SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #188 http://www.sarockdigest.com 3rd February 2003 Established 27th January 1999 -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- 'Sheriff Bush and Deputy Blair' tops SAmp3.com charts after only two weeks... SA Klank.com newsletter to be launched soon... new releases from SteveVan and Albert Frost... John has a soul meeting with Una Valli... Carina saw Jack Hammer in Pretoria... and there is a bunch of recommended gigs at SAgigs.com... ---------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ---------------------------------- For a colorful and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://rock.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. ---------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ---------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan' ... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ----------- SAMP3.com ----------- Recent new releases on http://www.SAmp3.com include: 'Arthritic Shredfest' - Too Old To Rock 'Blue Room' - Mike de Jager 'Content & Real' - Anika 'Flesh' - Metalmorphosis 'Getting Stronger' - SteveVan 'Hey Mr DJ' - Caytie Marvelis 'This Is Jesus' - Koos van Zyl ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. ----------- ONE WORLD ----------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Nukular Stompers, SAKlank.com, Up The Creek, Perez, World Cup Cricket, Woodstock 5 2.CHARTS: Top 30 mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: mp3s & CDs: SteveVan, Siamese, Albert Frost 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Kurt Shoemaker takes a break 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Una Valli's Soul Meeting 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.FORUM: Readers views and comments 8.SOUND SOLUTIONS: Questions and Answers 9.LIVE MUSIC: Jack Hammer 10.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- NUKULAR STOMPERS TAKE 'SHERIFF BUSH' TO THE TOP The looming war in Iraq has thrown an unexpected spotlight on to The Nukular Stompers and their satirical anti-war song, 'Sheriff Bush And Deputy Blair'. The Nukular Stompers are a group of veteran Cape Town musicians comprising Dave Williams (who wrote the song with Rob Anderson), Richard Black (the ex-McCully Workshop guitarist and Street Level Studios' producer) and vocalist Rupert Mellor (ex-McCully Workshop and many other bands). The group's light-hearted Hillbilly protest song was submitted to SAmp3.com a couple of weeks ago, and received some exposure on the Digest, and a one-off playlisting on The Bruce Millar Show on SAfm. The radio station then began receiving many calls and emails requesting information on the song and its availability. As 'Sheriff Bush And Deputy Blair' is only available as an mp3 from SAmp3.com, it began receiving impressive initial downloads, and entered last week's SAmp3.com charts at #16. Further SAfm exposure attracted the interest of e-TV news in Cape Town, and a short insert on the group performing their "audio version of a Zapiro cartoon" was screened on the evening news last Wednesday. That further national publicity saw a phenomenal increase in downloads of the song, and 'Sheriff Bush And Deputy Blair' went straight to the top of the SAmp3.com charts after only two weeks, the fastest climber in SAmp3.com chart history. The Nukular Stompers' appearance on the news has also attracted the interest of international news sources, and music fans from all over the world have been downloading the mp3. But this group of Woodstock Vets currently has no plans to release the song as a single, preferring instead to bask in their new Country Joe and the Fish-type status. Then it was "Well it's 1-2-3, what are we fighting for...?". Now it's "Give us your diamonds, your gold, and your oil"! (SS) ------------------------- SA KLANK.COM The SA Rock Digest will shortly be launching SA Klank.com, a new Afrikaans online publication, and website. The SA Klank free-subscription newsletter will feature Afrikaans music features, articles and reviews, and will act as a platform and exposure for aspiring (and experienced) Afrikaans music writers. The SA Klank newsletter is merely an extra supplement to, and not a translation of, the SA Rock Digest. Those interested will be best served by receiving both newsletters as the Digest will not be altering its Afrikaans music content or focus in any way. Carina Laubscher, who recently joined the Digest team, has been appointed as editor of SA Klank. Anyone wishing to contribute on any level to the SA Klank newsletter can contact her at mailto:carina@saklank.com The first SAKlank newsletter will be sent out to all Digest subscribers as a sample of future editions. Thereafter the SA Klank newsletter will only be sent to those who add their names to the new subscribers' list. If you would like to be added to the SA Klank mailing list, please just email mailto:intekenaar@saklank.com?subject=saklank or please fill out the form at http://www.saklank.com All new subscribers to SA Klank.com will be able to download, for a limited period only, an exclusive demo version of Piet Botha's 'Skielik Somer'. The official version of this song will appear on the new Piet Botha album 'Die Mamba' due for release in March. http://www.pietbotha.com ------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST SLOT ON THE BRUCE MILLAR SHOW MOVES TO EVENINGS The Bruce Millar Show, which has been running every weekday morning on SAfm for the past few years, will now be broadcast on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 9-10pm. This is in line with a variety of changes at the national station. Digest co-editor, Stephen Segerman, will now be presenting his regular weekly SA music round-up as part of Bruce Millar's Monday evening program. SA Rock Digest on SAfm on Mondays at 9-10pm on SAfm (103-106 FM). -------------- UP THE CREEK IS HERE! The Savanna Up The Creek Festival begins on Friday 7th Feb and continues unabated until Sunday 9th Feb on the banks of the Breede River, which is just before Swellendam on the N2 (two hours from Cape Town). This year's multi-line-up includes the Africa Redux Short Film competition, some decent comedians like Dave ("get in the box") Levinsohn, Cokey Falco, Roni Modimola, and Colin Moss, and a stellar line-up of SA talent with exciting late addition, Freshly Ground, (replacing Zen Arcade), alongside Sons Of Trout, Golliwog, Kelvin Declined, African Rhythm Travellers, Moodphase5ive, and Azania. Tickets for the full weekend (and full camping facilities) are R325 and are available from Computicket, and the website at http://www.upthecreek.mweb.co.za {Ed's note: There is pair of Up The Creek tickets going cheap in the 'Forum' below.