SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #223 http://www.sarockdigest.com Established 27th January 1999 27th October 2003 ---------------------- IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE ---------------------- Prime Circle, the highly-regarded new SA rock band, have been named as the support act on Live’s upcoming ‘Birds Of Pray’ SA tour ... The Nukular Stompers have released their debut album, ‘Can Of Worms’, which includes ‘Sheriff Bush And Deputy Blair’, ‘Shady Deals’, and new single called ‘Viagra La Buena’ ... Ex-Clout vocalist and current solo artist, Cindy Alter, is heading back to SA for two dates in Melville in November. The OppiKoppi Festival is happening at the end of November at its new venue at the Pretoria show grounds, the perfect setting for a wild start to the South African summer holiday season ... The Sugar Bush Festival 2003 looks like it will be held on a farm, 62km South of Durban International, from Thurs 18 - Sun 21 Dec ... The 14 piece band, Incognito, acknowledged as the UK's most innovative and acclaimed acid jazz/funk/soul group, is coming to SA at the end of October for two concerts only - in Durban and in Johannesburg. Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz are the names behind the very well known SA music reference work titled the ‘History of Contemporary Music Of South Africa’, and have now announced the publication of ‘Music Artists Of South Africa’ in CD-ROM format ... The SA government and the Flemish Government in Belgium have an extensive cultural agreement which includes the Cultural Policy Project ... And we have some good news from the Sheer Sound Label. This week we feature 6 exclusive new mp3’s at www.SAmp3.com from the Nukular Stompers (‘Viagra la Buena’), Amanda Strydom (‘Engel Met 'n Angel’), Michael Payne (‘Jerk Motormouth’), Ystervark (‘Face’), Andries Bezuidenhout (‘Die Ballade Van Dracula Havenga’), and ‘Trash Like You’, the tasty new track from Martin Rocka and The Sick Shop - read all about this crazy band and their recent gig at the Roxy in Melville. We take a close look at the songs on the new ‘Tassenberg All Stars 4’ CD compilation ... And there are new albums from David Foster (‘Flat To Round’), Andre Swiegers (Turn On The Light’), and a new album called ‘Melt With Me’ from a hot new female-fronted Johannesburg band called Drop Dead Gorgeous. This week LAD tells us more about Jo Day - her album, band changes, and upcoming gigs ... Shiloh Noone is back with the story of UK folk group Mellow Candle and their strong SA connection ... John Samson reviews Jakkie Louw’s ‘Makietie’ ... Kurt Shoemaker tells us exactly what he thinks about Karen Zoid’s 'Chasing The Sun’. Brandon October has released ‘Temptation’ (the name of both his album and single) and is making a few appearances around the Cape ... The Swamp Funk Quartet are back in the spotlight, although their line-up is set to be changing soon with Tom Fox heading of to New Zealand ... Powerzone are celebrating their 5th Birthday (Happy Birthday and many more!!!) with a big party at the Roxy in Melville on 31st of October with Marlowe, Sugardrive, Squeal, The Parlotones, Soul Proxy, 16 Stitch, Even Flow and Barney Simon. There’s also the usual weekly mp3 and album charts, recommended SA gigs, letters to Sound Solutions, old SA charts, Vinyl store specials, and SA punk gigs ... And that's SA Music (This) Week! ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------- If you miss any issues of the Digest, then you can still read each week's Edition, in full colour, online at: http://www.cd.co.za (updated Tuesdays). You can also find all the Previous Editions of the Digest archived at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives The deadline for Digest submissions and SA 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?subject=Digest Thanks! Ed. ------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Daddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ----------------------------- ONE WORLD ONLINE CD STORE ----------------------------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Nukular Stompers, Prime Circle, Cindy Alter, OppiKoppi, Sugar Bush Festival, Brandon October, Swamp Funk Quartet, Incognito, 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Nukular Stompers, Michael Payne, Amanda Strydom, Andries Bezuidenhout, Ystervark, Martin Rocka, ‘Tassies 4’, Drop Dead Gorgeous, David Forster, Andre Swiegers, Jo Day. 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Karen Zoid - ‘Chasing The Sun’ 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Jakkie Louw - ‘Makietie’ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Shiloh Noone: Mellow Candle, Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: Letters and requests, a Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, SA Punk: Martin Rocka at the Roxy 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS --------- THE NUKULAR STOMPERS OPEN A ‘CAN OF WORMS’ The wild bunch are back! Fresh from their triumph with their ‘Sheriff Bush And Deputy Blair’ mp3 smash hit (currently in the top 5 most downloaded songs on the SAmp3.com charts), the Nukular Stompers have released their debut 6-track album called ‘Can Of Worms’. Both ‘Sheriff Bush....’ and second single ‘Shady Deals’ are present, having previously been exclusively available only at SAmp3.com. But those two songs are tucked in at the back of the ‘Can’ behind four new songs. There’s the opening track and next single, ‘Viagra La Buena’, followed by the very topical ‘Road Rage Man’, a blues rocker called ‘Mr Moonshine’, and the very strange ‘Something Is Wrong With My Mind’, written for the band by Tait. The Nukular Stompers are a “mysterious” gang of established Cape Town musicians, vocalists, and studio folk who even donned bad fake beards for a recent appearance on the eTV news Arts slot. The Stompers’ combined passion for being on both sides of the Studio glass initially led to some live sessions, followed by some recordings and now this full album release. A spokes-person for the Stompers issued the following statement with the release of ‘Can Of Worms’, explaining the group’s particular style: “ It is music born of other people's foolishness, and dished up by a band of madmen/woman steeped in the art of playing in pubs, dance halls, whore houses and indeed any other place of seedy origin. The instrumentation has been carefully chosen to enhance the subject matter, and includes violin, harmonica, piano accordion, guitar, piano, jew’s harp, bass, drums, groaning, grunting and even a new musical instrument in the Bulgarian Pornaphone”. The spokes-person added: “This last-mentioned instrument is proudly shown off to good effect in its debut appearance on the hit song ‘Viagra La Buena’. Consisting of various pipes and plungers, it relies heavily on yoghurt of a special consistency for its smooth tone. This instrument is chromatic in nature and handled masterfully by its creator in this exciting first offering. Further songs will be forthcoming soon, as the subject matter is being created, as we speak, by idiots everywhere. World leaders, celebrities, governments, etc. No one is safe from the prowling pen of the Nukular Stompers - Watch this space!” The Stompers’ gang includes Rob Anderson, Richard Black, Martin Drake, Rupert Mellor, and Dave Williams with Dezi Ray providing the solitary female touch with her backing vocals on ‘Mr Moonshine’. Williams and Anderson wrote the songs and ‘Can Of Worms’was recorded by Richard Black at Street Level Studios. The album cover also features a zany animated cover by noted cartoonist, Tony Grogan To date, no Nukular Stompers live dates have been announced, probably because the beards are in the wash!! ‘Viagra La Buena’ (“buena” means “good”, so figure it out) is not expected to receive broad radio play due to its “mature” content, and a little swearing towards the end. But the song is currently downloadable at http://www.SAmp3.com. ‘Can Of Worms’ can be bought online at: http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Listen to ‘Viagra La Buena’ at http://www.SAmp3.com -------------- PRIME CIRCLE TO OPEN FOR LIVE ON SA TOUR Prime Circle, who are currently rated one of the hottest rock acts on the SA music scene, have been announced as the support act for Live, the US band who will be returning to South Africa to perform on their ‘Birds Of Pray’ tour in November. Live will appear in Johannesburg on the 22nd, in Durban on the 25th and in Cape Town on the 28th of November. Prime Circle have just released their debut album, 'Hello Crazy World', which has already yielded them an unprecedented two number one hits on 5fm Music with 'Hello' and 'Let Me Go'. David Gresham, CEO of The David Gresham Record Company, who released the album, is extremely excited about this opportunity for their signings and said: "We all believe Prime Circle to be the perfect choice as an opening act for an accomplished and dynamic act such as Live". For a band formed in the small town of Witbank, late in 2001, the collective musical experience of the band members is broad. Drummer Gerhard Venter has played alongside bands like Squeal, Sons of Trout and Sugardrive, and bassist Marco Gomes, and Dirk Boschoff, the lead guitarist, have played at many festivals and gigs around the country over the last 12 years, but this will be the band’s biggest gig to date. -------------- CINDY ALTER IN SA Following on from our review of her ‘Silver Moon’ CD in Digest #222, Cindy Alter has contacted the Digest to announce that she will be returning to South Africa to perform two concerts in Melville next month. Speaking from her LA home, Cindy said: “I am going to be in Johannesburg from November 1st to the 28th. I have two shows booked at The Agterplaas in Melville, on the 21st and 22nd of November. I will be backed by the Tony Russel Quintet, and will be playing songs from ‘Silver Moon’ and ‘Dark Heart’. Plus, I've been asked to do ‘Substitute’, which I haven't done for 25 years, so that will be interesting. I'm also interested in having a Songwriting/Music biz seminar, and may still do it at one of the venues in Johannesburg”. Cindy’s second solo album, ‘Dark Heart’ CD, was recorded again at Number 7 studios in Los Angeles, with Ken Moore co-producing, engineering and mixing all 13 tracks. “We used various musicians in LA, and 3 ex-South Africans: Stretch Schoonraad (ex "The News"), Jose Alves (Cindicate) and Scott Miller (I think he played with PJ Powers)”, explained Alter, “Even though I live in LA I have strong ties to my South African roots, and always keep that part of me alive and kicking. As a songwriter, I have got some tracks on hold in Nashville. I am starting work on my 3rd CD, and have