and Herman Hardick are Not The Midnight Mass- Q-Lyn, the all-male version of Not The Midnight Mass, performing at On Broadway during August, September and October. OPPIKOPPI 'HOND UIT 'N BOX' FESTIVAL 8-10 August, OppiKoppi farm, Northam. 54 ways to win stuff. (or: Where to get free beer and influence people!!!) See www.sagigs.com! PIET BOTHA - Currently touring as a part of the launch of his new album, 'Die Mamba', on Rhythm Records. VALIANT SWART - 'Die Bosch Konsert' - Jinx en Katryn eersdaags in Stellenbosch. Valiant en sy orkes is die gunstelinge op 8 Augustus 2003 in die Paul Roos Sentrum, Stellenbosch. JOE SAMPLE - The Jazz maestro and member of the legendary quartet, The Crusaders, is heading to South Africa this August for two performances, as part of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival series on the 28th of August at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg, and on the 30th at the Cape Town International Convention Centre SEPULTURA - WitchdoctorRecords.com, deliverers of The Haunted and Entombed to SA stages, will be bringing Sepultura to South Africa in September. SIX OF NINE - Cape Town band, previously known as Dayspring, heading off in August on the Solarpop X-Tour around the Cape. 3RD EAR SUNDAYS AT BLUE BOTTLES - 3rd Ear Music is starting up at Blue Bottles again at the harbour mouth. There's a new menu of Sunday evening words & music from Bright Blues to Light Rock, Country Maskandi to City Folk 'n Jazz - food for thought; get SAfrican words & music heard again in Durban - laid back and casual as usual. 6pm for 7pm, each & every Sunday. TWEAK - SA's hottest punk upstarts have completed the Australian leg of their tour and have now left for the UK concerts. WOODSTOCK 5 - The 2003 version begins on Thursday 25th and runs until Sunday 28th September at its new home at Roodeplaat Dam, just north of Pretoria. Confirmed bands include Tweak, Wonderboom, Mean Mr Mustard, Pink Noise, Cutting Jade, The Narrow, Zen Arcade, Jo Day, Soil 7t7, El Camino, and Thirteen. Details of all these events at http://www.sagigs.com -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville 'LET'S START A FIRE TOUR' The Cape Town Leg. Sat 19 July at Mercury Live This was a big event! In fact the biggest since the Frenzal Rhomb tour and it was unusual to have a metal band choosing to come and visit us here in SA, which is currently so starved of international acts (not that we don't have any of our own talented musicians!). So for about 3 hours the night before, sitting around with some of my friends, I got myself quite worked up about the impending show (And exactly how did you do that? - Curious Ed.). Arriving there I was immediately struck by the age of the crowd as there were very few young people there (and by that I mean below the age of 25). I suppose this is because metal is hardly heard amongst the younger members of the punk scene in Cape Town. So, while waiting for things to get going, I sat on one of the lovely and comfy couches in the Mercury Live and watched the long-haired, sharpened canine, leather-clad people walking around - OK, there were only two or three people like that, but you get the drift of the mood in the room. First up was Toy Land, Cape Town's winners of the Purple Turtle's recent battle of the bands competition. I would not describe them as metal, but having a more Nu-Metal sound which was not bad and they certainly deserve the credit that they are getting at the moment. Toy Land were very tight and enjoyable to watch. They have a tendency to become slightly repetitive after a while. Then Tonight We Die took the stage and I was very amped for this band, mainly because 90% of the band are ex-Aftertaste members (and Aftertaste were one awesome band!) so my expectations were high. First impressions were good, but the vocals in the first song really irritated me. Unlike Aftertaste, the vocals weren't your typical "screaming" vocals but more of a singing style of vocals. But after the second song I realised where the band was coming from and began to really like their sound. The only way to describe them is hardcore/metal/punk with a very "arty" feel to them, similar to "Go Team"! I had only ever heard Crossing Point playing once a long time ago and had only good memories of that show. Unfortunately a nasty accident happened during their set when their vocalist cut his head on something (no idea what) and began bleeding quite badly, so the band had to cut their set short. Then it was Mossfet, the dirty metal band of Holland and the headlining band of the tour, and all I can say is wow and wow again. They were so professional, and for the second time in one year, I was reminded that if South African bands want to get anywhere (they definitely have the talent) they have to start taking lessons from international bands about how to be this professional. Mossfet played an amazing set that included 'Communication', a song called 'Nicotine', and this arb song called 'Masturbation', that got the whole crowd laughing. They could have played for far longer and, over all, the whole gig was really cool and I was really stoked to have seen some proper dirty metal being played on South African shores.[DN] See http://www.SAgigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs -------------- LIVE IN LONDON ZOIDERDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT (FOR PARTYING) Karen Zoid at the Ukkasie Kunsfees (12 July 2003) and the Underworld, Camden, (19 July 2003) For the last couple of years we ex-pats in London have read about the rise and rise of one Karen Zoid. Stories of scintillating live shows with guitars being smashed and the like were soon filtering through to us. Then there was the excellent debut album, 'Poles Apart', which meant that we could sample some of the excitement. Despite the CD wearing a hole in our CD player, we still craved a glimpse of this live phenomenon. Well our time eventually came when Karen and her band played at the Ukkasie Kunsfees and then again at the Underworld on consecutive Saturdays. I was somewhat nervous that the hype surrounding her would mean a too high expectation and subsequent disappointment, but I was quickly reassured as Ms Zoid and the band quickly made it clear that they rock and do so in a highly entertaining manner. Over the 2 shows, she covered most of the material from her two albums with 'Ons Soek Rock 'n Roll' and 'Danville Diva' being 2 off 'Chasing The Sun' that particularly got the crowd going. 