} ---------------------------------- SPECIAL WORLD CUP CRICKET SECTION ---------------------------------- It's Sunday 23rd March and it's the final of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. South Africa, batting second, need to overhaul Australia's impressive 305-8 to take home the trophy for the first time, and on home soil. Unfortunately, with two balls left and four runs needed, it's Alan Donald facing Brett Lee with Lance Klusener backing up down the crease. Horrific flashbacks to the 1999 semi-final disaster (when needing one run to make the final, our finest fast bowler dropped his bat, forgot to run, burst out crying, freaked out his captain, and scarred a nation ... in case you've forgotten) surge through an entire breathless nation as Donald swings and misses at the second last delivery. Brett Lee, sensing victory, speeds in and... Donald instinctively reads the short-pitched delivery and imperiously hooks the ball over the square leg boundary for a famous victory, South Africa's first in the competition. Okay, a fantasy I know (hey, get your own!) but nothing short of something like that, or a reconvening of the TRC is going to allow us to forgive and forget. But hey! We're such an optimistic, supportive and cricket-adoring nation that we are ready to spur our lads all the way to victory. So, let's all sing along... "Stand up, Stand up, for the champions, the champions" and hope it comes true! The tournament "kicks off" this week with a promo roadshow, and then one of those spectacular opening ceremoniezzzz on Saturday. Here are the details: "HEINZY CROONER" TO DAZZLE THE CRICKET WORLD CUP Heinz Winckler, SA's 'Pop Idol' champion, is padding up to take part in the high-profile 'Time To Dazzle' roadshow marketing campaign being used to heighten awareness for the Cricket World Cup, which kicks off February 8 with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Newlands ground in Cape Town. Heinz himself hails from Stellenbosch, and since winning the inaugural 'Idols' show last year, the former law student's music career has blossomed, culminating in the release of his debut full album, 'One Step Closer', in November 2002. Now, the 'Time To Dazzle' roadshow presents Heinz with an ideal opportunity to highlight his smash hit single, 'Next Stop Happiness', the lead track from his debut album. The 'Time To Dazzle' tour kicked off in Nelspruit, and also takes in stops in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Joining Heinz on the specially created and branded 'Dazzlemobile' mobile stage will be a number of other high profile entertainers, including TKZee member, and solo star, Kabelo Mabalane. SA ACTS TO HEADLINE CRICKET OPENING CEREMONY Johnny Clegg, Rebecca Malope, Hugh Masekela, Danny K, Leleti Khumalo, Avante, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Judith Sephuma will be the featured acts alongside thousands of participants in front of thousands of spectators at the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup opening ceremony to be held at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday 8th Feb. This opening ceremony will be viewed by approx. 10 zillion people, so it should be some decent exposure for our "local" artists, not? ------------------------- PEREZ UN-BAND - IN THEIR OWN WORDS As reported on last week's Digest, Perez will be splitting up in a short while. The Durban band released an official press release explaining the break-up, and here it is... "We regret to inform the public and especially our fans that "Perez" will be closing the final chapter of what has been a most enjoyable and successful two years. In this time, we have made countless friends and, no doubt, some enemies, but at the end of it all, we have been privileged enough to travel the country doing what we love. We are aware that by doing so we are becoming another S.A. music statistic, but we hope that our contribution has set a standard for the rest of South Africa's amazing bands to aim for and surpass!! We consider ourselves a rung in the ladder of climbing to real international success, proving to our country and the world that S.A. music is, without a doubt, unique, passionate and of a standard worthy of their recognition!! We cannot be ignored for much longer... All of us will still be very much involved in music, some here, and some abroad. Nic is travelling to Europe to pursue a solo career, and Mike and Matthew have a new project already at work in the recording studio. Adam is teaching and playing music in New Zealand. We will still be gigging in February, and in March we will embark on our final tour with our original line-up, as Adam is returning from New Zealand especially for the tour. It will be an opportunity for the original members to say thank you and farewell to all our fans across the country, by giving them a rock show worthy of an exit...." For more information on those final tour dates, please check local listings or check out http://www.sagigs.com Read http://rock.co.za/legends/perez.html Listen http://www.SAmp3.com Buy http://www.oneworld.com/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=perez ------------------------- SPLASHY FEN - THE SLEEPING GIANT AWAKES Like a bear waking from a long hibernation, the sleeping giant of Splashy Fen is once more rousing itself into action - and shaking off rumours of its demise. Early bird discounted tickets are already on sale, musicians have been signed, Tree63, Sons Of Trout, 7Stone and International band Seven 13 to name a few, business partners brought on board, and site preparations are well underway. "I'm totally mystified as to where these rumours come from," said farm owner and Festival director Peter Ferraz, "but the Splashy Fen faithful can rest assured that Splashy Fen 2003 is well on track, and that