This Saturday, an interestingly named Cape Town band is initiated. It’s the first night out for Dear John Love Emma, a conservative seven piece act featuring instruments like the euphonium and mandolin among other more “conventional” instruments. This is a NOT TO MISS evening at The Waiting Room in Long Street (Above Royal).
More than just being special for the fact that it’s the beginning, it’s special because it is also the last time Romney will be playing. He is moving back to the UK where he spent some time working a couple of years back. Also, Rafi celebrates his birthday on the same night.
If you are keen for a night out of the ordinary, with music to listen to rather than to always dance dance dance to; if you have goodbyes to say, or birthday wishes to deliver; then come along to The Waiting Room for bit of fun.
Following the formal performance, the entire band will be dj’ing to celebrate good times with Rafi and Rom and everyone who is not ready to call it a night.
On 30 September (a Tuesday evening) Nigel Moore from the band that used to live, Howard Roark, will be playing a one off gig to promote is latest solo EP, called a.m. cocktails. I say "one off" because if my sources are anything to go by, Moore is leaving Cape Town for London and then, quite interestingly, he is moving to New Zealand indefinitely.
The gig is at the Waiting Room above Royal (the burger place) in Long Street. Check out the FB invite and his so-rough-it-does-him-more-harm-than-good recordings of the songs we can expect to hear come that Tuesday night. It will sound a whole lot better, I assure you.
The band for the night is made up of a few interesting characters, namely Nigel Moore, the brothers, David and Stephen Huson from the New Loud Rockets and a new kid, Timothy Cole King (drums).
This is what I imagine the setup will look like. Some differences though, Nigel will be taller, Dave won't be so bright, Tim will have a t-shirt on and a drum kit, and Steve won't change (he doesn't have very many outfits).
Next up in our Members series, is David Huson the bassist from New Loud Rockets. He also happens to be the fashion trail blazer of the band while studying Dentistry at UWC.
1. What is your earliest musical memory?
If referring to pseudo-participation, then definitely my rendition of treble-clef-flair, whilst sharing a piano stool with my father. Christmas carols from a book with a particularly pretty cover.
Otherwise, trying to pajama-sidestep to MC Hammer.
2. What are your biggest musical influences?
Home (where the heart is; with brothers, parents and the like).
The weight of the world.
Childhood (the happy parts of adolescence, too).
Oh, and, Michael Jackson.
Also featuring guest appearances from: Television (Marquee Moon), Red Hot Chili Peppers (ah, pre-pubescent summertime), Shout Out Louds (“Trackin’ and a trainin’” is how I seem to live my life)…yes, The Strokes too, and a host of obscure, ultra-indie-electro-thrash/thrash/thrash band names that I’d like to make reference to here.
3. What is your fondest band memory?
Possibly our first show in Stellenbosch, upstairs within the Hidden Cellar. It marked our first performance with Desmond & The Tutus. The evening I met you too, Rich. Stephen, John and I proceeded to mount the stage and dance – maniacally – to their set. Or, maybe the time we slept in what seemed like a concentration camp dormitory, stumbling in after a show (the small hours of the morning), and someone left a note in my shoe (in lipstick; I might add) that read “I heart KidOfDoom”.
4. What do you do when you are not playing music?
Hanging with Jesus. (In a sincere way.)
Video store - clerking-it, um…yo.
Running. (The road and I.)
Investigating the intricacies of beard growing.
Invading peoples’ personal space in an attempt to help them feel better about their smiles. (Yes, that’s how I justify it.)
Surrounding myself with teeth, mouths and such pleasant things that Dentistry has to offer.
It’s a modest business. But, we get by.
5. What band are you listening to at the moment?
MGMT. I know it’s no “revolutionary” answer. I can dig that.
I guess, ‘I’m feeling rough, I’m feeling wrong in the time of my life’.
You know, ‘picking insects off plants – no time to think of consequences’.
6. What is the next big fashion accessory in the “Indie” world?
The BetaMax-cassette-suspended-from-a-shoelace-around-one’s-neck.
(Contrary to popular believe it is NOT the headband. Total fashion faux.)
7. When are we expecting a feature length album from the New Loud Rockets?
Our Commerce department (i.e. my brother, Stephen) has been swamped with accounts, trying to make sense of our year-end financial statements. We’re not quite financially sound as of yet – to venture down the path of a feature length album. But, we’re optimistic cats. Sometime in the very near, future present. We hope.
8. Who is the craziest member of the band?
I would have to say…Bernard - our invisible oboe player and resident, band badminton champion. Hands-down.
