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!