the future of the festival is not in doubt". According to Ferraz, it's possible that rumours were fuelled by the fact that he has put a 20-hectare subdivision containing the trout hatchery on the market, partly to concentrate more fully on the annual music festivals. "Should this section of the farm be sold, it will in no way affect the holding of future festivals," is Ferraz's assurance. Held against a breathtaking backdrop of sheer Drakensberg mountain magic, the Splashy Fen Music Festival is the longest running event of its kind in South Africa. Now in its 14th year, Splashy Fen 2003 will take place from Thursday 24 April to Monday 28 April 2003 and once again promises festival-goers a not-to-be-missed outdoor experience. Festival-goers can look forward to several innovations, thanks to a new-look management team, that is committed to keeping the spirit of Splashy Fen alive and making it an even more memorable experience. A huge amount of energy has already gone into the preparations, and as usual the organisers will be combining in their line-up a mix of the best-established musicians as well as a blend of the most talented and exciting up-and-coming artists. Anyone who believes they may have something to offer at Splashy Fen, whether from a musical or entertainment point of view, or from the food or craft trading side, should get in touch with Splashy Fen General Manager Pedro Carlo in Durban on 082 892 6176 or visit the official Splashy Fen website: http://www.splashyfen.co.za Early bird discounted tickets are available at the following outlets: Computicket, Compact Disc Wherehouse - Nationwide, Burn Nightclub - Durban, Game Stores in KwaZulu-Natal. ----------------------- DUNCAN FAURE CONCERTS Possibly it was that review of the Trevor Rabin CD, '90124', on the Digest last week that stirred this ex-Rabbitt star to get back on stage. Faure released his new album, 'Take The Good', towards the end of last year and will be performing some evening shows with his new line-up at Firkins in Centurion on Feb 5, 12, 19 and 26. Maybe he'll even do 'Dingley's Bookshop'! See http://www.SAgigs.com for details ---------------------- ALL EYES ON SOME BAND COMPETITION WINNERS Track4 and Seven Day Story are two new bands to look out for during the year. Down in Cape Town, Seven Day Story, who have already featured on the SAmp3.com charts with 'All Eyes On Me' (#24 on the Digest's Top 30 Songs of 2002), have been named as the latest winners of the 'Electric Chicken/Stage Magazine' recording sponsorship. Up in Gauteng, Track4 won the Tempo's battle of the bands on Saturday 25th Jan and won the RP Studio's demo deal held at Caesar's on Sunday 26th Jan. Listen http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html ----------------------- SEMISANE ANOUNCE LIVE DATES Semisane are beginning the first in a series of nation-wide live concerts to promote their new second album, 'Room 2 Breathe'. The band will be appearing at the following venues in and around Cape Town in February 2003 before heading off to pastures further afield. See http://www.SAgigs.com for details of those dates. Listen http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html -------------------------- FROSTED ORANGE ON SHORT TOUR Rising out of the ashes of the Stellenbosch music scene, this sharply dressed trio have spent five years refining their blues-influenced act at festivals and in venues all across the country. Their first CD, the critically acclaimed 'My Love is a Leopard', was released at the beginning of last year and went straight to number one on the SA Rock Digest album charts. Back in the lab Simon Orange, Albert Frost and Jaques Schutte continue to do research in deep blue sonics. Frosted Orange is currently on a coastal tour, see http://www.SAgigs.com for those remaining dates. Listen http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_e_k.html ------------------------ WOODSTOCK 5 - PROVINCE CHANGE RUMOURS ARE UNTRUE. Woodstock organisers, Authentic Ideas (PTY) LTD, issued a press release last week to dispel the rumour {just the one? - Ed.} that Woodstock is moving to Cape Town*. "Woodstock is a Gauteng festival and always will be. If in the future, a decision is taken to hold a festival in Cape Town, it will be in addition to the Gauteng event and not in place of it. However, there are no plans at this stage to hold an additional festival and plans continue at this stage for the fifth Woodstock to be held at the end of September 2003 as usual". {Ed's note: Woodstock actually is in Cape Town, there past the Good Hope Centre, as Crosby, Stills and Nash discovered to their joy and amazement on the way in from the airport for their 1996 concerts.} __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Album/Label) 1. [16] (1) Sheriff Bush And Deputy Blair - The Nukular Stompers (SAmp3.com/Indie) 2. [3] (2) Go F*ck Yourself (demo) - Janie Jones (SAmp3.com/Indie) 3. [1] (1) Psycoparalysis - Dayspring ('Never Before'/Indie) 4. [5] (4) A Million Miles - The Space Committee (Single/Indie) 5. [7] (5) Gommora Sampler - Gommora ('Gommora'/Gallo) 6. [4] (4) Arm Man se Hond - Pienk Prinsessie (Demo/Indie) 7. [2] (2) Passion Mother - Metalmorphosis ('Blistered'/Silva Moon) 8. [9] (8) Wasted Time - Illana May ('I've Gotta Try'/Yellow Rose) 9. [11] (9) Beach Girl - Natalia ('The Street Level Sessions'/Indie) 10. [15] (10) Vreemdeling - Dertien (SAmp3.com/Indie) 11. [6] (1) Kwaito - KGB ('The First Born'/Mothermix) 12. [21] (12) Kitty (demo) - Piet Botha (SAmp3.com/Indie) 13. [20] (13) Stoute Boude - Anton Goosen en Beeskraal (''n Vis Innie Bos'/Gallo) 14. [25] (14) Boneyard - Metalmorphosis ('Blistered'/Silva Moon) 15. [14] (14) So Jy Skim (demo) - Kop (SAmp3.com/Indie 16. [29] (16) Dinosaur - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Indie) 17. [8] (8) Losing Control - Venessa Nolan ('Burn'/Rhythm) 18. [10] (2) Don't Push - Mikanic with Ernie Deane ('Swimming With The Women'/Rhythm) 19. [24] (19) Strive (To Be Happy) - Paul Abro ('Songs From The Small Settee'/Indie) 20. [19] (1) Seether Sampler - Seether ('Disclaimer'/Musketeer/BMG) 21. [13] (6) Johnny Sampler - Falling Mirror ('Johnny Calls The Chemist'/RetroFresh) 22. [12] (2) JK Voëlvry (sampler) - Gereformeerde Blues Band ('Voelvry Die Toer'/Sheer) 23. [-] (23) Daytripper - Joe Public ('The Terrible Two's'/Indie) 24. 