Welcome To The Jungle

Yes we survived our first rock show for the year at Blue Moon but before I jump right into that whirlpool a few "world events"

Sad news out of the music industry was that legend Durbanite "Wash your socks" folk singer, Syd Kitchen passed away on 22 March 2011 after a long battle with cancer. NOA had the honours last year to witness him and his band in action at SplasyFen Our prayers, love and respects go out to his family, his band, his friends and work colleagues. See here who Syd was and some of us won't remember him that well (we bit young ones) you can read here an interview with Syd about 2009 SplasyFen.

Then yet another birthday (last week) is to Lee Nicholls of No One's Arc! Hope it was awesome man! Many more to you!

Our local muso Ewald have sneaked in a few solo songs! Yes, you can loan your ears to Ewald video "We write the songs" which made all on an iPhone! Smart phones are taking over the world it seems, step aside Gaddafi. There are two more there so please go support local music, Nelspruit music talent is moving up in the YouTube world. After you have enjoyed Ewald videos make sure you relieve an old Blue Moon performance from No One's Arc (NOA) "Funky E Juice" (I really wish they can do this song just once in the play list again for old time sake).

While on my journey over our last long weekend I discovered some classic Blue Moon memories of news paper clippings, ticket stubs and flyer's. Can you believe I paid R 40 in 2004 to see Prime Circle! These days I watch them for free (when I work) or pay a good R 120 for an amazing show! I might just post some pictures of it. As Robby of NOA said to me "Some scary stuff"

I was also asked this past weekend where do I get my “subject” lines from…well from song titles which are relating to the feeling of the blog. You can always just search the song title and see what you come up with. “Welcome to the Jungle” is one of first Guns ‘n Roses songs I ever heard way back when.

As for my gypsy life is slowing calming down, you might have seen me jogging in the suburbs, you need to fit behind the bar! Not easy running around in freaking work boots for almost 12 hours in the night. Anyway Saturday morning started out as always with Tiger waking me up way too early. The chickens next door now only walk the other side of their yard since Tiger nearly had some KFC. So the cock(s) don't bother me anymore, I had taught myself to sleep through outside noises because I need my beauty sleep when sleeping over at the Moon (or Up The Crack or Oppikoppi...). I might wake up if you dump water on me but then again been there done that and got the wet t-shirt.

Anyway the afternoon was a rush of wind of course to get Eddie going and knowing him he takes forever to finish. We arrived at the Moon with a brand new Mooner, Jonathan Bone, to our humble existence. Ah the smell of the wood, stage and the light shining in is a welcome home feeling. After much greetings and well wishes to Lee for his birthday we step in behind the bar. I must say I was pretty amazed by our outcome and our regular faces and new ones were spotted with orders. The tequila fountain was full, Oom Jaggie made sure a few was getting "Jags" and my favourite Southern Comfort was a top order with me. Voetstoots opened the evening of rock, they are from White River and been around now for a few years. If you have a talent for reading Afrikaans (or just put on your translate) then you go to their website or join them on FB. They are busy recording a 6 track EP which will be realest soon I hope. They just confirmed this weekend at the Moon that they will be playing at the STRAB fest in May. Make sure you book your ticket for this Subterranean Rhythm and Blues experience in Mozambique.

Next up was Guns 'n Posers and despite the men playing their instruments and the "Axel Rose" dress in the trademark tights, over size shirts and red bandanna his voice disappointed me. Maybe I was standing in the wrong place but I was expecting more especially in songs like "Paradise City", "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Sweet child of Mine" but the crowds love it. From the old rockers dress in jeans, leather waist coats and GnR shirts to the 20 something’s with long hair and in GnR shirt. It was nice to Oom Niel jamming a bit too some rock since he love his dance music. If I have to pick my favourite of the night from them it was "Sweet Child" - they crowd carried that song home to the humid air.

