48 PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS OF 2010 54 MALCOLM MCLAREN 58 ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 80 DANCE, YOU’RE ON FIRE
12 PINK SPECTACLES 14 DIAZ SUICIDE 16 KRAFTY KITTEN 17 GRAVEYARD GOURMET
Kat Trim shot by Christelle Duvenage at THE WOODS in Newtown. Make-up & Styling: Kat Trim Art Direction: Kat Trim, Christelle Duvenage Tina Koulisheva
82 SLOPPY FOLK 86 THE OTHERWISE 88 BLACK ORCHID BURLESQUE 94 THE HISTORY OF BURLESQUE
18 FASHION 19 BEAUTY 24 FASHION THROUGH THE AGES
26 HORSE THE BAND 28 JADED INK 30 VAN COKE KARTEL 32 HENRY ROLLINS 34 BOO!
38 ABOVE US ONLY SKY 40 CYBERPUNKERS 42 SCENERY 44 SEASON’S WITHER
2 EDITOR’S LETTER 3 CREDITS 4 CONTRIBUTORS 6 RADAR 7 NEWS 8 EAR CANDY 9 ON THE BIG SCREEN 10 READ IT
22 HOW TO 62 THE VIRGIN DIARIES 66 OPINION 68 CAREER 72 CURRENT EVENTS 76 REALITY CHECK 78 REAL WOMEN
Welcome to VIXXEN’s mid-year bumper issue. Upon assembling the contents for our May issue, we realized that we had even more contents we wanted to include that we could only get in May, so we decided to assemble a MayJune bumper edition. I have to be honest – this issue tested our patience and perseverance – as well as our ability not only to work under pressure, but to also turn something negative into something positive – the result of which is on your screen. The title of this letter is taken from one of my personal favourite songs of all time, Survive, by Rise Against. I think it fits nicely with all the hard work, dedication and passion we have put into this issue, and all our past issues. Through every bad moment, ever crisis (and with publishing, there is ALWAYS a crisis
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and unexpected twists and turns), we here at VIXXEN have managed to land our feet (gracefully, I would like to think). I would like to thank the whole VIXXEN team and our contributors for the amazing work on this issue – well done guys! But perhaps, most of all, I would like to thank my partners in crime, Christelle Duvenage and Gen Twoco for everything – actually, I couldn’t begin to explain what they have done both for me (and my sanity) and for VIXXEN. Christelle and I started VIXXEN together, and her constant dedication is absolutely inspirational. Although Gen only joined the team recently (in late April), it feels like she has been here from day one with Christelle and myself! This issue, we welcome another new team member – Lauren Utting, who was our April cover girl.
Lauren is one of the most dedicated and creative people I have ever met, and she is an absolute inspiration! Welcome Lauren and Gen! I saved my last thank you for a very special lady by the name of Kat Trim – our May – June cover girl. NO words could describe how amazing this girl is (not to mention gorgeous), but the reason she is on cover, above all, is because she is a true VIXXEN. Look out for our big feature of her in our July issue. Here is to our fifth issue! Enjoy!
LAUREN UTTING If we were to tell you everything Lauren is qualified in, it would take all day, so we’ve narrowed it down - Lauren is an an art teacher, who runs her own character design company, MEPHISTO CHARACTER DESIGN. She has a BA PGCE, Hons in Art and Design and is currently completing her masters in applied ethics (we told you she’s smart). Lauren also spins some sick tunes on the deck in the form of select alternative and goth.
GEN TWOCO Gn is a multi-talanted VIXXEN with numerious achievements behind her name - B TECH Art, Graphic Design, Photography, Hair Dressing, Make Up... and more. She is passionate about VIXXEN, music, art and maybe even about ife. Oh, and keep parrots away from her (long story).
EDITOR: TINA KOULISHEVA ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAUREN JANE WHEATLEY PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRISTELLE DUVENAGE CATHERINE ANNE COFFEEBEAN CLEO BLACK WRITERS: CLEO BLACK CHRISTELLE DUVENAGE OLIVIA MIKRUT JEN ROOMES FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR: LILI NERLICH PRESS & MEDIA: GEN TWOCO MARKETING MANGAGER & PR: MARISKA KRUGER DESIGN: TINA KOULISHEVA CHRISTELLE DUVENAGE JEN ROOMES MARISKA KRUGER
BACK TO BASIX CHRONIC EVENTS WHACKED ENTERTAINMENT THE WOODS RHYTHM RECORDS SEASONS WITHER DV8 DECONSTRUCTION TOKYO SKY BELLA VISTA LOUNGE
CONTRIBUTORS: JACQUI VAN STAADEN, CAYLA BEDER, ALI SCALLIWAG, ARNO VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, DIAZ SUICIDE, ABEL SCHOLTZ, CAMILLA ROSE, GREG TUCKER, DIVA DISASTAR, TWO CUPS OF TEA, ANASTASYA ELI, JACO VAN DER WALT, CHE WANNENBURG, LYNDI JONKER
Arno (aka BoerPunk Photography) is currently studying photography, althought he is already a damn good photographer! He is a super cool dude who shows up on time, huffs, puffs, smokes, drinks, and takes great photos. He loves Fokofpolisiekar and Jack Parrow.. and skinny jeans. Arno shot the Van Coke Kartel gig and Dance, You’re On Fire.
Our favourite Suicide Girl has grown up and moved to Israel, where she writes her monthly column, A Suicide Girl In Israel. She is a super cool girl, with a go-get-em attitude who likes tattoos and Marilyn Manson. Hanging out with this girl guarantees a good time in the form of craziness and tequila. Her new SG set, Choke, is up in member review so go show some love! www.suicidegirls.com/girls/diaz
Trawled from the under growth of the dark side of the boerewors curtain, two cups of tea joined the revolution PICTURE late, but with passion. With a UNAVAILABLE burning desire to see what’s out there, and the musical talent of a microwaved rodent he joined the circle driven frenzy, screaming and shouting, floor pounding and leg lifting, punk rocked up 3 hours late with a bottle of gin and a scaffy look to let him know. He wrote our Opinion section this month,
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Cayla describes herself as a vertically challenged vegetarian, who loves lomography, animals, music, tattoos and partying. She shot the photos for our Henry Rollins review for this issue.
Jacqui is one kick-ass photographer! She is always out and about shooting bands and is the staff photographer for The Death Valley Blues Band. She was kind enough to collaborate with Arno on the Dance, You’re On Fire shoot for us.
Abel is a genius with live bands, and with, erm, drinking. He loves all kinds of music and can be spotted at gigs with a camera in hand. He recently got a fish-eye lens and is rocking the photo taking. He likes martial arts, anime and OPPIKOPPI. He also has a bit of an obsession with DIE ANTWOORD. Abel shot Cyberpunkers for us.
Camilla Rose is a philosopher by day, a rock ‘n roller by night, and an anarchist punk at heart. She also plays bass for The Death Valley BLues Band, and wrote Ugandan Anti-Civil Independence.