27] (24) Sweet Stellenganga - Akkedis ('Voortvlugtend'/Rhythm) 25. [-] (25) LekkerByDieSee - Diff Olie ('Die Borrelbad Insident'/Boereplaas) 26. [22] (1) Social Ills - Godessa ('Cape Of Good Dope'/African Dope) 27. [-] (27) Sarie - Mike de Jager ('Blue Room'/Indie) 28. [18] (3) Braai Pack (sampler) - Not My Dog ('Braai Vibes'/Sheer) 29. [-] (29) Wise Old Me - Koosh (Demo/Indie) 30. [-] (30) Dolly Mae - Blues Broers ('Sharp Street'/Guava Records) ----------- 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) Gommora - Gommora (Gallo) 2. [4] (2) Live At Jamesons - Cherry Faced Lurchers (RetroFresh) 3. [6] (3) Tap Into The System - Dorp (Contains Nuts) 4. [1] (1) Three - Sunways (Sheer) 5. [12] (4) Never Before - Dayspring (Indie) 6. [14] (6) Forest Moon - Forest Moon ('Forest Moon'/Forest Moon) 7. [8] (7) The Great South African Trip - Various (African Cream) 8. [11] (8) Medicated - Chris James (Cooler) 9. [3] (3) Another Time Another Place - Ken E Henson (3rd Ear) 10. [9] (2) The First Born - KGB (Mothermix) 11. [5] (1) Swimming With The Women - Mikanic (Rhythm) 12. [10] (3) Lank Sweat! - Sweatband (RetroFresh) 13. [15] (13) Afrikaans Met Attitude - Vari-ous (Hoezit) 14. [7] (2) Braai Vibes - Not My Dog (Sheer) 15. [16] (1) Kobus! - Kobus! (ENT) 16. [13] (10) On Track 2002 - Various Artists (On Track) 17. [17] (1) A Moment In Cape Town - Various Live (Wonder Label) 18. [-] (18) Three Piece Project - Siamese (Muskateer) 19. [18] (1) Holy Water - Wendy Oldfield (SAfm) 20. [19] (1) Disclaimer - Seether (Musketeer/BMG) 21. [21] (1) Cape Of Good Dope - Various (African Dope) 22. [20] (2) Roadside Heretics - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 23. [25] (23) Songs From The Small Settee - Paul Abro (Indie) 24. [23] (1) Between Two Lives - Cutting Jade (DGR) 25. [22] (1) God Is African - Various OST (Sony) 26. [-] (26) Getting Stronger - SteveVan (Silvertree) 27. [24] (1) Groen Kitaar - Gian Groen & Spinnekop (Afrimusik) 28. [28] (1) Freefall - Ian Henderson (N3) 29. [-] (29) The Terrible Two's - Joe Public (Indie) 30. [26] (3) dream hope fear - New World Inside (Revolution) Read http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus Listen http://www.samp3.com Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ----------------------------------------- ------ MP3s ------ Some recent releases on SAmp3.com: 'Arthritic Shredfest' - Too Old To Rock An instrumental technical guitar work-out from ex-Durban drummer turned guitarist Chris Hattingh (now living in Florida, USA) and Jim Reindel together known as Too Old To Rock. This sonic outburst is taken from the album 'Too Dumb To Quit'. Too dumb to quit? Maybe... but too old to rock? Not if this track is anything to go by. 'Blue Room' - Mike de Jager The slow bluesy title track from Mike de Jager's latest (mostly) instrumental guitar rock CD. 'Content & Real' - Anika Soulful, acoustic jazz folk... Rickie Lee Jones meets Alanis Morrisette. Anika bypasses your ears and sings straight to your soul. From her debut CD 'Killing Time' released on Outbox Records. 'Flesh' - Metalmorphosis If the term Heavy Metal didn't exist it would need to have been invented to describe this howling, pounding, dare I say, headbanging musical mayhem from Marq Vas and Metalmorphosis. 'Getting Stronger' - SteveVan SteveVan (ex-Junglebook Vultures) recorded his first solo track, the wonderful 'Getting Stronger' at the Street Level Studios with Chris Tait in the producer's chair. See full album review under "New Releases" below. 'Hey Mr DJ' - Caytie Marvelis Funky Soul Dance Groove from this Joburg collective. Boredom is not an option with these guys. 'This Is Jesus' - Koos van Zyl In the 70's Cliff Richard asked the question 'Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?" (written by Larry Norman in 1977). Well he doesn't! Namibian Koos van Zyl has been down to Robert Johnson's 'Crossroads' but now he plays on the road to the Cross. 'This Is Jesus' is an in-your-face sing-a-long blues rocker proudly celebrating Koos's faith in his savior. Listen to all the mp3s listed above at the biggest South African mp3 website in the world at http://www.SAmp3.com ----- CDs ----- HERE COMES CANDICE Known to some as "The Anna Kournikova" of the SA entertainment industry, TV continuity personality Candice Hillebrand has just released her debut pop album, 'Chasing Your Tomorrows' on the Musketeer label. The album, which includes Candice's first two singles, 'Hello' and 'I Know What I Like', is seen as having sufficient quality and potential to launch an international career for SA's second favourite blonde pin-up, specially on MTV. We think a better title for the album would have been 'I Candy'. (Review and pictures to follow). ---------------------- SIAMESE - 'THREE PIECE PROJECT' (MUSKETEER) Been waiting for something more substantial from this hard, alternative rock trio from Boksburg. First single, 'Suffer This', immediately caught our attention when it appeared on a BMG new rock sampler during 2002 alongside tracks from Custom, The Strokes, Soil, Trik Turner, and other new, emerging US and UK hard rock acts. Even in that illustrious company, 'Suffer This' stood tall and raised hopes for something special. Then we heard that Siamese had been commissioned to supply the theme song for the insane, new 'Fear Factor' reality series on M-Web. 'Fear' did the job and gained tons of airplay and exposure for Darren Clack (drums, backing vocals), Colin Bunn (bass), and Brad Yeoman (guitar, vocals). 