After the beer bottle throttle playing Guns 'n Posers was NOA, again they did not disappoint. They pulled all the different shapes that were attending this evening of old school rock from the hills and onto the floor. A lot of young ladies also filling in the front row and all the "old" Arc'ers were in between jamming. We need welcome back into the country and back home good friend Christine who was in Aussieland for a good few years. At least she didn't pick up the ascent and she has not lost her taste in good SA red wine. NOA played over their usual 6 songs which included 3 new songs; one was also played at Up The Creek called "Push & Pull" a new favourite of mine. The crowd screamed for more and I'm not sure what songs they pulled out of their pocket but they did the drum solo between Robby and Dylan. It is quite a sight to see and if you are in Cape Town this weekend make your way up to Swellendam for RAKA FEST! NOA will be bringing you the Lowveld flavour again. Remember to join them on FB and spread the word of the ARC.

The energy fuelled NOA performance made way for SA DC and now boys and girls, Thunderstruck is my brother song to me. And SA DC is certainly the best tribute band I've ever heard. We behind the bar make turns to watch different bands and while I was on NOA, Eddie and Anne Marie were on SA DC. Our bar was near empty during the show which was an excellent outcome since everyone was doing shock waves to the band. Loved it! Bring back the roots of our rock upbringing

At around 1 am our boss said at 2 am we must "honour" the "new rules" about alcohol sales from the "stomach in, chest out" Police commissioner Bheki Cele. The few regulars who did stay behind did ignore all our last calls warnings. But this is now a new opportunity to start party sooner, Conrad (aka DJ Dirtroad) the sound engineer and fellow organiser to STRAB played some classic hits. "New York, New York", "My baby don't care", "We didn't start the fire" and "Only One"...yes what a party. I  sneaked away just before 3 am to catch a lift back home and heard that some only left at 4 am in the morning. Never the less the party spirit was there even with the lack of alcohol.

This kick off was truly a kick to the past season and the new season at the Moon. I feel (and I'm not the only one) that this year we will be kicking ass. With the raise in international acts coming to South Africa and our local music rock scene picking up more and more on radio. Yes if you will watch closely it's not only the normal aKing, Prime Circle and so forth being played anymore. I think this thanks to John Savage of Cassette band power nights rock, it’s on every Thursday evening from 10pm – Midnight on 5 FM. I actually heard 5FM play the new Lenny Kravitz song last week...this year will be a year of rock. Watch out around June for Limp Bizkit new album, yes I'm very serious check their website. Also if someone asks me one more time about Die Antwoord I'm going to antwoord them in swear words that is going to make Yolande Vi$$er blush. I don't enjoy them, I will not support their music and yes I am fan of local music but that is just pure embarrassment. Not even worth linking their new "banned" music video.

On the 14th of May is a HUGE Afrikaans explosion on the Moon. Dozi, ADAM and lots of new and old acts will be Afrikaaner the Moon. If you want to join in this fun keep an eye out the Moon web site and the event created on the right hand side of this page. Tickets are selling for a R 120 p/p and for those die hard rugby supporters we will have a TV in the bar for you. Personally I might just survive Ou Ryperd, if I can survive a glass door my goodness I might survive another Afrikaans gig.

Till later rockers!

 

I'll Be A Saturday Night

Today I bring some exclusive pic's from our Kryptonite @ Blue Moon.



Anna Mart







Anne Marie & Marlie



Sunè - Runs the BM Kitchen





Ronald - Drinks anyone?





Pete the legend!





Anthony, Anna Mart, Marlie, Ronald & Oom Niel



M&M

Ewald!



Eddie with The Moon Arc shirt



The A-Team 2011:
Oom Niel, Marlie, Pete, Anne Marie, Simi & Eddie

Well that's all folks! Spot you all later!

Peace

Kryptonite

"You stumble in/and bumped your head/if it was not for me/then you'll be dead"

I simply start off by saying that the glass sliding doors at the Blue Moon main house are super strong, it didn't brake when I was playing “Superwoman” and run straight into it. I'm suffering of the whiplash and head aches two days later now.