already recorded 3 tracks.” Cindy will be selling copies of ‘Dark Heart’ at her shows in Melville. ‘Silver Moon’ is currently sold out and they are waiting for a new pressing. Regarding the copy of ‘Silver Moon’ that turned up at a stall in Greenmarket Square, Cindy said: “I just received the latest SARD... (Digest of course) and was pretty surprised at the review of ‘Silver Moon’... and how you found it, it is completely a mystery to me? I had sent a copy to Andre Fourie, who had a radio show before he passed away, and he was playing some of the tracks. Perhaps some of his CD’s were sold to this stall?” ‘Dark Heart’ (and possibly) ‘Silver Moon’ are available at www.cdbaby.com and at www.towerrecords.com Cindy Alter is at kenandcin@earthlink.net -------------- OPPIKOPPI FESTIVAL - PRETORIA/TSHWANE 28 & 29 November 2003 This year's Oppikoppi "city festival" is an even more progressive shift left-wise, following 2002's well received make-over. Apart from the headline acts many artists on the bill can be described as groundbreaking, ensuring that this year's festival again falls in a league of its own. The new venue at the Pretoria show grounds is the perfect setting for a variation on the OppiKoppi festival theme and a wild start to the South African summer holiday season. The two-day celebration begins on Friday the 28th with pop and rock line-up and progresses from there into break-beats and electronica on a dedicated 206 birthday stage. Saturday morphs into a Phat Hip Hop, House and African rhythms line-up including a titanic Harambe set with all the exciting new faces of urban South Africa. Apart from these broad focal areas, the festival will throw in abundant dashes of performance art, comedy, physical theatre, street theatre, short films, home grown beats and electronic art. The first batch of artist names to be released is supplied below alphabetically (and many more will follow): A Blunted Stuntman, Boo!, Beef (Netherlands), The Boogieman, E-Quad (Netherlands/ Zimbabwe), Flip Kowlier (Belgium), Mabulu (Mozambique), Rise, The Narrow, 't Hof van Commerce (Belgian Hip Hop crew), Ultrasonic (Belgian DJ), Wambali (Malawi), Zampano (France). Go to www.oppikoppi.co.za for daily updates and news flashes. web: www.oppikopi.co.za E-mail: info@oppikoppi.co.za Tel: (012) 346-2011 -------------- SUGAR BUSH FESTIVAL 2003 Thursday 18 December - Sunday 21 December KwaZulu-Natal banana belt, better known for its tropical atmosphere and laid back communities, is about to blossom to its full potential. With the summer months on their way the locals on the South Coast prepare themselves for the massive influx of sun-seeking holiday makers from all over the country. The beaches are festive and the hot spots buzz making the region the place to be and the place to get to. On a farm, 62km South of Durban International is where plans are being laid to host the Sugar Bush Festival. The festival is aimed at anyone from 18-35, families and students have been well catered for but activities and performances have been planned to appeal to people from all walks of life. The program is structured to entertain a number of interests at any one time so no matter what your game plan is, you will find your niche at Sugar Bush. The festival is all about the great outdoors; fully functional outdoor (not open) showers have been erected with a piping hot water supply. The sea of tents, a trademark of festivals worldwide, has been well considered and planned for. The event organisers are veteran campers and have ensured that there’s a well positioned spot out there for your tent to sit flush with the earth and your body to thank you in the early hours. Rotating from on and around the main stage and activity arena is a package of performances, competitions, displays and events to put any rigorous festival program to shame. By night, audiences will be entertained by music ranging from boere musiek to well known local bands. During the day there’s audience and participant entertainment from motor enthusiasts (jet-ski display, 4 by 4 track, quad bikes and kids’ motorised scooters) to the fans of light humour and slightly eccentric behaviour (human splat mat, silly olympics, stand-up comedy and fire eaters). Self proclaimed experts could bare their produce to all at the Potjie compo, bare their lifelong masterpiece at the Mr Boep compo & throw their weight around in the Strongman, Strongwoman compo. The program is literally packed with ‘fun and games’ and is especially well angled towards kids, keeping them busy doing things probably a lot less silly when compared with the proposed ‘grown-up’ activity. The festival takes place over four days in December, 18 - 21 December before the Christmas rush and plans are in full swing to make it something to write home about. www.sugarbushfestival.co.za Email: info@sugarbushfestival.co.za or contact Ann on cellular 082 578 9989 -------------- INCOGNITO LIVE IN SA 2 Shows Only! Durban and Jo’burg! The UK's most innovative and acclaimed acid jazz/funk/soul group - the 14-piece band, Incognito, is coming to SA for two concerts only - in Durban at the ICC on Thursday 30 October and in Johannesburg on Friday 31 October at the Newtown Music Hall (Formerly Mega Music). Incognito, who have created and established a distinct sound, do not have a recognised regular line-up of band members; instead many top musicians have been involved in creating the ever-evolving and profound music of Incognito. The driving force behind this well-established, internationally acclaimed band is Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, born on the Island of Mauritius. Since the inception of Incognito in 1981, many musicians have been involved in musical projects with Incognito. Rather than focusing on individuals, equal credit is given for their contributions. This approach, to quote Bluey himself, "promotes and encourages the talents of the musicians and in turn teaches all of us humility and a sense of sharing that is not usually present in most other bands". The prolific and hard-working band have released an incredible nine albums - sometimes creating more than one a year - most recently ‘Who Needs Love’ released last year, ‘Life Stranger Than Fiction’ (2001) ‘The Best Of Incognito’ (2000) and ‘Future Remixed’ (2000). Dates and Venues: 30 October - Durban - International Convention Centre (ICC) - 8pm @R120 per ticket 31 October - Jo’burg- Newtown Music Hall -(Formerly Mega Music)- 8pm @ R150 per ticket Bookings at Computicket Public Enquiries and bookings: 011-340 8000 / 083 915 8000. Incognito is brought to South Africa by the British Council and their Media Partner, Metro FM For Media Enquiries only : Info@artsexchange.co.za Tel 011 726 6916/083 272 0285 -------------- BRANDON RELEASES ‘TEMPTATION’ ALBUM AND SINGLE Cape In-store appearances announced Brandon October, the vocalist who stole the hearts of thousands of Idols viewers in 2002, has just released his debut solo album, ‘Temptation’. The album was produced by Rich Aronson of the Human Music and Sound Design Initiative (a global conglomeration of producers, songwriters, musicians and engineers) at his studio in Johannesburg. Already Aronson is full of praise for the 26-year-old: "I've worked with many vocalists and I can tell you now that Brandon is the real deal," the producer reveals. "He took a little while to get used to the studio, this being his first time recording a full album. But once Brandon had a feel for the mechanics of the studio, he really came into his own and I have no doubt that this album is going to fly." Brandon October will be in the Western Cape this week to promote his album with a string of “meet and greet” opportunities for his fans - those dates are: Wednesday 29 Oct - Musica Wynberg for instore signing at 2.30pm Thursday 30 Oct - Musica Golden Acre for instore signing at 12noon Friday 31 Oct Musica Rondebosch for instore signing at 11am Friday 31 Oct - Musica situated at Promenade shopping centre Mitchell's Plain at 3pm Saturday 1 Nov - Sanlam Centre Musica at 11am Saturday 1 Nov - Look and Listen Canal Walk 2pm The first single off 'Temptation', is the album title track, ‘Temptation’. -------------- THE ‘MUSIC ARTISTS OF SOUTH AFRICA’ - NOW ON CD-ROM Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz are the names behind the very well known SA music reference work titled the ‘History of Contemporary Music Of South Africa’. That comprehensive and large paperback reference book, listing the prominent musicians and artists in SA music history, was first published in 1994 and remains the only (offline) reference work on SA music and its musicians over the past 50 years. These two Johannesburg writers have now announced the publication of their new book, ‘Music Artists Of South Africa’, which is now available in CD-ROM format. This new format contains all the info from the book as well as about 300 new entries. It documents the groups and artists of SA Music who were prominent during the 1990’s and are still continuing in the 2000’s, bringing that immense body of information up to date. And it provides a convenient way to consult this reference guide to SA Music on your PC. For more details on purchasing this CD-ROM-book, email Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz at: mailto:writeword@ananzi.co.za ‘Music Artists Of South Africa’ will be available from November at the One World online CD store at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Place your advance orders c/o info@oneworld.co.za -------------- THE RETURN OF THE SWAMP FUNK QUARTET The Swamp Funk Quartet is a regular collaboration between some of Cape Town’s most accomplished musicians, including Tom Fox (Bright Blue, The Usual - guitar), Paul Tizzard (The Usual - Drums) Malcolm Aberdien (bass) and Ted Baumann (Woodshed, Lonesharks - guitar and vocals). Original bassist Yoyo Buys (also the Usual), who lives in London, still joins SFQ occasionally on his annual visits to Cape Town. SFQ will be appearing every other Friday until the end of November at the Acoustic Café (neé Wipeout), corner of Main and Atlantic roads, Muizenberg. These include November 7 and 21, with an option on November 28. There are two notable reasons to come see SFQ in action. First, harmonica player extraordinaire Dave Ferguson (Groove Kings, Lonesharks, Dolly Rockers) will be visiting from London and playing several gigs with the band. Second, Tom Fox will be emigrating to New Zealand at the end of the year, and this will be one of the last opportunities to see this master South African guitarist in action. SFQ is also taking its music in new directions, beefing up its blues-funk repertoire with an entirely new set of guitar-based hip-hop and funk material from