Dear Reader @Mercury this weekend!

It's been a long time since I've had good reason to go to Mercury. Now there's a reason. This weekend's highlight is Dear Reader! The lovely Cherylin Macneil is home to play for us. Be there.

Facebook invite.
Dear Reader Fan Page

Winners: Their actual Names

So now that everyone in Cape Town has enjoyed the awesomeness that is KIDOFDOOM, I can safely announce the winners.

Matthew Griffiths hadn't previously seen them but had heard great things about the band.

He said this:

"I don't know kidofdoom that well. I know of them as an up and coming band and I recognise a few of their songs but I don't own any and I've never seen them live... So that's why I want to go... I'm interested and keen and who knows... you might just turn me into a fan and I might just end up doing them a music video or something."

He has clearly had a sheltered childhood. I think he is a designer or director so something.

Grethe Bredenkamp is an avid KOD fan and entered a couple of times to ensure her place at the show.

She said:

"i have seen almost every show of theirs in CT...i even went to evol (that says alot).

im afikaans,they're afrikaans."

I trust the two of you are enjoying your new CD. Have a safe weekend.

Desmond's show @Mercury

Shane and his team played one of the greatest shows it is safe to say that Mercury has ever seen. Being the end of the month, a full house was only expected. And that they got.

After some beats from Ty, the Tutus took the stage. Shane started with a track off the new EP, it was great. They proceeded to play tracks that are mostly considered as singalongs from their last album. From the pic above, it's safe to say, The German Modern was a big hit.

I could ramble on about how great they were, but it wouldn't be the first time. I did however have one complaint that I shared with Shane post show; they didn't play New Disaster from __& The__.

Free tracks are still available from my music library. Check them out if you haven't already.

Friday: Last day to get tickets!!

So Thursday's winners are:

Dino Van der Merwe (favourite song is High Fives)

Tim Cole (favourite songs are Peter and Pictures)

Dino has promised me that he will wear a Desmond Tutu outfit (including face paint) if I give him a pair of tickets to Klein Libertas. Tim Cole has pestered me all week for tickets, I have given in. He is going to Mercury.

Friday is the last chance. I will announce the last two winners at lunch time. So, email me on richardcoleking[at]gmail.com:

Name:

Venue:

Favourite Desmond song:

The Sound is DJing tonight at the Desmond party. It's going to be huge. Below is definitely my favourite remixed Desmond track. Crazy Rebel is already a huge song, but The Sound adds a new dimension. Take a listen and get a little amped for a big party.

Crazy Rebel (The Sound remix) - Desmond & The Tutus (zShare)

Thursday: More Desmond winners and more Desmond giveaways

Wednesday's winners:

Stephen "Sexilicious" Huson (favourite song is Kiss you on the Cheek)

Helen Elizabeth Blaine (favourite song is Pictures)

Stephen is going to Mercury, while Helen is going to Klein Libertas.

Keep up the good design stuff. Stephen Huson even wrote a song to try and convince me to give him a pair of tickets. I have conceded that he deserves tickets. What do you think?

Stephen Huson's ticket to the Tutus - Stephen Huson (zShare)

The last EP track for download:

New Disaster - Desmond & The Tutu (zShare)

If you want my 2 next pair of tickets, you have to email me. No previous emails count! Why should I give you tickets? Give me:

Name:

Preferred venue (Mercury/Libertas):

Favourite song:

Motivation (optional):

Chat later. Send your emails to richardcoleking[at]gmail[dot]com.

Desmond & The Tutus on tour

So, by now, you should know all about the tour that Desmond have embarked on. If you consider yourself a fan, you will be well aware that their tour climaxes in Cape Town, next weekend, 28 and 29 August at Mercury Live and Klein Libertas respectively.

If this isn't exciting enough (then you're dead), I am giving away two double tickets daily starting Monday, ending Friday to either Mercury or Libertas (winners choice). What's more, is there will be awesome Desmond & The Tutus downloads all week from their new EP and wicked cool remixes for ya'll to enjoy. So, do yourself a favour in these trying financial times, stay close to Smack Talk. Follow me on Twitter to be the first to hear about the latest posts and Tutu give aways.

Facebook invite for:

Mercury Live

Klein Libertas

__And The__ - Desmond & The Tutus

Desmond & The Tutus are releasing their new EP, called __And The__. And for a short time only, it is available on a free download. Click here to get it now.

Track list:
1. Suzanne
2. Meatloaf Tribute Band
3. Your Girlfriend
4. New Disaster

I have been listening to it all morning. It's crammed with the typical SuperShane lyrics that tell a story that you can sing, swing and dance with/to. If you miss out the download, be sure to head to one of the following shows to get a copy and see the lads perform the new tracks and some of timeless oldies, LIVE!

