SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #210 http://www.sarockdigest.com 21st July 2003 Established 27th January 1999 ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------- If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter! Rather send an email to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com If you miss any issues of the Digest (please check with your ISP or Network Administrator for possible reasons), then you can still read each week's Digest online at http://rock.co.za, and you can find all the previous editions of the Digest archived at http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives The deadline for submissions and gig info is Friday 12noon. -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Ladysmith live in JHB... Goema Captains in Europe... Alan Skidmore's 'Ubizo'... Interview with Chris Tait... Lazarus... State Far Better... Tribe After Tribe in Germany... Jo Day's 'No Warning'... Delta Blue's 'Inbluesstation' ... Readers' letters to Sound Solutions... Charts... Recommended Live Events... with a full list of those concerts and all the details at http://www.SAgigs.com ------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ------------------------------------- For a full-colour and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://rock.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. -------------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ON THE RADIO -------------------------------------------- Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman presents his SA music slot on the Bruce Millar Show on SAfm (103-106fm) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ----------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ----------------------------------------- http://www.rock.co.za >From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Daddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ http://www.SAgigs.com The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ----------------------------- ONE WORLD ONLINE CD STORE ----------------------------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Ladysmith Live In JHB, 'Ubizo', Goema Captains To Europe 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Jo Day, Delta Blue, Tait 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Kurt's Road Trip musical selection 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Delta Blue - 'Inbluesstation' 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, Tribe After Tribe in Germany 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- LADYSMITH JOIN MADIBA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Saturday night's 85th birthday party for Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg was definitely the one to be at! {No, of course we weren't, watched it on TV. - Live Ed.}. 1600 of the world's (and South Africa's) dignitaries, politicians, celebrities, film stars (Robert de Niro?), and musical stars descended upon the Sandton Convention centre to join in the extensive celebrations. It was a glittering and well-televised affair and included a few speeches - by Bill Clinton, Jacob Zuma, and the head of Coca Cola SA (er, they were the sponsors!) - tributes and messages from famous faces from all over the world, a performance by The Corrs (with Bono), and a full SA musical tribute to Madiba by artists like Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Sibongile Khumalo, Vicky Sampson, PJ Powers, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and plenty of singing kids. The concert may have resembled the SAMA Awards a little too closely, and I'm sure the newly formed SA Music Quota Coalition will have much to protest at. While there was plenty of SA music being played over the PA and performed on stage, one wonders why we had to sit through SA singers doing group karaoke versions of 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' and 'A Long And Winding Road'? But a spirited and appropriate rendition of Juluka's 'Great Heart' followed by a special Madiba birthday song (written by PJ Powers) turned the evening into the joyous occasion it truly was, and Oprah, Hillary, Naomi, and all Madiba's pals danced the night away in his honour. Ladysmith Black Mambazo were invited to perform their classic 'Homeless', but, for some reason, with Danny K sharing lead vocals and movements with the group's leader, Joseph Shabalala. This turned out to be the biggest mismatch of the day, an impressive feat considering the rugby one we'd seen a few hours earlier at Loftus Versveld. Ladysmith Black Mambazo have just returned from a month-long tour of England in May, and continue to travel the world, meeting new friends and reaching new audiences. The group came to bless the streets of Johannesburg with their sweet a cappella harmonies, and gave an impromptu performance at CD Wherehouse at The Zone in Rosebank, in between a day of media conferences and interviews. Ladysmith, who now record in the United States, won their first Grammy for their first album on Warner Brothers' 'Shaka Zulu'. In the years since, they have been nominated five more times and won once again. In addition to their catalogue, which now numbers over 40 albums, they have recorded with Stevie Wonder, Julia Fordham, The Wynans, Dolly Parton, Ben Harper, and Des'ree. They have also worked on six major motion picture soundtracks, including 'Moonwalker' (Michael Jackson), 'A Dry White Season' (Marlon Brando), 'Let's Do It A Cappella' (Spike Lee), 'Coming To America' (Eddie Murphy), 'Cry The Beloved Country' (James Earl Jones), and 'The League of Gentlemen' (Sean Connery), which they recently finished recording while on their England tour. One of Joseph Shabalala's songs was adapted into the play, 'The Song Of Jacob Zulu', which was nominated for six Tony Awards. The vocal group has become well known to TV audiences for their appearances on Sesame Street, and in commercials for 7-Up, Lifesavers Candy, Heinz Soup and IBM. Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be staging a special live concert for the Gauteng public, at the Johannesburg City Hall on 24th July, 2003. LISTEN Download 'Elungelo' by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and RSL at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html Download 'Madiba 1990', Bright Blue's birthday gift to Nelson Mandela, at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html -------------- THE GOEMA CAPTAIN HEADS FOR EUROPE Mr Mac McKenzie - formerly of the Genuines, now heading up the all-star Cape Town band, the Goema Captains of Cape Town - left last week on a trip to Europe to promote the Goema Captains' new album, 'Healing Destination', and to perform a few concerts. Mac McKenzie was accompanied by Struan Douglas of Afribeat, the producers of the project. The three week trip follows the successful South African launch and release of the Goema Captains of Cape Town's debut album, 'Healing Destination'. The album was released on the Winter Solstice in Cape Town City, and has already sold out its first printing within a few weeks. Mac McKenzie will be performing a series