I know that I did submit some kind of something a week or so ago but I can't help myself in the case of the "Blue Moon Team Building" event that happen somewhere between the weekend and now. At first it was a tuff call in between other pre booked events and the team building but I felt that Anthony had spoken even before UTC about getting together and needed my attendance. After an incident on the Friday night at the Moon we couldn't help but to be there.

It was simple, arrive around 16:00 - 17:00 bring our own chop and dop (Pete spoiled us with a few loose beers and cold drinks) and have a good time. Oh boy...

We create our own "tasks" as the night progressed into building the team spirit (we got spirit yes we do!). Not to mention too much but there was:

- Swimming across the dam and steal the neighbour boat thing

- Mountaineering (day and night)

- Survive the Titanic

- Braai challenge

- Swim by night

- Do a night "fun walk"

- Singing

- And lastly warm Jaagmymeester

The afternoon flew past us after we all decided where we going to sleep (hopefully) you know "I dips the top bunk!" kind of thing, have a rocker arrived in the form of Ewald (the rest seemed to have gotten lost in Nelsparta somewhere). In the end we were almost 20 people (with baby sitters as well to the underage), listening to music, jumping in the pool and taking some pictures for future Rolling Stones editions. After we won the cricket match to India (by the skin of our noses) we really let loose. Eddie made a big bowl of Titanic, a bottle of Jaagmymeester made an appearance and Anthony made a disappearance to bed.

Well into the night in the swimming pool the suggestion of going down to the dam in search of those dolphins Anna Mart spoke about last year came up. Instead of being clever people and using the dirt road we "sny 'n lyn" down the mountain "goat path" to the dam. Facebook was replaced by a face plant, shins was eaten by rock edges and muscles worked like never before. I must give ourselves credit, this was all done with out flash lights and only our memory saved us from tumble ling totally down the mountain. Anyway we all made it to the jetty, some trying to take a short cut through the reeds (ouch) but never the less there we were under a quarter moon listening to the fishes jumping and watching a bush buck running for her life.

After our little mountaineering course we walked up via the dirt road under the stars. Amazing to stare at those stars I always seem to miss while working but then again it's either over cast or the middle of winter and I do have my tent so no need to count stars. Back at the main house some didn't even realised we were gone and back but it was time for bed. When we left for the dam it was just after 23:00 pm we got back at 01:30 am, some of the A-Team members crashed to sweet dreams and the rest had a party next to the pool.

Sunday morning came down, woke up early to help clear our mess we left behind. Found Oom Niel next to the pool for his beauty sleep and realised that Ewald drove home somewhere in the early hours of the sun rise. After light rain and the bodies slowly waking up we watched some Up The Creek photos that was put together by Anna Mart and Frank with some hectic comments. Breakfast was prepared by Beanie, Sune and Chantal with Doc and Anthony discussing STRAB (that is later this year check out the event on your right hand side of the page) and we all slowly packing up.

Breakfast served with those Blue Moon chips (VIP special ek sê - ask any artist who has eaten breakfast there), some left over braai meat, Russians (the sausages not the vodka), cheese, toast and eggs. The first beer was cracked open in mother of can Castle but it went down very very slowly. I'm glad to see that the cries of help from the rest of Uitkyk have not fallen on deaf ears and the road to Blue Moon is looking good. Let's hope it doesn't rain hard very soon. No excuse NOT to come on the 26th of March.

On a TOTALLY different note (again) I was asked by Oom Niel to attend this great party.

As you have read in the past (and in our circle of friends) about Dirkie van der Merwe bike accident. His golf day was held this past Friday and from the sounds of it, it was a total success. Oom Niel has teamed up with Anna Mart in organising a dance party for Dirkie at Oewersig Hall (that is close to Stables...okay the old hengelklub...FM I will Google map it for you) on the 9th April 2011 starts at 20:00. Oom Niel is also opening a real club soon in Nelsparta but details on that is to follow.