'Three Piece Project' is the band's debut album, co-produced with Brian O'Shea, and features 'Suffer This', 'Fear' (the 'Fear Factor mix' and a 'Raw Mix'), and other examples of what the band describe as their "progressive rock" sound. But dispel any thoughts of Yes, ELP or King Crimson. To Siamese, that means influences like Tool, Incubus, Deftones, and a touch of Pearl Jam. So you also get the very edgy 'Chlorine', a "ballad" in the form of 'Bleed', as well as 'Find My Way', 'Nouveau', and 'Home'. All clear indications that with a few high profile gigs, Siamese are definitely going to be at the forefront of the 2003 SA rock scene. ---------------------- STEVEVAN - 'GETTING STRONGER' (SILVERTREE) A sparkling solo debut from Cape Town folk-rocker SteveVan featuring his drawly-gruff vocals and laid back guitar tunes. SteveVan first appeared as a founder member of the Junglebook Vultures who released two impressive CD singles - 'Just Across The River' in 1997 and 'Nobody's Story' in 1999. Despite a lot of airplay, and some high profile support gigs, the band broke up in 2000. But SteveVan and the 'Vultures' vocalist, Ross went on to form Rust and released a five-track EP with the single 'Factor 35'. A later Rust single, 'Give It Away', appeared on the SL magazine CD sampler, but was never officially released. SteveVan then decided to go it alone and recorded his first solo track, 'Getting Stronger' at the Street Level Studios with Chris Tait. This debut single caught the attention of Silvertree Records and a record deal was signed freeing SteveVan to complete the album. 'Getting Stronger' is a 10-song offering with JJ Cale-like flowing melodies and warm-hearted lyrics, mostly about love. The title track is an obvious single, but Chris Tait has ensured that all these arrangements bring the best out of these pleasant tunes, and there's more then one single on show here. 'Try Me', 'Stay' and 'You're Wasting Time' could be next. ---------------------- ALBERT FROST - 'CATFISH' Get your grubby hands on this wicked CD and your problems are solved. No more agony because Albert lives next to the flat mountain and the Brass Bell. Just mosey on over to the CD-player, press [PLAY] and let him do his thing. It's a live recording - you're back inside the gig, clutching at your warm flat beer, your brain totally fried, your eyes glued on the strings of the Fender Strat and the howls King Albert yanks from its guts. Albert first gives you an electric blue zzzzappp, followed by some unsettling acoustic nuzzles. Eighteen kick-ass motherless cotton-pickin' titillating thigh-slappin' raunchy mud-splattered bewitching troll-stompin' tracks that will blow the toilet right through yer outhouse, I kid you not. You have been warned. Albert chuckles. 'Who Do You Love?' starts and here's a taste of the rhythm. Then the Strat clears its throat. And out comes this white-hot monster of a riff that contorts your legs and turns your hips into snakes. Later there's "... somebody screams ..." and the Strat SHRIEKS in hishands. "You should have heard ... just what I've seen ..." This track is a top-notch sample of the unspeakable delights Albert Frost can inflict upon his guitar. Fall apart in your backyard with 'Lenny', interpreted by the School of Frost. Then there's 'Help Me', 'Born Under A Bad Sign', 'Same Thing', 'Blues at Sunrise', 'So Excited' and (ooohhh yeahhh) 'Voodoo Chile'. Turn the volume way up with 'Catfish'. Way waaaayyy up. The intro convinces you, then - "Well I wish I was a Catfish / Swimmin' in the deep blue sea / 'Cause I'll have all you good looking women / Fishin' after me". This one's hungry, raw and rough. Yessssss. Listen how he introduces his band, especially Anton Beukes in a different accent. 'Kammakastig Land' is a freaky Afrikaans tune. Albert creates a tornado alley rhythm and bona fide lyrics. "Saans as ek 'n lyn koop / Stap af na die skurwe land" and also "Stop - is jy nie moeg nie / Want jy asem in hele dae". Listen with your gut, your angry heart, your blue blue soul. The acoustic section comprises yummy tidbits of strings and slow deep notes. 'Crawling Kingsnake', 'Rollin' And Tumblin'' and 'Same Thing' recreate with the southern and luscious rhythm the style and personality that's Albert Frost. This Dude he ain't shy. An' he can groove. 'One In Many', 'Repent' and 'My Love' each reflect multi-faceted layers of guitar and one hell of a talented human. Grab the Catfish with your bare hands if you have to. This one's pretty rare. (Carina Laubscher) Ed's note - It's not going to be easy to get hold of a copy of the 'Catfish' CD, as it is a limited edition release and only 500 copies were printed. But Carina has one, and she can get some more from Mr Frost, so if you want her to help you get a copy, please email mailto:Catfish@sarockdigest.com?subject=BuyCD --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://rock.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------ Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music Kurt is taking a short break... he'll be back next week. 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 SOUL MEETING - UNA VALLI (Featuring The Flames and The Peanut Butter Conspiracy) Forget Motown and Atlantic, rather Rave. No don't run off to the nearest club and nod you head silly to the latest Fatboy Slim, rather find some albums on the Rave label. This was The Flames label and we all know (or at least should know) what a brilliant soul band the Flames were. Another great soul band was the South African Peanut Butter Conspiracy (there was also an American band of the same name). So when you add the quite awesome vocals of Una Valli into the mix, you end up with a rather special album. Produced by Grahame "Charisma in a Mammy Blue kinda way" Beggs, this is an album of covers of soul classics like 'I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You', and 'My Girl', and some other covers like the heartfelt organ driven version of the Beatle's 'Yesterday' and the brassy Rolling Stones' 'Satisfaction'. With the tight instrumentation and the built for soul vocals of Una this is a must for any lovers of 60's soul. It's smart and sassy soul that holds its own when sat next to some of the greats of that era like Aretha, Diana and Etta. The Flames and PBC don't play together, but take turns to back Una, and unless you're concentrating hard you won't notice that the backing band has changed, a compliment to the talents in both bands. They are both extremely slick bands that the phrase used a lot in sports can be used here because they were indeed world class, a fact borne out by the inclusion of Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin from the Flames being invited to play with the Beach Boys. This Soul Meeting is one that should be in your diary on a recurring basis and one that you can look forward to because there's Peanut Butter flavoured biscuits and Flame grilled chicken to nibble on while the chairperson moves through the agenda putting you Una soulful high. Bas Möllenkramer has a webpage for Una Valli at: http://home-1.worldonline.nl/~mollyb/docs/una.htm This page forms part of the excellent Flames website at: http://www.the-flames.com John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://rock.