Not Broken

By Marley

Today my title is from a song off the Goo Goo Dolls last album, this song has been a bit radio hit in the USA and yet I've only heard this song play in shops like Mr. Price and Edgars...maybe it's just me but the national stations are missing some good alternative. Anyway this song specific has quite a cool story I feel. It's believed that a woman gave John Rzeznik, the singer/song writer of the band with the beautiful blue eyes, a letter containing her thanks towards their music and told her story of her husband who fought in the war in the Middel East. He was injured during this and didn't want to come home since he felt she wouldn't accept him anymore.

John took this inspiration and wrote a song that is like a love letter from this woman to her husband "We're not broken so please come home"

My point of telling you this story well I feel broken today after working almost 20 hours a day last week, having to deal with politics (and I'm not talking the elections either), organising the small stuff for STRAB! Yea man and of course trying to stay secretive to the highly secretive line up for By Die Maan aka Innibos. Yes I do have my inside information and lets just say the one artist I want to see live since the songs drives me craze some days on radio.

But lets get back in it shall we? I spent many minutes typing up the build up to UTC earlier this year (just go back a few posts you can't miss it) and I thought about it last night, I must build up my excitement to STRAB as well. For one reason being that within 24 hours I will be travelling across 3 countries by car, South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. Not only will I be doing this with friend in arms Christine but the lovely Lee of NOA will be in the car with two girls, can someone cheers to Lee by saying "I'm going to get lucky someday?" *Evilgrin* From Wednesday next week I will be a travelling bartender once again to show support to not one but two Nelsparta bands, Voetstoots are joining the line up to STRAB with No One's Arc amongst them (check out Facebook for Moonbeaming photography excellent photos on the band). And speaking of festivals I want you to go vote right here for No One's Arc to play at the Oppikoppi Unknown Brother the band have played every other festival except Oppikoppi and man oh man if they can pump Oppikoppi I'll get another tattoo so go and vote for them! You don't need to register, you won't be corrupted except for good music but you will be voting for the best band to play! So go click next NOA box and get them up there

STRAB for me has run very fast towards me, now that I got my ticket settled, my transport are almost straighten out and the endless debate should you or shouldn't you take malaria pills? Let's start off first that the Lowveld like Nelsparta is in a Malaria high risk area and you don't see me taking any pills for insects. BUT! If you are from any other area outside the Lowveld like the Cape or Gauteng best to take those pills even if the mozzies leaves you the hell alone due too much alcohol or garlic intake, be safe. Another thing that I heard from people who go on a regular basis to Mozambique is to stay sober, yes its one thing cracking a beer open next to the road to take a break but to get drunk before reaching the border, mind control. It's anyway not a good idea to be drinking and driving, keep it real. I don't think you want boarder control to tell you to F off once you travelled like a zillion seconds to be there. Make sure you got the correct change and yes they accept Rands (from the sounds of it they prefer it so no getting rid of your Zim dollar).

If you want anymore information on STRAB then still their website is the best place to find it all out. You can follow them on Twitter, like their page on Facebook or even drop them a mail. Make sure you got their guide on hand I can't say enough how well it's put together and how helpful the people of STRAB have been so far. My tail is waging now for this road trip to the beach!

Another sneaky festival that has snuck up upon me is the Reaper Fest that is in Magaliesberg, now this is a semi metal fest one of the small handful in South Africa. I say semi metal since some of the bands and artists that plays at the fest makes you go "Huh? They not metal" Yes one of them will be Barberton Justin Swart with his fellow crew members as well as Voetstoots. And when does this all happening...17 - 19 June 2011 and it starts a day after me birthday! Yes so I'm looking forward to doing this Reaper thing and not only that but doing a festival again with my best friend Simi. Other bands include The Black Cat Bones, Mrs. B, Jack Hammer and many more talented musicians. You can find more information about Reaper right here; tickets are still on sale so get yours and go live it up!

And we i-vote on Wednesday (tomorrow) in our local elections, I might be standing line not to see a show tonight but I can tell you I will be voting, are you? A reminder again to vote for No One's Arc to play at Oppikoppi! Power to the music of the Arc! Viva!

Peace!