of solo concerts in Germany and Holland, and in Switzerland, where he will be joined by Goema Captains trumpeter and accordionist, Alex van Heerden, who is currently recording in Stockholm. Mac and Afribeat will be meeting with European media, labels, and promoters, as well as with major tourism outlets across Europe, to promote Cape Town as the world's next major musical city. The trip has kindly been sponsored by Tokai Travel, and will be documented online at afribeat.com. LISTEN to 'Red Rock City' by Mac McKenzie & The Goema Captains at http://www.SAmp3.com/songs_l_s.html -------------- ALAN SKIDMORE'S 'UBIZO' (PVC1034) 'Ubizo' is a sensational new band and album featuring members of Amampondo, the legendary South African percussion ensemble, and powerhouse saxophonist Alan Skidmore, due to be released on the 1st September 2003. The group is now known as Ubizo, which roughly translates from the Xhosa as "the call" (as in the vocational sense). In October 2002, four years after Alan Skidmore travelled to Cape Town to record with Amampondo, he reunited with percussion masters Simpiwe Matole, Michael Ludonga, Mandla Lande, Mzwandile Qotoyi and Risenga Makondo to begin work on the follow-up to their highly acclaimed debut album, 'The Call'. The band performed a short UK tour before entering the studio to record a new set of original compositions and South African traditional tunes. Ubizo will tour the UK in November 2003. Ubizo are: Alan Skidmore (tenor saxophone); Ingolf Burkhardt (trumpet & flugelhorn); Steve Melling (piano); Arnie Somogyi (double bass); Stephen Keogh (kit drums); Michael Ludonga (African drums, percussion, vocals); Simpiwe Matole (African drums, percussion, piano, marimba, kudo horn, vocals); Risenga Makondo (African drums, percussion, marimba, vocals); Mandla Lande (African drums, percussion, marimba, kudo horn, vocals); and Mzwandile Qotoyi (African percussion, marimba, kudo horn, vocals). Alan Skidmore started playing professionally in 1958 with dance orchestras and pop bands. In 1964, he joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and together with Eric Clapton recorded as part of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. In 1965 he worked with the Ronnie Scott Quintet and by 1969 had formed his own quintet with Kenny Wheeler, Tony Oxley, Harry Miller and John Taylor. The list of musicians and bands Skidmore has worked with is vast and includes Weather Report, Elvin Jones, Herbie Hancock, Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, Nucleus, Van Morrison and Georgie Fame, among others. To date, he has toured and played in Europe, North America, India, South Africa and South East Asia. Despite having played on more than 90 albums, Skidmore has released only a handful of solo albums, including the highly praised 'After the Rain', which was named Critics' Choice of 1998 in the Observer, and 'The Call', his 1999 collaboration with Amampondo. The South African members of Ubizo also form part of Amampondo, one of South Africa's longest-established (over 23 years!) and most exciting groups. With their handmade instruments and traditional dress, Amampondo have been keeping Xhosa music and dance traditions alive and have helped turn indigenous South African music into a world phenomenon. Over the years, the band has been called upon to work with a great number of other drummers and percussionists, such as Brazilian legend Airto Moreira, Cuban master percussionist Changuito and Cameroonian drummer Brice Wassy. Their instrumental and vocal abilities, energy and enthusiasm also provide an infectious rhythmic underscore for Alan Skidmore and his quintet. For further information, photographs and interview availability contact mailto:gary@provocateurrecords.co.uk -------------- GERAAS & SHEER & ONE WORLD & SA ROCK DIGEST COMPETITION 'Geraas', the popular SABC2 music program, has been broadcasting on TV for the past five years. To celebrate this anniversary, Sheer Music has released the show's first compilation album called 'Geraas: Allesbehalwe! Vol. 1'. The compilation features the best of both the new and older artists who have been popular on the show, with a mixture of dance, rock and some ballads. The team at 'Geraas' has made five copies of this CD available as prizes to the first five customers who purchase any Shifty Records CD from One World, the online SA CD Store. The first five customers who buy one of the Shifty titles listed below, will automatically receive a free copy of the 'Geraas' CD (tracklisting below). The following are the Shifty titles currently available at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Jennifer Ferguson - 'Hand Around The Heart'; Bernoldus Niemand - 'Wie Is Bernoldus Niemand'; Various - 'New Africa Rock - SA 1995'; Kerels - 'Chrome On Chrome'; James Phillips - 'Made In SA'; Matthew vd Want - 'Turn On You'; Johannes Kerkorrel en die GBB - 'Eet Kreef'; Urban Creep - 'Tightroper'; James Phillips - 'Soul Ou'; VD Want/Letcher - 'Low Riding'; Trans Sky - 'Killing Time'; Robin Auld - 'Heavy Water'; Jennifer Ferguson - 'Untimely'; Various - 'Voelvry'; Various - 'Voelvry Die Toer'; Sankomota - 'Sankomota'; VD Want/Letcher - 'Bignity'. The tracklisting of the 'Geraas: Allesbehalwe! Vol. 1' compilation is: Kurt Darren - 'Meisie Meisie'; Patricia Lewis - 'Miskien Was Jou Woorde'; Valiant Swart - 'Donkerpad'; Koos Kombuis - 'Jy Was Nog Nooit In Langstraat'; Johannes Kerkorrel - 'Die Ander Kant'; Laurika Rauch - 'Die Mense Op Die Bus'; Stef Bos & Amanda Strydom - 'Taal van My Hart'; Kobus! - 'Sondagmiddag'; Helene Bester - 'Mansmens Van My'; Nadine - 'Kaapse Draai'; Reana - 'Ryg My Lippe Toe'; Petronel Baard - 'Ma'; Jurie Els - 'Skipskop'; Blackie Swart - 'Daar Teen Die Mure'; Pieter Van Der Westhuizen - 'Sout, Manne Sout' ---------- 2.CHARTS ---------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [1] (1) Madiba 1990 - Bright Blue (SAmp3.com/Bright Productions) 2. [3] (2) Fallen - Velve (Single/Indie) 3. [5] (3) Paralyzer - Ghetto Muffin ('Paralyzer'/Milestone) 4. [10] (4) Let's Get Naked - Evolver (Demo/Indie) 5. [4] (1) The Banded - The Narrow ('Selfconscious'/Intervention) 6. [2] (2) Incision - Pyramid Tongue ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 7. [11] (7) Race Past The Sun - Dolly Rockers ('Glory Glory'/Indie) 8. [15] (8) War - 12th Avenue (Demo/Indie) 9. [7] (5) Bleed - Loogaroo ('Loogaroo'/Indie) 10. [6] (5) Moan In Blues - Akkedis with Albert Frost ('Husse Met Lang Ore'/Wildebeest) 11. [14] (11) Ugly - Springcan ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 12. [9] (1) Get Some - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7' & 'Wicked Rock: Let Us Be Heard'/Indie) 13. [12] (3) Geraamtes - Ekstra Dik ('Uit Ons Koppe Uit'/Indie) 14. [8] (2) Drop 'n Roll - Track 4 (Demo/Indie) 15. [17] (15) Sold Out - Sons Of Trout (Demo/Indie) 16. [18] (16) Girl - Myburgh ('Burnt Bachelor'/Indie) 17. [20] (17) Firelight - Brian Finch ('Never Look Back'/Indie) 18. [24] (18) Hillary - Mitsoo (Indie) 19. [21] (19) Die Mamba (Album version) - Piet Botha ('Die Mamba/Rhythm Records) 20. [RE] (1) Donkey Rattle - Felix Laband ('4/4 Down The