To the information on the flyer's handed to me:

DrinkToCosta presents

From the City of Gold, SA's very own DJ Jazzy D with Danny Goodman. Bringing you the best re-mixes SA's got to offer. Join DrinkToCosta for a magic evening you will remember forever.

DJ Jazzy D is bringing his own sound, lasers and special effects.

We promise you an experience unknown to Nelspruit

* TOP DJ *

* TOP SOUND *

* TOP SPECIAL EFFECTS *

* NEVER SEEN BEFORE "CHILL" AREAS *

Buy your tickets now for an evening that just gives on giving with lucky draws, cash bar, baby sitting on prior arrangement and dance!!

Date: 9 April 2011 Venue: Oewersig Hall

Time: Gates opens @ 7

            Music starts @ 8

Cost: R100

Dress code: a dash of pink.

R10 FROM EVERY TICKET SOLD WILL GO TO THE DIRKIE VD MERWE RECOVERY FUND!"

No tickets will be sold at the gate.

You buy these tickets from Oom Niel on 082 357 0641 (and few others). Alternatively you can leave a comment, a tweet, a face plant I mean facebook to me and I will connect you the party line!

Girls don't forget about National Cleavage Day on the 26th of March! I'm sending out a challenge to each and every girl that is attending the Kick Off Party @ Blue Moon to wear her cleavage with pride and a pink ribbon(s) in support of Breast Cancer. Let's make the boys happy and enjoy our womanhood which makes us the unique species that we are. All in taste of course and we will forgive you if are a bit shy ;o) 

So from this glass door disaster of a bartender I'm sending you peace and love till after the 26th of March!

Breathing

It's March...tax season, we submit our votes again for these politicians, autumn are near and of course we slowly crawling towards the first Blue Moon gig! Yes I can breath again, 26 March 2011 Kick Off Party will see the rock gods being raised again with Voetstoots, No One's Arc, Guns ‘n Posers (a tribute band to Guns 'n Roses) and SA DC Tribute (a tribute band to AC/DC). The last mentioned actully sounds similar (if not on the dot!) like the old school boys. The first time I saw them live I had to take a double take to see that was not Angus Young singing. I'm looking forward to this gig (besides our locals playing) as I think it's going to be a "gun blast / kick in the ass / so paranoid / watch your back!" (Shinedown - Sound of Madness)

It's a slightly late happy birthday to metal head, Mark Paxton (which were the 4th of March), sorry that I could join you for that beer but did cheers to you later on that evening.

I've been living like gypsy now for almost a week. I'm half way out my old flat back to the old neighbourhood with the two cats and have chickens for neighbours. I hate those chickens! You can time that cock(s) at 04:45 am every single morning, I need sleep man! Not a cock-el-dooly-doo!!! But at least I think I will settle for another few months until I can get some more cash. This life (style) is hectic one and if the travelling that I might be doing falls into place then I just have to suck it up!

I must say our town has been really quite, too quite BUT if you don't know about the little gigs you might just miss it. Once again Pappas Sunday sessions have turned into a ritual attendance by me (and few other regular faces). Last week we had Ewald and Smook on guitar with Ruan joining in with his drum. This past Sunday we had the pleasure of regular sessioneer Sol with Smook and Renier grabbing his bass and joining in. Next time you see Smook please donate him some guitar strings as he broke 2 in one session.

As we sat enjoying our sangria, Dylan showed up, yes the man just spend the weekend flying 20 hours back from Finland, true legend and rock star. We'll catch him on tour soon again with the rest of the Acre’s at Blue Moon, Splasy Fen and Cape Town round again. I hope that NOA will be able to tour a bit of Gauteng and KZN this year as well as their music is really catching up with a lot of people. You never know we might just see them nominated in the MK awards for best new comer next year (that is a real fan hope). Plus those drives to Cape Town and back are a looooooonnnnnnnnngggggggg one. While we are on the subject make sure to take a stroll on their brand new website! Yes it's awesome with info, pictures, and videos and and...What you waiting for?