The man of cult myth once dj’ed on a beach in Thailand on new years eve to 10 people and then got rained upon.. .but that won’t phase a cult hero still walking on two legs tall with favourite foods like mushrooms, chicken and Avocadoes and a friendly attitude of “Ask and ye shall get an answer (not sure if it will be to your liking)”. Well Destrukto Radio man and blogger of notes = “Close eyes and dance dance dance to the radio......”. did he write this or did he quote this “There is no try there’s only do”. Greg reviewed Cyberpunkers for us. http://radiodeconstruction.blogspot.com/
Jaco plays the bass guitar, directs art and writes when he’s hungover. He enjoys candlelit beaches and long walks on dinner. He was born without a star-sign, and yet has managed to be named the SA National Speed Dating champion, 27 years in a row. Growing up in middle-class suburbia has left him deeply scarred with very few interesting stories to tell. He is working on this though. Jaco reviewed Henry Rollins.
Ali was out December cover girl. She is loud and feisty and can kick your ass. She is also an awesome photographer and photographed the Jaded Ink for us this month.
Diva Disastar is the very personification of seductive burlesque teese, and is the very proud co-owner of SA’s first burlesque troupe, Black Orchid Burlesque. With her saucy stage personality, she is definitively the temptress of the troupe and loves to entice her victims ... Oops, we mean audiences. Diva wrote The History of Burlesque history.
Born and bred in Johannesburg, Che unfortuantely did not come with an instruction manual when I arrived, so her parents really winged it with raising her. She was taught how to be a ninja so she has a black belt in Party-Karate, and is a make-up artist and parttime model . Oh, and she also loves pie. Che did our beauty section.
Artist, activist, dreamer, throwing truth and beauty bombs at the darkness. Ana reviewed Above Us Only Sky.
A multimedia designer by day, Lyndi haunts local live music venues on weekends. She is obsessively passionate about art, design, music and books. Lyndi wrote the Scenery Album Launch review and took the live photos.
PHOTO CREDITS: Diaz Suicide by Alison Tu | Greg Tucker by Tyrone | Diva Disastar by Tea & Teese Photography | Gen by Cindy Coverly
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THE BRIDE
Inspired by the amazing ink job on his good friend The Baroness, tattoo master Joe Capobianco’s contemporary take on the iconic, undead Bride comes to vinyl as an 8-inch masterpiece. The Bride comes with a removable tombstone decorated with a recessed heart on the back and skull bouquet of flowers. Super-limited to only 400 worldwide. $100 from www.kidrobot.com
FOKOFPOLISIEKAR BACK IN BUSINESS
BELVILLE ROCKERS FOKOFPOLISIEKAR ARE TOURING THIS JUNE: Date: Saturday 5 June 2010 Venue: Sky Raiders, Hangar 41, Germiston Date: Saturday 12 June 2010 Venue: Mercury Live, Cape Town Date: Saturday 26 June 2010 Venue: Cool Runnings Fourways
Canadian punkers BILLY TALENT are scheduled to perform at this year’s Oppikoppi, Sexy, Crooked Teeth 6-8 August. For more info visit www.oppikoppi.co.za
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PHOTO BY DUSTIN RABIN COURTESY OF WWW.BILLYTALENT.COM
RISE AGAINST’S NEW VIDEO Punk rockers RISE AGAINST have just released their latest music video: “We’ve just completed our new video for the song “Hero Of War” off of our record, Appeal To Reason. “Hero Of War” is the story of one soldier, not all soldiers, as he battles not just the war around him, but the war that rages within. Inspired by true events, we were given the choice to either document the tribulations of these times as they unfold around us, or ignore them. To ignore these problems, in our opinion, is letting down the brave men and women who risk everything. “Hero Of War”
is our attempt to lift the stigma that surrounds everything from the skyrocketing suicide rate of troops, torture, internal sexual abuse, an under-funded VA, and the growing number of military personnel fighting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as they return home. We hope this song and this video help the simmering dialogue about these problems evolve into a rolling boil. “ Watch the video at www.myspace.com * Photo courtesy of www.riseagainst.com
Zef kids DIE ANTWOORD are back from their US & European tour and are playing the following shows: INFINITE MEGAZEF RAP-RAVE VOLUME: 5000 Friday, June 4, 2010 | 9:00pm
The 2010 AFDA Experimental Film Festival is a showcase of the 3rd years 7-10 minute film. The event will running for two days and is open to the public, so please invite everybody you know. Anyone is welcome to
THE WOODS, JHB ULIMATE MEGAZEF RAP-RAVE VOLUME 666 Saturday, June 5, 2010 | 9:00pm 3 ARTS THEATRE, CT *Photo courtesy of www.dieantwoord.com
come and watch. The schedule will be up as soon as it has been formalised. To keep up to date with AFDA join the Fan Page @ http://www. facebook.com/afda.filmschool
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WORDS BY TINA KOULISHEVA
Indisputably synonymous with the original surge of British Oi!, The Business are back, well, in business. Take some tales of European football games, add some irrelevant controversy, perseverance and attitude, and don’t forget a pinch of working class heros and you have Doing The Business – a four-song studio EP with six additional (LIVE!) tracks, five of which are from the legendary Marquee recordings from 1982. If you are looking for true punk rock from a band that has been belting out for over 30 years, then look no further.
You have to have a sense of humour (and, I personally feel, a love for Eastern European culure) to ‘get’ this band. How can I describe Gogol Bordello’s music? Gypsy punk is what I’d opt for. Eugene Hutz is a God to me, and, now that he has relocated to Brazil, one can feel how the country’s rhythms infect even the traditional Roma songs on the album. Its new and welcomed by a big fan such as myself. I have to admit, though, its no Super Taranta!, but Hütz’s cheeky mannerisms still pack a heady punch. A must for any hardcore fans and individuals looking to explore the real of punk’s possibilities.
I always felt that this band could do no wrong in my eyes; 2000’s White Pony was too surreal for words, followed by 2003’s self-titled follow up and 2006’s Saturday Night Wrist, which unlocked three years of soul-searching, anger and art. Although wih Diamond Eyes the band has gone back to the era of White Pony, there is a twist – this album swings backwards and forwards from loud and soft, a master work of patience, fantasy, and what The Deftones are known for – brutal beauty. Unfortuantely, it fails to quench one’s thirst for more – it feels like they are imitating rather than expolring and reaching new fronteers.
This album is a breath of fresh air – mainsream emo is moving onto its “post-“ era, and Circa Survive are leading the pack. The band has embrassed a glossier, more polished production, and it shows. Anthony Gree’s heartfelt vocals make this (the band’s third album) an anthem for a new generation, while still managing to reel in the Warped kids. Serious, heartfelt and anabashed, this album is a must.