Stairs'/African Dope) 21. [23] (21) Geek - Jakkie Louw en Daai Band ('Klein Karoo Cowboy'/Afrimusik) 22. [-] (22) Make It Your System - Lazarus ('Parallax View'/Indie) 23. [19] (5) Mellow Drama Sampler - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/USM) 24. [27] (24) Jacob Klipkop - Piet Botha ('Die Mamba'/Rhythm Records) 25. [-] (25) House (mix) Of The Rising Sun - Hot RS ('I Get So Excited'/EMI) 26. [-] (26) Affliction - Scarlet Host ('Do It Yourself Volume 1' EP/Indie) 27. [29] (27) Lungile Tabalaza - Roger Lucey ('21 Years Down The Road'/3rdEarMusic) 28. [-] (28) Made In Africa - Cape Town Tango Ensemble ('El Tango En Africa'/Rhythm) 29. [-] (29) Fallacy - Not My Dog (Wolmer) 30. [-] (30) Save Your Love For Me - Grant Nuss ('Diversity'/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) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) 2. [3] (2) TNTLC - BOO! (BMG) 3. [7] (3) Healing Destination - Mac McKenzie and The Goema Captains Of Cape Town (Afribeat) 4. [6] (4) Paralyzer - Ghetto Muffin (Milestone) 5. [12] (5) Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 6. [2] (2) Ceremony - Cofield Mundi (Fresh) 7. [4] (4) Confessions In Dub - Jerome Arthur (Forest Moon) 8. [5] (1) Mellow Drama - Phringe (USM) 9. [8] (1) Wrapped In Stone - Watershed (EMI) 10. [9] (3) Uit Ons Koppe Uit - Ekstra Dik (Indie) 11. [17] (11) Amandla! - OST (BMGSA) 12. [10] (8) Nag Van Die Nerf - Adam Tas (Wildebeest) 13. [11] (2) Soil 7t7 - Soil 7t7 (Indie) 14. [16] (14) Roger Lucey - 21 Years Down The Road (3eM) 15. [26] (15) Homegrown Vol 2 - Various (EMI) 16. [23] (16) Mamani - Joy Denalane (SonyMusic) 17. [13] (3) Blues To The Bone - Kaal (Indie) 18. [18] (2) Selfconscious - The Narrow (Intervention Arts) 19. [-] (19) No Warning - Jo Day (Legend) 20. [20] (2) Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 21. [30] (21) Release - Zen Arcade (Indie) 22. [14] (3) Wicked Demos - Various (Wicked Rock) 23. [23] (28) The Present Is Passed (The Best Of) - No Friends of Harry (RetroFresh) 24. [15] (1) Song Vir Katryn - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 25. [-] (25) Kicking and Screaming - Toxic Shame (Legend) 26. [21] (3) Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign language - Buckfever Underground (Indie) 27. [22] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty (Indie) 28. [24](1) Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 29. [19] (3) Gypsy - Anna Davel (Rhythm) 30. [-] (30) Rocking Against The System Vol 2 - Various (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 ------ We now feature readers' MP3 reviews in this section. If you feel the urge to tell us, in less then 50 words, why you like any MP3 currently hosted at SAmp3.com, then please email us at: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews and all worthy contributions will be published. -------------- NEW MP3's: 'Donkey Rattle' - Felix Laband http://www.SAmp3.com/africandope.html We always liked this funky opening track to Felix's second album, '4/4 Down The Stairs'. Felix Laband is one of the notable names on the African Dope roster of weird and wonderful musicians. 'Donkey Rattle' picked up a lot of downloads when it was initially released at SAmp3.com. But it has just been given a new lease on life after being used as the soundtrack for those A.R.A. "Responsible Drinking" commercials on SA TV at the moment. With that edgy bass riff that gnaws itself into your brain. Buy a donkey! [African Dope] http://www.africandope.co.za Buy '4/4 Down The Stairs' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=adopecd005 'Leave The Bones' - Cofield Mundi http://www.SAmp3.com "'Ceremony' is one helluva debut album, one that most artists spend a lifetime trying to achieve... from the opening starkness of 'Leave the bones' it's clear to the listener that they are in for something special. Cofield's achingly heartfelt vocals sung over a wonderfully acoustic melange of guitar, violin and harmonies touch the soul." (extract from Fresh Music bio) [Fresh Music] http://www.freshmusic.co.za Buy 'Ceremony' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=freshcd134 'Jeffrey's Bay' - Silver Creek Mountain Band http://www.SAmp3.com A couple of week's ago we mentioned that there were 3 songs paying (playing?) tribute to the surfers' paradise of Jeffrey's Bay; now we have a forth one! This gentle acoustic song performed live by the Silver Creek Mountain Band in 1990 is taken off the '10 Years of Splashy Fen' live compilation CD by kind permission of Dave Marks. [3rd Ear Music] http://www.3rdearmusic.com 'Splashy Fen' CD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=sf001/002 'Freedom / Motherless Child' - Brian Finch http://www.SAmp3.com This song is probably best known for its awesome performance by Richie Havens in the Woodstock movie. Anyone who has seen Brian Finch in concert over the last few years will know that Brian has taken the spirit of Havens' version and stamped his own signature all over it. The name-checking tour of Africa is worth the price of admission alone. [Brian Finch] http://www.rock.co.za/brianfinch Buy 'Hero Of Heroes' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=LM0039 'Makweru' - Tananas http://www.SAmp3.com We have had many requests for the unique African sound of Tananas and here they are with 'Makweru'. This song was performed live at Splashy Fen in 1992 and features the outstanding talents of Steve Newman on acoustic Spanish guitar, Mozambican Gito Baloi on 6-string bass and vocals and Ian Herman on drums. Taken off the '10 Years of Splashy Fen' live compilation CD by kind permission of Dave Marks. [3rd Ear Music] http://www.3rdearmusic.com Buy 'Splashy Fen' CD at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=sf001/002 'Suikerbossie Blues' - Jakkie Louw en Daai Band http://www.SAmp3.com A traditional Afrikaans folk-song done in a blues style by the talented Jakkie Louw. Taken off his lastest CD 'Klein Karoo Cowboy' available at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=afrimusik27 [Afrimusik] http://www.SAmp3.com/afrimusik.html 'Cape Of Storms' - Roger Lucey http://www.SAmp3.com Roger Lucey is a man with a conscience and a sensitive soul. His voice was silenced for many years, but now it can be heard. Be warned: 'Cape Of Storms' is not a song about the weather, but rather a biting commentary on the darker side of life in the Cape Flats, written round the time of Mandela's release in 1990. Available on the Roger Lucey 2CD retrospective '21 Years Down The Road'. [3rd Ear Music] http://www.3rdearmusic.com Buy '21 Years Down The Road' at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=0034-7 -------------- READERS' CHOICE: THE SL SELECTION MP3 SELECTION I am an avid reader of both SL Magazine (especially since they added a cover disc to each issue), and the SA Rock Digest, and I noticed that a number of songs appear on both SAmp3.com and the 'Selection' series. There is such a wide variety of great SA music of different styles out there, and it's so easy to find thanks to SL and you guys. I've compiled a list of 10 of my favourite tracks off the 'Selection' CDs, that are also available at SAmp3.com. So here goes: 1. 