'Beautiful' had the security staff at Wembley Conference Centre (Ukkasie venue) rushing around stopping people from waving lighters (that's what happens when you have a rock concert in what is essentially a Conference theatre with strict fire rules). This however did nothing to dampen the spirits of the crowd who were a bit like a nursery school during a ritalin shortage, such was the excitement and energy. Zoid's stage presence is something to behold. She oozes confidence as she struts around urging the audience on, or runs around behind the drums to return with a loud scream. Between songs she talks to the audience and tells great stories that add to the whole experience. And can there be a more beautiful sight to behold than a mass of blonde hair flying in all directions to a backdrop of a thunderous guitar? At times she invoked the spirit (or should that be spirits?) of Janis Joplin and there were certainly shades of Courtney Love, but when we were reminded that 'Afrikaaners is Plesierig' we knew it could only be Her Royal Zoidness. The band were given their time to shine especially during a great jam in the middle of 'Taxi'. Don Reinecke certainly knows how to handle his axe while Llewellyn John and Bradley Cooper formed a tight rhythm unit. The Ukkasie gig closed with Karen alone on the stage doing what looked like an impromptu encore in the form of an acoustic version of 'Engel', which the audience had been demanding. I was not sure whether it was this moving version of this popular song, or the earlier rockers that prompted a Ugandan security guard that I spoke to later saying that he really liked Karen's show and was now wanting to visit South Africa. So not only is she a great music talent and dynamic (to say the least) live act, she is also a good advert for South African tourism. Well now we in London have experienced the Zoid phenomenon in all its guitar screaming, drum bashing, head banging, electrically charged ball of energy glory and what can one say but 'Phew! That was Zoidalicious!' John Samson -------------- LIVE IN SA DURBANDS: By Wicked Mike 'BIG BAND BREAKOUT' Durban, South Africa - July 2003 Explosive! Three hours of drinking beer and bumming cigarettes never prepared me for the stand-up rock 'n roll of the first night of the 'Big Band' (presented by www.WitchdoctorRecords.com and hosted by Durban's Winston Pub). However, it did prepare me for the unexpected shoving of a microphone into my hand and the message "You're the entertainment in between the bands." Saturnine's emo-edged rock and pushed-past-the-barrier vocals got me revved. Musical excitement was back in town. Idle Minds gave a helluva performance. It was the most animated that I'd seen them be. Shivering Jemmy defied their new band status and delivered a polished set fused with Talani's reaching vocals. The flamboyance of Dr Fox could've medicated the dead into dancing. But then that horrid moment of choosing two winners to go through to the next round arrived. I say "horrid" because I was also judging that that had been the best multi-band set I'd ever witnessed in Durban. Each band was a winner but two winners went home. Saturnine and Idle Minds were ordered to the next round. P.S. Consequent heats have added Mr Smug, Sitter, Sibling Rivalry, Third World Order, NFD and Aleda as challengers. Wicked Mike -------------- A FREE STATE ROCK WEEKEND What a Weekend!! Bloemfonteiners were blown away this past weekend, when we kick-started our "Rock Weekend" (Thurs 17 July) with Genie and the Rampokkers from Pretoria @ Cool Runnings. Thanks guys for including our little dorpie in your Tour. Friday night 18 July we hosted our 2nd leg of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds competition. If you missed this one - you really lost out, the place was packed and the bands were incredible. We had the opportunity of seeing Curb Dogs, Naomi's Daughter, Plunge, and Ablaze battling it out and trying to impress the judges. Curb Dogs was finally announced as the Winner and will go to Ceasars Jhb to compete in the finals. A special thank you goes to our Judges: Pieter Jacquire (RP Studios), James Kilbourn (OFM) and Cyril Viljoen (SpringCan). Next leg of the competition will be held on Friday 22 August at Cool Runnings. Our "Rock Weekend" ended at "Die Mystic Boer" on Saturday 19 July with SpringCan and Wonderboom. WOW - what more can I say, there wasn't one person in Bloemies who can say they didn't enjoy this one. Once again we saw Mystic packed to full capacity. SpringCan left the fans with mouths wide open - when they got on stage and performed some of their new Emo-Rock songs, a big hit was their song, 'Bloemfontein' - it's become like an anthem for fans, and 'Ugly' just ended the set perfectly. As usual Wonderboom was incredible and their song, 'Charlie', is definitely the favourite. A special thank you has to go to Andre at Motion Sound (Bloemfontein)- the sound was incredible. Lastly a special THANK YOU has to go to all the Bloemfontein supporters for facing the cold and supporting our "Rock Weekend" - Keep supporting SA Music. Nicky Freestate-online mailto:nicky@freestateonline.co.za -------------- GUY BUTTERY At The Armchair Theatre 17.07.03 Lightning fingers on acoustic Takamine (guitar). Buttery incorporates alternate tuning, bass, lead and rhythm picking with guitar tapping to create a full, captivating sound. Very talented, but over-determined. He still needs to settle on his own style. An exceptional musical menagerie for the more mellow and yellow rockers. Lindsay R ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs in a plain text e-mail by Friday 12noon. ___________________________________________ 9.INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links ---------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS ---------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubcriberAddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe ------------ BACK ISSUES ------------- http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ----------------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS ----------------------------------- Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest -------- EDITORS -------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest --------------- CONTRIBUTORS --------------- John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Carina Laubscher Don Bryce Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Wicked Mike Gabi Muller Proofed by Ronx A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION http://www.sugarmusic.co.za <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>