WORDS BY OLIVIA MIKRUT
A music-fuelled story of the groundbreaking, all girl, teenage rock band of the 1970s, “The Runaways.” The film is about two friends, Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, in which they rise from rebellious Southern California kids to rock stars of the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of girl bands. Joan and Cherie fall under the influence of rock impresario Kim Fowley, who turns the group into an outrageous success and a family of misfits. With its tough-chick image and raw talent, the band quickly earns a name for itself—and so do its two leads: Joan is the band’s pure Rock-’n-Roll heart, while Cherie is the sex kitten. If you are expecting an in-depth biopic you will be disappointed, however the movie is as electric as the bands music, all thanks to the strong performances of the cast involved.
Spencer Aimes is a seemingly average guy who has a life of riches, fancy sportscars and women. In reality, he is an undercover government-hired super-assasin who’s world gets turned around when he meets Jen Kornfeldt, his true love. They get marriaged and enjoy their perfect lives together for the next 3 years , until the day after spencers 30th birthday when bullets start flying and they find out that he is the target of a multi- million dollar hit. What’s worse is that Spencer never bothered to tell Jen that he was a super spy, and to top it all off the couple had been spied on for years and their assasins could be anyone ranging from neighbours to friends to strangers in the street. Not only do they have to run for their lives, but they have trust issues to sort out too!
This film is a remake of Frank Oz’s black comedy Death at a Funeral, which has now been given an urban spin by a Chris Rock production . The movie follows a dysfunctional clan of people who gather at a funeral to mourn the death of a family member. However, what is supposed to be a respectful funeral turns out to be a scandelous fiasco with blackmail attempts, secret resentment and other scandalous revelations. In general, it is amusing and has an amazing and talented cast but Neil LaBute’s remake of this film falls short of the original.
Bella Swan is reunited with the love of her life, Edward Cullen. Her life is back to the way it was before the Cullens left, except for one major thing. Before Edward left, Bella had not considered Jacob Black, her best friend, and she is in vain trying to make Edward and Jacob make peace and be friends. In the meantime, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between Edward and Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.
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BY TINA KOULSHEVA
Riot Grrrl is a vivid documentation of the fierce music, renegade art and independent literature that emerged from suburban America in the late 1980s and became a global phenomenon. This community of musicians, artists and activists inspired young women across the world to pick up guitars and rewrite rock history, changing the face of feminism and underground culture forever. From guerrilla girls to punk princesses, contributors include a diverse array of musicians, artists, fanzine writers and activists. Told from the perspective of those directly involved, Riot Grrrl is a uniquely comprehensive exploration of this pioneering scene, profiling bands including Bikini Kill, Bratmobile and Huggy Bear. The book chronicles the movement’s genesis in proto-Riot Grrrls such as Patti Smith, Yoko Ono and Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and explores its continued influence on a diverse range of contemporary artists that include Courtney Love and The Organ. This little gem is both chocking and inspirational, but is also a fascinating and important book for any strong, independent woman.
Illicit activities have always been underground and shady dealings, but have of late, made their way into the mainstream, exploding and affecting not only the people involved, but also our daily lives, weather we realize it or not. Moises Nailm, editor of Foreign Policy magazine, a former executive director of the World Bank and Minister of Trade and Industry of Venezuela, explores the illicit trades, from arms trafficking, human smuggling and money laundering to music bootlegging. In Illicit, he unties the connections between the Colombian cocaine dealer, the New York banker steering money to offshore tax accounts, the Albanian forcing women into prostitution, and the Chinese market stall-holder selling counterfeit DVDs. He delivers a gripping book on the effect globalization has had on the previously hushed illicit trade, and how it has merged with our everyday lives. A must for anyone interested in the economy and illicit trade.
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In modern day society, nonconformity has become ‘cool’, and, scarier yet, consumable. So what are our definitions of rebellion and individualism? Are our real rebels actually against “conformist nonconformity”? Are we exchanging our individualism for membership in a community that offers capitalist notions, and we just don’t realize it? Niedzviecki offers examples from pop, consumer and counterculture. He presents the reader with a theory that any socially aware person should already know – that marketers have exploited ideals of individuality. Although this book lies in the mere introduction of such notions, it is nevertheless a great read for those aware of their surroundings, the true meaning of individuality, and the warped version of it we are living in.
Simon Doonan, New York Observes columnist makes no secret of his love and admiration of ‘wacky’ women. His definition of a wacky woman is: B.R.U.N.C.H.: “belligerent, resilient, uninhibited, naughty, creative and hilarious.” She is fierce, determined, and absolutely and admirably eccentric. Most have a hard time keeping a normal job (which is why many turn their eccentricities into self-employment), but there’s no denying the magnetism these women have. To Doonan, they epitomize feminism: “If the goal of women’s liberation was to create a world where the sisters could do whatever the hell they wanted, then the wacky chick must surely be the screeching apotheosis of feminist achievement.” He affirms this by presenting the reader the life stories of some 16 wacky women in this silly but fun self-help book. His point? Support your local wacky women all you can: take her to lunch, treat her like a queen and “validate” her wackiness. An enjoyable, hilarious and inspiration read delving into the life of offbeat women who are determined, strong and, inadvertently, sexy.
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OUR FAVOURITE SUICIDE GIRL DIAZ HAS BID SOUTH AFRICA FAREWELL AND RELOCATED TO ISRAEL. WE CATCH UP WITH HER ON HER FIRST MONTH THERE. When I read last month’s column I realized how much has changed in just two months. The biggest decision I made is that I decided a girl like me is just not meant to be on a kibbutz, I want to live in the city, Tel Aviv, the reason I chose to move to Israel in the first place. I needed to find a job, one that allows me to speak English and make enough money to find an apartment in the city. Within two days I had a job interview at a great English speaking bar/ restaurant on the beachfront. I went in for the interview and just knew this place was for me. They play Blues and Rock n Roll, they have monthly theme dress up parties I love to dress up) and they have live music every night. I got the job. The hours are crazy, I work mostly nights, usually leaving work between 4 and 8 am but the vibe is great, I love all the staff there and the money is good. Everyone who works there spends so much of their time at work that we are really a family there, just what I need. Once the job was secured I found a teeny tiny little apartment in the heart of the city that I can call my own. It is on the noisiest road in Tel Aviv, Allenby. It is for public transport only so during the day all you hear is buses, taxi’s and Shiruts (Shirut means service in Hebrew, these are little mini buses that drive up and down the main roads and are a cheap, convenient way to travel. I mainly use these to get around). I could
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WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIAZ SUICIDE PROFILE PICTURE OF DIAZ BY TALAMIA PHOTOGRAPHY FOR SUICIDEGIRLS.COM www.suicidegirls.com/members/talmalia
hanging out with Katatonia! have gotten something bigger with a roommate but I really wanted my own space so I have a studio apartment that is smaller then your average South African bedroom with a gallery bed and a little kitchen area by the entrance. The bathroom is literally the toilet, a sink and a showerhead in between the two. I got a pretty good deal considering it is all-inclusive; I have internet (the internet here is great, you pay for speed, not data cap so I have unlimited internet access) Hot TV (equivalent to DSTV) and constant hot water. This is rare in Israel as it is a very green country and they save electricity by using what they call a ‘dood’. Basically when you want to shower