9. Have you ever been stalked by a fan?
A bizarre girl, who previously stayed in an apartment near the park where I once lived, would phone me, arbitrarily, to ask me stuff. I quite obviously never had the correct answers (or any at all) to her questions. I am not especially good with being blunt, and so, interrogations would continue (to undesirable lengths). There is a pending fear that if I ever see her again, she might beat me into submission – for avoiding her – as she boasts an impressive body mass index (for a junior Ukrainian weightlifter).
There was also this golf instructor from Tygervallei, Willie, who continued to buy me drinks one night, after a show of ours.
Ewww.
10. What are your personal dreams for the band?
Romantic, celebrity entanglements involving Natalie Portman or Keira Knightley. (A good friend of mine, James Boonzaier – from Howard Roark infamy, and the infamy that goes with being ludicrously tall, too – have a running debate as to whether they are in fact the same person.) I just hope for his sake they are two, separate human beings, ‘cause we all know the appeal of a man of average height and untamed facial hair.
Having a message; that a kid hears when he’s eating his cereal in the morning. While listening to the radio, or when watching television, and he realises something. Something most other kids won’t see or feel. And, he wants to let them know; the other kids. So, he draws it or writes or portrays it in the form of interpretive dance.
(Ok, maybe not like that. But, something along those lines.) Inspiring someone, deeply, maybe?
11. Anything else?
Yeah, I would like show how to solve one of those Chinese finger puzzles...or, the Rubix cube.
A quote would be good right now, like David Starsky’s ‘Be yourself. That’s what’s really cool.’ But, I can’t think of any.
So that’s my good friend and New Loud Rockets band member David. If you want to see David and the rest of the NLR perform some time soon, you can! Hop along to the Rocking the Daisies in early October and see them perform alongside some other big SA bands and some not so big SA bands. If you are patient, you may even get to see one of the biggest international washed up has been of the 90’s! Drum roll……… Eagle Eye Cherry!
Go along, it’ll be fun. No really, there are some exciting acts. I wish I could be going. I have exams.
So, next up in our Members series is electric guitarist James Boonzaier from the once was band, Howard Roark. I think he read the answers from Doug's interview before answering the following questions.
What are you studying? With the aim of doing what?
I’m studying a BSc in Electro-Mechanical Engineering with the aim of getting very very rich…so that Doug can sleep at my house. Because Desmond and the Tutus isn’t a very good band - they won’t be able to afford houses.
Howard Roark behind you, what lies ahead? Any new exciting musical endeavours?
I’m currently practicing for my audition with Desmond and the Tutu’s. They’re the best band in the world.
…Jokes aside; since the split I’ve been writing quite a bit. No long term plans, but I’m looking at getting it all together towards the end of the year. Tell your friends.
What do you do in your spare time?
I write songs. Don’t you listen? And I work on my very awesome motorcar known to many as Ringo. Ringo is a Volkswagen Beetle. He Is a boy. He is rad. He is almost new and very loud…almost like a rocket.
Who has been your greatest musical influence over the years?
That would be the guitarist from Desmond and the Tutus. I don’t know his name. He’s the best guitarist in the world. Other than him: Sting, Nic Valensi. 60’s and 70‘s folk…I recommend: Steppenwolf, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Dylan, America (listen to Ventura Highway, then stone Janet Jackson.)
What are you listening to at the moment?
Doug stole my answer…so aside from The Black Keys, Tuck Shop – Desmond and the Tutu’s (available from most Look ‘n Listen stores), Fleetwood Mac, aKing…and I must confess, there’s been a bit of the Howard Roark, Main Attraction EP (available from Ringo’s cubbyhole).
Who is your favourite South African band at the moment?
Desmond and the Tutus. But I like all South African music exactly the same amount.
If there was an internationally recognised band that needed an electric guitarist, what band would you like to play for?
Thieve. They’re not actually internationally recognised yet. They’re from Durbanville. They asked me to play for them last year, but ironically, now that I’m available, they don’t want me anymore. This is not a joke. Thieve is going to be better than Desmond and the Tutus.
Do your dreams for the future lie in music or in engineering or both?
Well, obviously if it happens, music, but that depends whether I get that spot with Desmond and the Tutus. If I don’t I definitely won’t be doing engineering. It’s boring. I’m going into Industrial Design when I finish my course. I’m planning to study design in Europe; probably England or the Netherlands.
Finally, do you read blogs? If so, which are your top 3 frequented blogs?
I don’t speak Klingon…what’s a blog?
