SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #231 http://www.sarockdigest.com Established 27th January 1999 5 January 2004 -------------- MAIL DELIVERY -------------- We are very sorry if this is the 2nd time you are receiving this week's issue of the Digest. We believe a number of servers have blocked the Digest, because they believe it is spam, so we have modified a few "undesirable" terms and are resending it. The Editors ------------- IMPORTANT! ------------- If you would like to send off an email to the Digest about anything, you are always very welcome to do so ... but please resist the urge to simply "reply-to" this newsletter as publisher@rock.co.za is a "sending" address only and not a "receiving" one! So, if you would like to contact us, please rather send an email to: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest ---------------------- IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE ---------------------- Aaaah ... have a good stretch as the year slowly begins. The SA music year 2004 has begun and we can be sure that at the end of it there will be plenty to discuss, list, rate and listen to again. As the current buzz phrase goes: "The music industry is doing great, lots of new music being produced ... the record industry however is in bad shape as they don't know how to sell this music anymore". Whatever, the truth is that in SA, as in most countries, there are plenty of emerging artists and recording sessions and CD releases and live performances and they are all helping to develop and promote new names on the SA music landscape. So yeah, the sales of CDs are down, and humming tunes and having sing-a-longs is killing the record industry, and, no, the CD prices are just right, even if no one can afford them. So, in 2004, let's resolve to go to a gig, download an mp3, buy a CD if it is under R100, buy two if they are both under R50, and let's ask the major radio stations in SA to seriously think about becoming relevant again. Barney Simon and Anton Goosen are inducted into the SA Rock Hall Of Fame ... Seether's SA tour is up and running and the Digest was at The Mercury Live in Cape Town to see the ex-Saron Gas lads' triumphant homecoming performance, with a current female star on backing vocals! ... John Samson elaborates about Barney's career and influence in his regular column ... Kurt takes a listen to an old Four Jacks And A Jill LP. Nadia Neophytou spotlights the SA musical names to watch in 2004 ... Cape Town band, Soulja, had a nasty scare recently when two of their members were injured in a car crash just as their debut album, '21 Gunslut', was launched. Read the full story below ... Pop Idol finalist, Melanie Lowe, has a new manager and is preparing to record her debut album in Jan 2004 ... Bed On Bricks song of the year, 'Humanarium', is now on 5FM (Yay!) and the band have a new sponsor as well ... Vusi Mahlasela and Judith Sephuma will headline the Giant Steps festival in March ... Sumaré's CD, 'So Adios', was released in late-2003, read about it below. We look forward to two approaching SA music festivals at Splashy Fen and Up The Creek ... We take a look back at the previous year's Digest Top 10 SA Albums and Song end-of-year lists ... There is also a look back at The Aeroplanes and their excellent 'Greatest Hits' compilation ... James Stewart gigs at Kirstenbosch reviewed by... James Stewart! There's also the usual weekly mp3 and album charts, recommended SA gigs, letters to Sound Solutions, old SA charts, and Vinyl and CD store specials ... And that was SA music in 2003, we wish you only good things for 2004! ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------- If you miss any issues of the Digest, then you can still read each week's Edition, in full colour, online at http://rock.co.za (updated Tuesdays). You can also find all the Previous Editions of the Digest archived at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives The deadline for Digest submissions and SA gig info is Friday 12 noon. If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter! Rather send an email to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest Thanks! Ed. ------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ------------------------------------- For a full-colour and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://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 (104-107FM) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ----------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ----------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Daddy' to 'ZX Dan' ... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ---------- ONE WORLD - ONLINE SA CD STORE ---------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ------ GEMM ------ GEMM is your best source for those otherwise impossible-to-find music titles on Record or CD! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: SA Rock Hall Of Fame, Seether, Giant Steps, Bed On Bricks, Splashy Fen 2004, Up The Creek 2004 Previous Charts, Acts to watch in 2004 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Soulja, The Aeroplanes 4. USA FOR AFRICA: 4 Jacks And A Jill 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Growing Up With Barney 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: Letters and requests, a Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, SA Punk, James Stewart at Kirstenbosch 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions ___________________________________________ 1.NEWS --------- ANTON GOOSEN AND BARNEY SIMON FOR SA ROCK HALL OF FAME http://www.rock.co.za/halloffame We start off 2004 on a respectful note with the inductions of Afrikaans folk-rock legend, Anton Goosen, and Barney Simon, the hugely influential and dedicated SA Radio DJ, into the South African Rock Hall Of Fame. Here's why... ANTON GOOSEN (Inducted 1/1/2004) Anton Goosen's songs had been widely recorded by artists like Sonja Herholdt and Carike Keuzenkamp, but it was with his 1979 debut album, 'Boy Van Die Suburbs', that he established himself as a solo artist. It is widely acknowledged that 'Blommetjie Gedenk Aan My' off this album was the first ever Afrikaans rock song and has gone on to influence a whole generation of Klank Rockers. Not only has he been prepared to take Afrikaans music in new directions, but he has been a socially and politically astute musician. He was quick to realise the changes that were happening in South Africa and in 1988 brought out the album, 'Winde Van Verandering' (English: Winds of Change). He took this a step further in 1990 when he opened Houtstok (a show that he had thought up and organised) with the highly controversial song, 'Wit Kaff*rs Van Afrika'. He has continued making fine music, most recently with the superb Bushrock Band and in 2003 he celebrated 21 years in the music industry with a concert at the Pretoria State Theatre where a host of big name Afrikaans stars joined in to pay tribute to a man highly deserving of his place in our Hall of Fame. BARNEY SIMON (Inducted 1/1/2004) Barney 'The Skin' Simon started out as an engineer to DJ Keith Lindsay on Radio 5's 'Saturday Shadow Show'. He soon worked himself into a position where he was co-hosting the show as one half of the Terrible Twins, ultimately ousting his other half and converting his show to 'The Powerhaus'. Barney's late night radio show became essential listening for all SA rock fans. His love of all things alternative meant that South Africans were now being broadly exposed to the UK indie scene with bands like The Fall, Fields of The Nephilim, Bauhaus and many, many more. But Barney also embraced the South African alternative rock scene, championing such early local luminaries as Dog Detachment and No Friends Of Harry as well as a generation of SA bands and artists thereafter. As an ardent supporter of local talent, and the single most influential SA rock DJ of the past 20 years, it was only a matter of time before Barney Simon would be inducted into our Hall of Fame. (see the full story about Barney Simon in John Samson's 'A Naartjie In The UK' section below) SA Rock Hall Of Fame is at: http://www.rock.co.za/halloffame -------------- SEETHER RETURN TRIUMPHANT I had the privilege of seeing power trio Saron Gas play at the Jam in Cape Town on the 14th December 2001 on the eve of their leaving for the US to try, as Judas Priest sang, 'Take On All The World'. Reviewing that show I wrote: "Saron Gas seemed to have mastered the elusive art of combining the energy and attitude of nu-metal with superb tunes and even sing-along choruses...". On the first weekend of this new year, I had the privilege of seeing them again, though a number of things have changed. The Jam is now the Mercury Live, Saron Gas is now Seether, the 3-piece is now a 4-piece, and the drummer has changed (a few times!). The current Seether lineup consists of Shaun Morgan (nee Welgemoed) taking guitar and vocal duties, Dale Stewart (the other original member) on bass and vocals, Pat Callahan on guitars and John Humphrey (from the Nixons) on drums. Barney Simon introduced the band by reminding us that, "if it's too loud, you're too old" and then Seether roared in with 'Gasoline' which is currently in the Billboard top ten Modern Rock Tracks chart (and was the SA Rock Digest Song of the Year in 2002). They ploughed through all their hits and popular tracks including 'Hang On' from the 'Daredevil' soundtrack. 