you turn on the dood about 30 minutes before and it heats up the water. I have a little boiler that heats the water as it comes out of the tap so I don’t need to wait for a shower after a long shift at 5am. As much as I have quite easily adapted to Israeli lifestyle I still need to learn the language, I am doing Ulpan (studying Hebrew) next month, it begins on 9th may and its four days a week for five months. I am going to speak to the powers that be at work about taking on fewer shifts so I can focus on my classes. I have managed to save up a few months rent so I should be OK with three shifts a week. I am really eager to start speaking Hebrew, it is one of the most frustrating things I have ever experienced, being in a
my
nights ago I saw one of my absolute favorite bands, Katatonia. I was looking forward to the gig for so long that you can imagine my excitement when they came to the restaurant I work at the night before the show, I got an autograph, pictures and chatted with them for a while. The guitarist even came to say goodbye to me when they left, I was busy with another table so he stood behind me and waited for me to finish, shook my hand and told me it was a pleasure to meet me and see you tomorrow. We get to the gig at a venue called The Barby, a small intimate place that holds maximum 800 people. I got to the front easily and all I can say is WOW. They were amazing. I caught a drumstick and when the band members shook the audiences hands after the encore the guitarist recognized me and we had a little stop and chat, what a great experience! very own flat I have to say, as cheesy as it sounds I really feel blessed in my whole experience so far. “IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE SCARIEST, It is probably one of the MOST UNSETTLING FEELINGS IN THE WORLD scariest, most unsettling world. People who I would never have TO BE IN A NEW PLACE, AT THE MERCY OF feelings in the world known and now, could not imagine beYOUR SURROUNDINGS, VULNERABLE, WITH to be in a new place, at the ing without. My mom always said, you mercy of your surroundings, NO ONE TO RELY ON BUT YOURSELF” vulnerable, with no one to rely can’t push the river, the river will flow as it on but yourself. I miss my people back home chooses. I have learned to trust my gut and trust but that will never change. I have learned so foreign country and not speaking the lanthe flow of life. One step at a time. much about myself and feel stronger than I guage. Stupid little things that you just take ever have before. for granted on a daily basis, like listening to I have found myself surrounded by the your voicemail, become impossible and for a most amazing people from all over the stubbornly independent person like myself it is really annoying having to ask for help with such menial tasks. With my crazy work hours it has been difficult to uphold much of a social life. I have not been to any metal clubs or pubs and for anyone who knows me in Jozi, you will know that this is unlike me. I knew coming to Israel that there are a lack of these sort of places here, I also knew that the live music would make up for it. Being so close to Europe, Israel has its fair share of great live gigs. Live music is one of my absolute favorite pass times and there are some really exciting gigs coming up here. In May we have Metallica (I saw them in SA but would never miss a Metallica gig if I can help it so it will be a second time for me) and Porcupine Tree who I saw in London but again would not miss the chance to see them for the second time. June brings us The Pixies, I have my ticket already and picnic with the people from work can’t wait for that one. Just a couple of MAY - JUNE 2010
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9 BASSBINS, NINE BASSBINS, BLOODY HELL, LET ME REPEAT THAT NINE BASSBINS!!!!!
Cyberpunkers triumphant tour of SA culminated in an evening of the NINE BASSBINS of DEATH destroying even the most hardened of deaf dj’s eardrums on Friday night. But, I get ahead of myself; my evening was always going to be a busy one, a set at Cyberpunkers followed by a Dubstep set at The Kitcheners then back to The Woods to carry on covering The Cyberpunkers. I arrive for my very early set and set up whilst sound check was still being done, this was when I noticed the NINE BASSBINS of DEATH lining the stage area and this was when I noticed further that my clothing was moving in time with the music being tested and I found it increasingly difficult to walk forwards with the NINE BASSBINS of DEATH assaulting my poor already assaulted eardrums and body. The party was held at the old Shivavas venue which was formerly Kippies now called The Woods Live which promises to be a new mainstay of the Jozi club scene, a much needed new (old) venue to inject a bit of life back into a stagnating club scene which sees our favourite spots come and go all too frequently nowadays (come back Go Go Bar, we miss you). I start my early set to a mainly empty club and the bar staff who seem to be enjoying my set, and as more and more people pour in more and more people start bopping their collective heads and pulling towards the dancefloor. Gert runs up to me to turn the music down a bit as it is too loud, a problem I feel is a bit self inflicted by himself and Adam as NINE BASSBINS inside that place will definitely do that to one. After me is the irrepressible Double Adapter (http://www. facebook.com/pages/Double-Adapter/21322754895), dressed to the nines, Flikkerr in an all white suit and Email Chekkerr in an all black suit. Dan tweaks the visuals like a gentle lover over his prospective night’s conquest and Email Chekkerr laying down his righteous slamming face melting beats to a progressively busier crowd, getting that party started, the foundations laid down by me. Unfortunately I couldn’t stay to watch my young protégées complete their next step towards world manipulation as I had some knob twiddling to do at The Kitcheners with one and a half hours Dubstep set awaiting me at the lovely Andrew
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the Dj’s fantastic venue Kitcheners. Unfortunately, this means that I miss Riaan’s set which he also squeezed between sets for himself at his other night he is having at CCHQ Altehaus. I return as he and the delightful Coleen are returning to CCHQ and Twelv and Thesis (http://www. electrotrash.co.za/artists/twelvthesis/) are now up. Twelv are really cool, a wicked Dubstep, Hip Hop hybrid duo from Richard the IIIrd’s brother and co Biscope conspirator Robert Rumney aka Twelv and Thesis, aka I Don’t KnowJ. (VERY talented brothers those). They had the crowd going with their energetic performance dubstepping and crunking the place to its maximum (the NINE BASSBINS of DEATH more than doing their job). I do know of some people that had to go outside to get away from the sound for a while as it was getting a bit too hectic, but then, Dubstep is an acquired taste, one which I acquired a long time ago. Personally I like it VERY loud in a club, however the sound was just a little too much, I think that perhaps half the bassbins would be better Time for the main act……TA DAAAAAA, Cyberpunkers (http:// www.motivo.eu http://www.cyberpunkers.com) the Milan Dj duo/ project started in 2006 and they have Dj’ed all over the world with some of the top electronic acts, now they can say that they have played with Destrukto (hehe). They rock it, with their masks and Cyberpunkers T-Shirts (nothing wrong with a bit of self promotion) the crowd goes nuts, deep electro throbbing beats crash into us relentlessly, not often allowing us any break for breath. They vary their set taking us on a journey of insanity. Their set is better than I expected, I think I am getting a bit cynical in my old age. They punish their respective consoles and drag the deepest darkest hardest electro beats that they can out of them and as I look around I see people with their eyes closed and bodies convulsing and gyrating, sweating and grooving for all NOTE: PHOTOS TAKEN @ HOTBOX SHOW
they are worth. When they drop their remix of RATM Killing in the Name of and Them Beasties classic Fight for your Right, veritably do we KNOW that it is OUR right to party. Their mixing was superb and their track selection was brilliant, never once allowing us to get bored, bringing it up and down at all the right moments, an Electro Punk journey of sonic excellence. I liked the fact that they came on quite late so that the crowd was well oiled by then and ready to go nuts, and go nuts they did. I enjoyed all the mixes and remixes they were throwing in, recognized quite a bit, lots of Justice Samples etc. I found them to be better than countrymates Bloody Beetroots whom didn’t really hold my attention for as long as these guys did. My only gripe of the evening was that the sound was too much for that venue, it is notoriously difficult to get decent sound out of that venue, with all the corrugated iron
multi-channeling the sound and making it dirty and muddy, a problem I have had there before having thrown events there before, but I am sure that Gert and Adam will sort that issue out. OH, one other gripe, whoever that chick was that closed out the evening, seriously, please don’t dj again, it was horrendous, after an evening of sublime music you came on and really didn’t do a good job at all. Shocking. Rowan did a fantastic job with these guys, I got to meet them after their set, they were cool and down to earth, just here to have a good time, which I have no doubt that they certainly did! I am sure that they will come back again hopefully sooner than later. Now if I could get a new set of ears, they might be bleeding……hang on……..they are, DAMN YOU NINE BASSBINS of DEATH, DAMN YOU.