'Paralyzer' - Ghetto Muffin, off Selection #14 2. 'Michelle' - 340ml, off Selection #3 3. 'Rhymedrop' (Grenville's Bombshelter Hi-fi Remix) - Moodphase5ive, off Selection #3 4. 'Pink Pork Noise' - Benguela, off Selection #5 5. 'Social Ills' - Godessa, off Selection #2 6. 'Inside Your Sun' - Sharkbrother, off Selection #7 7. 'The Banded' - The Narrow, off Selection #13 8. 'Since I Met You' - New World Inside, off Selection #9 9. 'Get Some' - Soil 7t7, off Selection #11 10. 'Kwaito' - KGB, off Selection #8 Andrew an SL/SARD reader and SAmp3 downloader supreme Download all these mp3's at http://www.SAmp3.com -------------- Email your MP3 reviews (or lists) to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud ----- CDs ----- RECENT RELEASES: ---------------- JO DAY - 'NO WARNING' (LEGEND) Third in a series from the very hard-rocking Ms Day, and the follow-up to her debut, 'One Woman', and the acclaimed second album, 'Icon'. Once again working in tandem with Jon Buckley (Toxic Shame), Jo Day has written, recorded and released an album that pulls no punches and holds back for zip. In his review of 'No Warning', Marq Vas said: "I've just been put in my place, in no uncertain terms, by an absolute 'package deal of pleasure'. I'm talking about the latest release, 'No Warning', by South African Jo Day and her band, a 12-track "Rock" lumber punch (sic)! Ever so often you hear a band for the first time and it just "sits right", this release epitomises the "Rock" formula - mixing 6 shots of fat guitar, a dose of well written songs, a ballsy production and 12 shots of attitude - well, here we have it all, plus one pissed off chick!" Read Marq Vas's full review at: http://www.marqvas.com/showreview.php?reviewid=100 BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=LEGMCD1 -------------- DELTA BLUE - 'INBLUESSTATION' (BOWLINE) If you have been watching 'Going Nowhere Slowly', the travel series on SABC3 on Sundays at 18H00, then you will have heard a lot of cool SA tunes that are used as part of the soundtrack. You may have heard 'Milk Cow Blues' by Delta Blue and found out who the song was by, as the title and artist are conveniently displayed on the screen when the song is played. The 14 tracks on 'Inbluesstation' feature Delta Blue's sheer blues originals like 'Milk Cow Blues', 'Poor Man Blues', and 'Hesitate', alongside old favourites like Lightning Hopkins' 'Mojo Hand' and Willie Dixon's 'My Baby'. Delta Blue are Gerald Clark (rg, v), Riaan Niewenhuis (k), Henry Steele (lg), Schalk van der Merwe (b), Alida Stadler (d) (may be substituted by Tim Rankin). {Ed. - See a full review of 'Inbluesstation' by John Samson in his 'A Naartjie In The UK' section below.} READ http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/delta_blue.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=delta --------- RECORDING NEWS: AMANDA STRYDOM Amanda Strydom will be in the studio from 21-24 July to record her latest album, 'Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder'. The new album, which will include her version of Rodriguez' 'Rich Folks Hoax', will be launched at the 'Aardklopfestival' in Potchefstroom with five concerts from 23 -27 September. Listen to 'Brille en Pille Blues' by Amanda Strydom at http://www.SAmp3.com/songs.html ------------- INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS TAIT The new Tait single, 'In My Arms' (You haven't heard it yet? It's the one that goes "I'm sorry for the way I left you standing there, I know I made you look just like a fool, I know it's hard to break up, I know it's hard to wake up, all I want is you back in my yaaarms") is a genuine lighter-waving rock anthem phenomenon that is now play-listed on every station in the country, and is already one of the biggest hits of the year. Tait released the EP, 'Relate', a while back, and 'In My Arms' will be on the upcoming full Tait album called 'Back Seat Driver' due out round about now! Tait is fronted, recorded & produced by Chris Tait who recently signed to a joint venture between Cape Town's Street Level Records and Benjy Mudie's Fresh Music. Chris Tait spoke about Tait's future... Q: Hi Chris, give us some background info? Chris Tait: Seven years ago I started a band called Social Piranha, which achieved local success with our first single receiving good airplay. Due to some line-up changes we later became Shooflys and went on to play for the next four years, receiving great reviews and releasing a single called '2 Days 'til Forever' on the Street Level Records label. By 2001 the band decided that they had lives to lead, and quite rightfully so, the end..... Q: Why is it that bands in South Africa seem to break up so quickly? CT: I can't speak for all South African bands but while still young and enthusiastic, we used to thrash our way around Cape Town, playing every single club or pub that would have us. We were in the middle of an SA music boom so things were great for a while with an infrastructure full of promise. The airplay was good, record companies were scouting, people were actually coming out to support SA music. A dreamworld that didn't last long. I think we're still waiting for that special spark in an artist. That critical combination of unique talent, memorable songs and marketability. It wasn't until recently that I realised how heavily committed and patient I need to be to ensure success. I'm looking forward to exciting times with Street Level & Fresh Music. Q: Is that the reason for the solo move? CT: My songs at that stage were based on the late hard rock/grunge-era bands like Soundgarden, STP, Temple of the Dog etc.. yet due to other influences in the band, we ended up more pop than anything else. That was fine, but I never had the chance to explore my somewhat harder and heavier roots...but more than that, working as a solo artist is far more rewarding for me, not having the normal boring arguments with band members, is refreshing....sort of like a mini dictatorship. Q: What gets you out of bed to write a song? CT: As a songwriter, most of what I write is inspired by everyday life (as is for probably most writers) Relate was written shortly after the Shooflys split, so I was writing about feelings and emotions I was experiencing around that time. Q: Which were? CT: I found myself wondering what I'd been doing for the past 5 years. Had I just wasted all that time? Or had I been on a neccessary journey? Q: What do you admire in other artists? CT: Lyrically, I admire bands like the Counting Crows, Pearl Jam , because of their ability to be completely open and honest when they write. It takes true talent to write from the soul. Q: What are your immediate ambitions? CT: As a solo singer/songwriter/producer/sound engineer I have only been around for the past 8 months since joining an experienced and talented team at Street Level Studios which I now call home. I'm revelling in the access I have to a top class studio, which just seems to give immediacy to my creative abilities. It's this environment that I think has spawned some of my best material. I aim to get as involved as I