And for those who are not into their rock as much I am I got some good news for you. On Friday I was at a proper dance club in Nelspruit. Yes, no more "Hokaai! Stop die lorrie" or "Baby Chojiklits" (Thank goodness). Legends Cafe opened up recently and is situated at Central Park which is next to the testing grounds here in Nelsparta. Legends Cafe are a pub/club/restaurant with pictures of legends like Marilyn Monroe, Bob Marley, Boy Dylan, Queen and so many old stage and screen legends (hence the name). The alcohol is cheap-cheap (R 10 a beer) and DJ Donovan and DJ Ramon played last Friday night. Minette did some serious social networking via FB and Jock&Java to get the people there but not everyone knew where it was. So next time when you want to "Dans! Dans! Dans! Ek wil vokken dans!" (Jack Parow ft Franscios van Coke) drag your sexy ass down to Legends Cafe, keep an eye out for productions of Zero13, DJ Don & Ramon if you into the whole dance scene, just search "The Candy Jar" and/or "Zero13" on the social networks. No more Stalle!

This Wednesday night you can take drive up the hill to Lions Pub in White River for yet another session with Sol. Please don't give me the excuse "I didn't know about it" or "It's too far man" - if you are hungry enough for live music then you WILL make a plan. Really Lions is an awesome little pub situated on a prime corner of White River. Their steak are excellent and their beers cold. Pull in, no cover charge and come support some of our local talent. I promise you, you won't be the only there supporting because Minette and I will be there!

The next Drumming Circle are happening on the 19th of March at Legogote Lodge in White River, R 30 gets you in and no private liquor (sorry peeps) but there will be a cash bar and food for sale (for that midnight munchies), you can go onto FB and join In Unity We Drum group or contact Raquel on 0847823230. If you never been to one of these drumming cessions seriously look at going, it's such an experience and you can wear you jeans and tekkies; tie-dye of course are always welcomed so are anyone.

Other news, I must send congrats out to all the winners of the MK Awards 2011, Prime Circle of course won "Best International Break Through" which is a HUGE honour (and my vote). While we (Minette, Lee and I) were watching this freak show I couldn't help but to yell in my head to those girls with the HUGE wigs "Fall down! Fall down!" Would have been an instant YouTube hit! Dumpass awards to the evening are the make up to the ego MC girl; WTF was on her eye laces?? The international model couldn't decide in what accent to speak in. The chicka who won the Hyundai, you were so excited that you nearly climb into the car from the wrong side or maybe it was Twakkie outfit that over blown you (his and Cornè outfit gave me nightmares). And last but not least one of the best live performance on the evening had to go Prime Circle (and the great camera work from the production, loved the slow motion effect), Zebra & Giraffe proofed why they sound check for an hour - perfection. Jack Parow with Shorty, great idea to give the hard working hip hop dancers a break - I'm glad Jack wore a suite, wonder which PEP stores did he bought it from? And I finally know what Jax Panix look like, thanks for “Dinosaur” gets stuck in my head just typing it. If I can submit another potential newbie nomination for next year it will Captain Stu, still I'm thinking of their show and dude it is seriously good.

In a few weeks I will be reporting on the Kick Off Party and all the little things that will be happening. Keep an eye out on the net for reviews, photos and videos of the RAMfest that happened this past weekend. You might have spotted our bossman, Anthony, with his funky outfit in the Cape Town leg of this year fest. Also “Where Blues meets Rock” show went down, been seeing a lot of Kobus (The Black Cat Bones) jumping up & down on photos as well as Jack Hammer & Akkedis doing a few rounds.

Till later muso’s and fans! Rock on