the likes of John Scofield, who recently played at the North Sea Jazz Festival. The Acoustic Café has been substantially revamped, and is supporting live music on 3-4 nights a week. The vibe is great, the beer cheap, and there is no couvert charge. Contact the venue on 021-788-1900 or Ted on 082-602-4330. LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html -------------- SOME SHEER SOUND NEWS With the upcoming release of ‘Kalamazoo 4 - New Crossings’ (SSCD 100), by Sipho Gumede and Pops Mohamed, Sheer Sound have reached a milestone as it is the Johannesburg-based Independent SA record label’s 100th artist release. This event coincides with another milestone for the company as Sipho Gumede’s ‘Blues For My Mother’ album has become Sheer’s first album release to go Gold in SA. The KORA Award nominations for 2003 have been announced, and some Sheer Sound artists have made the prestigious list. They are: Oliver Mtukudzi, McCoy Mrubata, Marsha Moyo, Gloria Bosman, and Tu Nokwe (‘Best Southern African Artist’); Pops Mohamed (‘Best Traditional Artist’). Sheer Sound vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire, Louis Mhlanga, is touring the Netherlands and Belgium with double-bass player, Eric van der Westen. Louis and Eric are performing until November 9th, with a special guest appearance by Malian guitarist/vocalist Habib Koite on five of their gigs. The gig schedule is available at http://www.sagigs.com -------------- THE CULTURAL POLICY PROJECT South Africa and the Flemish Government in Belgium have an extensive cultural agreement which includes the Cultural Policy Project. This Policy Project deals broadly with a local understanding of culture in six targeted areas, developing tools for the promotion of Cultural Citizenship and Cultural Policy within a South African context. This particular project emerged through discussions that identified local arts and culture policy planning and development as an area of mutual interest and co-operation between both countries. In South Africa the roots of the project go back to the cultural activism of the late 1980’s and early 90’s. It falls within the broad national framework for arts and culture policy found in the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage (1996), which was informed by the policy development process led by the Minister’s Arts and Culture Task Group (ACTAG). ACTAG was a comprehensive consultative art and culture policy process in SA, initiated by the National Department in consultation with civil society building upon the foundations laid by the National Arts Initiative (NAI, 1991) and the National Arts Coalition (NAC, 1993). The NAI and NAC were active arts campaigns lobbying for arts and culture as integral to government delivery through the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The Cultural Policy project aims to revitalise networks built on these foundations, renewing the involvement of activists and ordinary citizens in community cultural life and assisting government to plan for arts and culture at a local level. The White Paper as a broad policy document guides arts and culture practice in South Africa, but is less effective in assisting provincial and local government on how to address culture at a grassroots level. This results in a lack of co-ordination and consistency with regard to Arts and Culture policy and implementation. This situation reinforces the need for planning and development of cultural policy to inform implementation at provincial and local levels and develop local identities addressing integration and cultural diversity. As a country we will be celebrating a decade of democracy next year, but our government is pressed for capacitating and co-ordinating a joined-up approach to delivery. However, delivery concerns the translation of policy into practice which depends on the context and capacities of key role-players. Therefore this project is crucial to culture and governance as it will focus on the practical tools and models needed at a local level for the implementation of cultural policy mapping, planning and policy development, and to enable co-ordination for the cultural sector across government. The project further aims to stimulate social responsibility and active citizenship through the involvement of communities in the development of the models and instruments. This experience and expertise developed in targeted local authorities should result in practical instruments which can be replicated to support policy development in other areas. Through the project and with the active involvement of local government and civil society we aim to gain a real understanding of arts and culture at the level where people live, breathe and actively participate in cultural life. The project takes place over three years in the following sites: Free State (Mangauang Municipality and Metsimaholo District Council), KwaZulu Natal (Ethikwini Municipality and Ulundi District Council) and Limpopo (Polokwane Town Council and Thulamela District Council). The project team consisting of National Project Manager and three provincial managers will be hosted by the National Arts Council and the designated localities. For further enquiries: Andre Le Roux Project Manager: Cultural Policy Project c/o National Arts Council of South Africa Telephone +27 (0)11 838 1383 Fax +27 (0)11 838 6363 Cell 082 881 4550 Mailto:andre@nac.org.za www.nac.org.za ---------------------------------- 2.CHARTS ---------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [6] (1) James Brown (I Ain't) - Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop ('Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop'/Gosatango) 2. [3] (2) Plan My Attack - Soulja (Indie) 3. [4] (3) Castles (Remix) - Freshlyground ('Jika Jika'/Freeground) 4. [1] (1) Cosmo Girl - The Fallen (Indie) 5. [10} (5) Things 2 Consider - Skwirmish ('The EP'/Indie) 6. [9] (6) Lilly Dance - De-Javu (Single/Bowline) 7. [5] (1) Humanarium - Bed On Bricks (Indie) 8. [2] (2) Jaded Mind - Morning Haze (Indie) 9. [12] (9) Rich Folks Hoax - Amanda Strydom ('Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder'/JNS) 10. [8] (8) Sugar Man - Rodriguez ('Cold Fact'/PT Music) 11. [7] (2) Milk Cow Blues - Delta Blue ('Inbluesstation'/Merchant Records) 12. [14] (12) Suikerbossie Blues - Jakkie Louw ('Klein Karoo Cowboy'/Afrimusik) 13. [17] (13) Ek En Jy En Die Kaap - Lize Beekman ('Iemand Het Gesê'/Indie) 14. [16] (14) Only If It Rains - Off The Edge ('Site Under Construction'/Indie) 15. [20] (15) Above My Room - Jo Day ('The Truth'/Indie) 16. [11] (5) Master Jack - David Marks ('The Hidden Years'/3eM) 17. [15] (1) Summer Sun - Zen Arcade ('Release'/Indie) 18. [22] (18) Meisie Van Die Ooste - Alta Joubert ('Warrelwinde'/Hoezit) 19. [13] (2) The Meaning Of Goodbye - James Stewart (Street Level) 20. [25] (20) All The World - Zen Arcade ('Release'/Indie) 21. [19] (8) Let Me Know - Ystervark ('Living It Up'/Indie) 22. [24] (22) Misvuurtjie - Laurinda Hofmeyr ('Ligdag'/Rhythm Records) 23. [18] (18) Anything - Helen Desbois (Fresh) 24. [26} (24) Woman - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7'/Indie) 25. [28] (25) Time To Change - Grant Nuss ('Diversity'/Indie) 26. [29] (26) Scream (demo) - Velve (Indie) 27. [23] (10) Fabulous Day (Kwaito Mix) - Redd-Angel (Sexy Records) 28. [30] (28) Twisted - Believable Addiction (Indie) 29. [27] (1) Madiba 1990 - Bright Blue (SAmp3.com/Bright Productions) 30. [RE] (1) Beach Girl - Natalia (Indie) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [1] (1) Another Universe - Arno Carstens (Epic) 2. [2] (1) Inbluesstation - Delta Blue (Merchant) 3. [4] (3) Jika Jika - freshlyground (Freeground) 4. [3] (2) Johnny Clegg - A South African Story - Live (Value) 5. [10] (4) Verspreide Donderbuie / Scattered Thunder - Amanda Strydom (JNS) 6. [8] (6) Sagtevlei - Alex Van Heerden and Derek Gripper (Open Record) 7. [6] (2) Sui - Benguela (Open Record) 8. [5] (5) Our World - Soweto String Quartet (BMG) 9. [12] (9) Rock The Bedsprings - Old Mol (Legend) 10. [9] (1) Back Seat Driver - Tait (Fresh) 11. [18] (11) Greatest Hits - Tsepo Tshola And Sankamota (CCP) 12. [7] (3) Slow Rain (The Complete Celtic Rumours) - Celtic Rumours (RetroFresh) 13 [22] (13) Vari-ous - 'Tassenberg All Stars Volume 4' (Trippy Grape) 14. [11] (1) Release - Zen Arcade (Indie) 15. [13] (1) No Warning - Jo Day (Legend) 16. [14] (1) Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 17. [21] (17) Diversity - Grant Nuss (Indie) 18. [20] (18) Rough Cuts - Janie Jones (Sugar Music) 19. [15] (4) The Remix Collection - Brenda Fassie (EMI) 20. [23] (20) J23 - Danny K (Gallo) 21. [17] (4) Klein Karoo Cowboy - Jakkie Louw (Afrimusik) 22. [29] (22) Hello Crazy World - Prime Circle (David Gresham Records) 23. [25] (23) Insomniak se Droomalmanak - Andries Bezuidenhout (Rhythm) 24. [27] (24) Various Artists - The Thula Project/An Album Of SA Lullabies (Worldgoround) 25. [-] (25) The Truth - Jo Day (Indie) 26. [16] (4) Drop The Debt - Various (Sheer) 27. [19] (2) Rocking Against The System Vol 2 - Various (RetroFresh) 28. [24] (2) Homegrown Vol 2 - Various (EMI) 29. [26] (4) Kicking and Screaming - Toxic Shame (Legend) 30. [28] (7) The Present Is Passed (The Best Of) - No Friends of Harry (RetroFresh) 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 ------ All the mp3s listed here are available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com - the biggest South African mp3 website in the world. --------------- NUKULAR STOMPERS - ‘VIAGRA LA BUENA’ [INDIE] A Latino-hillbilly paean to the little blue pill that makes you stronger and longer (it says here!). The Nukular Stompers approach the debate around this popular medication with their typical lack of both restraint and decorum. What happens if you give “Sheriff Bush” some Viagra? Apparently he will just get taller! Great fun... (SS) -------------- AMANDA STRYDOM - ‘ENGEL MET 'N ANGEL’ Amanda rocks out on this track off her lastest CD. The angel of the title is addicted to rock 'n roll and nicotine and she rides much too fast. Who is this song actually about then, I wonder...? (BC) -------------- MARTIN ROCKA AND THE SICK SHOP - ‘TRASH LIKE YOU’ Their current single, ‘James Brown (I Ain't)’, is topping our SAmp3 Charts and Carina Laubscher caught their unhinged gig at the Roxy and describes it in the Live section below. This is the next instalment! ‘Trash Like You’ is a ballad like nothing you've ever heard. "You were the lady in my luck, now you swing and I duck, and you're no four-leaf clover ...” Hooo boy, you just want to get close and swim through syrup on some dark dance floor. "You used to follow me around, now you worship the ground that I should've been trodden into..." Ahhh, love. So brutal, so