30 July - Pretoria - Tings & Times
7 August - Grahamstown - The Scout Hall
8 August - Port Elizabeth - Jester's Alternative Club
14 August - Johannesburg - Hilson Park Bowling Club
20 August - Potchefstroom - Picasso's DPK Donderdag
21 August - Bloemfontein - Postponed
28 August - Cape Town - Mercury Live
29 August - Stellenbosch - Klein Libertas Theatre
5 September - Durban - The Willowvale

So, it's been a week, but it's still bloggable. Zebra & Giraffe played at Mercury Live last Saturday night. They were there to launch their new dvd/cd, Collected Memories.
Gregarontosaurus could be seen fashioning a grey Ladyhawk t, and one of those little hats that are becoming more and more 'in' as time goes on. He played a telecaster, but not his. You should know by now, he had a bunch of music equipment pinched from his car in Joburg a couple of weeks ago. Shame. He did well.
Anyway, the band that opened for them were awful, 3rd World Spectator. They played once with Maroon 5. Weird, I would never have given them that much stage. Those were some brave organisers.
Anyway, back to Z&G. I haven't seen their dvd. I wonder what it's like?
Next time they are in Cape Town, will be for Coke Zero Fest in April. They are playing with one good band and a stack of average bands with good marketing, and then South African bands. Fun.

Z&G Page
[Photos by Zahahahra Robertson who finally becomes legal on Sunday]

What to do, what to do?

Cape Town this weekend, is the place to be. With two large names in alternative rock gracing our city, we are spoilt for choice.

Tonight, Lark are playing. Lark at Assembly! They are ending there comeback tour with a bang. If you have not yet seen this band, or even if you have, you have to be there tonight. Inge's voice is captivating. It's going to be a historic event. Event Page.Then, Saturday night, Zebra & Giraffe take a break from playing at only cutting edge venues, and grace the once was greatest band venue in Cape Town, Mercury. It promises to be a good time. I imagine it will be packed to the rafters, so get there early. Remember, they were down here last month to play on Saturday the 14th of February, Valentine's Day? Now, exactly a month later they return to launch their dvd, Collected Memories. I am interested to see what it's like. I hope it is nothing like the teaser! Event Page.

What's on in Cape Town tonight

Well, it's a big night out for the electro-house lovers of Cape Town as the Bloody Beetroots fly in for one show here and one show in Joburg. Tonight's lineup at the Assembly looks a little like this:

KITSCH WITSCH
ALEX
BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS
BLOODY BEETROOTS
LAPSE
GRAVE DANGER

If you haven't got your tickets yet, God be with you.

Event Page

If that's not your scene or your budget, then Isochronous (arguably South Africa's best up and coming band) are launching their album at Mercury tonight. Richard Brokensha of Kidofdoom plays front man to Isochronous and is doing himself proud with his new band. Check out an interview I did with him a few months back.

Event Page

Taxi Violence Gig Guide

So Taxi Violence have a few shows with some good bands planned for January '09, two of which are already over. Here they are.

Fri 23 Jan - Taxi Violence performing acoustic at Berties Mooring in Gordens Bay. Be there from 8pm.

Sat 24 Jan - Taxi Violence rocking out at the Southern Ink Exposure Tattoo Convention Party. Also performing are aKing, Damn Right and The Mochines. Doors of The Assembly (Cape Town) open at 9pm. (If you missed this impressive Assembly show, click here.)

Fri 30 Jan - Taxi Violence kicking out with the amazing Pretty Blue Guns, Halfprice and The Plastics at Mercury Live, Cape Town. Doors open at 9pm and R40 gets you rocking!

Sat 31 Jan - Stellenbosch Karnaval! Heck Yeah! Catch Taxi at Tollies.

Get there, they have been really enjoyable of late.

Taxi Violence Fan Page.

Desmond at Mercury - Do it.

Don't forget Desmond are playing tomorrow night at Mercury. Click on the picture for more info. See you tomorrow night ya'll.

Violence, Anger, Wrath!

So, I went to town last night with the thought of going to Mercury for the Taxi Violence acoustic show where they were filming a DVD. I arrived at about 21h30 and met up with Dave, Steve and John at Shak. We had a drink before going across to the show (one door down). At 22h05 we arrived at Mercury. The bouncer would not let us in. I told him I was on the list, but he said it didn't matter. Apparently, because they had been playing for 5 minutes the doors were closed. RI(effing)DICULOUS!! I was livered. So livered.

Have you ever been turned away from a gig because you are late for the show (even if you are on the guestlist)? What do the band think about the guys at the front turning away patrons?

Who do I blame? The band? The organisers? The bouncers?

But we went dancing later in the evening and it was fun. Rad.

I was a Dancer all along

With the economic uncertainties of the last couple of weeks people have had to tighten their ‘going out belts’ and pick very selectively which parties to attend. This weekend was a good example of that.