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8 April 2010, the world lost a revolutionary. The granddaddy of punk rock passed away due to malignant mesothelioma in a hospital in Switzerland. In true McLaren fashion, his last words went out with a bang - “Free Leonard Peltier.” Born Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren in postWorld War II North London, McLaren was raised by his grandmother, Rose Corre, who home schooled him until 1955. Of his grandmother, Malcolm once said, ‘She always said to me to be bad is good... to be good is simply boring”. No doubt this is something that stuck with the young Malcolm. He attended a few art colleges, from most of which he was either expelled or left on his own accord. Meanwhile, he became especially interested in the obscure French Situationist international movement, which advocated provocative, even absurd actions both as political statement and performance art, and would later apply Situationist ideas to the field of pop promotion. While attending Goldsmith’s College, McLaren began designing clothes, and after leaving college without a degree,
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he opened his first London boutique in 1972. He and then girlfriend Vivienne Westwood were also employed designing costumes for such films as Mahler and That’ll Be the Day. While in New York at a boutique fair, McLaren met the members of the proto-punk group the New York Dolls, and in late 1974, he took over their management, dressing them in red leather and using the Soviet Union’s hammerand-sickle symbol in their stage set and publicity photographs as a provocative means of promoting them. This ploy was not successful and the Dolls soon broke up. In April 1975, McLaren returned to Britain, by which time he had renamed the shop SEX, selling S&M (sadomasochistic) style clothing. By 1976, McLaren had started to manage The Strand, the band who would later become the Sex Pistols. He soon convinced them to kick guitarist/ songwriter Wally Nightingale out of the band and also introduced them to bassist Glen Matlock (who worked in SEX). His assistant, Bernie Rhodes (soon to be manager of The Clash), spotted John Lydon who was then
sporting green hair, and torn clothes with the words “I hate” scribbled on his Pink Floyd shirt. His appearance and attitude impressed McLaren, and Lydon, now dubbed “Johnny Rotten”, was brought in to audition as a new frontman. Rotten joined, and the band was renamed The Sex Pistols (McLaren stating he wanted them to sound like “sexy young assassins”). In May 1977, the band released God Save the Queen during the week of Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. McLaren organised a boat trip down the Thames where the Sex Pistols would perform their music outside Houses of Parliament. The boat was raided by the police and McLaren was arrested, thus achieving his goal to attain publicity, and living by what his grandmother had often said to him. Later that same year, the band released their debut album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, and played their last UK gig before embarking upon an American tour in January 1978. This tour saw the band split up after a series of arguments. During his time managing the band McLaren was accused by band members (most notably by John Lydon) of mismanaging them and refusing to pay them when they asked him for money. McLaren
stated that he had planned out the entire path of the Sex Pistols, and in the film, The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, he set this plan out. The film was criticised for allegedly being too skewed towards McLaren and for being a launchpad for McLaren’s future career in music as a performer as well as a manager. McLaren was approached by Adam Ant to manage Adam and the Ants following their debut album release in late 1979, soon after which three members of the band seceded to create Bow Wow Wow under McLaren’s management; concurrently, McLaren managed Adam Ant as he found new band members for Adam and the Ants and worked on a new sound. In 1983, McLaren released Duck Rock, an album which mixed up influences from Africa and the Americas, including hip-hop. The album proved to be highly influential in bringing hip-hop to a wider audience in the UK. Two of the singles from the album (“Buffalo Gals” and “Double Dutch”) became top10 hits in the UK. His 1989 album Waltz Darling, was inspired by funk and disco and incorporated elements of his former albums, such as spoken verses, string arrangements and eclectic mix of genres, but featured such prominent musicians as Bootsy Collins or Jeff Beck with a glitzy, Louisiana-style production aimed at the US market. The singles, “Waltz Darling” and “Something’s Jumpin’ in Your Shirt” became top-20 radio hits in Europe, with the single “Deep in Vogue” bringing voguing to the attention of the world long before Madonna. During the 1980s, McLaren attempted to make a film called Fashion Beast, from a script by comic-book writer Alan Moore. The film was never made, but McLaren was involved with other film and television projects, including The Ghosts of Oxford Street. This musical history of London’s Oxford Street was directed and narrated by McLaren and included performances by The Happy Mondays, Tom Jones, Rebel MC, Kirsty MacColl, John Altman and Sinéad O’Connor. McLaren was also one of the producers for the film adaptation of Fast Food Nation, which premiered on 19 May 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival and was released in late 2006. McLaren approached the Red Hot
Chili Peppers in 1985, early in their career, expressing interest in managing them, and reinventing the group. After hearing a short, live set, McLaren was “clearly unimpressed” according to Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis. He then proposed to reinvent the group and have them play really strippeddown, basic punk rock, with all of the emphasis on Kiedis. Although Kiedis was flattered to be considered, he and the band rejected the offer. In 2006, McLaren presented the documentary series Malcolm McLaren’s Musical Map of London followed in 2007 by Malcolm McLaren’s Life and Times in L.A. Also in 2007, McLaren competed in a reality TV show called The Baron.h\e was set to take part in the seventh series of the reality show I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, set in the outback of Australia and premiering on British television on Monday 12 November 2007, but he pulled out the day he had flown to Australia. He told press “it is fake”, that he didn’t know any of the other celebrities and quite frankly, “he didn’t have the time”. In January 2008, McLaren featured as one of the ‘celebrity hijackers’ in the UK TV series Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack. In his hijack, he encouraged the housemates to remove their clothes, daub themselves in paint and produce an artwork using only their bodies and a bicycle. Also in 2008, New York City public arts group Creative Time premiered nine pieces of Malcolm’s 21-part sound painting series Shallow via MTV’s massive HD screen in Times Square. There is little doubt that the little boy from North London, who spent most of his teenage years going from one art college to the next, fought his way to punk rock stardom dirty, and some might say he only had dollar (or pound) signs in his eyes. But there is also little doubt that he transformed the face of music forever, by not only recognising the Sexy Pistols’ poteintial but by also exploiting it for profit, while helping create a subculture that is still dominant in modern day society. I stumbled upon OkCupid.com in January and decided to sing up – it’s