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (2 February 1973) 1 [1] I'd Love You To Want Me - Lobo 2 [4] Woman (Beautiful Woman) - Don Gibson 3 [12] I Don't Wanna Play House - Barbara Ray 4 [2] I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash 5 [3] I Need Your Love - Letta Mbulu 25 YEARS AGO (3 February 1978) 1 [1] Subsitute - Clout 2 [4] It's A Heartache - Bonnie Tyler 3 [2] Mull Of Kintyre - Wings 4 [8] Free Me - Uriah Heep 5 [3] The Name Of The Game - Abba 20 YEARS AGO (4 February 1983) 1 [1] I Don't Wanna Dance - Eddy Grant 2 [2] Words - FR David 3 [3] The Clapping Song - Belle Stars 4 [4] Let's Go Dancing (Ooh La La La) - Kool & The Gang 5 [6] Heartbreaker - Dionne Warwick 15 YEARS AGO (30 January 1988) 1 [1] (I've Had) The Time Of My Life - Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley 2 [4] Mony Mony - Billy Idol 3 [2] Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley 4 [3] Faith - George Michael 5 [5] You Win Again - Bee Gees One of the most successful South African chart acts was Barbara Ray and 'I Don't Wanna Play House' was her most successful single. It was her 4th top 10 hit and this week in 1973 went 1 place better than her previous best which was 'Like I Do' that peaked at number 4. Letta Mbulu was enjoying her 7th week in the top 5 and along with Barbara made up the local content of the top 5. 'Free Me' marked Uriah Heep's 'umble debut in the charts. Named after a Charles Dickens character the band survived about 30 personnel changes and 2 deaths, but only had 1 US top 40 hit to show for their effort. None of their singles charted in their native UK, but not only did 'Free Me' make top 5 in South Africa, they also had 2 more top 20 hits here with 'Lady In Black' and 'On The Rebound'. While Eddy Grant continued to ensure us that he was not up for a bit of boogie in 1982, Dionne Warwick was back in the charts for the first time since her 1979 hit 'I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again'. 'Heartbreaker' was written and produced by the Gibb brothers, Barry also sang backing vocal. Further Bee Gee connections with the SA charts were seen in 1988 when 'You Win Again' clung to the number 5 spot. This is quite fitting in light of the resent sad death of Maurice. South African's at number 1 this week: Substitute - Clout (1978) South African New Entries this week: 29-Jan-71 There's A Light, There's A Way - Invaders 30-Jan-82 Grips Of Emotion - Lesley Rae Dowling 31-Jan-81 Hold On - Lastique 31-Jan-81 A Lot Of Things - Peach 01-Feb-74 Charly - Sean Rennie --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section (named after the much-missed shop from Fishhoek) is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Sankomota - 'Dreams Do Come True' (LP) Lionel Petersen - 'Mr Music' (LP) Mr Mac And The Genuines - 'Mr Mac And The Genuines' (LP) Ratau Mike Makhalemele - 'Thabang' (LP) Sipho Gumede - 'Thank You For Listening' (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com ------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium on Main, Claremont, Cape Town Alan Hilton (021) 683 5676 mailto:ahilton@mweb.co.za ------------ BIRTHDAYS ------------ Feb. 1 - Pierre de Charmoy (1961) Feb. 1 - Don Everly (1937), Everly Brothers Feb. 1 - Ray Sawyer (1937), Dr. Hook Feb. 2 - Graham Nash (1942), Hollies; CSN(&Y) Feb. 3 - Dave Davies (1947), Kinks Feb. 3 - Melanie (Safka) (1947) Feb. 4 - Alice Cooper (born Vincent Furnier, 1948) Feb. 5 - Al Kooper (1944) Feb. 6 - Bob Marley (died 11 May 1981) Feb. 6 - Fabian (1943) Feb. 6 - Rick Astley (1966) Feb. 6 - Axl Rose (born William Bailey, 1962), Guns N' Roses {Ed's note: Axl Rose is an anagram of Oral Sex - just thought you should know} Feb. 9 - Carole King (1942) ______________________________________________ 7.FORUM --------- ANY ADVICE? My name is Herman Steenkamp and so far I have written 35 songs. The problem is what to do with them. I would like to make them available to artists needing material. Who must I contact as publishers don't want to listen to "unsolicited" material? I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks for your time Herman Steenkamp mailto:hsteenka@global.co.za --------------------------- UP THE CREEK TICKETS GOING "CHEEP" We are no longer going to Up The Creek and are looking to sell our tickets. If you would like them or know of anyone who might want to buy them, please call me on 021 422 5283 or 082 7417741. Tickets are currently R325 each. We are selling our 2 for R250 each. Up The Creek takes place on the weekend of the 14th Feb Thanks a mil Bruce mailto:muzikbox@iafrica.com ___________________________________________ 8.SOUND SOLUTIONS ------------------ MAKE A SKRYF! I'm trying to track down examples of South African musicians from the 1980s who sang protest songs in favour of the legalisation of marijuana (and other drugs) as was done by Peter Tosh (with 'Legalize it'). If anyone can think of any please let me know. Michael Drewett M.Drewett@ru.ac.za {Ed's note: Michael Drewett is a Lecturer and the Co-ordinator of Cutting Grooves Censorship of Music Archive Department of Sociology at Rhodes University. Michael is currently working on some valuable SA music research. Get up, stand up, start thinking! and let's help him...