So thats James. He is not as much of a retard as he lets on in this interview. Watch out for an interview with Dave from NLR soon.
Celebrities that go out in public to the places we go, are they looking for attention? Do they enjoy getting photos taken of them with strangers? Or do they just put up with it (those who do) because fans are fickle and might turn on them if they do not oblige? Would they prefer to be like everyone else and not noticed because they play in a kinda big deal band or act in high profile movies? Jared Leto seems to be the "put up with it" kinda guy. Jeremy (Dirty Skirts front man) seems to be stoked with the attention on stage, but once the shows over, it is over, leave him alone. No photos please. But then is Jeremy a real celebrity? At what stage are you regarded as a celebrity? Are the New Loud Rockets celebrities? And Nigel Moore?
The whose-who of Cape Town came out to play on Friday night at The Assembly, for a spectacular evening of music and good company. On arrival all females received a Reebok shoe key ring, a great touch to the party.
Dj Low kicked off the night with a brilliant set of mixed music genres, ranging from reggae to a Desmond and the Tutus remix. People started hitting the floor, and began to warm up for The Beams.
Fifteen minutes before the performance, the dance floor could not be seen. Bodies were squeezed together like sardines to watch The Beams. As per-usual, Paul’s dancing either gets you going or makes you laugh, but either way you have a good time. Shake Shake, baby. Faces were seen bobbing up and down as girls mounted their boyfriends....shoulders. Epileptic looking dance moves became the norm and pretense was thrown to the wind as the party heated up.
The progress from the band is amazing. From an almost shy stage presence (Paul excluded) to flamboyant extroversion from the guitarist and bassist, The Beams are definitely extending their rays. Let us not forget that these guys also like to party, as Paul took a short vomit break between songs, turned around looked up at the crowd, smiled and sayed “all better now!” The party went on.
Gazelle: What an unusual bunch of guys. The outfits on stage were indie-come-african-tribe. The performance was better than the usual and this could be credited to the live band that accompanied them. The performance was an African theme and sound was a fresh blend of Dub, electro-synth mixed with Johnny Clegg. A unique experiment that they credit to the African Renaissance, “African Chic”. These guys have a colourful presence that mixes Africa with the West, merging cultures and creating a great mood for the dance. They guys rock. Proudly (South) African. The band is made up of Xander Ferreira and Nick Matthews (Coda and the Iridium project). As they say “The focus is to create authentic Afrikan Elektronik Dance Musik.” And they want to begin the process in Cape Town, the Mother city of creation.
Sibot, an old favourite of the scene, closed off the night and played some of his golden oldie Real Estate Agent stuff and some new things. So the young and old could relate to everything. For those who came for the djs a chill out section in Assembly was the way for them. With foosball tables and arcade computer games that take you back to your childhood.
OVERTONE is proud to announce that ZIMFEST 08, South Africa’s first Fundraising music festival for Zimbabwe, will now be held in the main arena of the indoor Good Hope Centre on Saturday, September 6th! The headline artists need little introduction. Already a big buzz on the Cape Town events calendar, ZIMFEST 08 will feature leading performances from Freshlyground, The Rudimentals, The Dirty Skirts and seventeen other live acts.
Confirmed lineup: MATTHEW GAIR CODA
FAILING FORWARD THE LITTLE KINGS TRISTAN WATERKEYN LOUISE DAY BAND HOT WATER COLD HAND CHEMISTRY NOMFUSI GOTYANA FRESHLYGROUND JACSHARP OVERGRAZE THE RUDIMENTALS AUTOPILOT IKE MORIZ THE PLASTICS SHY GUEVARAS THE DIRTY SKIRTS BETRAY
THE EMISSARY NEW ALTUM
All the funds raised by ticket sales will go toward PASSOP's work with Zimbabwean refugees and people seeking asylum in South Africa.
Come on Cape Town! If ever there was a worthy cause to bust some moves to, this is one. Firstly, you get to do something for someone else, and secondly, you get to see quality acts and listen to loads of live music.
I love music, and most things that relate to music. I also enjoy writing. So I have decided to create an amalgamation of my interests. Therefore, Smack Talk serves to entertain, create awareness and be an outlet for my interests.
If you have a band and would like to be seen, known and loved, you can email me. richardcoleking[at]gmail[dot]com
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This Saturday, an interestingly named Cape Town band is initiated. It’s the first night out for Dear John Love Emma, a conservative seven piece act featuring instruments like the euphonium and mandolin among other more “conventional” instruments. This is a NOT TO MISS evening at The Waiting Room in Long Street (Above Royal).
See you Saturday...
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