Shakin' Hands

Good old Nickelback song title I think it fits well with this blog post as it was all shakin’ hands this past weekend.

If you have read on past posts leading up to this post I spoke about the (Live) 5 event for No One’s Arc. You had to email 5FM and tell them why you need to be in the studio audience. Here is what I wrote:
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“Hi 5FM,

I'm sure you are being bombarded with emails from the No One's Arc fans but this shows you how dedicated we are to our favourite "Nelsparta" band.

Please I need to be a part of the studio audience as it is a "Day(s) of make believe" of a "Rock show" that will rock the red off the 5FM sign. We all feel the "3 words" for these friends and they are "the secret lover" to our ears. They play and we create the "Fire" that burns those American pop "UFO" to let the "Waterfall" cool us down as we hit "The ground running". Travels with "Stanley" and the Karoo highways "Breaking habits" at festivals like Up The Creek and STRAB and enjoying some "Funky E Juice". "Must be sin" if this fan doesn't get in the studio audience at Live (5) on the 10th of September.”

Yes I can be a creative little band aid if I want to! Anyhow you can’t understand my excitement the Friday night and Saturday morning when I woke up. Driving up with Werner “Meneer” Botha (the little go getter manager of No One’s Arc) on Saturday morning was such a pleasure. I got a huge education on Blues; spoke about some craze adventures on touring and of course Blue Moon. Now understand we are from Nelsparta and when you hit Benoni you start to get nervous about the city.

All set up and ready to go

I know that one wrong turn will get so lost that you will end up a bum in Hillbrow. The trusted old GPS had almost going but seeing the City of Gold again was good, I haven’t been here since driving back from Swellendam. At the SABC we arrived after they asked us for a ticket (?) we parked the van and went inside.

First security was “tight” yea had to put your stuff through a scanner like at the airport just to make sure you don’t bring firearms in? We asked for the studios where the band was and we got directions, up the stairs we went. To a big white hall we got to the left was a near dead end to our right radio stations. It was quite a cool thing to stand outside the actual 5FM studios, a dream of mine since I was a teenager. A quick bathroom break and a cold drink later we were told we had to get a permission slip. Down stairs we went to get that but the security had no idea what we were talking about. Okay so to be safe we stood outside waiting for the band to come and get us. A few fans have started to show up for the show and when the band emerges. A run by Steers, two cigarettes and a Facebook check later it was time to go in.

Hanging out at the studio

The part where the studio was located was like walking in a termite hill not because of lot of people (more the lack off) but all the hall ways and doors, sound proof walls makes your ears close down. The red cones clearly marked (Live) 5 was outside the studio doors, a nice little set up small little reception area with a TV, fridge, fresh brewed coffee, snacks and a couch. Inside the actual studio black 5FM branded cushions laid scattered so that fans bums don’t get too tired from sitting on the carpet. The band was already set up (took the whole day and I know why – good things takes time) with a white 5FM banner behind the drum set highlighted by fairy lights. Fairy lights that made Robbie look like an angel later on in the show.

The waiting game for 5pm started with another quick smoke break to calm the nerves and the fans (around 30) in total gathering in the studio – a quick run down on what they wanted the fans to do, yes those who listened knew, scream, cheer and have a good time. The countdown behind the glass and Catherine Grenfell  introduced the show to the rest of SA (and some parts of the internet) and the band kicked off with “Rock Show”. I think that Catherine was a bit blown away but not only the band but by the fans. Songs that were performed were “Fire”, “Dressed to Kill” a new song, “Paved in Gold” also another new song, “UFO”, “Waterfall”, "Days of make believe" and “Stanley”. Of course this fan was jamming to all of them with “Paved In Gold” being one of my new favourites. I described the song to the band one day when I hear it I think of that lonely high way you get when you drive in the Karoo on tour and you have this long road ahead of you, its that time when you think of home and how you going to get there and enjoy it. As the song builds up it helps as well to think of travelling back home as you always go a little faster to get there, you can’t help it, and it is automatic build in you.