} ------------------------ LOOKING FOR A BASS AMP Urgently seeking a second hand bass amp in good condition in Cape Town. If you also have some mike stands and mikes, I'll be very interested as well, but the amp is crucial. Please mailto:bassamp@sarockdigest.com ------------------------ WE'LL REMEMBER YOU FOREVER, EDDIE! I'm looking for a CD or songs by Eddie Wyngaardt? Please help 0824970320 Dries ----------------------- VIRGINIA LEE Hallo South Africa/Süd Afrika, My name is Geoff Tue and I'm a British person living and working in Germany. One of my absolute favourite artists is the American Country Singer, Slim Whitman. In 1960, Slim did a tour of South Africa. Part of this tour was the South African Singer, Virginia Lee. Amongst other songs, they did a duet together called 'The Tennessee Yodel Polka'. As a result, I have become an absolute Fan of Virginia Lee. I am, of course, fully aware that unfortunately she must be fairly old by now, nevertheless I have set it as my aim to obtain some of her records in any form whatever (Singles, EPs, LPs, or CDs, or even Music Cassettes), I don't care... Question is, Can you help me please - I really would be most grateful. Also if I may be so bold, I would dearly love to get in contact with a music magazine in South Africa that would deal with this type of music and/or Country Music. It's very difficult here in Europe, to find anything out about the music scene in S. Africa, but if you can help me with (a) Virginia Lee; (b) A magazine, and (c) A South African Organisation/firm or something that deals with old South African records, I would be very grateful indeed. May I thank you in advance for your assistance and wish you all in the South African Music Scene all the very best, also for 2003. Greetings from Europe Geoff Tue mailto:Geoff.tue@t-online.de --------------------------- FACE TO FACE I am looking for the Face to Face album they released in 1984 with the 'Night of the Long Knives' and 'Here We Are' on it. Do you know where I could obtain or purchase a copy, whether it be available on CD or cassette or vinyl? Thank you, Jacques Schoeman jacqschoeman@hotmail.com --------------------------- "I'M SEARCHING FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE GREAT HEART!" Or just the soundtrack will do... Hi there! Please help! I'm looking for a new or second hand copy of the 'Jock Of The Bushveld' movie soundtrack. I've tried most CD stores and second hand stores around SA, with no luck. Any idea where else I can look? Many thanks! Dean mailto:DHall@za.imshealth.com --------------------------- BAND LOOKING FOR DRUMMER - FOCH ALL CURRENTLY AVAILABLE!! What good is a band with no f***ing drummer? We can't find anyone anywhere. Maybe it's because we're based in FOCHVILLE?! Do you know where FOCHVILLE is? If you do and you're a drummer, please contact me. Try to be kinda close to this crappy area. We're not really set yet, so you don't have to be a pro, mean-ass, machine drummer. Just someone who knows how to play, and don't come here and suck man. We need someone who actually knows something about drumming. If you are in this area, please... please... please... please phone/contact me. We have a guitarist/singer (me) and a guitarist and a sort of bassist... we just can't find a drummer. Putting a band together is ass-screw hard. We're all in Gr.11, so we are in school. So don't contact me if you are like... forty or fifty. Capiche? Thanks Shaun Phone: 0724847725 {Ed's note: Letter of the week, please help this band!!} -------------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com This section sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS http://rock.co.za/soundsolutions Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers: 1) Music Searches - Sourcing and recommending songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials 2) Music Licensing - Assisting in obtaining the publishing and recording rights for music to be used as soundtracks for TV commercials, movie soundtracks and other productions. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@rock.co.za ----------------------- THE SA ROCK DIGEST PUBLICITY PACKAGES The SA Rock Encyclopedia can now be found at http://www.rock.co.za. Rock.co.za is the central hub for all our associated SA music websites, which includes SAmp3.com, SA Rock Legends, SA Rock Lists, SA Gigs.com, the SA Rock Digest newsletter, the Amuzine/rock.co.za website, and many more. These websites are all focused on giving both nation-wide and worldwide exposure to SA music and musicians past, present and future. The SA Rock Digest Publicity Packages are the simple way to gain both initial and long-term exposure through our various online and offline resources. The basic initial publicity package includes: 1) Making copies of your CD(s) available for SA and international customers to purchase at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 2) Hosting up to three mp3s at http://www.samp3.com 3) The creation and hosting of your own single webpage which will include: - CD Cover(s), tracklisting and musicians - Artist biog/press release/review - Links to "Buy" CD at One World, "Listen" to mp3s at http://www.samp3.com, and "Read" at www.rock.co.za/yourname 4) Your own choice of web address/url, choose from: www.rock.co.za/yourname www.rock.co.za/yourname www.saklank.com/yourname www.sarockdigest.com/yourname All these points from 1-4 comprise the initial SA Rock Digest Publicity Package at a current yearly charge of R680.00. If no other work is done after the initial set-up, then the only follow-up charges will be for renewal of your yearly hosting fee for one webpage and three mp3s at an annual fee of R180.00 (subject to increase). 5) We can also (subject to quote): · Help you with the composing and writing of artist press releases or artist biogs. · Offer ongoing updates and maintenance to your web page at a reasonable hourly (or portion of hourly) rate. · Help arrange "offline" publicity for your CD or live event or launch. For more info, or to arrange a meeting to discuss the SA Rock Digest Publicity Packages further, please contact Stephen Segerman at mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com or call 021 461 9541 ______________________________________________ 9.LIVE MUSIC --------------- RECOMMENDED GIGS See http://www.sagigs.com If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. --------- REVIEWS --------- JACK HAMMER http://www.pietbotha.com Carina Laubscher caught up with the Piet Botha Gang, live at the Steak & Ale. We walk in just as Piet Botha strums the first heated notes on his green guitar. Jonathan Martin bends over his string machine, coveting her, empowering her voice, the long hair obscuring the intense young face for a moment. Paul van der Waal is taking no crap from the drum set tonight. He's slick, fast and bloody fit, firing sharp volleys of rattling pots andcold cymbals - and smiling ever so slyly. Tertius du Plessis looks supacool with that long grey bass against his hips, his hair tied back. For now. In the Steak & Ale in Centurion, that seasoned old waterhole with its warthog head and horned kudu torsos, I am once again struck by the wicked reality of Jack Hammer's sharp, tight and unfathomable partnership. Look at Piet and Jonathan while they do 'Mamba.' Between the two of them they give that snake a double-rattle, moving in slow unison with guitar and body, the closed eyes and bottomless throats taking them where the fans can only dream to be. 