honest. (CL) -------------- ‘YSTERVARK - ‘FACE’ [INDIE] Second release from Ystervark, Bloemfontein’s finest rock band off their 'Living It Up' EP. ‘Let Me Know’ has had a good run on the SAmp3 Charts and ‘Face’ will bring more fans round to this emerging band’s rough rock style. (SS) -------------- MICHAEL PAYNE - ‘JERK MOTORMOUTH’ [INDIE] This 21-year old began in high school with bands like Purple Monkeys, Camba, and Sonic Vison, but left to learn to play guitar, drums and bass so that he could record his debut EP all by himself (he wrote the songs as well!). The self-funded 5-track EP called ‘DeCOMpress’ features Payne’s original compositions, reflecting his influences ranging from Placebo, Seether and Smashing Pumpkins to Live and Jimmy Eat World. (SS) -------------- ANDRIES BEZUIDENHOUT - ‘DIE BALLADE VAN DRACULA HAVENGA’ [RHYTHM] Andries is better known as "Roof" from the Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes. This slow and methodical autobiographical track is taken from his first solo album 'Insomniak se Droomalmanak'. Andries tells us about his life in a budgie cage and his strange neighbours including somebody who plays in rock band called Kobus! (BC) -------------- All the above tracks are listed on the front page of http://www.SAmp3.com ----------------- SEARCH FOR MP3's Use the SAmp3.com onboard search engine, powered by Google, to search for mp3s on http://www.SAmp3.com ----- CDs ----- VARI-OUS - ‘TASSENBERG ALL STARS 4’ Trippy Grape Records and Tassenberg have released the fourth in the ‘Tassenberg Live’ CD series that was begun four years ago by Dirk Uys and Albert du Plessis. The ‘Tassenberg All Stars Live’ Project heralded a new approach in the producing and recording of original SA music and sparked renewed fervour amongst CD collectors to acquire the full Tassies range. The project also provided many bands valuable exposure opportunities and introduced the listener to a wide array of musical styles. All songs were performed live with maximum passion at events staged by Dirk Uys Productions and Trippy Grape Records. This year's CD was recorded at the Theewaterskloof Sports Club situated at the spectacular Theewaterskloof Dam. The event was the ‘Tassenberg Wingerdstok Lifestyle Festival’ which featured 40 original SA bands on two stages over three days. Terence Collings and Justus Cilliers from Yellowhouse Productions recorded, mixed and mastered the bands that played on the Tassenberg Main Stage. The stunning results are clearly audible on the ‘Tassies 4’ CD. Due to red tape and the odd technical glitch not all the artists made it onto the final CD but the producers of the compilation are confident that they captured the excellent vibe that prevailed throughout Wingerdstok! In total 18 tracks performed by 16 different artists made it to the final cut! Here follows a quick rundown of the tracklisting, the artists and the smorgasbord of musical styles offered to lucky listeners of this CD: 1) ‘Russian and Chips’ - Jack Hammer: The experienced and cunning fox of SA rock, Piet Botha and his band of young proteges, deliver a kick-ass version of their old favourite song. The sensual vocal rendering of Jonathan Martin makes this a special recording. 2) ‘Eye Shadow’ - Valiant Swart: The evergreen "Mystic Boer" lets rip with the bakkie-stomping anthem about available rock groupies who wear too much make-up! Always a crowd pleaser, Valiant has played all six Wingerdstok Festivals to much critical acclaim and continues to "skop gat" with his particular brand of Bolandse Wingerdrock. 3) ‘Mitchell’s Plain’ - Gian Groen and Spinnekop: Currently the most promising singer/songwriter in Afrikaans Rock, Gian displays his remarkable lyrical and arrangement talents in a powerful rock song dealing with life on the Cape Flats. The musical prowess of his band members should also be noted: Alex Power on bass and backing vocals, Craig Viljoen on mean lead guitar and the rock-solid Jeremy Schultze on drums. The track starts and ends with a powerful rap piece originally written by Prophets of Da City. 4) ‘Be Inviting’ - Sons of Trout: The irrepressible "Viskoppe" from Cape Town deliver a happy alternative to war on this vibey rap track. Trout never ceases to amaze and please and they were a particular favourite at this year’s Wingerdstok, always keeping the boogy at full tilt! 5)’ Slow Down’ - The Rudimentals: A great track by a great, fresh Ska band from the Mother City. This band is surely destined to go places and their zippy music and energetic stage act should earn them a special place under African Skies. 6) ‘Ai Man Rasta’ - Akkedis: Veteran rockers from Stellenbosch play a reggae song to great acclaim. Arthur and Rudi Dennis have been playing professionally since 1994 and were joined by Barry Steenkamp on bass two years ago. This great reggae track had the crowd begging for more and showcases the band's sense of humour and playful banter. 7) ‘One in Many’ - Frosted Orange: A great recording of an Albert Frost original. The trio, consisting of Frost, Simon Orange and Jacques Skitter, played a powerful set interspersed with Frost's laconic commentary between songs. This song is a great example of Frost's manic guitaring and guttural vocals juxtaposed over the smooth keys of Orange and the suave drumming of Skitter. 8) ‘Gangsta’ - Delta Blue: An excellent recording of a truly original Delta Blue tune. The playing on both songs is truly outstanding and Delta Blue clearly proves that they can compete with the best in the west! 9) ‘Inbluesstation’ - Delta Blue: Great playing with great vocals. Gerald Clarke's voice is maturing into pure golden honey and he really lets rip on this memorable song beautifully mixed and recorded by Terence Collings. 10) ‘Something in my Eye’ - The Boulevard Blues Band: Excellent blues tune written and sung by the mighty Dale Collins. This band clearly showcases the experienced talent of six highly individual players coming together in unadulterated blues-bliss! 11) ‘Repent’ - Frosted Orange: The Terrible Trio from the Winelands take no prisoners on this tune penned by the inimitable Albert Frost. Chunky raw guitar and loads of attitude shine through in a great example of Somerset Eastern (as opposed to Country 'n Western!) 12) ‘Suitcase Vol Winter’ - Piet Botha en Jack Hammer: An excellent Afrikaans-rock ballad sung by the "Don Corleone" of SA rockers - Piet Botha, in his trademark smokey voice. The honest melancholy of this song reduced some of the festiv-ous to tears! 13) ‘Geelperskereën’ - Anton Goosen: The evergreen Father of Afrikaans folk-rock and Boerebop charmed the festivalgoers with a tune about a certain alcoholic derivative that apparently knocks the "Ingelsman" back into the arms of his unsuspecting faraway queen. 14) ‘Dizzy Groove’ - Afrotone: Supercool Afro-Funk played with maximum laid-back attitude by Stellenbosch’s newest sensation, Afrotone! This cool 'n vibey tune clearly sets the direction in which this fresh outfit is going. Great music guys- please give us more! 15) ‘The Score’ - Flowerheads: Modern Rock song in the MTV vein written and performed by Flowerheads from good old Stellies. This song proves that we don't have to stand back for anybody in the world of music. We got enough balls and brains to kick ass everywhere! 16) ‘R.I.V.’ - Diff-Olie: Afrikaans-rock outfit from Pretoria led by Sean v.d.Walt on vocals and acoustic guitar. This song written by lead guitarist Hors Prinsloo puts a fallen comrade to bed (eternally that is!) 17) ‘Hola!’ - African Rhythm Travellers: Happy African Trance tune from the masters of Afro-Dance-Trance. This band literally had the festiv-ous dehydrating from frenzied dancing but still begging for more! Hopefully an international breakthrough awaits this band because they truly deserve it. 18) ‘Cape of Storms’ - Golliwog: Fat Pornosleaze-Funk at its best. Singer Farrel Adams teases and taunts the festiv-ous till breaking point and then leaves them at the mercy of his wicked horn section to deal the lethal blow! Golliwog displays amazing musicianship on this track and certainly proves that our music has come a long way and deserves a wider audience. The ’Tassenberg All Stars 4’ CD is distributed nationally via Bowline Tel: (021)550 9700. For more info contact Dirk Uys - cell: 0823794447 LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/tassenberg.html -------------- DROP DEAD GORGEOUS - 'MELT WITH ME' [DDG] Have you noticed how many girl-fronted SA bands we have these days, and good ones too. There’s Karen Zoid still impressing all with her quality albums and passionate performances; Jo Day finding a new tough rock sound and an ever-growing circle of fans who love it; Janie Jones about to take their sweet and saucy young garage rock sound to a wider audience; and now we have Drop Dead Gorgeous to add to the list. Comparisons with Karen Zoid are unavoidable as Michele Steynberg, the writer, arranger and composer of most of the Drop Dead Gorgeous material, and also their lead vocalist, resembles Ms Zoid, and also performs a similar brand of growly SA pop-rock in both English and Afrikaans. The blond Steynberg was previously the lead vocalist of an all-girl, rock cover band in the mid-'90's called Twist of Fate, but started Drop Dead Gorgeous in August 2002 to give her own songs the band and arrangements they needed. The band have just released their 18-track debut album called 'Melt With Me', a lengthy and diverse display of the DDG’s ability to master styles like rock, reggae, blues and folk-rock, but without nailing their colours to any of these particular masts. Steynberg sings mostly in English with just ‘Ek’s Verlief’ and ‘Waar Is Jy’ in Afrikaans, ands even attempts different accents on the reggae-ish ‘Dangerous (Beg)’ and the closing barmy rock version of the classic ‘Tequila’. Steynberg has a strong vocal confidence that stands out on the likeable opening track ‘Blah Di Blah’, and she manages to lift some of the more lacklustre tracks on ‘Melt With Me’ with her emotional delivery. On a song like ‘Melt’ one feels almost voyeuristic, intruding into the privacy of a moment between two lovers - it’s like hearing Serge Gainsbourg’s ‘Je T’aime Moi Non Plus’ sung in English. There’s a lot of musical experience surrounding Michelle in DDG, and on this album. Craig Nielson (Original Evergreen and Acoustic Kitchen) joined on drums in September 2002. Chris Baumann, on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, finished a music diploma at The National School of Arts and subsequently become very involved in the composing and arranging of the band's music. Baumann had also played with Saron Gas, Sugardrive, Wonderboom, and Jo Day. Serge (Sash) Vercammen, the band's lead guitarist, has worked