free and there are plenty of single men from South Africa, with pictures (one of my requirements). However, Lauren suggested that I sign up for all kinds of dating sites, in order to experience variety, including alternatives sites such as PunkMatch.com. So, armed with my faithful screen name, avamonroe (I have always liked that screen name – a combination of Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe, I find that it gives a glamorous feel that I feel I lack in real life), I set about registering for every (free) dating site I could find on Google. The profile I created is pretty similar to my Facebook one, including a real picture of myself, because I did not want to lie about myself – this is, after all, in the name of research! Once my registration was complete, I was absorbed in finding a suitable guy to go on a date with! All the sites had ample amounts of registered users I could pick from. On OkCupid, they have a function called Quiver, which means that the ‘love robot’ has found you a match. Usually, however, I would just browse through profiles and give them a 4 or above star status. If they rate me just as high, it means that we both like one another and we can begin communicating. My next stop was the popular Zoosk. com. I was impressed with the number of profiles I was able to view, I found the site to have a massive pool of young, fresh meat, so to speak. However, if I find someone to my liking, I can only add him as a friend or wink at him – the service is ‘free’ but communicating isn’t so unless I have stated what my Facebook name or Skype or MSN usernames are, guys cannot get hold of me. I could buy credits and chat freely, but that costs money, AND other members cannot necessarily reply unless they buy credits too. A bit of a mission and pretty inconvenient for someone who does not want to pay for the service, but some good potential there. Through Zoosk, I started chatting with MrLoveable101, who added me on Skype. With a nickname like that, I was immediately apprehensive. However, his profile picture was relatively attractive, and I liked his profile – he seemed like a decent guy (a step up from my dating portfolio), and I was keen to give it a go. We met up for coffee at Cresta on a Sunday afternoon. Although I came alone, I made sure we were in a public place, and did not accept lifts or
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ous nonsense. MrLoveable arrived five minutes earlier (so did I) and after the routine introduction and kiss on the cheek, we settled at a table in the smoking section in the corner to get to know one another. He was tall with brown hair and green eyes, wearing jeans and a tee. So far so good. I had opted for a relatively toned down outfit (knee-length high wasted skirt, black top and red cardigan with pumps), so as not to scare him away with my flamboyant dress sense. MrLoveable did not smoke or drink. Or do drugs for that matter. Brownie points already. I opted for coffee, firstly because it was 4pm, and secondly because I didn’t want to get myself drunk and dash any hopes of juicy stories and possible second dates due to my (slight) perchant for alcohol. He ordered a coke. He started off by making small talk about my day, my job and my interests. I do not wish to label him, subculturally – I do listen to alternative music, and I do go to a lot of gigs, and I would say I live an alternative lifestyle, bit I neither judge other people, nor do I label them jock, emo, metal or indie. I will say, however, that he was a regular guy, who enjoys rock music, and is most comfortable in jeans and tees and chucks. I told him about Vixxen and my day job, y living arrangements and my nationality, mentioning that I like to watch live bands and do design in my spare time. He seemed a little taken aback by the fact that I run an alternative female magazine – as if he was not aware that there were enough girls who would find it interesting. At one point, after I mentioned that I watch a lot of live bands, he exclaimed ‘Do you mosh?’ I was a little apprehensive, because it seemed like moshing was something dirty in his eyes. Of course, me being me, I replied, unabashed, ‘I mosh yes. And I skank, which was met by the question ‘What the heck is skanking?’ and launched into a full on (alternative) dancing lesson, which I am sure initiated a 15 minutes of him trying to block my voice out, while nodding attentively. We ordered light snacks, which I dug into (I had only had breakfast and I was starving!). I have never been a shy person, and I am not one of those girls who just order a salad and pick at it while on a date. So, I was enjoying my
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chicken strips to the max, with MrLoveable staring with his mouth open, in what was either surprise or disgust. Or both. After we finished our snacks, we ordered some (more) coffee as we relaxed around one another and started talking about our lives. We talked about politics and music and movies and books. Upon asking him what his favourite book was, I almost spilled my coffee at his response – very nonchalantly he replied ‘The Bible’. I knew the date was over then and then, and will spare you the details on the rest of our disastrous meeting. The date ended... unsuccessfully and I knew I had scared him away with my lifestyle. Or he scared me away with his over-zealous religious views. Determined to find some juicy stories for you guys, I went back to OkCupid.com to hunt for more potential suitors. I read through my messages and discovered one by a member called DominateMe31 (what’s up with the numbers in these user names, by the way?). The message went something like this ‘Hey there cutie. Nice profile. You seem like you know what you want out of life. I like the alternative look. SUCH a turn on. Are you at all into fetish?’. To cut a long story short, we chatted for a bit and decided to meet up. This time we met at Olive Lounge. By the time I arrived at 21h30, I had already put away three beers and two Jagers at home. I blame it on my nerves. Judging from our chats, he had created a little picture in his head regarding what I was like in real life, and I desperately wanted to live up to it (once, again in the name of research). He thought of me as a sexy, strong, confident and independent woman and I wasn’t about to let him down. I dressed to the max (high heels and all) and stuck out like a sore thumb in the Phuza Thursday crowd at Olive. He arrived late (2 hours late), straight from work. A banker. With a BMW. This was beginning to sound suspiciously like a stereotype. He appeared very ‘normal’ – a typical pencil pusher, a corporate that would, under other circumstances, never have caught my eye. Although appearance versus reality is something I am all too familiar with, I couldn’t help but wonder how such a seemingly normal looking guy could be so obsessed with fetish and
domination. He kissed my hand and seemed to worship me. He bought me shots and called me Madam Terminator the whole night. I was beginning to like this. He seemed to treat me like a goddess, which is not something I am accustomed to. However, as fate would have it, I proceeded to get a little too liquored up, and thus my personality came out in full force. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m and extremely hyper and friendly little girl – not at all like the controlled, stern, sexy dominatrix type that he wanted me to be (and that I was in turn trying to portray). Needless to say, he never called back. And this, my dear readers, was my foray into the underground world of online dating. I did find out a lot through my experiences, both online and in real life. One guy that I chatted to explained to me why he is on the dating site – he works a lot and doesn’t really have time to meet people, and feels safe behind his computer screen – he can select members he would like to converse with, without having to commit. This makes a lot of sense to me, as we as young adults are under a lot of stress nowadays – jobs, college, family, friends, hobbies – we cannot always go out and meet new people. And furthermore, some of us (like myself ) do not know how to approach someone we are keen on, so online dating takes care of that for us. Another thing I learnt through this is that sadly, a book IS still very much judged by its cover. The way I look and the way people perceive me – if I dress more ‘mainstream’ I am accepted and respected, while if I dress like my usual crazy self, I come across (to the close minded individuals at least) as a stupid, dirty little punk kid. At least that is the vibe I get. I did, however, also find out that ‘mainstream’ guys (God, I hate using these terms, but you get the point) find me interesting, but would never, in a million years date me, as I am too wild for them. And lastly, I found out that pubescent boys and ‘mature’ seniors are equally perverted – a chat experience that will no doubt forever both haunt and amuse me. I guess I better set up that shrink appointment now.