'Fine Again' (Billboard's number 9 Modern Rock Track of the Year 2003) was dedicated to the late Dave Williams of fellow Ozzfest touring partners, Drowning Pool. Morgan keeps his face hidden almost all the time behind a mane of hair, and he doesn't talk much. That's OK as we are not here to see his face or hear him speak, but rather to listen to the anger in his singing as he includes us in his healing process from his lack of acceptance as a teenager. In his solo spot during the set ('Take Me Away' with just him and his electric guitar) he looked like Andrew WK (without the bloody nose) and sounded like Kurt Cobain, tortured and alone. As he is quoted on the Seether website, "This, I suppose, is the only way I can purge, but it is therapeutic." On the side of the stage sat lead singer from Evanescence, Amy Lee, Shaun's current girlfriend who he has described as "the girl he's been looking for his entire life". Amy Lee joined the band onstage for the closing number and though she may be small in size she has a huge voice, which soared above the grinding rock like the offspring of a banshee and an angel. When Saron Gas left in January 2001 we wished them all the best as they plunged into the unforgiving US market. Now 2 years later they return home, acclaimed as new Rock Gods. As the chorus of the anthemic 'Out Of My Way' from the 'Freddy vs Jason' soundtrack says; "Nobody's gonna stand in my way, give it up, son, I'm doing it my way". You better believe it. (BC) READ http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/seether_disclaimer.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/samplers.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=seether%20saron -------------- VUSI AND JUDITH FOR GIANT STEPS MUSICAL FESTIVAL It's time again for the Giant Steps music concerts at Spier in Stellenbosch in March. The 2004 event will see Vusi Mahlasela and Judith Sephuma, two of BMG Africa's biggest names, headlining gigs at the festival. SA troubadour, Vusi Mahlasela, has enjoyed a very successful 2003 in the US with live gigs, some support slots on the Dave Matthews Band US tour and the US release of his compilation CD on Dave Matthews' ATO Record label. For the Giant Steps concert, Vusi Mahlasela will be accompanied by his own backing band, the Proud People's Band. SA Nobel Laureate, Nadine Gordimer, recently said of Vusi: "He sings as a bird does; in total response to being alive". SA vocalist, Judith Sephuma, has been taking success in her stride since the success of her debut CD, 'A Cry .. A Smile .. A Dance'. With her feet firmly on home soil, her music ablaze on the airwaves, and directing her golden voice to music lovers across the nation, this is a young South African singer who is resonating the people's sentiments of sorrow, laughter and celebration in the only way she knows how 12 March 2004 - Vusi Mahlasela and the Proud People's Band - 8.30pm, Ticket prices: R40. R60. R100. 13 and 14 March 2004 - Judith Sephuma - 8.30pm, Ticket prices: R50. R80. R120 -------------- BED ON BRICKS GET RADIO PLAY AND SOME NEW JEANS 'Humanarium', the title track off Bed On Bricks' new album, and also the SA Rock Digest's song of the year for 2003, has been play-listed on 5FM. So the band are asking you all to be sure to listen to 5FM this summer and to keep on supporting original South African Music, which is a suggestion we endorse thoroughly, except to add that you can download 'Humanarium' from http://www.SAmp3.com as well and we highly recommend that you do! Also, Bed On Bricks have confirmed their official involvement with Levi's for 2004. Levi's have been supporting SA music for the past year with sponsorship for Karen Zoid, Kobus!, freshlyground, and Flat Stanley. A member of Bed On Bricks said: "We are proud to be associated with Levi's Original Music and would like to thank Mike Joubert, MD of Levi's, as well as the team of NEAR Entertainment. We look forward to a great 2004!" Rumours that Bed On Bricks are to release a version of Johnny Kongos' hit 'Tokoloshe Man' are still unconfirmed. -------------- NEW ALBUM ON THE WAY FROM MELANIE LOUW Blonde ex-Pop Idols finalist and singing star, Melanie Lowe, has been seriously working out on the gymnasium boxing equipment recently, but it is her forthcoming album that will add extra punch to the SA music scene in 2004. Melanie Lowe, 28, recently appointed Paul Martin of Johannesburg-based firm, 24-7 Solutions, as her business and promotions manager and this working relationship is set to bear fruit in 2004 with the SA singing star's new album set to be recorded in January. Recent recordings such as the 'Islands in the Stream' remake with Garth Taylor, and the popular 'Refuse to Move' track with band Watershed, has allowed Lowe to receive much radio playtime over the past few months. The new album will allow the public to get a taste of Lowe's strong talent on the song writing front, as well as experiencing her excellent guitar skills, plus of course that voice that is known across the rainbow nation, and further following her M-Net exposure. Melanie has been working hard at her career since the first SA Pop Idols series (Melanie finished in the top three with Heinz Winckler the winner). Looking forward to the release of her album, Melanie spoke about her favourite current SA artists: "I have done a lot of gigs with Ezra (ex-Pop Idols) in the past and we click well on stage. I get on really well with ex-Pop Idols Nicole Bellingham and David Fourie too, but guys like Garth Taylor, Watershed and Mean Mr Mustard produce magnificent music and I would work with them any day." E-mail: media24_7@mweb.co.za -------------- SPLASHY FEN 2004 - EASTER WEEKEND APRIL 8 - 12 Completing the transformation which began with the 'awakening' of Splashy Fen 2003, our country's mighty and best loved open-air lifestyle celebration promises the freshest ever delights for body and mind with Splashy Fen 2004. Not only will South Africa's longest-running festival maintain its well-deserved reputation by satisfying all-inclusive musical tastes with a genre-defying mix of breakthrough and firmly established artists, but Splashy Fen 2004 is now also fully geared to connect devotees of the Great Outdoors with every 'must-see, must-do' attraction of this premier slice of our Zulu Kingdom. For the uninitiated - and there's a whole new generation primed and eager to taste 'The Experience' - Splashy Fen is a constantly evolving saga spanning 15 years of inspiration and dedication. The adventure is set in those pristine, river-fed pastures which nurture the 'trout country' hamlets of Underberg and Himeville in the Southern Drakensberg range. Splashy Fen is perched atop the crossroads linking three of our provinces' much publicised 'destinations' - the soaring uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site with its unique and priceless Stone-Age Cave Art, the Boston-Bulwer Beat where adrenalin-junkies from around the globe fling themselves into thin air aboard para- and hang-gliders, and the once upon a time 'Bandit Territory' of East Griqualand - 19th Century smugglers' paradise for those rebel souls who regularly outsmarted the British Empire. All are near enough at hand to make excursions from the Festival Site both easy and convenient, plus their attractions guarantee rewarding experiences in a most visitor-friendly region. Splashy Fen General Manager, Pedro Carlo, believes the era has dawned for expanded horizons and opportunities for festivalgoers to enjoy a wider range of buzz. "There are now so many extras on offer to make the Splashy Experience even bigger and better...and local communities are welcoming this new vision. It's going to be fresh and unbeatable!" Facilities in these picturesque surrounds have been fine-tuned to international class - including the many B&B alternatives to on-site 'roughing it' - and have contributed significantly to our Kingdom's well-documented and ongoing Tourism Boom. Time to give something new a go... It's not only around the Festival that vast improvements will be noticed, but also every aspect within the site itself. The result is an even more harmonious environment for 'Splashy Fenners' to pursue an increasingly diverse spectrum of interests. From the range of musicians to the tantalising menu of catering treats (no need to cook your own here!), fun distractions for hard-to-please kids to guidance for navel-gazers, parking spots to porta-loos...Splashy Fen 2004 will doubtless live up to its claim as the all-improved model - fresh off the drawing board. Eight thousand-plus revellers made the 'pilgrimage' last time...here's to a few thousand more! Details of each new development will appear in a forthcoming series of Media Releases, but in the meantime, would-be Performers, Crafts/Food Market Stallholders and Volunteers will find online application forms at the revamped website www.splashyfen.co.za --------------------------- SAVANNA UP THE CREEK 2004 The popular Savanna Up The Creek Festival will again take place from the 6th to the 8th February on the banks of the beautiful Breede River, near Swellendam. Artists already listed on the Festival bill include Arno Carstens' New Porn with the awesome Albert Frost and the brilliant Brendan Jury; freshlyground; The Rudimentals; Wonderboom; Flat Stanley; Tumi and the Volume and some top class comedians. And that's just for starters. Savanna Up The Creek