with Kay Vee, Sugardrive, Siamese, Jaded Jane, Just Jinger, Springbok Nude Girls and Jo Day and has done sound engineering for more than 150 SA bands. Louis (Moose) Forer on bass guitar is the most experienced of the lot having played with many overseas artists such as Johnny Mathis, The Supremes, Dobie Gray, and Rufus Thomas. Forer has also worked on several musicals including 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', and 'Chicago', and has played for Rabbitt, Sounds like Thunder, Suck, and has worked with Mutt Lange. But 18 songs are a lot of songs to cram on a first album, and ‘Melt With Me’ could have used a judicious pruning to make it a more approachable length. Not all of these songs are attractive enough to be on the album and after the strong opening run of ‘Blah Di Blah’, ‘Dangerous (Beg)’, ‘Melt’, ‘Mystery Girl’ and ‘I Can Only Observe’, the album begins to sag from a run of similar-sounding two-chord poem-songs, filled with lots of angst but too little melody or diversity. But there is still, nevertheless, plenty on ‘Melt With Me’ to suggest that Michelle Steynberg and Drop Dead Gorgeous are an important new SA rock band. (SS) -------------- DAVID FORSTER - ‘FLAT TO ROUND’ [RHYTHM] Thanks to guys like David Gray and John Mayer, the delicate-voiced troubadour is back in vogue. But it’s no longer sufficient to be able to strum and rhyme, you have to be able to mix touches of jazz, hip hop, funk and lots of soul into your songs to find that winning blend. David Foster is a 24-year-old vocalist, guitarist, pianist and composer who has just launched his début album, ‘Flat To Round’. Foster’s brand of music can be described as acoustic rock with folk, funk and jazz influences. The album consists of 12 tracks, runs for almost 50 min, and weaves a journey from the frenetic and vibrant to the more soulful and reflective - all packaged in inventive structures and arrangements. The recording took place at Sunset Studios (the long-time recording home of Valiant Swart and Koos Kombuis) earlier this year. The album is, in its entirety, funded, written and produced by Foster, with the backing and assistance of Rhythm Records and Bowline Distribution. On ‘Flat To Round’ David Foster shows quite clearly that he has the goods - he is a born performer and an honest and intelligent writer of music. The first single off the album is ‘Change My Face’ to be followed by ‘Where Have You Been’. READ LISTEN BUY http://www.rhythmrecords.co.za -------------- ANDRE SWIEGERS - ‘TURN ON THE LIGHT’ This 5th CD from André Swiegers was released in early October. André was co-writer on most of the Coleske hit songs (‘Take Me Where The Sun Is Shining’ and ‘Aphrodite’ to name two) which went huge locally and also topped the charts in Europe a few years ago. He also wrote songs for Afrikaans artists like Laurika Rauch (‘Blou’), Theuns Jordaan, and many others. As an established Afrikaans singer-songwriter himself, he decided to do another album exclusively in English - under his own name. (He’s also planning to release the same product under his earlier stage name, Squire Blue). Twelve of the 13 songs on the album were written by Swiegers (with one song co-written). The album is described as a mixture of adult contemporary and rock music. The lyrics are original, powerful and clever, side-stepping all the clichés of today’s music. Swiegers produced the album and he handles all the lead vocals and also plays acoustic guitar on some of the tracks. Other musos who contributed to this CD were Mauritz Lotz (guitar), Juan Oosthuizen (guitar), Jaconell Vey (keyboards), Matthys Maree (keyboards), Denny Lalouette (bass), Bruce Wallace (drums), Vinnie Henrico (drums), Joe Niemand and Jaco Swanepoel (vocals). The album is distributed and marketed by Bowline. -------------- THE ZAZONE.COM SA BAND SPOTLIGHT -------------------------------------- http://www.zaZone.com LAD, the dedicated webmaster of zaZone.com, throws his regular spotlight on one of the many SA bands currently affiliated to his SA music site. JO DAY Woodstock 5 saw the launch of Jo Day's first indie CD, ‘The Truth’, and initial sales of the album put Jo amongst the Top 4 Woodstock bands in terms of merchandise turnover. The CD contains several of the biggest Jo Day hits from ‘Icon’ and ‘No Warning’, but they're not just copies of tracks off previous albums - they has been re-recorded and re-mastered. The CD also includes new material and two videos (which require Apple's free Quicktime viewer). The CD also provides owners with access to a hidden page on Jo Day's site... (To find out more BUY THE CD!). If you know SA music you've more than likely heard Jo Day - if you're a real fan you MUST have seen her live. Jo and the B.A.N.D.'s (Bad Ass Nocturnal Dudes) on-stage antics sets them apart from other bands. So, what's new apart from the fact that they are now an indie band? Well... Darren (lead guitar) has decided to leave the band for personal reasons... that's the band news... but the good news is that Andre Kriel (Orange) will be joining Jo Day's B.A.N.D. Darren has been with Jo Day since the start of the band and has been involved with the songwriting efforts on the last two albums. Andre has been the kingpin of Orange and his presence at Jo Day should definitely produce some sparks from this ever-captivating band. New photo shoots, site changes, etc are planned, so keep an eye on Jo Day and the B.A.N.D. A trip down to Durban is planned for the 1st of Nov 2003 and there are rumours about a tour down to Cape Town (with Andre) near the end of the year! Other Jo Day gigs to get to include: 31/10/2003 Music Obsession Store in Krugersdorp for an unplugged session and CD launch; 1/11/2003 Burn in Durban; 15/11/2003 Top CD in Cresta for an unplugged session. (to be confirmed) For gig details visit her website at www.joday.com LAD If you're in a SA Band or are a SA artist and would like to appear in this slot please mail mailto:tony@zazone.com> Sponsored by zaZone.com Promoting SA Music... http://www.zazone.com -------------- Email your mp3 reviews to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud -------------- 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 gives his unique views on SA music. KAREN ZOID - 'CHASING THE SUN' [CDEMM (WL) 066] Karen Zoid and her band swing into her second album with zest and confidence and she croons, growls, and sasses for an hour. At times in 'Chasing the Sun', there's rhythmic growling and grinding - and that's either her voice or Don Reinecke's guitar - and there's beauty as Karen sings sweetly - not Glenys Lynne or Ronell Erasmus sweet, but fully womanly. Still, in the next track she'll probably get down and dirty and rock tough while Don's guitar work shines. On these new tracks, Karen Zoid swaggers with confidence, deliberately placing notes, chords, and expressions in just the right places. Her creativity and confidence have grown since 'Poles Apart'. Here she is relaxed, suave, cocky, and at home in her rocky element. Listen to 'Black Guitar' for a strong example of sharp, right-on, vocal timing. 'Chasing the Sun' begins with 'Oh My Love' where her voice alternates between personal and fierce. The band pounds aggressively on 'Dinosaur' - a fun hard rock song for young and old rockers, and one of the album's strongest. Enjoy the climbing fuzz drone of the lead guitar on 'Beautiful', then the uplifting and meaningful, 'Verandering' with the nice lines: "...the colour of your self esteem" and "Stand up, be counted". "Born to Shine" climbs nicely as voices are added to chorus repetitions to inspire the spirit. On 'Forty-Seven' Karen can't resist some social and personal commentary, and re-asserts her persona as tough, cool, sassy, and independent. She knows the world, knows herself, knows she's not a violet but a strong woman tough enough to survive, good enough to love. Karen does mellow a bit on some tracks to sing lovely melodies of love and lust, but she consistently resumes with raw rock power and raw vocal cords, as in 'Foto Teen die Muur' and 'Danville Diva' near the close - really getting down and growly on the latter. This is a rocking good time with plenty of musical variety. The lady is tough and tuff, aggressive, dominant, and female. Karen, how do I compare thee to your first CD? Why compare? Go far, Karen, bearing bold rock attitude with confidence. How can I say this is a young lady to watch? Only to say watch her live - her talent is flowering now, not a bud promising petals tomorrow. READ http://www.rock.co.za/karenzoid 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: JAKKIE LOUW - ‘MAKIETIE’ My English/Afrikaans dictionary translates Makietie as 'to have a high old time'. As the dictionary is rather old, I am led to believe that this 'high old time' was done without the aid of any substances. I am also led to believe that the word has changed somewhat in meaning to rather refer to a jol which may or may not involve substances, but certainly involves alcohol as song titles on Jakkie Louw's album like ‘'n Bottel Tas' and 'Rooiwyn en Savannah' suggest. 'Makietie' the album is essentially about student life in a student town. It's rock 'n roll country blues set to a backdrop of good times. Standard rock 'n roll classics keep popping up throughout the album. 'Party In Die Wes-Transvaal' features the riff from 'La Bamba', 'Rock 'n Roll Jannie' is 'Johnny B Goode' in a slightly different setting while 'Marietjie se Liedjie' is very Blue Moon-ish. On 'Rooiwyn en Savannah' there's more rock and less roll as Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' is given Afrikaans lyrics. Despite these samplings, each track is cleverly given enough of a twist to not sound entirely like the original and there are a number of 100% Louw tracks which show his talent as a songwriter. 'Rambo Die Polisiehond' is a catchy sing-a-long number while the title track is a driving country number that has the subtitle 'Dans In Afrikaans' that'll have you dancing in whatever language you want. There is also a slower side to the album. ‘'n Bottel Tas’ is a poignant sad sweet love song that features some fine guitar playing. 'Mary-Jo Miller' starts off slowly in a very similar manner to the previous track ‘'n Bottel Tas’, but halfway through the chorus it picks up to be a good old rocker. 