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IN THE SEVENTIES, A NEW TYPE OF MUSIC GENRE EMERGED - ONE THAT IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE AND KICKING TODAY. BUT HAVE WE LOST IT’S ORGINIAL SET OF IDEALS, LABELLING OURSELVES ‘PUNK’ JUST TO BE ‘COOL’? TWO CUPS OF TEA INVESTIGATES. was kind of introduced into most badass jacket/ shoes/ patches/ punk at high school, copying a attitude. Where did it diverge from few CDs for someone (namely a group of people hanging out, NOFX - The Decline, Gutterdancing to bands, sharing ideas and mouth – Friendly people and The generally just having a good time to Toy Dolls - Absurd-Ditties ), at first I being a bunch of, for lack of a better absolutely hated the stuff, I thought word, wankers? ‘Why the heck why does someIt’s definitely not about the one want to listen to this screamo, music you listen to (in my opinion), unmelodic bull’. But of course, as whether you listen to the most time went by and ridiculous pop I heard the songs “PUNK IDEOLOGIES band or the most they grew on me, ARE A GROUP OF VAR- underground like the awesome aggressive punk IED SOCIAL AND PO- that produced fungus that is punk rock. LITICAL BELIEFS AS- a CD made out From there it was recycled cop SOCIATED WITH THE of a few all ages’ gigs badges. It seems at Thrashers for the PUNK SUBCULTURE. IN that people likes of Leek, The ITS ORIGINAL INCAR- nowadays give Stevie Wonderfuls others so much NATION, THE PUNK and The Vendettas, shit about what SUBCULTURE WAS PRIas well as a horde they listen to of other now-gone MARILY CONCERNED when really, bands. The comwhat the fuck WITH CONCEPTS SUCH does it matter? munity was huge, people would misAS REBELLION, ANTI- We all started sion in packed cars AUTHORITARIANISM, with some filled with booze bullshit band. INDIVIDUALISM, FREE to Pretoria from As taken from Johannesburg and Wikipedia: THOUGHT AND visa versa, and ev“Punk ideoloDISCONTENT” eryone would end gies are a group up at someone’s house for drinking of varied social and political beliefs and talking crap into the wee hours associated with the punk subculof the night. Band members hung ture. In its original incarnation, out with everyone else, there was the punk subculture was primarily no ‘VIP’ room for the bands, and concerned with concepts such as people just enjoyed themselves. rebellion, anti-authoritarianism, So what the heck happened to individualism, free thought and those days? Seriously, what is going discontent. Punk ideologies are usuon with punk these days? Do people ally expressed through punk rock not care about anything anymore? It music, punk literature, spoken word seems everything is about being the recordings, punk fashion or punk rudest motherf*****, stealing, fight- visual art.” ing, and making sure you have the In my humble opinion, punk
should be about your attitude in life and your ideals thereof, treating others as you wish to be treated, calling things out when you feel they are wrong, not some sort of fashion contest where you hate on others for not conforming to your set of rules, that is so far away from what it should be, it’s disgusting! It should be about having a community of like-minded individuals, who can have a good time, without any bull****. It should be about you helping someone when they need it, not jumping the fence to get into a show so you can buy two more beers. It just seems that things are so wayward now; it’s all gone to the dogs. Get an opinion of your own; don’t pick your responses based on the responses of others. Be civil to others, don’t treat people like s*** in the community because they aren’t like you (we shouldn’t all have to be uniformed motherf****** anyway ), if you can’t get along with someone, then don’t, don’t be a cock about it. With all this being said (and I know I ranted on there for a bit), there are still some fantastic things about the scene. There are some fantastic bands that still go out of their way to help other bands, which still care and would do a free show even when they can get paid somewhere else. There are still fantastic people in the scene who don’t mind talking to anyone and everyone, giving them music, helping out where they can and generally being really nice people. I just hope that somehow, sometime it gets back to what it used to be, a community of like- minded individuals having a good time. MAY - JUNE 2010
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I originally posted the title above (from the classic Elvis tune) as a reference to the current furor around Julius Malema on my Facebook profile page and much to my amusement, a lot of friends got a little irate. “Jissus, hasn’t he caused enough damage already?” In reply perhaps we need to ask, how much damage has he really done- physically? In fact in the past few weeks have we seen Julius Malema do much else other than a lot of talking? To be completely honest, I feel that it’s an inordinate amount of unchecked talking that has to a large degree fueled a lot of the political and public frenzy we have seen in the last few weeks and we have yet to see any real manifestation of the racial horrors we have been prepped to expect from all quarters and.. there’s a damn good reason for this too.
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The Sunday and Monday mornings after Eugene Terreblanche’s murder I ran into friends and family, eyes wide and stammering who, with not a little terror in their eyes, were deciding how to prepare for a possible civil war- a war between whites and blacks in the New South Africa. In the aftermath, reading and listening to a wider variety of opinions and views within the media it’s evident that a lot of people were honestly, genuinely spooked. It’s also apparent that the term ‘racial polarisation’ has become the new catch phrase now to describe the relations between blacks and whites within South Africa. Black and White. Polarisation- poles apart. However, in the aftermath we have yet to see the pronouncements of war by the AWB take effect indeed, a few days later their
statement was retracted. We have yet to see ANC or PAC or even IFP supporters take up arms, barge into Ventersdorp or any other ‘boer farm town’ screaming “Dubul’ iBhunu” (shoot the Boer)and reclaiming their land for themselves. For all the far left and right political views that have been floating up in the air for the past few weeks (indeed AWB membership suddenly leapt in the wake of Eugene Terrerblanche’s death despite the fact that the AWB as a party, were practically defunct) there exists a massive middle ground that I believe is more than we give it credit for and it’s because of it that it’s business as usual in SA at the moment. Middle ground sounds a lot like middle of the road. Fence sitter, non-committal or even worse, a word that has come to describe a lot of the pub-
lic’s response to SA’s political situation- apathetic. Yet, I argue, it is the overwhelming middle majority who I believe have and will continue to secure and protect South Africa’s racial and political future now and many generations ahead. These are the ones, Black and White, Indian, Coloured, whoever, who do not subscribe to this polar opposite view at all and are a testament to the fact that polarization is definitely not a catch all phrase to describe the associations various racial groups have towards one another. When asked to explain to my art students what contrast means I always use the very simple explanation that two things that are very different from each other when placed together create a contrast (black and white are the ultimate colour contrast, white
being the absolute lightest and black the absolute darkest) and that it is the precise differences that they have that makes them look really good together and why we appreciate them aesthetically. While this may sound like a really facile and simple way to describe the complexities of race relations I think there’s a lot to be said about the power of contrast amongst South Africans. Our ethnic and culturally diverse country is a haven for locals, ex pats and tourists who can enjoy a climate of acceptance here almost unparalleled in the rest of the world. However it seems at times, especially lately, that these differences have a tendency to completely overwhelm a lot of the discourse and interaction in the private and public domain so that they place us in a space where these they seem to become so much more relevant than the things we may have in common. These assumed separating forces like race, political views, religion, sexual orientation and the famous ‘cultural barrier’ have for centuries stood as the absolute stalwart to political and social change and it seems relentlessly erode any real progress, rearing their ugly heads just as soon as some or other news worthy event is explained away on the basis of racism. Of course taking nothing away, the issue of race has unfortunately been and will always be a major aspect of this country’s history. There’s no easy way to put the past aside and there’s no easy way to take various groups who were kept apart for so long, bash them all together, say get on with it and hope the whole thing goes swimmingly.