is well known for being an intimate festival, focusing more on a quality lifestyle weekend rather than mass entertainment. It's about feeling special, about rubbing shoulders with the bands and comedians, about talking to people from trendoids to intellects, ad ex's to accountants. Make no mistake: this is NOT the kind of festival that requires you to forgo all the luxuries in life. You can still have newspapers delivered to your tent, coffee in bed and HOT showers. And sample divine food from purveyors of excellent cuisine. Now that you know your home comforts are taken care of, would you like more good news? If you book now, you can take advantage of an early bird offer … Tickets are R60 cheaper - making them a mere R300 for three days' pleasure, so don't keep this info to yourself, pass it on to as many people as you can! Catch a wake up, early birds! This offer is valid until the end of November. To make your booking, contact: mailto:claudia@felix.co.za or mailto:sandra@felix.co.za Telephone number: (021) 671-4360 Or visit www.upthecreek.mweb.co.za -------------- LISTEN OUT FOR THESE NAMES IN 2004!! Nadia Neophytou lists some new and recommended South African musical talent for 2004: We've said goodbye to 2003 and welcomed 2004. Casting an eye to the next 12 months, here are some bands and artists who should do some great things: * Rise - this band follows the tradition of ensembles like Sons of Trout and Hog Hoggidy Hog by having a large number of members in the group. Rise performed at Oppikoppi Tshwane and their jazzy summer tunes were the perfect precursor to the holiday season. Currently the band has a live recording available as a demo for press purposes only but my advice is it should be tweaked and made available as a commercial release pretty soon - even just to keep summer forever in the air! * MXO - this cool cat is a veritable potjiekos of influences. From Busi Mhlongo to Bill Withers and Herbie Hancock, MXO is finding his space on the SA music shelf as a funky, soulful acoustic singer. He managed to launch his debut e.p. 'Another Day', at the Bassline, just before the legendary venue closed its doors. In his earlier life he was a member of the duo Roots2000, so 2004 should see a full solo release. Oh, and maybe a few more stage appearances with New Porn rocker Arno Carstens - since meeting at his launch, the two have taken a liking to singing each other's songs on stage. * Pebbles - that sweet voice breaking through the rap verses of both the H20 and Tumi & the Volume debut albums belongs to the songstress from the Outrageous Records stable. Earlier this year, she treated us to the title track on the Expressions album. Always in the wings, waiting to support whoever's on stage, the time is right for this star to shine and release her own album. * Summersault - these verified 'boys of summer' (sorry, couldn't resist) have had great success with their single on 5fm. Lucky for them, the song was liked by the station's management and 'Bad Days Are All Gone' has given the band something to build on. Having been snapped up by Authentic Ideas who will be taking care of the band's management, the guys should hopefully do a nation-wide tour this year. Nadia Neophytou -------------- SA ROCK DIGEST YEAR-END CHARTS 2000-2002 - A RETROSPECTIVE We have received a lot of letters requesting our previous end-of-year best-of lists following last week's Digest. These best-of lists began at the end of 2000 and can be viewed in full at http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts But for those who just want a quick recap of the Top 10 SA albums and songs of the past 3 years, here they are... SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2000 1. TajMahala - SharkBrother (Indie) 2. Blk Sonshine - Blk Sonshine (Fresh) 3. Iron In The Sky - Robin Auld (SAFm) 4. A Life Less Strange - Semisane (BMG) 5. Torn And Tattered - Henry Ate (EMI) 6. Fragile - Saron Gas (Musketeer) 7. Delenta - Delenta (Indie) 8. Lungiswa - Lungiswa (MELT) 9. In The Meantime - Watershed (EMI) 10. Physiognomy Of The Soul - Bernard Binns (Indie) SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SONGS OF THE YEAR 2000 1. Born In A Taxi - Blk Sonshine ('Blk Sonshine'/Fresh) 2. Your Song - Just Jinger ('Strange World'/BMG) 3. Nkalakatha - Mandoza ('Nkalakatha'/CCP) 4. All Roads - Liesl Graham ('Something To Believe'/Gallo) 5. Shine On Me - Watershed ('In The Meantime'/EMI) 6. 69 Tea - Saron Gas ('Fragile'/Musketeer) 7. Right Here - Semisane ('A Life Less Strange'/BMG) 8. Endless - Even Flow ('Almost Human'/Indie) 9. Hunting - Ashton Nyte ('The Slender N*des'/Intervention Arts) 10. Which Way To Go - Robin Auld ('Iron In The Sky'/EMI) -------------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SA ALBUMS OF 2001 1. Poles Apart - Karen Zoid [EMI] 2. Steady On - Moodphase5ive [African Dope] 3. Snowflake - Zen Arcade [Indie] 4. Africa's Not For Sissies - Syd Kitchen [No Budget] 5. Burn - Venessa Nolan [Rhythm] 6. Songs From The Mall - Max Normal [Chameleon] 7. Farewell Station Road - Wayne Pauli [Indie] 8. Thin Shoes In June - Felix Laband [African Dope] 9. 8 Days - The Led [Rhythm] 10. Rising Above The Madness - Lionel Bastos [SAFM] SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SONGS OF 2001 1. Set Of Wheels (Karoo Anthem) - Karen Zoid ['Poles Apart'/EMI] 2. Crazy Over You - Zen Arcade ['Snowflake'/Indie] 3. Dimmer - Springbok N*de Girls ['Fat Lady Sings'/Sony] 4. Praha Paradise - Ernie ['African Dope Vol. 1'/African Dope] 5. Real - Kaolin ['All I Am'/Sheer] 6. Miles - Moodphase 5ive ['Steady On'/African Dope] 7. Hurts So Bad - Danny K ['Danny K'/Gallo] 8. Life (Theme from Big Brother) - Semisane [BMG] 9. Home - Just Jinger ['Greatest Hits'/BMG] 10. Long Holiday - The Sunshines ['Long Holiday' EP/Tel Michael] -------------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2002 1. Kobus! - Kobus! (ENT) 2. Picture Perfect - Perez (Sovereign) 3. Disclaimer - Seether (Wind Up) 4. Maanhare - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 5. Beautiful Life - Ian Henderson (N3) 6. Communate - Starskii (Indie) 7. Between The Lines - Cutting Jade (DGR) 8. Bignity - Van der Want & Letcher (Sheer) 9. Odd Times - Sons Of Trout (SAFM) 10. Glory Glory - Dolly Rockers (Indie) SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SONGS OF 2002 1. Gasoline - Seether (BMG) 2. 10 Seconds - Cutting Jade (DGR) 3. Sestien Jaar Met 'n Vals Kitaar - Koos Kombuis (Rhythm) 4. (I Think I Can) Relate - Tait (Fresh) 5. Hoenderman - Kobus! (Indie) 6. Believe - Mauri Moncada (Indie) 7. Diep In Die Bos - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 8. Tripping - Curious George (Indie) 9. Beautiful Life - Ian Henderson (Indie) 10. Ugly - Natalia (Indie) See all these full end-of-year charts at http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts ---------------------------------------------------- 2. CHARTS ---------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) Hands Down - Track 4 ('Demo'/Indie) 2. [3] (2) Time To Change - Grant Nuss ('Diversity'/Bowline) 3. [1] (1) All The World - Zen Arcade ('Release'/Indie) 4. [7] (4) Twisted - Believable Addiction (Indie) 5. [10] (5) Face - Ystervark ('Living It Up'/Indie) 6. [9] (6) Scream (demo) - Velve (Indie) 7. [4] (1) Above My Room - Jo Day ('The Truth'/Indie) 8. [5] (4) V*agra La Buena - Nukular Stompers ('Can Of Worms'/Indie) 9. [11] (9) Anything - Mike de Jager and Adrian Clark ('With These Hands'/Indie) 10. [6] (5) Trash Like You - Martin Rocka And The Sick Shop ('Trailer Rash'/Gosatango) 11. [14] (11) Mowgli - Zero Tolerance ['A Perfect Life'/Indie) 12. [16] (12) Life Away - My Shade ('Bedtime Musick'/Indie) 13. [8] (5) Meisie Van Die Ooste - Alta Joubert ('Warrelwinde'/Hoezit) 14. [19] (14) Fokokpolisiekar - Fokofpolisiekar ('As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand'/ Rhythm/Bowline) 15. [21] (15) Sobriety Friend - Old Mol ('Rock The Bedsprings'/Legend) 16. [17] (16) Duiwel Kom Ons Haal - Springcan ('Are You Confuzed?'/Indie) 17. [18] (17) My Favourite Song On The Radio - What Now?! ('Let Us Be Heard'/Wicked Rock) 18. [12] (1) Things 2 Consider - Skwirmish ('The EP'/Indie) 19. [13] (4) Woman - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7'/Indie) 20. [15] (2) Rich Folks Hoax - Amanda Strydom ('Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder'/JNS) 21. [23] (21) Lovesong -The Dolly Rockers ('The Heat'/Indie) 22. [24] (22) Met My Stukkende Kitaar - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (''n Jaar In Die Son'/Rhythm/Bowline) 23. [26] (23) Rise - Sonar ('Bittersweet' EP/Indie) 24. [27] (24) The Countdown - Bluescream ('Bluescream'/Indie) 25. [22] (22) Seether Sampler - Seether ('Disclaimer'/Musketeer) 26. [28] (14) Rock And Roll Man - Bedrock ('Recovery'/Criminal Records) 27. [29] (27) Blah Di Blah - Drop Dead Gorgeous ('Melt with Me'/Indie) 28. [20] (1) Castles (Remix) - freshlyground ('Jika Jika'/Freeground) 29. [30] (29) Step Outside - Luna ('Luna'/Indie) 30. [25] (23) Kuslangs - Myburgh ('Burnt Bachelor' EP/Indie) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [4] (1) More Fire - The Rudimentals (Indie) 2. [2] (1) Rock The Bedsprings - Old Mol (Legend) 3. [1] (1) The Truth - Jo Day (Indie) 4. [5] (4) Melt With Me - Drop Dead Gorgeous (Indie/Bowline) 5. [9] (5) Perelsvoordieswyne - Best Of - Johannes Kerkorrel (Gallo) 6. [8] (6) Power - Tribe After Tribe (RetroFresh) 7. [3] (3) Diversity - Grant Nuss (Indie/Bowline) 8. [7] (3) Breathe Sunshine - Various (Amabala) 9. [6] (2) Hello Crazy World - Prime Circle (David Gresham Records) 10. [12] (10) Luna - Luna (Indie) 11. [16] (11) 'n Jaar In Die Son - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (Rhythm/Bowline) 12. [13] (12) Can Of Worms - Nukular Stompers (Indie) 13. [10] (1) Jika Jika - freshlyground (Freeground) 14. [11] (1) Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder - Amanda Strydom (JNS) 15. [18] (15) Mkhukhu Funkshen - Skwatta Kamp (Gallo) 16. [15] (5) Tassenberg All*Stars Volume 4 - Vari-ous (Trippy Grape/Bowline) 17. [14] (1) Another Universe - Arno Carstens (Epic) 18. [20] (18) Flat To Round - David Foster (Rhythm/Bowline) 19. [17] (4) Sagtevlei - Alex Van Heerden and Derek Gripper (Open Record/Bowline) 20. [19] (1) Inbluesstation - Delta Blue (Merchant/Bowline) 21. [23] (21) Sliq Angel - Sliq Angel (Sony) 22. [26] (22) Blomdoorns - Derek Gripper (Open Record) 23. [27] (23) The Heat - Dollyrockers (Indie) 24. [21] (1) Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 25. [-] (25) African Dope Sound System - Various (African Dope) 26. [22] (1) Back Seat Driver - Tait (Fresh) 27. [24] (2) Johnny Clegg - A South African Story - Live (Value) 28. [28] (14) Rough Cuts - Janie Jones (Sugar Music) 29. [-] (29) Muti Media - Kalahari Surfers (African Dope) 30. [29] (1) Release - Zen Arcade (Indie) READ http://www.rock.co.za/files LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ------ MP3s ------ All the mp3s listed here are available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com - the biggest South African mp3 website in the world. --------------- 'ANTIPODEAN DIRGE' - TIM WELLS BAND This is the second mp3 off Tim Well's 'Elephant' CD (which was released before the White Stripes album of the same title, by the way). Not sure why this is called a dirge as it bounces with life. Brendan Jury's viola is strongly to the fore here. 'SO ADIOS' - SUMARÉ Take a listen to new singing sensation Sumaré with the title song from her debut album recorded mainly in Afrikaans with a few English songs. It includes self-penned songs as well as some covers like 'Blue Bayou' and 'Gloryland'. See new CD's below... 'AFRIKANER SURFER BOY' - VANESSA VAN As summer really starts to heat up here in South Africa, and in Cape Town especially, pop newcomer Vanessa Van will get the beach party going as she sings about her 'Afrikaner Surfer Boy'. 'TO CONFIDE IN' - LAZARUS Lazarus blew us away with their first hit 'Make It Your System' and this new track will do the same. A slow, powerful rocker with a catchy hook, "I need to, I need to, I need to tell you how I feel..." -------------- SEARCH FOR MP3's Use the SAmp3.com onboard search engine, powered by Google, to search for mp3s on http://www.SAmp3.com by artist or song title. ----- CDs ----- '21 GUNSLUT' - A SOULJA'S STORY (New and acclaimed Cape Town hard rock band, Soulja, had a very interesting: year in 2003, the year they emerged on to the SA rock scene, supported Sepultura, and released their debut album, '21 Gunslut'. As 2004 begins, Soulja tell us their story and their plans for the year.....) After losing a lead guitarist and bassist in the end of 2002, it all seemed like a fatal train wreck of plan and vision for Soulja. Having being included on the bill for the upcoming Wingerdstok Lifestyle Festival to be held in Villiersdorp in February, a guitarist and bassist were in dire need. To the rescue with his Fender shining like a rare gem in the darkness came Lee Radmall, ex-guitarist from Blunt and Juice. Lee hooked up Curve on bass (incidentally also from the embers of the now defunct Blunt) and in no time a set was developed for the festival. The crowd was successfully wooed and that was the start of 2003 for Soulja. Sessions were booked with Paris Lucas (legendary sound engineer hailing from Fish Hoek) and the first ever recordings of the band in its current line-up were completed by April. Further sessions, which would later make up the content of Soulja 's debut album, carried through for the rest of the year until September. Soulja were invited to play with Arno Carstens' new solo adventure, New Porn, which proved to be one of their most memorable performances. 2003 also saw Soulja perform a repertoire of songs, specially adapted for the ''unplugged'' realm, to a packed Mercury Lounge. Although almost as loud as the electrified set, it proved that the band could not only adapt to this sometimes arduous procedure of reconstructing songs to suit the acoustic guitar and softer drumming, but also that they allowed themselves to be adapted for the folk less interested in the tumultuous pummeling of an electrified set. As winter set in, Warren (vox) and Stuart (drums) headed for the warmth of Natal/Transkei for inspiration, and to meet up with a few folk who might aid them in our quest for exposure. An honourable man in Durban by the name of Wicked Mike helped them by setting up a temporary website on his Wickedrock SA Rock portal. Here was somebody who believed in an uprising of some form in SA Rock, which Soulja were glad to be part of. Various performances with Cape Town-based bands followed at Mercury Live and The Armchair Theatre, the most memorable being those with The Spindle Sect, 7th Son and the Rudimentals. September saw Soulja travelling up to Johannesburg, in one Volkswagen minibus, to play support for Brazilian Metal legends, Sepultura. The thrill of performing with a band of this stature by far outweighed the somewhat dampening effect of a rushed soundcheck. Following this event by a month came the Bloemfontein's Macufe Festival which was headlined by bands like Boo!, Karen Zoid and the Nudies, who as always, were absolutely awe-inspiring. For the first time ever and right after their set, the band membrs were swamped by a small mob of teenagers requiring autographs from us on anything from discarded drumsticks to an exposed breast. Soulja loved Bloemfontein and will return to die Rosestad this year, for sure. The next couple of months were governed by furious amounts of energy and foresight, channeled into the mixing of the remaining tracks recorded by Paris, and executed into the planning of what was to be the launch of Soulja's totally independently mixed and produced debut album, '21 Gunslut'. Then came the launch of the album, held at Stones Pool Bar in Long Street: a night starting off with unplugged renditions of 'Science' and 'Royal Tommy' through to the manic gyrations of 'Girl Power' and 'Fok Amerika'. The crowd turnout and response was absolutely phenomenal, but then came the nadir. It was both unfortunate and disturbing to learn that Warren and Gregory (rhythm git and backing vox) had been involved in a horrible car smash. Greg suffered some bruising but it was Warren who sustained more serious, but thankfully not life-threatening, injuries. However, it's only about a month since the accident and Soulja are back on form with Warren performing more like an erect (Don't you mean "upright"? - Ed.) Michael Stipe than the usual cavorting self that he is on stage, naturally still nursing the battle wounds of the launch. Recent Soulja performances include the Circus Ninja showcase party held near Newlands which went off very well. The real stars of the night were the people behind Circus Ninja and Sub_Urban Magazine though (Thanks to Dom!!!). The Firlands Rock The Bay Festival was something a little different though. Being the last band on the playlist and due to the fact that the whole act was delayed by 3 hours, Soulja only took to the stage at 4 o'clock! A band member explains: "This will definitely serve as the band's most memorable gig to date. All of the 1500 folk that came to the festival during the day began dissipating at a steady rate after a class performance by Wonderboom at 1am. A few isolated whistles after Soulja's set in the now darkened void of the field made it seem that the band were some sort of strange rescue craft atop our stage in an ocean of silence, searching for survivors clinging to floating debris after a doomed ship-sinking. Our captain of course, was none other than Barney Simon, who stayed to the last and bitter end of a successful festival Our thumbs up to the one heroic man who still holds the lamp in the name of SA Rock with a sense of pride and establishment that no one has ever dared to wrestle from him. Thanks Barney!" Soulja will be taking some time out from performing during January to write new material, but punters will be able to catch them at the MP4 Music festival, to be held in Stellenbosch in February. Also watch out for future performances with Fokofpolisiekar and The Spindle Set in Cape Town. A tour of Natal and Jozi will undoubtedly take place later in the year. Those who want to order copies of '21 Gunslut' can do so at this stage by emailing soulja@icon.co.za '21 Gunslut' is now available at Mabu Vinyl and CD and SO NOW? in Cape Town, and in your nearest CD Wherehouse, and other stores nationally, by March. ----------------- SUMARE - 'SO ADIOS' (BOWLINE) Sumaré has been mesmerising audiences with her exceptional voice since the age of 8. Her debut album, 'So Adios' was released in November 2003. Sumaré's passion for music seems to be expressed and celebrated constantly through her live performances. She was the only finalist of the Western Cape in the Crescendo 2003 competition and has shared the stage with