can with SA music, not only from the artist side, but also as a producer and engineer. Q: If you were asked to describe your influences as family members who would be your musical mothers? CT: Carole King, Janis Joplin Q: Dads? CT: Robert Plant, Jimi Hendrix Q: Brothers & Sisters? CT: Chris Cornell, Bono, Nelly Furtado Q: Grandparents? CT: B.B King, Chuck Berry Q: Cousins? CT: Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, The Counting Crows Q: What is your idea of a home-cooked South African musical stew? CT: Saron Gas, Dorp, Bright Blue, Kelvin Declined Q: What's so special about Tait in an industry overflowing with new artists? CT: I think Tait weaves its way nicely between hard rock and accessible melody, creating for me what I've always wanted - a fusion between what I love to listen to and what I don't tell people I love to listen to. For me, melody is probably the most important thing when writing, I mean sure, a good lyric is cool, but how many times do you find yourself humming or singing a tune regardless of what the lyrics are? So when I begin to write, the music comes before the words. A quiet room and an acoustic guitar are all it takes. My main aim is to make sure people dance and mosh at the same time.... "hey why not?" Maybe one day we'll find people abandoning those musical barriers. I am however glad to notice a resurgence in rock music across the world. Now all we need is for SA bands to start breaking through those invisible barriers between us and the rest of the world, and joining them on the international stage. On reflection, in these times of manufactured Idols and Popstars, I hope that regardless of who you are, what you are, where you come from and how you dress, that the song still remains king. (Staff Reporter) Catch Tait live at the Independent Armchair Theatre on Saturday 26 July. See http://www.sagigs.com for details READ http://www.freshmusic.co.za LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/streetlevel.html ------------------- SPOTLIGHT ON LAZARUS AND STATE FAR BETTER Two emerging SA bands that we/you need to keep watching! LAZARUS Towards the end of 2002, the respected SA music journalist, Nadia Neophytou, spotlighted some of the new SA bands that she felt were going to shine during 2003. In her Digest article, Nadia focused on three Cape Town bands - Lazarus, Ivanhoe, and Cruel April. Since then we haven't heard much from Ivanhoe, though Cruel April are still building a strong reputation around (C)town. But it is the four-piece Lazarus who have definitely made the biggest strides. In that article Nadia wrote: "The band, Lazarus, has been playing a couple of Wednesday night shows at the Purple Turtle ...with the surge of punk bands in these here parts (especially at the Turtle), Lazarus are a welcome boost of strong rock, and the band has some well-crafted songs. Like many new bands starting out, Lazarus has a few things to work on, stage performance being one of them, but unlike many that show promise and then fizzle out early into the run, this four-piece shows potential with staying power. Hopefully I'll be proved right". She was. Nadia was among a group of Cape Town music media and fans who attended the launch of Lazarus' debut EP, 'Parallax View', at the Mercury Lounge recently. The four-song EP was recorded by Dane Jonathan at London Connection in April. Lazarus impressed all with a surging and confident performance of the songs off the EP, and look set to become a headline act in the months to come. Lazarus formed in late-2001, as a project for a studio recording, and decided to continue as a working band. Since then Lazarus has appeared at all the major Cape Town venues alongside bands like Toyland, Scarlet Host and Death By Chocolate. The members of the band are Niels Bouman (vocals and rhythm guitar), Hagen Rode (guitars and backing vocals), Jan Hillebrand (drums), and Sammy (bass). The songs on the 'Parallax View' EP include a short intro, followed by the first single, 'Make It Your System' (available at http://www.SAmp3.com), alongside 'To Confide In', 'For The Fun Generation', and 'Empty Hands'. LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html ------------------- STATE FAR BETTER What do you get when you put four young, aspiring chartered accountants and a computer programmer together? A thriving Internet financial consulting firm? Try again... State Far Better have been together for only more than a year and already two of their singles have been playlisted on all major radio stations, they've had a very successful December tour joined by 40 fans touring with them on a branded tour bus, and have been described by News24.com as "one of the most promising displays of local music enthusiasm since early SNG days". State Far Better are vocalist Sebastiaan Bock, guitarists Deon Conradie and Gideon Kretschmer, bassist Nicky Bernard, and drummer Jacques Joubert. The band is a dedicated group of musicians who decided that instead of dwelling on outside perceptions of how difficult the music industry has become, they focus on their goals, meticulously crafting each moment of each song to their own exacting standards. This is an ongoing process and their ideas and style are very different now from what they started out with back then at Varsity. The band recorded an impressive 3-song single in November 2002. Two of their songs - 'Million Miles' and 'Every Time' - have been playlisted by all the major SA radio stations. Both have done very well on the charts and have been receiving frequent daytime airplay. LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html ----------------- 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://rock.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------- Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker usually gives his unique views on SA music. But Kurt decided to take advantage of the US summer and head off with his family on a well-deserved road trip around the great Northwest US. So there's no review from him this week. But we thought we'd give you an idea of the music chosen by the coolest teacher in Texas for his trip: Kurt writes: We're currently in Idaho, after having been to Las Vegas, LA, San Francisco, and many points in between. I've been listening to my 'Best of SA Rock' series nearly every day, and Valiant Swart's, 'Song vir Katryn' about every other day (with translations sometimes in hand, sometimes not). Also CDs by other artists, like Piet Botha's 'Die Mamba' and 'Best of Jack Hammer Volumes I & II', Best of Valiant Swart, Wonderboom, Electric Petals, Best of Big Sky, Springbok Nude Girls, Battery 9, Moody Blues, Bruce, Cars, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, three CDs of country classics, and other classic rock CDs, British and American, from Led Zep, T-Rex, Gordon Lightfoot, and Ten Years After amongst many others. See you soon! Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com {Ed. - what, no 4 Jacks & a Jill, Kurt?