Jamming live over 5FM airwaves

Catherine Grenfell

After they finished it was a sigh of relief and a gathering of smokers in the smoking area where a few CD’s got sold, phones were ringing, Twitter got over load and Facebook going nuts. Between family and friends the band sounded grateful for everyone who was there and those did listen to the radio. The DJ after them did not really have a crowd so Catherine asked us if we could cheer her on. Shame she was so nervous as well but she did quite all right. After all the equipment was loaded up on trolleys and pushed to the elevator to be loaded into the trailer the doors to the elevator didn't want to closed. Lee decided to step out the doors closed just that one extra person that made it too heavy. After the security check and the equipment was loaded in the trailer it was time to hit the road for Potchefstroom aka Potch.

Potch is located in the North West province about a 100 km from Joburg. What we didn't expect was rush hour like traffic at 7pm! Turns out the match between Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates just finished and everyone was travelling towards Soweto for the after party. I was happy with my bottle of red wine in the back seat still getting calls from fellow fans who listened to the show. But after we hit the high way we need to follow for Potch the traffic got better.

Before you could say “Good night Sally” we drove into the student town. The next gig was at Memphis Rock, a cool little rock venue just off the main street and happily located across a Steers that was still opened. After equipment got carried inside and food was ordered and devoured it was time for that draught. I want to move to Potch for two things, their cheap prices in the bar and Memphis Rock. The venue reminded me of a mini Blue Moon only indoors and legends photos across the walls. From Jack Parow special wall with neon paint and dice to Ard Matthews jamming it on drums even home boys, Glaskas (Kinders) were on there with another pic of Ross Learmonth of Prime Circle. The bathrooms “Guns” and “Roses” had some signatures on the walls from past party goers. Photos in the hall way leading the bathrooms have some famous faces like Bob Marley, Kurt Cobain, The Beatles, The Sex Pistols, Bon Jovi, John Lennon, Montley Crue and just too many to remember or mentioned. There is a pool area named “SA Legends” with photos of names like Johannes Kerkorrel, Johnny Clegg, Anton Goosen, Dan Patlansky and Valiant Swart. There is even a lyric line out of some of their most famous songs.

The pool games were quite an intense game yet something to make everyone relax, time for another drink and then the show. The crowd got bigger in front as the show continued and I must say big ups for Dylan voice for lasting as long as it did. I can’t think it was easy doing two shows in one night on top of each other.

A last drink and packing up later we were out of there, stop over at Chicken Licken for a mid night snack we were off to our “castle” for the evening, thank you Doreen for letting us crash there. Sorry that it wasn’t as “rock star” party as you thought it to be but your cops is all over the town.

A night cap in form of last bit of red wine and shower later it was bed time.

Club rules

Waking up in Potch way too early isn’t cool, like 05:45am not cool. A bathroom break, glass of water later I was lucky to fall asleep again. With Dylan voice running through the walls I got up, coffee was made, people in and out of the shower and to watch the national anthem sang by our Bokke on the TV it was time for a bit of Hacky Sack.

Hacky Sack is game that I know of but didn't play up to Sunday morning. What a work out! Between the laughing and the ball skills I had a great time I now know how the band members keep fit on tour. Hunger over powered us and it was time for Wimpy breakfast after wards a slow stroll over the PUK campus where a radio interview was line up, turned out to be one heck of a walk.

Getting to the radio station and quick a phone call their interview was moved from 16:00 to 14:00. Chilling at the quite yet massive beautiful campus playing yet another round of hacky sack it was time for the radio. Since only 4 people in total could fit in the studio (being the DJ Hanno, Lee, Goophstar and Dylan) the rest of us went to listen in the car.

After the interview it was time for the road back home and a McDonald’s drive thru event left a laughing mark on me. After the poor oke didn't understand our order we got more than what we bargained or paid for! Instead of getting just 1 quarter pounder cheese meal we got 2 and when we looked at the slip they didn't charge it! Ha Ronald McDonald! Think you awesome with that yellow suite and red hair. Just shortly after 8pm we stopped at Dylan house.