Valiant Swart, Billy Forest, The Rockets, DNA Strings, Alta Joubert and Anneli van Rooyen. The style of music on 'So Adios' varies from adult contemporary to a soulful sounding pop. Her versatility as an artist gives this album a refreshing feeling as well as bringing in the comfortable knowing energy of well- known Afrikaans tracks like 'Kaapse Draai' and 'Skipskop'. With seven of her own songs and under the production of Bowline, this album opens up a new level of Sumaré's promising music career. Sumaré has been giving singing lessons for the past two years. During this time she has also started writing her own lyrics and commits herself daily to her music. Also interesting to know is that Sumaré staged her own production 'From Pop to Minnelli' in 2001 and she performed in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for 6 weeks in 2002. Mailto:promo@bowline.co.za --------------- SPOTLIGHT ON A CLASSIC SA ALBUM In our Sound Solutions section below, Sal is looking for a copy of The Aeroplanes album, which was recently reissued on CD. Here is a review of that album and a look back at a great SA band. THE AEROPLANES - 'GREATEST HITS' (CDCJM 001) In 1983 the Aeroplanes emerged from the backstreets of Yeoville, ready to add their special brand of power-pop to the flourishing Johannesburg 'Third Wave' movement. Alongside bands like The Lurchers, No Exit and The Dynamics, The Aeroplanes revitalised the SA alternative scene with a series of interactive gigs before a large and faithful fanbase. This included a group of artists and buskers who felt perfectly comfortable adding impromptu lyrics and music to the band's repertoire, sometimes during the band's live sets. The original members were Michael Rudolph, Carl Becker, Robert Muirhead and Gary Rathbone with the well-known SA actor, James Whyle as an unofficial fifth member. With no specific musical agenda to stick to, the Aeroplanes' material consisted mostly of short and sweet little pop gems reflecting their everyday lives in '80s South Africa. With their eyes more on the then current poppy "new wave" style instead of the harsher punk sound, The Aeroplanes carved themselves an unforgettable niche in SA '80s rock as evidenced by the excitement that greeted the re-release of their 'Greatest Hits' collection in the late '90s. If you want to know what the SA rock fundis were listening to in the '80s then start with this excellent retrospective of a band that never courted fame or fortune but instead preferred to turn out their simple brand of cool alternative pop. Seventeen songs that cover all the "living in Jo'burg in the '80s" subjects, from the opener, 'Living In Yeoville', to 'National Madness', 'Black Samba', 'Zurich By The Goldmines' and the closer, 'Hey Where's The Jol'. Although these boys could play, the emphasis was always on their lyrics and the ideas that could be communicated through these lyrics. The music encompassed all the current idioms of the day with a slight leaning toward ska, which was popular at the time due to the success of the Two Tone label in the UK. But overall the Aeroplanes had a sound all their own and this 'Greatest Hits' compilation covers all their essential material and is a strong reminder of the quality of the alternative music movement in SA during the '80s. These affectionately remembered high-flyers are definitely worth a renewed listen. (SS) Tracklisting: Living In Yeoville, Hat Check Girl, National Madness, For God's Sake Mandy, Love Breaks A Heart, I Got Style, Sally, Cowboys Don't Cry, Zurich By The Goldmines, Acting So Strange, Doesn't Matter, Black Samba, Baby Doll With A Gun, The Trouble With You James, Falling Indifferent, South African Male, Hey Where's The Jol. READ http://www.rock.co.za/files/aeroplanes_gh.htm --------------- THE ZAZONE.COM SA BAND SPOTLIGHT http://www.zaZone.com LAD, the dedicated webmaster of zaZone.com, usually throws his regular spotlight on one of the many SA bands currently affiliated to his SA music site. LAD Back next week...... If you're in an SA Band or are an SA artist and would like to appear in this slot please mail mailto:tony@zazone.com Sponsored by zaZone.com Promoting SA Music... http://www.zazone.com -------------- Email your mp3 reviews to mailto: editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud -------------- ONE WORLD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Selling South African Music To The World --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://rock.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------- Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music. 'LIVE' - FOUR JACKS AND A JILL [Gallo Supertrax GAST.101] When I lighten up my listening, I go home to the positive music of Four Jacks and A Jill. Rock is the music of my people, and the sunny pop of Four Jacks and a Jill is part of that music. In fact, Four Jacks and a Jill's straightforward singing and playing to entertain people is timeless and endures better than this week's avant-garde. This is the record of a tight band, a sweet and happy-voiced lead singer, and a night when they were, in the showbiz sense, on. But it is a record, on vinyl, and not available on CD. It was, however, also available on cassette.... 'Live' was recorded in 1979, eleven years after their top 20 hit in America, and this disc catches the band and singer sounding at the top of their powers. On this long player, they display precise musical skill honed early in their career and kept sharp during a pleasingly long showbiz career. If one adds the hired hands on brass and piano to the traditional modern band line-up of the guitars and keyboards of Paul Nissan, Neill Pienaar, Tony Hughes, and Clive Harding one ends up with 10 Jacks and a Jill. But this music only provides a lush background for Miss Glenys Lynne's perfect vocals up front. And it is for her perpetual cheer that I bought my ticket. At this show, you get some hits, some covers impeccably done like 'Summer Lovin'', 'Hopelessly Devoted to You', 'A Fifth of Beethoven' (a "Glenys rests here" song, being an instrumental), and 'Sam', and a thrilling live version of my favorite song, 'Master Jack'. Some between-song chatter by Glenys Lynne adds to envisioning the showmanship and show-womanship of the concert. Listening to this record makes me wish the Four Jacks and a Jill would re-release the film they starred in, 'Sell-A-Million'. At least I have this glossy black vinyl window back to what must have been a show to rival, for me, the emotional response I felt from a Spirit concert in 1979 and both times I saw the Grateful Dead in the 1980s. Rock and pop, this is the music for me. And enjoying both extremes of musical forms add to the richness of life. 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: GROWING UP WITH BARNEY I first became aware of Barney Simon as a voice chirping in the background as the engineer on Keith Lindsay's 'Saturday Shadow Show' which was broadcast on Saturday afternoons on Radio 5 (now 5FM). As the only decent Hi Fi in the house happened to reside in the same room as the TV and other members of the family wanted to watch the Saturday afternoon sport, I was forced to listen to the show on the headphones. And it was in these headphones that Barney grew from being a voice chirping in the background to THE SKIN!!!!! As he moved from behind the engineering desk to being behind the mike, he slowly introduced more and more alternative music. Previously only known to me as obscure album covers in such wonderful places as Street Records in Braamies, bands like The Cure, The Smiths, Bauhaus and Joy Division suddenly became sounds. There was nothing quite as exciting as reading about a new band in the authoritative British rock mag The NME and then hearing them on the The Powerhaus (as Barney eventually renamed the show) that weekend. Softly Softly Catchee Monkey is not really a punk ethic, but just like the punk rockers that he championed, Barney was quietly raising the two fingers at the establishment (both at the SABC and in general) and getting away with it. Brick by brick he broke down the barriers that had formularised our music consumption and it was a soundtrack to one's journey through puberty. Into this mix, Barney always insisted on throwing in local bands and it was through him that I got to know and love the music of Dog Detachment and No Friends of Harry to name the biggies. But it wasn't just the biggies we got to hear. I still have a copy of the 12" of Durban band the Swanhunter's collaboration with UK indie band Chakk called 'Bloodsport' which I first heard on the Powerhaus, although I'm still looking for a copy of Naked Voice's 'Where Was' which if memory serves had some local connection. Barney can probably be likened to John Peel, one of the most respected DJ's in the UK, in that he is prepared to listen to, and promote the obscure and otherwise ignored, especially in the local context where he has tirelessly gone about promoting SA talent. He is a giant of the local music scene and played a huge role in shaping my music tastes as I grew up. Yes looking back Alien Sex Fiend were probably more intriguing for their name than their music (other than the brilliant 'I Walk The Line') and Tik & Tok's 'Summer in The City' is not quite as good as The Lovin' Spoonful's version, but The Skin was still prepared to give it a go and be adventurous and it's this that I took away from his show and continue to seek out new and interesting music, not being afraid to listen to anything. However, my one abiding memory of The Skin's Saturday show and one for which I am eternally grateful is that it was on this show that I first heard The Klaxtons' 'Clap Clap Sound'. I guess that despite all he has done, Barney is still a mere mortal. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA -------------------- MORE ON THAT BYRDS SA TOUR.... From the Hidden Years Story chapter: 'The Turtles Last Tour': "The Byrds Don't Sing Here Anymore..." Interesting anecdote on Carlos: Some of you old Rocking Chair exponents may recall why Gram Parsons never toured SAfrica in 1968? He didn't want to play in front of segregated audiences? So say the history books, rock encyclopedias and all the rest. While Dave Crosby and Gene Clarke were still with the band, they had recorded with Hugh Masekela in 1966 and Hugh would have made them aware of the situation in South Africa, no doubt. In fact, when 3rd Ear Music brought Crosby, Stills & Nash out to Africa in 1995, the Crosby / Masekela re-union at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg was quite an occasion - Hugh himself having been in exile for 35 years. Parsons certainly seemed to have a political bent and was very aware of the racist and segregation problems in his own country; however his motives for not touring were not purely political. Gene Vincent's Blue Caps stayed behind in Cape Town 10 years earlier (on their 1959 South African Tour with local act Mickey Most & The Playboys), clever PR & a few spin doctors who had to cover for the guys because they were having such a good time in Cape Town - brought out the opportune racist bogey. Why go up to Jo'Burg anyway? Well, according to a few of Gram's friends - they confided some years later to Rock music fanatic, researcher and friend Richard Haslop - there wasn't a political slant to his reasons for not touring. That came after a few differences and counter-decisions with the band. Being Gram Parsons people - both Richard and I in no way wish to denigrate Gram, and the official version may be the only one - but it's not quite true. The Byrds were going through some changes and various members were committed to solo projects anyway; besides Gram was in London in July 1968 when the SA Tour was about to start and he didn't want to leave. He was having a good time. So Carlos, their Road manager - before joining the Turtles fulltime as Tour manager - took on the task of filling in on Guitar - and Bass too I think! However principled Gram and the Byrds may have been - and we don't doubt that - and however abhorrent the idea and application of segregated audiences were, the Byrds did undertake to do the tour as a band. Besides if they were that concerned, why did CBS (through Gallo Africa) promote and release their albums so vigorously? There were a number of suggestions - from 3rd Ear Music as well - that artists who were serious about the cultural boycott, should prevent their records from being play listed on National State Radio, the SABC - our segregated Public Broadcaster. This never happened. For every anti-racist announcement made through a press secretary of the record labels' PR, sales would increase. They were selling good quantities of records and that Byrds tour was part of promoting those sales, no matter what the pious & the PC may claim today. From the Hidden Years Story chapter: The Turtles Last Tour - see The Byrds Don't Sing Here Anymore - http://www.3rdearmusic.com/project/project901/turtletour2.html -------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://rock.co.za/charts This week John Samson, our SA Charts archivist, goes back to look at the top songs of the various years: SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS - HITS OF THE YEAR FROM 15/20/25/30 YEARS AGO TOP HITS OF 1973 (30 years ago) 1. I Don't Wanna Play House - Barbara Ray 2. Heaven Is My Woman's Love - Tommy Overstreet 3. Sorrow - David Bowie 4. I'd Love You To Want Me - Lobo 5. We Believe In Tomorrow - Freddy Breck A 22 week run (6 of which at the top) ensured that local lass Barbara Ray took the top spot for the year with 'I Don't Wanna Play House'. Despite 7 weeks at the top, Tommy Overstreet was relegated to 2nd place for the year, but 'Heaven Is My Woman's Love' was still in the top 5 at the end of the year. David Bowie's 'Sorrow' also suffered from not completing a full chart run within the year. It was number 1 as the year ended. TOP HITS OF 1978 (25 years ago) 1. Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M 2. Substitute - Clout 3. Kiss You All Over - Exile 4. Staying Alive - Bee Gees 5. Mull Of Kintyre - Paul McCartney & Wings Clout's 'Substitute' entered the charts in the first week of 1978 and went on to top the charts for 8 weeks in January through to March. However a midyear run of 11 weeks at the top meant that Boney M's 'Rivers Of Babylon' was the hit of the year. At least Clout finished higher than John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John who ended up at number 17 for the year. A Digest favourite 'The Buccaneer' by McCully Workshop finished 6th. TOP HITS OF 1983 (20 years ago) 1. Words - FR David 2. I Don't Wanna Dance - Eddy Grant 3. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler 4. Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes 5. Every Breath You Take - The Police One hit wonder FR David walked away with the top spot for 1983. The Frenchman had spent a total of 25 weeks in the top 20, 7 of them at number 1. The Jim Steinman (he of 'Bat Out Of Hell' production fame) produced 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' had also spent 7 weeks at number 1 but only ended up at number 3 for the year. Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes' theme from the movie 'An Officer And A Gentleman' ended up 4th. Lloyd Ross's 'Vyfster' was the highest local song at number 14. TOP HITS OF 1988 (15 years ago) 1. Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley 2. (I've Had) The Time Of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes 3. I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue 4. Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle 5. Perfect - Fairground Attraction Stock, Aitken and Waterman were cleaning up worldwide in 1988 and South Africa was no exception. Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' at number 1 for the year and Kylie's 'I Should Be So Lucky' at number 3 were both products of SAW's Hit Factory. Jennifer Warnes returned with another duet and another movie hit with '(I've Had) The Time Of My Life' from 'Dirty Dancing' preventing SAW from having the top 2 hits of the year. Cinema's 'My Kind Of Girl' finished 17th. John Samson ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- Jan. 8 - Elvis Presley (1935, died 16 Aug. 1977) Jan. 8 - David Bowie (1947) Jan. 9 - Jimmy Page (1944), Led Zeppelin Jan. 9 - Tony Groenewald (1958), Off The Edge Jan. 13 - Trevor Rabin (1954), Rabbitt; Yes Jan. 16 - Roy Bulkin (1952, died 19 Jan. 1996) Jan. 19 - Janis Joplin (1943, died 4th October 1970) Jan. 20 - Crocodile Harris (born Robin Graham, 1950) Jan. 22 - James Phillips (1959, died 31 July 1995) Jan. 24 - Tony Cox Jan. 25 - Steve Newman (1952) Jan. 30 - Allan Faull (1949), Falling Mirror Jan. 31 - Johnny Rotten (1956), Sex Pistols; PiL _____________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS --------------------- A Readers' Forum featuring a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed and erudite readers to please contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks if you do! --------------- SA AIRPLAY? Hi, We are promoting a debut 4 track EP recording by a new British rock act called WASTED STATE. Who are the best radio stations and radio DJ's in South Africa who feature and play new music? We would like to make contact with them to assist in our promotion. Many thanks... SLAVE records. United Kingdom Mailto: sploj3@yahoo.co.uk Ed. Um, speak to Mark Pilgrim.... --------------- COPPERFIELD Dear Editor, Please wish everyone at SARD a very Happy Festive Season. If I send you info regarding my band Copperfield ('So you win again' '78, 'Rock & Roll Singer' '75 and 'Pilot of the Airwaves' '80) will you consider adding it to your publication sometime? I have friends in UK & Stateside who read SARD all the time. By the way the band is still alive and well, tho we have sort of diversified a bit, we still gig and have plans for a new album in 2004. Keep up the good work. Best Regards Peter (The Wolfman) Taylor Mailto:petert@worldonline.co.za --------------- TEMPO'S EURO BAR GIGS?? Dear Sirs, As a lover of live rock music, I used to visit Tempo's Euro Bar in Zandspruit. Usually I found the program in www.sagigs.com, but recently I do not find any listings any more. Would you have a suggestion where to find more info on their program. In fact I am living in The Netherlands and come to SA a few times a year and then enjoy the rock music in Tempo's very well. Also would appreciate any suggestion on to where to go in the Witwatersrand for live (classic) rock music. I am familiar with the Blues Room, but that can't compete with Tempo's Sunday afternoon. Look forward to your reply. I will be in SA from 7-12 January. Happy holidays regards Henk Timmers Mailto: henktimmers@uni-one.nl --------------- WHERE INDEED!?! Hi, Where in the UK might I buy CD's of the singer Bles