'Makietie' is a good solid debut that is full of good tunes and good times that'll have you hankering back to your Varsity days (if you're that old) or relating to (if you're that young). It's not a perfect album, but it certainly points to bigger and better things. I've yet to hear his second album, 'Klein Karoo Cowboy', but the tracks I've heard on www.SAmp3.com lead me to believe that he is going from strength to strength. BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=jakkie%20louw John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com -------------- SHILOH’S CORNER Shiloh Noone, our eminent rock historian, has long been missed by the many readers of his previous weekly spotlight pieces on rock’s more obscure heroes. Shiloh has actually been putting the finishing touches to his upcoming book on those earlier rock times (`50’s, `60’s and ‘70’s), and that book is due in the next few months. Here is a sample: MELLOW CANDLE IN THE BURNING LONDON GLARE Out of the flickering streets of downtown Dublin the mysterious Mellow Candle stilled the troubled air with their mesmerizing harmonies. The motley middle earth association was largely the visionary spell of pianist Clodagh Simmonds and “sentimental” Alison O’Donnell. The group were utterly dynamic, embracing the dirge rhythms of the Never Never Land and living their fantasy in Tolkien mystique. The first lighting of the Candle started somewhere in 1964 when Clodagh Simonds and Alison formed the Gatecrashers, performing covers from the Beatles, Donovan, and Simon & Garfunkel with an occasional original. One such creation, ‘Little Girl’, written by Alison at the age of 12, emerged on their ‘Virgin Prophet Sessions’. The group’s debut demo recordings - ‘Feeling High’ and ‘Tea With The Sun’ - were fundamentally due to Simon Napier Bell and the recommendation of DJ Colin Nichol from Radio Luxembourg. The Mark One stage of Mellow Candle never really took off due to their SNB Record label going belly up. ‘Feeling High’ received a good reaction from the press and Radio Luxembourg, and Radio Manx evangelized in true Catholic spirit. After the London recording sessions, Mellow Candle came back to a triumphant homecoming concert at their old school, The Holy Child In Killiney - and the Record label liquidation. Clodagh was sent on a forced sabbatical to Italy by her parents to learn Italian and escape Rock & Roll. Alison paid her dues with a nightclub band called Blue Tint, alongside a South African guitarist called David Williams. Someone touched the Blarney stone and the magic reappeared with a new line-up, which now included Williams on lead guitar and Pat Morris on bass. Their first official gig was at the Liberty Hall supporting The Chieftains where they nervously wheeled through ‘Faustus’, ‘Crabtree’, and ‘Pretty Polly’. New Spotlight Magazine highlighted these brave troubadours and the stage was set for an ecstatic set at the Wexford Festival backing Principal Edwards Magic Theatre and Tir Na Nog. Mellow Candle could shimmer with a vitality that was freshly innocent, yet remarkably progressive for their age. Bass guitarist Pat Morris seared with the melodic baselines, while David Williams slithered fluently on the lead. The group regularly shared the bill with Gary Moore’s Skidrow and Thin Lizzy, resulting in Lizzy’s manager Ted Carroll taking charge of the group. Even more diabolical was the toned Fender Telecaster that spat through ‘Faustus’ and was later sold to Phil Lynott. Ted also persuaded Clodagh to guest on Lizzy’s Hendrix-influenced ‘Shades of a Blue Orphanage’. The group signed to Deram at a time when Morris was replaced by ex-Creatures bassist Frank Boylan. Glaswegian Willie Murray brought his rustic drum patterns to the combo, while the rest were celebrating the marriage of David and Alison. As a Guinness taster, the group released the seven-inch ‘Silver Song’/’Dan The Wing’, which soared gracefully with guitar and voice trade off. The final result was a spellbinding release titled ‘Swaddling Songs’, that jarred the most efficient of the Irish troubadours in April 1972. Out of the ‘Swaddling’ came the rock jigging ‘Boulders On My Grave’, giving seed to the modern day Clannad. Mellow Candle were not a folk rock band but more passionately a group of musicians wheeling in time. The central core of the repertoire was based on piano and Catholic tantra-style vox. Furthermore they probably boast one of the most patient yet expedient lead guitarists to grace the Irish folk nexus, David Williams. As George Harrison once quoted: “.. it’s the chords you leave out that are the most important”. For their Mainland Concerts they traveled alongside Lindisfarne and Steeleye Span and it seemed as though the royal womb of English troubadours was beckoning. Amongst those taken by the bohemian rhapsody were Dònal Lunny, Andy Irvine, and Phil Lynott. The last stage of the Candle (which if anybody noticed was snuffed out for some time), now included the Spyro Gyra bassist who stepped in to replace Steve Borrill. The group changed their name to Grace Before Space before dissolving into nothing - and you know nothing comes from nothing. Clodagh Simonds went on to session for Jade Warrior and Mike Oldfield. She also appeared on albums by Paul Kossoff and Linda Thompson. The Candle’s drummer, William Murray, officially joined the Oldfield constabulary and can often be seen at numerous live shows. ‘Swaddling Songs’ sailed right down the Thames into London and disappeared into the milky grey. It was, and probably still is, Ireland’s lost vessel, too pure for the unleavened times that they were in. David and Alison returned to South Africa where David took up a post as head of Light Music with the SABC, as well as working as a record producer. Apart from secular employment, the couple kept their folk spirit in flow by forming a group called Flibbertigibbet and released one seriously underrated album titled ‘Whistling Jigs To The Moon’. William Murray went on to play with Richard and Linda Thompson’s Sour Grapes, also touring with Sandy Denny. He eventually formed Same with Clodagh. Alison took part in the Tortue Reviews and various other South African acts. As far as the Mellow Candle blows, its light flickered more brightly through the Catholic-influenced ‘Reverend Sisters’ and that’s where it should have stayed. Shiloh Noone, Cape Town Listen to ‘Blues and Variation’ On Fine Music Radio 101.3 FM Wednesdays 10 pm Mailto:shiloh@telkomsa.net _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA -------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (19 October 1973) 1 [1] Baby Blue - George Baker Selection 2 [2] Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet - Maria 3 [4] Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Paul Simon 4 [6] Heaven Is My Woman’s Love - Tommy Overstreet 5 [3] I Wanna Live - Tommy Oliver 25 YEARS AGO (20 October 1978) 1 [1] Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty 2 [2] Thank You For The Music - Abba 3 [3] Dancing In The City - Marshall & Haine 4 [4] No Hollywood Movie - Lesley Hamilton 5 [8] Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb 20 YEARS AGO (21 October 1983) 1 [2] Candy Girl - New Edition 2 [1] Every Breath You Take - The Police 3 [3] Puttin' On The Ritz - Taco 4 [4] Elvis Astaire - The Soft Shoes 5 [6] The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats 15 YEARS AGO (20 October 1988) 1 [1] Perfect - Fairground Attraction 2 [2] Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer 3 [3] Underneath The Radar - Underworld 4 [5] Wap Bam Boogie - Matt Bianco 5 [9] Nothing's Going To Change My Love For You - Glenn Mederios http://www.cd.co.za/charts ------------- CHART CHAT ------------- 1973 saw the George Baker Selection enjoying their second week at number 1. Despite stamping her feet, Maria could not regain pole position, but stuck to number 2. The lower part of the top 5 saw a battle of the Tommys with local lad Tommy Oliver losing out to the American Tommy Overstreet. Abba spent their 4th week at number 2 in 1978, kept off the top spot by Gerry Rafferty's phenomenal run of 7 weeks at the top. Andy Gibb bounced back into the top 5 ousting 'You're The One That I Want' from the movie 'Grease'. The latter had stalled at number 2 - bet Clout enjoyed that. Bobby Brown reached the top of the charts in 1983 with his group New Edition. This feat added their name to a list of 69 other artists who had a number 1 hit, but no other hits on the charts at all. Men Without Hats scored the 28th Canadian hit on the SA charts as 'The Safety Dance' moved up. The song had made top 10 in both the US and the UK. While Fairground Attraction spent a 7th week at number 1, Robert Palmer had been the bridesmaid for a 5th consecutive week. Hawaiian born Glenn Medeiros entered the top 5 with 'Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You'. At the tender age of 18, he stole young ladies’ hearts with this ballad, especially in the UK where he topped the charts. South Africans at number 1 this week: Mammy Blue - Charisma (1971) South African New Entries this week: 19-Oct-73 I Can't Go Home To Mary - Dave Mills 22-Oct-76 Venus - Stockley Sisters 24-Oct-69 Who's That Girl - Bats 24-Oct-69 Theresa - Dave Mills 24-Oct-75 Wasted Days And Wasted Nights - Gene Rockwell 25-Oct-74 Mama Thembu's Wedding (From the musical Ipi N'Tombia) - Margaret Singana 26-Oct-73 My Daddy Was A Rock 'n Roll Man - Johnny Gibson 26-Oct-79 Underfire - Clout John Samson --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section is for collectors of South African and International vinyl. -------------- MABU VINYL Cape Town's finest vinyl store is now back at the Top of Long Street. At No. 2 Kloof Street - diagonally opposite the Long Street Baths. Opening specials: Tidal Wave - ‘Tidal Wave’ (LP) Falling Mirror - ‘Fantasy Kid’ (LP) PJ Powers - ‘Living On Dreams’ (LP) Ballyhoo - ‘Man On The Moon’ (LP) Rabbitt - ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ (LP) Mankunku Quartet - ‘Yakal’ Inkomo’ (LP) Elemental - ‘Uncomplicated Dreams’ (LP) Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse - ‘Afrodizzia’ (LP) Please contact: Jacques Vosloo - 082 534 6006 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: Morocko - 'Morocko' (LP) Rocking Horse - 'Someone Loves You' (LP) Rush Hour - 'The Perfect Way' (LP) Marloe Scott Wilson - 'The Pink Lady' (LP) Soft Shoes - 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas' (LP) Nick Taylor - 'Looking Out' (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 Website catalogue now also at http://gemm.com/s.cgi/VIBESVINYL ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- October: 30 - Brian Davidson (Freedom's Children, 1948 - died 4 December 2002) 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 and erudite readers to please contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks if you do! -------------- A SERIOUS BRAINTEASER! Hi, Please help me find a wonderful song which was a great hit in South Africa when I visited in February 1988. It was a man and a woman singing a romantic love song and the music video was shot on a beach with them riding horses. I bought