} _________________________________ 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK ------------------------ London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music 'INBLUESSTATION' - DELTA BLUE The last time I saw Gerald Clark was a few years ago when Delta Blue played a few gigs in London along with Piet Botha, Akkedis, Valiant Swart and Billygoat. Back then he had a huge head of bushy red hair. Looking at the pictures in the sleeve notes of 'Inbluesstation', it appears that he has changed his name to Shawn as he is sporting an army regulation cut. However, unlike my ancestor, he seems to have lost no strength in the process, in fact he has gone from strength to strength. Unlike the 'Live' album and more like 'Turn', this new offering from Delta Blue features mostly original material with a few covers of the old bluesmen thrown in for good measure. Compositions by the likes of Willy Dixon, Lightning Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt rub shoulders with Delta numbers, and the most impressive thing is the seamlessness with which these songs gel together. A real testimony to the writing ability of these boys. Another thing that immediately struck me when I first heard this album was the production. While 'Turn' was a great album, I found it a little rough round the edges. These rough edges have been filed and sanded down to a polished sheen here which shows the progression of the band. Of course one cannot talk about Delta Blue without mentioning Gerald Clark's voice. It's as though the god of Blues has sent one of his sidemen down to wrap his vocal chords in velvet, cover them in honey and once the honey had crystallised, filed it to a sufficient roughness to create a perfect balance between grizzly and smooth. This gift from the gods rubs gently up against the quite wondrous instrumentation creating sufficient static electricity to light up every blues bar in the Deep South. South Africa has been richly blessed with stunningly beautiful scenery, possibly one of the best statesmen the world has ever seen in the recently-turned-85 Madiba and a rugby team that finally managed to beat Australia*. With all these blessings floating around let's not overlook our great musicians and in particular the world class blues act we have in Delta Blue. Dear God, thanks for all these wonderful blessings but please can you do something about our cricket team*. Amen. READ http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/delta_blue.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=delta John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com * John sent this review before the Boks vs All Blacks Tri-Nations match was played in Pretoria. Hope it's not too late to include our rugby team in that prayer? - ed. _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA -------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://rock.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (20 July 1973) 1 [1] Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley 2 [5] Never, Never, Never - Shirley Bassey 3 [4] Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Dawn & Tony Orlando 4 [11] That's Why I Love You - Richard Jon Smith 5 [3] Get Down - Gilbert O' Sullivan 25 YEARS AGO (21 July 1978) 1 [1] Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M 2 [2] Heidi - Peter Lotis 3 [4] Follow Me - Amanda Lear 4 [8] So You Win Again - Copperfield 5 [3] If You Can't Give Me Love - Suzi Quatro 20 YEARS AGO (22 July 1983) 1 [2] Drop The Pilot - Joan Armatrading 2 [1] Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler 3 [4] I Eat Cannibals - Toto Ceolo 4 [3] Der Kommissar - After The Fire 5 [5] Let's Dance - David Bowie 15 YEARS AGO (21 July 1988) 1 [1] I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue 2 [2] Love Changes Everything - Climie Fisher 3 [3] Get Outta My Dreams - Billy Ocean 4 [6] Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil 5 [7] Dreaming - OMD ------------- CHART CHAT ------------- It was 3 straight weeks at number 1 for Lauren Copley in 1973, and Shirley Bassey made a surprise recovery - after dropping from number 2 to 5 she jumped back to number 2. Mr Knockout aka Richard Jon Smith made his second top 20 appearance with 'That's Why I Love You'. His previous hit, 'Candlelight', had stalled at number 11 earlier that year, but he was now enjoying his first top 5 hit. Copperfield made a second jump into the top 5 after dropping out the previous week in 1978. It looked like they may win this time. 'Rivers Of Babylon' was meanwhile into its 5th week at number 1 and was busy edging Clout's 'Substitute' into second place as top selling single of the year. All girl group, Toto Ceolo, moved up to number 3, which completed a female -dominated top 3 in 1983. Joan Armtrading ended Bonnie Tyler's 7-week run at number 1. With Jennifer Warnes being involved in the number 1 prior to Bonnie Tyler's run, one had to look back to 15 April of that year to see an all-male number 1 in the shape of Talk Talk's 'Talk Talk'. 1988 saw Midnight Oil bouncing back into the top 5. OMD's career had been given a boost with their 1986 hit, 'If You Leave', which had featured in the movie 'Pretty in Pink' and had made number 4 in the US. Their follow-up, 'Forever Live and Die', also charted in the US, as did 'Dreaming', which peaked at 16. This would be their last Hot 100 hit. South Africans at number 1 this week: Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley (1973) South African New Entries this week: 21-Jul-67 Silence Is Golden - Square Set 22-Jul-66 16 Candles - Jody Wayne 22-Jul-77 Seabird - Pendulum 23-Jul-71 He's Gonna Step On You Again - John Kongos (covered by the Happy Mondays as 'Step On') 23-Jul-76 Sonder Jou - Ian & Dix 24-Jul-70 I'll Walk With You - Sean Rennie 25-Jul-75 Net Soos Ek Die Telefoon Neersit - Caroline Du Preez 25-Jul-75 Ek Verlang Na Jou - Sonja Herholdt 26-Jul-74 Heartbeat - Jody Wayne 26-Jul-80 Alaska - Marlie Kelly 27-Jul-73 He (Can Build A Mountain) - Peter Vee John Samson --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town The Flames - 'Ball Of Flame' (LP) Fat City - 'Bad Habit' (LP) Lucky Mbatha - 'Funky Situation' (LP) Harari - 'Bad Boys' (LP) Malopoets - 'Malopoets' (LP) Margaret Singana - 'Stand By Your Man' (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: City Limits - 'City Limits' (LP) Lucky Dube - 'Together As One' (LP) Peter-Dirk Uys - 'Skating On Thin Uys' (LP) Ipi 'N Tombia feat. Margaret Singana - 'The Warrior' (LP) Original Cast - 'Ipi Tombi' (DLP) We pay top prices for top quality. Want Lists Welcome! Call us at: 021-683 5676 mailto:claus@vibesvinyl.com Visit our website at http://www.vibesvinyl.com ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- 23 - Amanda Strydom (1956) If you have info on any South African artists' dates of birth, please sendthem to mailto:brian@rock.co.za?subject=birthdays ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS --------------------- A Readers' Forum featuring a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks! -------------- INFO ON "EXTREME" SA BANDS WANTED! Shaughn at Witchdoctor Records is writing a book called 'A History Of Extreme Music In South Africa' and hopes to publish it next year. If you possess any information on any of the bands below (discography, bio, pics, tours, crazy antics, members, groupies, etc.) or want to add one to the list, please yell to Shaughn at mailto:info@witchdoctorrecords.com Hand in hand with that, does anyone know who organised the Napalm Death tour in 1993 (hell, I was there and can't remember) and who were the local support bands? Abhorrence, Afflicted Truth, Agro, Arcana XXII, Atomic Scarecrow, Azraella's Sorrow, Crossing Point, Crush, Crystal Dawn, Dark Millenium, Debauchery...... (you get the picture, full list at www.witchdoctorrecords.com Thanks Wicked Mike mailto:Wickedmikenet@hotmail.com -------------- SA VINYL COLLECTORS SITE I have updated my website today. Please go and have a look at: http://www.vynil2cd.012webpages.com/ If anyone has any queries about any SA music please go to my website and download the zip files and then open it in WINZIP and then EXCEL. I had to do this because there is a lot of info. It is too big to just put as normal text files on the website. I can help with John Ireland request and I see that you say that someone is looking for Dan Hill ('Music to watch girls by'). I have spare copies of these if anyone is interested..... I have asked about Peanut Butter Conspiracy...... I see that they only had one album. Is there anyone who can help me maybe with a spare album. I will buy it from you. Thanks Kobus mailto:jgb1900@yahoo.co.uk -------------- WHODUNNIT?? Looking for an album by an African pianist that a friend played for me on CD. Do not know the name of the artist or album, but the cover had a brown-skinned man playing a black piano with some kind of red background, and a rose or roses???? Friend died unexpectedly. Can you please help me find this? Thanks Debbie mailto:dnewton@att.com -------------- WHERE IS RONNIE DOMP? I would very much like to contact Ronnie Domp, as I knew him in the early '70's in Pretoria. I still have a tape recording (plugged into his amp) of Ronnie at the Keg & Tankard in Jan 1976. I have recently cleaned up the audio and put it on CD, as it is very special to me and I would be very upset if the tape broke. I thought he might appreciate it to receive a copy. Can you help? Best regards Paul Rae mailto:paulrae@ananzi.co.za {Ed. - If anyone knows of Ronnie's whereabouts, please pass them on to Paul. Ronnie Domp is the unforgettable SA version of the "Lone Groover", a very funny and talented Folkie from way back with his trademark flat brimmed black hat. Famous for many great lines including the classic in concert ad lib "this next song is by Bob Dylan whose lyrics are pretty crap but his music's great to dance to!".} -------------- CONTACT DETAILS FOR SA BANDS Hey there, I would really appreciate anyone's help with this. I am looking for contact details (email/website address) for the following bands: 8 Year Itch, ATFN, Anti Social, About Blank, Believable Addiction, Blemish, Bleach, Carpetcrawlers, Cynosure, Curbdogs, Citizen Kane, Dammit, Duck And Cover, Death By Chocolate, Dear Malice, Deep Water, Flatworld Society, Flowerheads, Four Days Notice, Fatigue, Fride Inc, Gripp, Gauge, Humphrey The Teacup, Highly Unlikely, Idle Moment, Idle Minds, In A Day, Kombat Fudge, Minority, Mamba Washamba, My Latest Ex, Mono Men, Not Guilty, Ogre's Armpit, Pyramid Tongue, Placid Rage, Plush, Roswell Kings, The Rudimentals, So What, Soul Proxy, Switchback, Silent Gesture, Shadowlord, Stellar Nursery, Three Weeks Anaemic, Track 4, This Way Out, Treasure Worm, Turning Point, What Now?!, Wickhead Any help would be greatly appreciated... Please email any info you have to: mailto:notes@websurfer.co.za Thanks Warren (Ed. - You can find info on many of these bands by using our internal search engine at the SA Rock encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za and a number of those bands are Digest subscribers, so you might just get some direct responses too!} -------------- TELL HIM YOU NEED SOME STRONG MEDICATION! Hey Sounds I keep doing like those Falling Mirror ous tell me to do, but whenever the Chemist answers I never know what to say. Can yous add vice me? Cheers Johnny from Boksburg -------------- CINEMA INFO We would appreciate any info you could give us, in obtaining CD's on the '80's group Cinema. Where we can purchase them? Kevin mailto:kg.brown@absamail.co.za -------------- SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support this SA musician's initiative, looking to greatly increase the amounts of SA music played on the nation's radio stations. Join the movement, sign up, or read more at http://www.samqc.org.za -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com -------------- GET YOURSELF A NEW REDIRECTABLE EMAIL ADDRESS Are you tired of complicated hotmail or yahoo email addresses, or is your corporate address very uncool? Or is your favourite nickname already taken? For only R150 per year we will supply you an email address such as "yourchoiceofname@rock.co.za" which will redirect to your current address. Choose from the list below: sarockdigest.com rock.co.za samp3.com saklank.com sagigs.com sugarman.org vagabond.za.net Email: mailto:CanIgetAnewEmailAddressPlease@rock.co.za for details. -------------- This section is sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers music searches, and the sourcing and recommending of songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@rock.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------------------- UPCOMING EVENTS ------------------- Watch out for: AFRICAN DOPE 'OVERDOPE 2003' SA TOUR - a month of weekly simultaneous events in 6 cities, till 17 August, featuring: Krushed & Sorted, The Real Estate Agents, The Kalahari Surfer, Honey B, A Blunted Stuntman, Markus Wormstorm, DJ Trouble, and Low. GUY BUTTERY - A 19 year old multi-instrumentalist, Guy Buttery is currently in Cape Town for a 3 week tour promoting his highly acclaimed debut album, 'When I Grow Up...' THE CAPE TIMES 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' - Bands that made Cape Town rock, and the fans scream, in the sixties and early seventies will battle for recognition again, in a series of five shows at Dockside with the first of four preliminary rounds on July 27 and the finals on August 31. NOT THE MIDNIGHT MASS - Q-LYN - Graham Weir, Mzwakhe Kheswa, Donal Slemon and Herman Hardick are Not The Midnight Mass- Q-Lyn, the all-male version of Not The Midnight Mass, performing at On Broadway during August, September and October. ASHTON NYTE - 'SUBTLE DEVIANT' - a spoken word/live performance, will feature songs from Nyte's previous solo albums as well as exclusively previewing work from his forthcoming album, 'Sinister Swing'. At the 'Masker' theatre in PTA from Thursday 24th July until Saturday the 26th. PIET BOTHA - Currently touring as a part of the launch of his new album, 'Die Mamba' on Rhythm Records. SIX OF NINE - Cape Town band, previously known as Dayspring, heading off in August on the Solarpop X-Tour around the Cape. Details below. SUPERFINE - The buzz about this Hout Bay band is growing as quickly as their following. See what all the fuss is about at The Independent Armchair Theatre on Friday 25 July. TAIT - Chris Tait brings his band, and their sensitive brand of power rock songs like 'In My Arms', and '(I Think I Can) Relate', to the Independent Armchair Theatre in Cape Town on Saturday 26 July. Debut album, 'Back Seat Driver', due now! 3RD EAR SUNDAYS AT BLUE BOTTLES - 3rd Ear Music is starting up at Blue Bottles again at the harbour mouth. There's a new menu of Sunday evening words & music from Bright Blues to Light Rock, Country Maskandi to City Folk 'n Jazz - food for thought; get SAfrican words & music heard again in Durban - laid back and casual as usual. 