Bridges? Thank you John Mailto:johnrichardson141@tiscali.co.uk Ed. - Not sure about in the UK, but online you can try One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=bles%20bridges --------------- REMEMBER 'NO JACKET REQUIRED'??? Hi, I'm hoping you might be able to help me. I'm trying to find a copy of a programme called 'No Jacket Required' that was a national talent contest in the eighties. My mum was on it while we lived in South Africa and won it in 1987. Unfortunately we had to move back to England and so she never got to see the final programme. I'd love to get a copy of this for her so if anyone knows anything about this programme please get in touch. Thanks, Katy Mailto: skateyj@yahoo.co.uk --------------- HELP NEEDS JOE PLEASE... BOAT SINGER?? Hi, I like to purchasing CD Tapes or records - the singer the name Eduardo Jaime, Boat singer, in the 60 to 70 Gallo Africa is the Editor. See what you can find Joe Mailto:joemachial@msn.com --------------- HELP SAL HERE! Hello and Happy Holidays, I was wondering if you had these 2 SA CD releases. New or used is fine. Aeroplanes - 'Best Of/Greatest Hits' Various - 'Sharp Cuts Volume 2' Please let me know. By the way I am in the USA. Thanks so much. Cheers, Sal Mailto:daleki@optonline.net Ed. See our review of The Aeroplanes' 'Greatest Hits' album (above), currently available on CD no CDCJM 001. Possibly copies available at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Or maybe one of our readers has a copy to sell to Sal? --------------- SA PUNK CLASSIC RELEASES! Hi, Does anyone, anywhere have any desire to re-release classic SA punk records? Please tell me!! I'm looking for anything "classic" perhaps Wild Youth and Johnny Teen's associated bands, The Asylum Kids, Dog (Detachment), etc. I had a cassette compilation of SA punk called "Afrika Corps", but I seemed to have misplaced it. The bands on the cassette were: Rotors, Powerage, Wild Youth, Gay Marines, Ultra White Lovers, and a few others, some cuts were live and some were studio recordings. If I can somehow locate that particular compilation, then I guess that would be a start. Cheers Josh Edson Mailto:murdermissle@yahoo.com --------------- DESPERATELY SEEKING OTIS DUDES Hi, I came across your article about Otis Waygood from SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #209 recently because I have been doing some research into the band's flautist, Martin Jackson. I was wondering if you had any contact information for any members of the band, so that I could ask them about Martin. The reason I ask is because Martin was my dad - although I never knew him as such. I think he died in the mid-70s, going a bit mad before he did so - and I would like to find out a bit more about him if I can. If you have any contacts I can write to, or email, that would be great. Kind regards Nick Mailto:nwhittome@yahoo.co.uk --------------- SWEET VIRGINIA Hallo All at SA ROCK DIGEST, I wrote to you some time ago with a view to obtaining Virginia Lee LPs. This succeeded beyond my wildest expectations - a very big thank you here to John Lyle!! However, I would now like to go further and ask if any of my fellow record collectors have any documentation and/or videos, etc of Virginia Lee - I'm particularly interested in any videos/films of any of her concerts, TV appearances; but I'm also very interested in putting together as complete a picture of her career as is humanly possible. May I thank your readers in advance for any help they can give me. Replies please to e.mail: mailto:geoff.tue@t-online.de I will, of course, pay any costs involved, and I will answer each and every one of any e.mails that I'm lucky enough to receive. All the very best for 2004! Geoff Tue Wegberg, Germany Mailto:Geoff.Tue@t-online.de --------------- ITS JACK LONDON, LOOKING FOR OSMOSIS! Hi, My name is Jack, I'm in London, and a friend of mine is doing some research on Osmosis, rock and roll band from Cape Town in the 1970's. Any idea where I might be able to get some info? Thanks Jack Mailto:justjack@mailbox.co.za Ed. - All we know is that they had a Springbok Radio hit in 1973 with a song called 'She (Didn't Even Remember My Name), a cover of 'Vado Via' by Italian singer Drupi, which was recently covered by HOT RS as 'He (Didn't Even Remember My Name)'. --------------- NOT THE EVERLY BRU'S Hi, Help please ! Back in in 1958 - 1959, a duo rather like The Everly Brothers had a hit with a tune called "PARKIN" (Or Parking). I've forgotten who they were - can someone recall them? Perhaps your archivists will have the info, because I'm sure they charted at the time. Better still, perhaps a reader has a copy of the single! Thanks, John Lyle Mailto:johnlyle@iafrica.com --------------- KIMBERLY JIM AND WHO? Hi, Can somebody please tell me who the female singer is on the Jim Reeves album 'Kimberley Jim'. She features on the track 'My life is a gypsy'. I'm betting on Maureen Donne but it could be any one of several singers of the era. Thanks, John Lyle Mailto:johnlyle@iafrica.com Ed. Hi John, we have the actual LP soundtrack from 'Kimberly Jim' in front of us but it has no info as to who did those female vocals with Jim. The only females listed (as actresses) on the sleeve are Madelaine Usher and June Neethling. I suggest you search through the many, excellent Jim Reeves websites for that singer's name.... --------------- HAPPY NEW YEAH! BABY! YEAH Howzit I was wondering if you ous like had the lirricks to that song what everyone is singing now called Old Lank Song? It starts something like "Lead older quaint tents beef or God" Johnny from Boksburg ------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=soundsolutions ----------------------------- THE DIGEST CLASSIFIED ADS ----------------------------- To advertise in this section please email: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=classifieds -------------- GEMM Your best source for impossible-to-find music! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com -------------- MABU VINYL & CD Cape Town's finest Record and CD store is now at the Top of Long Street - Diagonally opposite the Long Street Baths. Visit our new CD Sale Stall on the Pavement Piazza in front of the shop. Mabu stocks SA and International Record and CD titles and a growing list of independent SA CD and CD-R releases. Latest Vinyl additions: Ratau Mike Makhalemele - 'Thabang' (LP) The Dealians - 'Dance For The Dealians' (LP) Finch And Henson - 'At Home In The Dark' (LP) Falling Mirror - 'Shattered' (LP) Dog Detachment - 'Fathoms Of Fire' (LP) The Flames - 'Soulfire' (LP) Juluka - 'Work For All' (LP) Latest independent SA CD additions: Bluescream - 'Bluescream' Guy Buttery - 'When I Grow Up' Fokofpolisiekar - 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand' freshlyground - 'Jika Jika' Kalahari Surfers - 'Muti Media' Lazarus - 'Parallax View' MoodPhase5ive - 'Steady On' Rudimentals - 'More Fire' Not The Midnight Mass - 'Live At The Planetarium' Nukular Stompers - 'Can Of Worms' Soulja - '21 Gunslut' Various - 'Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions' Various - 'African Dope Sound System' Various - 'Breathe Sunshine' Various - 'A Moment In Cape Town' (Revised edition) Zero Tolerance - 'A Perfect Life?' We buy and sell LP's and CD's Please contact: Jacques or Stephen (Ph): 021 423 7635 (Cell): 082 534 6006 mailto:mabu@sugarmusic.co.za Mabu Vinyl & CD Shop 2 Buitenkloof Centre 8 Kloof Street, Gardens. -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: Dealians - 'Dealians Greatest Hits' (LP) John Edmond - 'Greatest Hits of John Edmond' (LP) Neville Nash - 'Ordinary Guy' (LP) Neville Nash - 'Kind Hearted Man' (LP) Neville Nash - 'Why?' (LP) Steve Newman - 'Your Mother's Very Worried About You' (LP) No Friends of Harry - 'Into the Valley' (LP) No Friends of Harry - 'Fifteen Seconds' (LP) Richard Jon Smith - 'Richard Jon Smith 1' (LP) Wall Street Crash - 'No Strings Attached' (LP) We pay top prices for top quality. Want Lists Welcome! Call us at: 021-683 5676 mailto:claus@vibesvinyl.com Visit our website at http://www.vibesvinyl.com Website catalogue now also at Gemm and Netsounds: http://www.vibesvinyl.gemm.com and http://www.netsounds.com/vibesvinyl -------------- DEEP PURPLE FANS The very popular Deep Purple Web Index - the ultimate Deep Purple resource on the web - now has a new home at http://www.deeppurple.co.za -------------- VAGABOND MUSIC & WEB (now part of the Sugar Music Group) Get your band or business online. We design from scratch or take over the maintenance when your hotshot designer gets bored with updating. Our design philosophy is to create sites that pull people in and keep them coming back, through user-friendly designs, good web architecture and cost-effective web-marketing. If you want a quick, friendly and fun website, then Vagabond Music Web is your answer. Vagabond Clients include: Duncan Mackay Bluescream Street Level Fresh Music Rhythm Records Entertainment Industry Services Piet Botha Off The Edge 25 Hour Studio Gregs Golf Tours 4 Sure Golf Tours James Stewart Tait Bright Blue Jack Hammer Janie Jones Brian Finch Soil 7t7 Rodriguez Steve Louw and Big Sky Lorraine Shannon Joe Public Please contact Brian on 082-567-8779 or visit http://www.sugarmusic.co.za for more info. --------------- SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support the SAMQC, as this SA musicians' initiative, looking to greatly increase the amounts of SA music played on the nation's radio stations. Join the movement, sign up, or read more at http://www.samqc.org.za -------------- * To have your advert featured in the Digest Classifieds, and to find out the prices to do so, contact mailto:sugar@rock.co.za The Sound Solutions and Digest Classified sections are sponsored by SUGAR MUSIC: Sugar Music promotes, markets, informs, exposes and spreads the good word about SA Music in all forms and genres through its various web and media channels including the SA Rock Digest, Amuzine, SAmp3.com, SA Gigs, SA Klank, the SA Rock Encyclopedia, the SA Rock Hall of Fame, the One World online CD store, Sound Solutions, SAfm, and Mabu Vinyl & CD. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@rock.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------------------- UPCOMING EVENTS ------------------- Full details at http://www.sagigs.com Watch out for: VUSI AND JUDITH FOR GIANT STEPS MUSICAL FESTIVAL - Vusi Mahlasela and Judith Sephuma, two of BMG Africa's biggest names, will be headlining gigs at the Giant Steps Music Festival at Spier in Stellenbosch in March 2004. SEETHER - All the details of Seether's return tour to South Africa - dates and venues. BOO! IN EUROPE - All those dates and venues THE WORLD IN A GUITAR - This acclaimed musical show has been touring nationally over the past few months and is now heading towards Durban (Sneddon Theatre - 20 January - 8 February) and East London (Guild Theatre -13 - 14 February) FOKOFPOLISIEKAR - New Cape Town Afrikaans punk band promoting their debut EP, 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand', around the Peninsula with some Gauteng gigs in the pipeline. ROBIN AULD BAND - Robin Auld is back from his concert season in New York for some gigs around Cape Town. JULIANS - Julian Laxton's very popular music venue has moved to 120 Republic Rd, Malanshof, Randburg. UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN SA: SMOKIE - This successful '70's/'80's pop group is still "firing on all five cylinders" and will be touring South Africa in 2004 on 'The Hit Box Tour '04' from 25 February onwards. NEW MODEL ARMY - Alter-Ego Productions is proud to announce the forthcoming tour to South Africa of this "legendary" band in March 2004 BENJAMIN'S FATHER - The European singer/songwriter will be touring South Africa in December and early January. -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville Maiden League Records is proud to bring you yet another exclusive event within the Cape Town area. On February 7th come on down to Muizenberg to the Wipeout Cafe & Bar to see some of Cape Town's finest bands! This event will be one of the most diverse line-ups we have seen for a long while! Making their first appearance on the underground scene for a long time is Sedwick. The band have recently narrowed down their name to Sedwick from Sedwick the Salesman and have taken on a new musical style. They are now playing some of the best emo/rock in Cape Town, which is well worth watching kids! Some Kind of Wonderful are one of the most intense projects to come out of Cape Town in recent times. They play pop-punk/electorica style music which still keeps the essence of guitarist/vocalist' Raffi's old musical projects "New World Inside" and "Joystick." There music is likely to appeal to most people who enjoyed bands like New World Inside as well as those who are seeking something original. Drunken punkers Half Price are always a fun band to watch. Between drunken performances and getting stripped they produce some of Cape Town's fastest and most intense music. Lyrically they always have something to say! And finally War-on-Salt. These ska-punkers know how to get a crowd started and know how to make good music. Some really amazing guitar, bass and drum work that is constantly improving. These guys need no introduction! To come and see all 4 of these bands for only R20 get out to Wipeout Cafe & Bar on February 7th. Doors open at 21:00 bands start at 21:15. See http://www.SAgigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs. ---------------------- LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA ---------------------- DIARY OF A SUPPORT ACT: James Stewart / Ronan Keating While having a chat with John Fishlock from Universal Music Publishing in around October 2003, he mentioned that there was a possibility of playing support to Ronan Keating, ‘should he make some calls?’. I said, ‘fantastic’. Not wanting to piss the promoter off by incessant calling, we just-sort-of-left-it, thinking they’d call us if we had the gig. Just for certainty, John followed up around two weeks before the performance date and reported the horrifyingly exciting news that the gig was on! I had to put a band together. Fast. My partner at Street Level, Richard Black, was ordained “orkesmeester” and faithfully promised to summon available muso’s and kick them into shape. He hasn’t ever let me down before, but this one had me running scared. So I get an email from New York. Dan Heyman - piano player of gospel proportions, the writer of 'Weeping' and as luck would have it, coming home to Cape Town for the holidays. Serendipity? Fate? He said he’d do the gig. We were on our way. Next Richard is telling me that saxophonist, Hilton Mowday is in town from Sydney and he’s up for it too. We called Dave Evans in on drums and ‘fast’ Eddie Jooste on double bass. Tait guitar player Quinton Jansen gave up his holiday in Plett to do the gig and we rounded things off with the up & coming Julia Jacobsen on backing vocals. We had two and a half rehearsals to get a thirty-minute set together with an 8-piece band. The first two practises were hardly inspiring. We had a final rehearsal at Street Level Studios on the day of the gig, packed our gear and made our way the ‘the amphitheatre of the gods’ in Kirstenbosch Gardens. There’s a hell of a lot of crap to carry with an 8-piece band. As expected our sound-check was delayed by the endless noodlings of an international touring band such as Ronan’s, but we waited patiently in the brilliant botanical sunshine for our gap. We got around 25 minutes before the gates opened. I’ve got to tell you, the level of professionalism on that stage was an eye opener. The sound engineers & techies were incredibly helpful and they quickly cracked us a fantastic stage sound. Grateful thanks and respect have got to go to Johan Griesel, Gorksie, Revel & Graham. Halfway through the sound-check, the gates were opened and a torrent of screaming Ronan fans threatened to sweep the entire structure down the valley into the greenhouse. The vibe was electric. The band galvanised. I went for a shower. We went on at 7.55pm. I was presented by the MC as Dave Stewart, which upset my manager. I thought it was hilarious. We played a great set on that first night to a capacity audience in an awe-inspiring venue. 'The Shape That I’m' in and 'Weeping' brought the house down and by the end of a 30-minute set (felt more like 5) we had made around 5000 new friends. The second night brought with it a magical summer evening. The previous night’s chilly breeze and cloudy mountain-doek gave way to a balmy twilight. The audience were mellow, drunk on beauty and weather and the band played from the heart. I was determined to grab this one firmly and do a set ‘for me’ - to hell with entertainment, so I really got stuck in and had a blast. Before I knew it I was saying goodnight. It was a perfect start to what I feel will be an important year for the South African & international music industry. I hope you have a classic!!! James Stewart Special thanks for a great 2003 go to: Richard & Chris at Street Level Steve "Sugar" Segerman & Brian Currin (SA Rock Digest & Sugar Music) John Fishlock of Universal Music Publishing Martin Drake of MDA Management See some photos from these gigs at: http://www.jamesonline.co.za ----------- GIG GUIDE ----------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com Please send all gig info, in a plain text e-mail by Friday 12noon, to: mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs ___________________________________________ 9. INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links ---------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS ---------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubscriberAddressChange To unsubscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe ------------ BACK ISSUES ------------- http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ----------------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS ----------------------------------- Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to: mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest ---------------------- EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS ---------------------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest --------------- CONTRIBUTORS --------------- BC - Brian Currin SS - Stephen Segerman JS - John Samson KS - Kurt Shoemaker CL - Carina Laubscher (Katvrou) TL - Tertius Louw SN - Shiloh Noone DN - Daniel Neville ML - Moonshine Lee LR - Lindsay Ravenscroft NN - Nadia Neophytou WM - Wicked Mike DB - Don Bryce DM - David Marks DS - Don Sweeto LAD - LAD MC - Michael Currin (Curmic) MR - Mick Raubenheimer JFB - Johnny From Boksburg And others too numerous to mention, but gratefully acknowledged! 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