'Suitcase Vol Winter' is crammed with acute jabs of unvoiced feelings, a bluesy rhythm that soothes and unnerves at the same time. Piet's straight profile looks almost regal against the yellow lights and swirling tongues of smoke around his head. He asks for the sloshed patrons not to kick his mike stand when they go to the loo, please. He sounds dangerously calm. And then Jack Hammer regroups with red-hot jams and a blistering pace - favourites like 'Station', 'G8 Manifesto', 'Kid From Nazareth', and that crazy airborne wench in 'Blues Vir Louise'. I can feel my eardrums bulging, perforated by those addictive guitar jolts and "rrruhhhm-rruhmmmms" from Paul's corner. Tertius loosens his hair and all hell breaks loose. 'Sarajevo' is a black thing from the mud-drenched trenches, spiced with the sweat and passion from the musos in front of us. We scream and yell, we whistle and roar like banshees without regret. 'Kitty' puts Piet Botha in a place where lobotomies will never work. He stuns us with the uneasy rhythm and sweet hoarse words breathed into the mike about a femme fatale - one who's not like the others. And Jack Hammer zips up the third set. You feel the strength of their kick-ass art flow straight to your battered suburban vertebrae. Medicine for the soul. (Carina Laubscher) --------------------- MISSISSIPPI MUTHERS Yeah, yeah - Carina Laubscher raved about them in the first edition of 2003. But, as she explains in that weird accent... "mah fine chile, lead guitarist Dan Patlansky celebrated his 21st and his father, the Muthers' sound man, turned 50. They gave us hours of blues and beat heart muscles into mush. Behold, the Muthers went for a swim in the swamp and came back wid' dem supahblues". At Julian's Bistro, Blackheath (Jhb) in January. Dan, drummer Gordon and bassist Mike fuse into a killer-tight trio, without losing track of each other's vibe for a nanosecond. Incredibly so, Dan's hands are faster. His fingers run metres before your eyes can catch up. He bends strings into oblivion; like loons they wail and croon until he lets them go. He sucks the guitar into his belly, disappears into songs like 'Sweet Sixteen' and 'Mississippi Muther Blues', but keeps you close with that old dark driftwood voice. The microphone is a cool deep mouth. 'Take Me Home' and 'Hurricane' takes you to Gordon Legg. He sings, drums to the pace of New Orleans rain, he dries his brow, catches cymbals at the very last breath, and throws himself into the fast lane with a manic, high-octane ruffle and two rather innocent little sticks. Tall Mike is hard to miss, even seated. He's very smooth and solidly quiet on the muddy bass. When the pomm-pommmm-POM-POM-pompiddy-POM bass solo falls out of his hands, the thick punctuation becomes evident, but never overpowers. John Zerbini catches the vibe with his harmonica. Hell no, he doesn't play the thing. He teases it with eyes closed, he kisses it like a holy relic, he licks the last notes out of the tiniest corners. Sometimes he smiles. And the harmonica makes you fly. Then there's the young Miss Sandy Legg with her black Fender. Long red curly tresses, shy smile, clad in jeans and summer top. First she slips through the back door, 'pretending' to be Dan's rhythm line. Then she presses that black machine against her hip, and proceeds with a nasty hot solo - stacked with flying notes, contorted strings, insane yelps, even a mangy old hyena cackling away in some godforsaken desert. Dan echoes with his beloved red '65 Fender Strat. This is the 'Deliverance' duel with a thousand strings. Then it's Sandy: "Is too!" And Dan: "Is not!" Sandy tries the last word: "Is too!" Dan's retort is a feverish blur of the left fingers. "Hah! Is not!" And their strings bond in a duet with harmonics so stunning, you wanna bawl like a wuss when the guitars finally close. (Carina Laubscher) ---------------------- EAST LONDON CALLING With Don Bryce HONOURING SIR ELTON East London musicians to pay homage to enigmatic living legend, Elton John. Music lovers can look forward to some really classy entertainment on Saturday 15 and 22 February, when a group of top East London performers under the leadership of Elton John devotee Rod Brown will pay tribute to the whimsical, wacky Wizard of the Ivories in a live concert at the Selborne Primary School hall. The concert, titled 'Rocket Man', will showcase Elton's greatest hits, featuring Rod on piano and lead vocals, backed by a group of well known local instrumentalists and backing vocalists, spiced with narration by Howard Bradshaw. The admission fee of R50 will include a light meal, and there will be a cash bar available. Booking at Selborne Primary School, Frere Road, 043-726 5341, or Lee Gold Music, 043-735 1586 (Don Bryce) This section is sponsored by: SMOKE SIGNALS http://rock.co.za/smokesignals A fully integrated publicity and events service, specialising in the music and theatre world. Band and concert promotion, press releases, media interviews and 'short hand hyping'. Contact: Brian Weinronk ph: (021) 4619152 mailto:brianwein@kingsley.co.za ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail mailto:gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com in a plain text e-mail. ___________________________________________ 10.INFO -------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=AddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=unsubscribe BACK ISSUES http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com EDITORS Brian Currin Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com CONTRIBUTORS Don Bryce Carina Laubscher Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Shiloh Noone John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Proofed by Ronx <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>