Change is gradual, slow and Terreblanche as a figurehead often fraught with backward is that the continued and steps and teething problems. unfettered existence of one However, as long as the of the countries prime white desire to change positively supremacist figureheads said remains the primary focus, volumes about the power of these other things should reconciliation and toleration not be allowed to divert what in South Africa that he was aleveryone hopes for. In South lowed to live by and hold his Africa, spurred on by the vitown political views, contenriolic rhetoric of greedy and tious or not. The same holds dissatisfied politicians, this true for Malema. If a democseems to happen an awful lot racy is to survive we all have though. to realize that the particular Much has been said about freedoms we all enjoy, like Julius Malema freedom of “FENCE SITTER, speech and in fact, what has not been said NON-COMMITTAL freedom about Julius of opinion OR EVEN WORSE, A have their Malema, more often than not WORD THAT HAS value in so by the man himas they COME TO DESCRIBE far self? Whatever also allow A LOT OF THE PUB- us to hold one may take from his impasLIC’S RESPONSE TO divergent sioned speeches viewpoints, SA’S POLITICAL SITU- no matter and cornball patriotism one ATION- APATHETIC” how conthing becomes troversial, abundantly ludicrous or clear- the polarisation of uninformed. The constitution South African society exists does not read as, “the right for a lot of reasons, but not to hold an informed opinentirely because South Afriion.” The contentious terrain can citizens themselves wish emerges when freedom of it so. Just as readily as there speech and freedom of opinwere those white South Afriion come into sharp conflict cans checking for spare pages with things like the disallowin their passports, ready to ing of hate speech and incitescuttle off at a moments ment to violence. However, notice, there were those just if we as a public can learn as firmly hell-bent on staying to treat unpopular speech and just as readily as there with the level of tolerance it were Malema supporters who deserves but then likewise have defiantly defended their hate speech the same way, rights to use terms like ‘white perhaps it could promote a agents’ and ‘colonialism’ (ofdramatic reviewing of where ten when it suits them) there we see the incidents of the were many ANC supportlast few weeks and the varied ers who came out in a firm reactions of the public. The defense against reverting to danger is when we start to racist and alienating views to confuse the two and alexplain away what has haplow hate speech to pass for pening in the country. general opinion and likewise I think what a lot of people unpopular speech to pass as didn’t realize about Eugene the official agenda.
For South Africa to continue to thrive and prosper as an example of democratic change and as one of the freest nations in the world, we have to be weary of quickly undermining the ability for various racial groups to reach consensus on the very fundamental truths that make us human and resist the urge to echo the sentiments of polarisation and conflict, believing that the utterances of a few are now testament to the feelings of an entire group at large. The personal agendas that may spur on and ignite hate speech and racist sentiment stand alone as particular and peculiar to those who subscribe to them. Words and sentiment are just that and only reach any possible potential if people grant them a meaningful status that could lead to actions. I heard it said once that George Orwell was quoted as saying that ‘if liberty is anything, it’s the ability to tell people what they don’t want to hear.’ I like the fact that I can choose to be a follower of whatever political affiliation I choose to, listen or read whatever I want or ignore it if I see fit. That liberty extends to all South Africans and we should never underestimate the integrity of people to make this decision for themselves so that not everything or everyone defines their South African identity on the basis of race, insurmountable incompatibilities or some pig headed, obstinate refusal to see what’s really going on. As Oscar Wilde noted, “meaning is not in things, but in-between them.” So yes, let’s have a little less conversation and a little more action please!
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WORDS BY TINA KOULISHEVA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARNO VAN DERV WESTHUIZEN
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I am ashamed to admit this – but up until two months ago, I hadn’t been fortunate enough to have seen Dance, You’re On Fire live. However, one night, they were on the bill at a gig at Cool Runnings Fourways. As soon as the opening chrods to their first song started, I was hooked. And so was the crowd. I felt it was my duty to expose this band within these pages, so I sat down with the lead singer Tom Manners for an interview. Q: How long has Dance, You’re On Fire been going for? T: We originally started playing together as a five piece in mid 2007. At that time we had an additional vocalist (Nic Simmonds) and our original bassist (Andre Potgieter) jamming with us. During the course of the band’s lifetime both Nic and Andre left, making way for Paul and pushing Tom forward to the primary vocalist position. As a result the sound began to change and morphed from something more progressive in nature to the music you hear today. Q: You all have been making music (individually) long before you formed this band. What previous bands were you in?
T: We’ve all been playing our respective instruments for a number of years. Collectively we’ve been members in Dead City Centres, Rife, Cellar Door Diaries, The Watermark High, The Jumper, The Nightlight Six, Pet Flyz and Cannon to a Whisper. Q: How would you describe Dance, You’re On Fire? T: Dance, You’re on Fire is really about writing really well constructed, interesting rock songs. We aim for an element of pop and formula while incorporating fresh ideas which might not typically gel with today’s standard ‘rock single’ format. It’s hard to describe really; in the end it’s about having a good time playing songs that we enjoy and hope others will enjoy too. Q: Who does the song writing? T: Usually we sit in a room and play at each other until someone says “wait! wait! that sounds awesome!” and we take it from there. Either that or Tom will bring a song idea to practice and we will all work together to flesh it out and make it as good as it can possibly be.
or what?) T: Usually we’ll start with the basics by laying out the structure of the song. After that we’ll move onto polishing it up and including accents here and there. When that’s finished Tom will usually take the song home and put lyrics to it, at which point we’ll take another look at the overall structure and make the changes where necessary. Q: Do you have any groupies? T: We don’t even know what groupies are supposed to look like. Obviously we have a lot of friends who happen to be girls and who happen to come to shows now and then but if you’re referring to the typical ‘Almost Famous’ stereotype then the short answer is no. Q: You guys seem really close. Do you think that helps with the energy of the band? T: Absolutely. We’ve all known each other for years and July will mark three years of playing, practicing and touring together. All of our experiences together feed into a band spirit which picks us up when things aren’t going according to plan.
Q: How does the song writing process work? (melody first, or lyrics, MAY - JUNE 2010
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