6pm for 7pm, each & every Sunday. TWEAK - SA's hottest punk upstarts, are currently touring Australia to promote the Australian release of their second album, 'Dirty Sanchez and The Misfit Kidz'. Tweak will then continue their international jaunt in the UK. URBAN VOICES 2003 - In anticipation of the Urban Voices 2003 event that evening, there will be a Cape Town Workshop at the Baxter Studio Theatre on Wednesday 23 July from 1pm-3pm. The Workshop participants include Ursula Rucker, Black Ice, Staceyanne Chin and Lesego Rampolokeng. The workshop aims to create dialogue around issues affecting contemporary poets, spoken word artists and performers locally and globally. Details of all these events below.... Details of all these events at http://www.sagigs.com -------------- THE STEAK 'N ALE If you're looking for another 'hot night in a cold town' then the Steak & Ale Pub & Restaurant in Botha Avenue, Lyttelton in Centurion (near Pretoria) is definitely the place to be on any Friday night! On virtually every Friday night you are bound to find one of SA's favourite local bands playing at the Steak & Ale. This venue, I can assure you, has become very popular and very sought after to play at, by most local bands these days. The lovely Charlene McKenzie is your hostess on Friday evenings and she will make sure that you're comfortable and 'well pampered'. Charlene, who has a special passion for local music, has opened her doors to local talent and has made her special contribution to supporting and encouraging our local musicians. I'm sure that there is not a muso who has played at the Steak & Ale, who hasn't got a 'special place' in their heart for Charlene McKenzie. Thank you Charlene! The Steak & Ale is a cozy venue with a warm lovely atmosphere and rustic decor which immediately indicates ' ...good mood in progress.....'. The acoustics are great and with the stage close to the audience one is easily absorbed right into the music and in 'touch' with the band. On top of all this, the food is great and you cannot help but enjoy a great evening out. If you want a good seat in the house then please be sure to book a table a day or two in advance. The pub area is also great, so if you miss a table you can always 'shack up' at the bar for the evening (...my favourite spot of course..) and get your rocks off. A must for all music lovers! So, if you're in the Pretoria/Centurion area next on a Friday night and you're looking for a great place to hear your favourite SA band, then be sure not to miss the Steak & Ale (012-6645155). -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville 'NEWSONG FESTIVAL 2003' - A BEFORE PARTY Four of Cape Town's hottest bands will play host to the "Newsong Festival Before Party". Superfine, Serving Suggestion, 5 Star Society and an awesome newcomer, Rustiband, are the acts chosen this year to represent the festival which takes place in September (see www.newsong.co.za). The events take place on the 1st August at Friends First (off Rondebosch Common) and 2nd August at the Stellenburg NG Church (in Mountain View off Old Oak). Doors open at 7:00 pm and tickets cost R20 (available at the door). This is a Band Foundry, :jmac Events and Newsong Festival production. For more information you can contact Jonathan of Band Foundry on 082 414 3129 or email info@bandfoundry.com. See http://www.SAgigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs -------------- LIVE REVIEWS -------------- TRIBE AFTER TRIBE IN GERMANY (Andre Wilms is the dedicated webmaster for all things related to Robbi Robb, Asylum Kids, and Tribe After Tribe (and Three Fish) at http://www.robbirobb.com So when Robbi Robb and his band headed over to Germany, Andre was there, as he explains below) In May/June 2003 Tribe After Tribe toured Germany and Austria. They played little clubs (with about 60 - 100 people watching) and ended their tour at the "RockHard" (a German metal magazine) festival in front of a couple of thousand spectators. Being Robbi Robb's webmaster, I followed the band to five gigs, took pictures and played the djembe drum when the stage was big enough! I had one of the best times in my life. Tribe After Tribe live anno 2003 is almost like Tribe After Tribe live six years ago. Robbi and his friends - Joey Vera on bass, Eric Ryan on guitar, Richard Stuverud on drums and Yann Le Roux on percussion - played almost the same tracks they played back then, like 'Build A Subway', 'Out Of Control', 'Bury Me', 'Boy', 'Lazarus', 'Hopeless The Clown', etc. When possible, they extended the tracks to about 10 minutes and more. They jammed as if there's no tomorrow. The people who witnessed these performances had such a great time, and just wouldn't stop dancing, singing, and playing the djembe. The band had a great time as well. Richard on drums played outstandingly. Unreal. Joey on bass had such a good time that he sent me an email with this line: "It's not everyday I get to play with such musicians and I will forever be grateful." Robbi had a helluva lot of fun, too. Tim Parr (his old mate from SA) was around, supported Robbi on guitar at the end of the sets and I often got the impression that there's some invisible bond between these two guys. For me, it was more than a wonderful experience to finally see "my" band again. This was what I hoped for since I started the web site in 1998. It's good to know that Robbi has so many wonderful friends who support him like they did over here in Germany/Austria. I surely can't wait too see them again! (Andre Wilms) Read Robbi Robb's own thoughts on the tour at http://www.robbirobb.com And at http://www.SAgigs.com ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs in a plain text e-mail by Friday 12noon. ___________________________________________ 9.INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubscriberAddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe ------------ BACK ISSUES ------------- http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ----------------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS ----------------------------------- Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest -------- EDITORS -------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest --------------- CONTRIBUTORS --------------- John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Carina Laubscher Don Bryce Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Wicked Mike Gabi Muller Proofed by Ronx A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION http://www.sugarmusic.co.za <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>