The venue was Mercury, the party was Dance Lessons. The well advertised event featured the big draw card in Unit.R. They went on at about 11.30 and played (for me) the worst set I have ever seen them play! They were boring and unprofessional. I feel the freedom to say that, because I have heard them on a number of occasions when they have made me dance and get my sweat on. Other than that, the evening showcased outstanding acts from djs Tommy Gun and Dario (Fiction residents).

True to their promises, the ladies from Prom Night delivered. With streamers from the ceiling and quality djs churning out sweet melodies, a night like this could not be found elsewhere in Cape Town. For the small crowd that assembled for the evening it was a blast. We danced stupidly while wearing or using some of hundreds of ribbons that were made for the event. The goodness Cupcakes also provided a very necessary sugar high to help people let loose.

It is trusted as the word spreads about the awesomeness and uniqueness of this party and as the economy stables, more people will flock to this event to share cake and show off some unique tackie squeaking.

To find out when the next party will be, join the Facebook group called Prom Night and be the first to get info about proceedings.

[The attention to detail did not go unnoticed]

AN ASIDE: I cannot pinpoint the last time I went to Mercury, but the place is looking so much better. Gone are the days when I can’t tell what the floor is made of. They have transformed the hole into something cleaner and presentable.

Check out more pics from party at WAA!

Remember Remember to Come Come Together!

Remember this? It's tomorrow. Click on the poster for more details. It's going to be Deee............... wait for it................. lightful! Delightful.

Do it! Do it Now! Be there or be....... Blaire! My goodness. My brain is fried. I had an exam. Forgive me.

The Prom Night - Dance Lessons

So two young UCT students are throwing a party. Not just any party I may add. The lovely ladies from Prom Night are throwing a Dance Lessons themed party at Mercury Live on 17 October 2008. It all begun like this...

"Once upon a time in Cape Town, Jeans and Jacket went dancing. They loved dancing so much that they decided to make their very own dance party. With the help of the Good Time Monster, PROM NIGHT was born. If dancing is what you're into, put on your mom's disco pants and come play with us."

I got that off the Prom Night Blog. It is in serious need of some updating, but yeah.

It should be loads of fun, with the promises of cup cakes. I am convinced. What a draw card. Oh wait, there is more. (I should be a sales guy.) Once inside, you will get to see the band, Unit.R and djs, Dario and Tommy Gun (Tuesday night Fiction djs). Pretty cool party just before the long exam slug (for some of us). Then summer holidays! Yes please.

So as keen as you should be from reading my inspiring post, check out the FB group to receive future invites; and the invite for this party.

If you are a delinquent and cannot follow links, here is a contact number. 0724829913

Tuesday Nights at Fiction

So, the only place to be on a Tuesday night used to be Fiction for the indie/electro free entrance late start "UNTAMED YOUTH" awesome night. What are people doing instead with their Tuesday nights? Half price movies? Because, the music hasn't deterriorated. Resident djs Tommy Gun and Dario are still "bustin' the lekker tunes China". No really, it's still has to be the place to go out to on a Tuesday.

I took a gander down there with two friends the other night after the Nigel Moore gig and something died a little inside me when I saw so few people there.

If siff Monday Madness at Mercury can week after week be packed with school kids, then we should be able to find music lovers to come to Fiction, surely? Bring it back to life, tell your friends! Summer is coming and the evenings are warmer. If you need to be energised for a Tuesday night watched this video. It will blow your mind.

A weekend in the city

For the first time in a while, Cape Townians are truly spoilt for choice this weekend. Tonight features an all Pretoria lineup at The Assembly with the familiar heroes whose lyricless melodies speak louder than any words could, KidofDoom. They are joined by DJ Sassquatch (one of the organisers of Sovereign Academy parties we were treated to one of earlier in the year), Yesterday's Pupil and Isochronous. Click here for the event page. Also Cat String Theory and Kings of Vegas are playing at Mercury Live tonight.

Saturday night features an interestingly diverse selection of music. Cape Town is simply bound to fancy at least one party. At The Assembly, Fokofpolisiekar of the Northern Suburbs are playing for those who are that way inclined. For those more into House/electro/rave, the now long standing party of Arcade is happening at, dare I say it, the Bang Bang Club. Then, my personal favourite, Dear John Love Emma are launching into the whole performance thing with their very first public appearance at the Waiting Room after which they will also all be dj'ing. For more info on Dear John Love Emma click here.

Too much for one weekend? That's what I thought.

But wait there is more. Tuesday, the day before the oh-so-welcome public holiday, The Arrows are playing with King of Town, Lapse and Magnum Hi-Fi at The Assembly. Click here for the event page. Similtaneously, Fiction is going off with Going Steady, Lapse, Tommy Gun and HAASBROEK (Mystic Boer). The event is called Untamed Youth.

Do it.