the tape but lost it. The rest of the music was very soft rock and romantic with a twist of Arabic influence. I loved that tape but lost the name and title of it. Can you please please help me find it again? I bought it in Johannesburg in 1988. Thank you for your time:) Angela Canada Mailto:desideratachild@hotmail.com -------------- MORE REQUESTS FOR DAVID KRAMER CD’S Hi, Could you advise me where I could find the ‘Baboon Dogs’ CD by David Kramer. It came out around 1986. Thanks, Jacqui Mailto:jacqui67@yahoo.com -------------- NAMAQUA WHAT YOU ARE! HI, I am a songwriter in the UK. Back in the early nineties I became very interested in some of the tribal rhythms that herald from SA. After reading about Namaqualand I wrote a piece on it called 'Namaqualand' which has had moderate success in various parts of Europe and U.S. Originally the SA tourist board were going to use it to promote tourism to the area, as it is quite commercial rock sounding, but I could never agree the right deal with them and my publishing. I have only a couple of recorded versions but that one song has influenced the existence of my band Namaqua, a rock/funk three piece. We formed originally back in 1994 as 'Never’ eventually changing to Namaqua. We have played around Europe, Japan, U.S and parts of SA although we have never actually been to Namaqualand, my ambition! If all goes well we should be launching an Album in early 2004 but as yet we aren't sure which label as we would prefer to be on a European label. Anyway, I thought I would mail you with this info as we have a small fanbase out in SA. Maybe you could mail me if you need any more details. All the best. David Wray mailto:dwray@namaqualand.co.uk -------------- OLD SA VINYL Hi Guys, I live in Canada and unfortunately got rid of many of my old (very old), scratched (very scratched) vinyl albums of SA rock groups from the sixties. Now, I miss some of that old stuff! I know that some of these, like Freedom's Children and Otis Waygood, have been released on CD. However, there is much that isn't, and maybe never will be, produced on CD. I'm appealing to the readers to let me know of any source where I can buy, borrow, beg, or steal (just joking) some of these old albums or recordings in good condition. Rob Mailto:robert7547@rogers.com Ed. - Also please try our listed vinyl stores - MaBu Vinyl and Vibes Vinyl - contact details above. Send them your wish lists and they will help you track down those LPs. Or try this guy below... -------------- OLD RECORDS Hi, If anybody is interested in old LP's, including 78 RPM's, please reply to: Mailto:jd.e@absamail.co.za -------------- ALBUM WANTED Hi, I am trying to find a copy of ‘Ballad Of A Working Man’ by Davey James (1969). Can you help? Look forward to your reply. Thanks, June Collins Mailto:june.greg@jcollins11.fsnet.co.uk -------------- BLACKMORESNIGHT FAN CLUB Hi, I am a life-long Blackmore fan and am close to Jerry Bloom in the UK, who does the MBTP mag. We would like to see if any interest exists in SA on Blackmore namely to see if people would like to subscribe to the mag. I have been to most Blackmoresnight German shows since the start as well as the last Rainbow and Purple shows up till 93. All in all I have seen Blackmore about 30 times! .... can’t get enough !! If you are interested please give me a call: 0215502410 W or 021 9397627 home or email me at: Mailto:aturner@paarlgravure.co.za Thanks, Alan Turner -------------- WE’LL SWOP TWO ROADIES FOR A BASS PLAYER AND A SIX-PACK Hi, I saw your name on one of the Music web sites. I'm putting together a nationwide musicians bartering (trading) club. Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks. Michael Parkinson mailto:michaelp@clubdepot.com -------------- HELP ALABI DAAR! Dear Sir/Ma, This is Alabi Ademola, 19 years of age, I am into gospel music, I play piano, drums and other African percussion instruments and also am the Music Director of my church. I have organised several concerts and even church programmes and I have feature and also tour around Nigeria, planning to come to SA for awareness and exposure. I have 16 track with live recording with my choir of 30 and the recording is on videotape. Likewise, I surf the net and I came across your web site and I will like to know if there is any concert you can feature me on. I have my demo ready on Tape and on CD too and likewise if you can arrange a recording company likewise for me for my recording. And I will like to come over by next month come so as to have time to put things in shape before performance, I can stay as anything time as you want it. I will be very happy to hear from you. Best Regards Alabi Ademola (aka Demmyspoet). mailto:demmyspoet@yahoo.com -------------- YUSUF WILLIAMS LOCATED! Hello, Are you the one who are looking for Yusuf Williams? If you are, I know where to find him. Sathima mailto:sathima@chello.se -------------- CONTACT DETAILS SOUGHT Hi, I was wondering if you could perhaps email me the information of New World Inside's old management. Also please email me the contact details for Neshamah and 5 Star Society. Thanks Darren mailto:darrenjacoby@webmail.co.za -------------- WHERE’S EDI? Hello, I wonder if you might be able to help me. I live in the UK. I have been trying to find a way to contact Edi Niederlander. I can't see which record company she is with to try and contact her. Internet searches aren't coming up with much. Perhaps you can help me? I wanted to be able to contact her with a personal message regarding a friend she had. He emailed her earlier in the year and I know she replied. But I have no access to the email address he used. What do you suggest I do? Do you know which record company she is with? Maybe if I wrote to them they pass on a personal message? Thanks for your help. I realise this probably isn't the type of question you answer, but any help you can give would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Lorna McAllister mailto:lorna.mcallister@lycos.co.uk -------------- COUNTRY MUSIC HEAVEN?? Hi, I live in the United States, and would like to find a song that has had some airplay there in South Africa. I am not sure of the artist’s name, but I do know the name of the song is ‘Country Music Heaven’. I would like to find this song, and buy the CD if it is available. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. thank you, Wayne Jones mailto:nowaymusicinc@ioa.com -------------- LYRICS PLEASE! Hi, I am still trying to get the lyrics of ‘Mama Tembu's Wedding’. I can't make out all of the words. And I’m also trying to get the lyrics of Brenda Fassie's ‘Vulindlela’. Can anyone help??? Please??? Carol Jamnejad mailto:angela_carol@hotmail.com -------------- AND MORE ON CINDY AND GREENSIDE HIGH Hi I had to respond to the Cindy Alter/Greenside High memories! I was also there at the time, although due to dreadful conflict and clash of personality with one Jacques S. (name change to protect this person’s privacy, although everyone who was there knows who it is...!) I was forced to bring my stay there to a premature end! Hope you haven't forgotten that at the same time a great friend of mine was also there - one Robbie Robb - probably a year or so younger than us, but there nevertheless. At the time he was known as Robert Moritz although Robb is his real father's surname. Robbie was only at GHS for a year or two before going to boarding school (Settlers in Rustenburg). He hated school as far as I can remember. At Greenside with us at the time was one Gerald Downing who is otherwise well known as Jinx, another famous SA rocker! We all lived in Parkhurst at the time. My sister remembers Cindy Alter playing "In the Jungle, the mighty Jungle" with the Greenside Guitar Club!! And! - Claire Johnson (Mango Groove) also went there - after all of us - maybe at the same time as James Small (Rugby Bok)! Regards Tessa Weakley (nee Schultze) Mailto:Tessa.Weakley@tbwa.co.za -------------- STANDER SONG Hi, Could some learned individual please help me on this. I recently went to see the ‘Stander’ movie and, to my utter amazement, the love scene was enhanced by a piece of music by Skip Spence (ex Moby Grape and Jefferson Airplane). I may be off target here, but my guess is ‘War & Peace’ from his critically acclaimed ‘Oar’ album, about which Zappa once said: “Get before it’s too late”. As I said, these days I have flashes, so help a brother out - if anyone knows. Thanks! Shiloh Mailto:shiloh@telkomsa.net -------------- HENDRIX-LOVING SA FAMILY BAND WANTED Dear Sir, Are there any CD’s available from the SA band called Band O Gypsies??? Thanks, Sincerely, K Nicolas Mailto:nicolask@mailcity.com -------------- BUMP CDS Hi I've been looking for this song that was on an old Bump album, I don't know the name, but it starts off with a little boy talking and the last thing he says before he stops talking is ... "this will hurt your ears." Do you know the title of the song? I couldn't find any information of Bump anywhere on the internet, don't they have a webpage? Marion Titterton Mailto:almar.foxton@xtra.co.nz Ed. - Those Bump dance compilations are released through Gallo SA. So I suggest you try the website at www.bump.co.za or email rpmdance@gallo.co.za for more info. -------------- TOO MANY BLONDE JOKES Howzit Is Blondie Chaplin related to Charlie? And did Debbie Harry really name her group after him? Johnny from Boksburg -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=soundsolutions ----------------------------- THE DIGEST CLASSIFIED ADS ----------------------------- To advertise in this section please email: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=classifieds -------------- VAGABOND MUSIC & WEB http://www.vagabond.za.net Get your band or business online. We design from scratch or take over the maintenance when your hotshot designer gets bored with updating. Clients include: www.freshmusic.co.za www.rhythmrecords.co.za www.eiservices.co.za www.pietbotha.com www.gregsgolftours.co.za www.25hourstudio.com www.jamesonline.co.za (James Stewart) www.4suregolftours.com www.tait.co.za www.sugarmusic.co.za Contact Brian on 0825678779 or use the form at http://www.vagabond.za.net/contact --------------- SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support the SAMQC, as 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 -------------- 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 mailto: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 Email: mailto:CanIgetAnewEmailAddressPlease@rock.co.za for details. -------------- The Sound Solutions and Digest Classified sections are sponsored by: SUGAR MUSIC - 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 ------------------- Full details at http://www.sagigs.com Watch out for: AMANDA STRYDOM - presents 'Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder' Live with Janine Neethling (keyboards, accordion) Floors Oosthuizen (acc and elec guitar), Graeme Currie (acc and elec bass) and Vinnie Henrico (drums) - Centurion Theatre, Centurion - 31 October: SEVEN DAY STORY - The band who sing the 'Going Nowhere Slowly' TV theme are playing a Halloween gig with Liquid Sky at Mercury Lounge (43 DeVilliers St., Cape Town) on Thursday 30th Oct. Doors open 9pm CASTLE LAGER WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL - To be held at Ratanga Junction on 18/19/20 December 2003. To prepare for the event, the 18 finalists will stage a mock concert on 15 and 16 November (9 bands per night) at Rockerfellows, Montague Drive, Montague Gardens. OPPIKOPPI FESTIVAL - PRETORIA/TSHWANE - 28 & 29 November 2003 CINDY ALTER - The ex-Clout vocalist will be returning to South Africa to perform two concerts at The Agterplaas in Melville, on the 21st and 22nd of November. Cindy will be backed by the Tony Russel Quintet, and will be playing songs from 'Silver Moon' and 'Dark Heart'. SWAMP FUNK QUARTET - Appearing every other Friday until the end of November at the Acoustic Café (neé Wipeout), corner of Main and Atlantic roads, Muizenberg. SUGAR BUSH FESTIVAL 2003 - Thursday 18 December - Sunday 21 December in KwaZuluNatal SHEER ARTISTS ON TOUR - Sheer Sound vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire, Louis Mhlanga, is touring the Netherlands and Belgium with double-bass player, Eric van der Westen. Louis and Eric are performing until November 9th, with a special guest appearance by Malian guitarist/vocalist Habib Koite on five of their gigs. TAIT & JUSTIN BERGH SA TOUR POSTPONED - CAPE DATES ANNOUNCED - The tour has been postponed until early next year. More details will be posted on www.tait.co.za throughout the next three months. DEREK GRIPPER - 8-string solo guitar compositions exploring the music of the Cape. Gripper will be launching his 'Blomdoorns' CD (Open Records at the Baxter on the 28th of October. INDEPENDENT ARMCHAIR THEATRE - Live in Observatory, Cape Town this week are: Vlam (Mon), The Klippies and Cola Student Sessions: The Rudimentals and Bed On Bricks (Tues), Mac Mackenzie (Thurs), Spindle Sect (Fri), The Jazz Workshop Biggish Band (Sat). THE KLIPPIES AND COLA STUDENT SESSIONS - Bands based on or around UCT and Stellenbosch University are grouped in pairs (one from each university area) and perform together on consecutive Tuesdays at Die Mystic Boer and The Independent Armchair Theatre. Featuring Soulja and The Domino Effect, The Rudimentals and Bed On Bricks, 7th Son and Delta Blue, and Luna and Plush. PIET BOTHA - Piet is currently on the "Mamba" Kaaptoer with dates until the end of October. ANTON GOOSEN & LISE SWART - Live dates now confirmed till the end of October SEMISANE - South Africa's premier pop/rock band return with new material, and new lead singer Holly Rose. A nationwide tour is planned for November/December FIFTH ANNUAL VODACOM JAZZ INDABA 2003 - Over the last five years the Vodacom Jazz Indaba has become one of Gauteng's premier Jazz events. This year's festival will be held on Sunday 2nd November at Moretele Park RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS COMPETITION - A full update - for further information contact Simon "Squire" Foulds on 082 770 7524. -------------- Upcoming International Artists in SA: INCOGNITO - The UK's most innovative and acclaimed acid jazz/funk/soul group - the 14 piece band, Incognito is coming to SA for two concerts only - in Durban at the ICC on Thursday 30 October and in Johannesburg on Friday 31 October at the Newtown Music Hall (Formerly Mega Music) CRAIG DAVID - Cell C Music Spectacular, in association with 5fm, is bringing Craig David to SA for a three-concert tour with dates in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. RONAN KEATING IN SA - Big Concerts International, Jacaranda 94.2 and KFM 94.5 are very proud to announce that Ronan Keating will be performing in Sun City for New Year’s Eve, 31 December and in Cape Town's picturesque Kirstenbosch Gardens on the 2nd of January 2004. LIVE - Big Concerts, in association with 5FM, have announced that US rock band Live will be returning to SA for another three live dates in late November. -------------- THE POWERZONE 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY Powerzone will be celebrating its 5th birthday party on the 31st of October at the Roxy in Melville. The line-up for the evening is: Marlowe, Sugardrive, Squeal, The Parlotones, Soul Proxy, 16 Stitch, Even Flow and Barney Simon. There will also be collaborations between Lithium lead vocalist Dave Owens and Marlowe, as well as Amersham lead vocalist Adam with The Parlotones. Powerzone are giving away huge prizes to celebrate their 5th Birthday. Anyone can enter through Powerzone, but the winner must be at the party to receive their prize, as the draw will happen during the night of the 31st October. Also being given away will be Freddy vs Jason merchandise and soundtracks and loads more hampers. The first 200 people in the door get a free CD (Perez, Jimmy 12", Marlowe, The Finks) www.sovent.co.za/powerzonebirthday.htm -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville This week’s top Punk gigs: Fri 31 Oct - JOBURG - TWILITE ZONE - (R30, 8pm) Vendetta Halloween Reunion Ill Audio Stevie Wonderfuls Kiddy Fiddlers Vendettas R20 if dressed for Halloween! Sat 1 Nov - BOKSBURG - TROTTERS - (R40, 1pm) The Circus Sideshow Festival Dont miss the madness!! 10 Hardcore/Nu metal and punk bands! Animosity 2 Strikes Against Humphrey the Teacup Rhutz U.A.E Sickboy Inc. Menavaris The Stevie Wonderfuls Shifty 16 Stitch Trotters, 22 Dakota Str, Impala Park, Boksburg. Sat 1 Nov - CAPE TOWN - LANNERS LANDIGN 5 Star Society Neshamah My Shade Perfect Day 5minutes Famous All Explained Sun 2 Nov - JOBURG - ROCES SKATE PARK KYALAMI The Riot Jam BMX Jam with Kiddy Fiddlers and Sick Boy playing. Drinks on sale. fire beer mayhem, Halloween and Guy Fawkes themes welcome, dress to suit. Bring Ladies.... R5 per car. See http://www.SAgigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs. -------------- LIVE IN SA -------------------- MARTIN ROCKA AND THE SICK SHOP Live at the Roxy in Melville "Rock 'n roll music and why I preach against it. I believe that it is a contributing factor to our juvenile delinquency of today. I know what it does to you. And I know of the evil feeling that you feel when you sing it. And I know the ... the ... lost position that you get into ... and the beat ... well ... uhmm ... if you talk to the average teenager of today and you ask them what it is about rock 'n roll music that they like, and the first thing that they'll say, is the beat, the beat, THE BEAT!!!" * Need to wake up dead Uncle Ned? Itching to blast those thick plugs of earwax out your ears? Is your party a rotten room filled with overgrown, constipated sludge? For sanity's sake, stop wasting oxygen. Get Martin Rocka and The Sick Shop in your speakers. The second CD is breathing in the neck of every bloated comatose couch potato and this one doesn't floss. Hell, it doesn't even rinse. This is ‘Trailer Rash’. Thirteen pieces of knuckle-bruising, eye-spitting, chlorine-snorting, gob-hacking, head-butting beer-swilling psychobilly rock as raw as the strings growing out the back of your eyeballs. Seen them live? Still alive to tell the tale? Good on yer, mate. Three dudes, strangely but undeniably sexy in a "ah just piss off, will ya" way - while simultaneously beating livid Gretch, drums and bass strings into a heap of pulsating peaks, evil bass poohhm-poohhmms and orgasmic bursts of "Ohhh yuueeahhhh-baybeeee" out that evil Rocka throat. That's the way it goes down at the Roxy's (also known as Venus Fly Trap) stage. When Martin Rocka materialises with staring balaclava and in-your-face pimp outfit, grabs the Gretch and starts yanking at her insides, the shouts come from everywhere. The bar, the dance floor, the faces staring down from the second floor, screams from your nostrils, hell man, even your navel starts speaking in foreign tongues. These are the tunes that drive you nuts. The beat that takes you into a vortex equipped with the sole purpose to remind you that you are indeed ALIVE. Rocka groans into the microphone: "Me, My Monster and My Shrink", then seems to suck the metal thing down his gullet with "My Daddy dragged my Momma by her greasy hair, she was a little witch, she really didn't care ..." while the crowd yells: "YOU SUCK!!!" Then he hurls some weird guttural urrrggghh of disgust into the direction of the bobbing crowd, and slyly thanks them for not going to "that Woodstock thing." Behold the charming tongue-lashing in ‘It's All Right’. The freaky dude introduces himself as "my face is all haggard, my teeth are falling out, my eyes look like roadmaps, you can see I've been pissed on stout ..." This one's so fast, it will slice through your cerebellum while you're still thinking about blinking. Hey wait, there's slushy love-stuff, too. ‘Trash Like You’ is a ballad like nothing you've ever heard. "You were the lady in my luck, now you swing and I duck, and you're no four-leaf clover ...” Hooo boy, you just want to get close and swim through syrup on some dark dance floor. "You used to follow me around, now you worship the ground that I should've been trodden into..." Ahhh, love. So brutal, so honest. ‘Burst Into Flames’ will mash your brain. ‘Jungle Rock’ will eat you alive. But you get time to regroup. So that you can feast on the rest of ‘Trailer Trash’ - ROCK from the belly of the earth. Carina Laubscher Melville LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com * A quote from that classic rock and roll revival documentary movie "Let The Good Times Roll" (1973). ----------- GIG GUIDE ----------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com Please send all gig info, in a plain text e-mail by Friday 12noon, to: mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs ___________________________________________ 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 AND PUBLISHERS ---------------------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest --------------- CONTRIBUTORS --------------- BC - Brian Currin SS - Stephen Segerman JS - John Samson KS - Kurt Shoemaker CL - Carina Laubscher (Katvrou) TL - Tertius Louw SN - Shiloh Noone DN - Daniel Neville ML - Moonshine Lee LR - Lindsay Ravenscroft WM - Wicked Mike DB - Don Bryce DM - David Marks LAD - LAD And others too numerous to mention, but gratefully acknowledged! Proofed by Ronx A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION http://www.sugarmusic.co.za <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>