I want to thank Werner, Dylan, Bongs, Robby, Lee, Mimi, Milla and Goophstar for letting me continue partying with you on trips like these. This is certainly a memory that will not escape me and I hope in the future I will be able to join you again.

Now back in Nelsparta there are a few gigs coming up where you can get your groove on. On the 24^th of September you can go to Mango Lounge and support Mpumalanga Earthdance. Tidal Waves (yea!), No One’s Arc (double yea), My Aching Monotone (cheer!) and many more talented muso’s and DJ’s will be performing. You can join the Mpumalanga Earthdance page on Facebook or contact Raquel for details. If you haven’t been to one of these parties they are really great and a percentage of the tickets sales will go to charity, it’s up to you as the party animals to help raise funds by buying a ticket and get all your mates to join in.

A special mention of thanks goes out to Andrew Lance, a reader of this blog, who gave me his winning sushi voucher. He doesn't live here anymore (you craze to give us up!) so he can't make sushi class. The competition ran with Earthdance with the Grove Spar. Thank you Andrew for the voucher I got it in my hands and thank you for the read! Spread the word of Nelsparta!

As excitement hit us last time with the Blues guitarist, Dan the man, another is on his way here. Valiant Swart will be performing at the next Umbali Picnic and Wine Sunday on the 2^nd of October. R70 p/p and only 500 tickets are available for this event; you can buy them at Harry Green Music World in Riverside Industrial (go say hallo to Werner) or check out Umbali Facebook page. Valiant will be supported by local muso’s so pack your basket and join in the fun afternoon.

Then this is another party that have me ranting and raving (as always) from the 21^st – 23^rd of October (I actually call Roctober) the STRAB reunion is happening at Blue Moon. Yes a full of weekend of memories being relieved on the Moon and not the beaches of Mozambique. The line up so far sounds pretty fucking amazing Shotgun Tori, No One’s Arc, Voetstoots, The Black Cat Bones, The Fake Leather Blues Band, Stefan Dixon & Gerald Clark just too many to mention still. I’m not sure how much the tickets are yet but you can go like the Blue Moon page and get all the info straight on your news feed. You can also like STRAB page or follow them on Twitter, this party is a big one!

And in the same breath keep a look out on Blue Moon final few shows for 2011 season, sounds that there is going to be few happy teenage girls very soon! And then it is a bit of holiday before the hectic plan off for Up The Creek 2012 takes off! Yes! Someone gotta do it!

If you are in Cape Town area you can catch No One’s Arc on tour during September and October, you can like their page on Facebook or go to their website to see what they are up to and where I know they are going to Stellenbosch, Mercury Live in Cape Town and few more places. However if you are in Pretoria this coming weekend (30^th September) you can go to Tings an’ Times (1065 Arcadia Street, Hatfield in Pretoria) for a kick off to their mini tour now in October, R30 gets you and remember they will sell their CD’s at the show so bring a buck or two extra. You don’t want to miss this jol!

And before anyone asks me I don’t know when “UFO” will be released on the air waves of MK and YouTube but when it does I will make sure to put up the link. Also watch this space as they are busy recording a new album.

Then speaking of another local muso going up is Justin Swart, he will be doing another show with the Black Cat Bones and also Park Acoustics. You can like his page on Facebook, follow him on Twitter or join his website where you can also read up on the man. I know that the Lowveld don’t really know him that well but let’s hope soon we will get to see him do a gig at the many awesome venues we do have to offer right now.

With that September is almost in sy moer in if you have ever heard of MK Avontoer then listen up! As part of handful of awesome South African bands touring the Cape coast line over the Christmas/New Year period you as a fan can join the fun. You will be part of the “Seerowers” (Pirates) of MK; all you need to do to get onto this is to email them your motivation for why you need to be chosen to on this bus. How you ask my mate you go DPK website, click on Avontoer and go to the submissions. If you are a band and want to submit your name to be on this tour there is link for you as well. You will get a reply email if the Captain (not talking about Lee here) thinks you got what it takes then you will get an email back. But hurry up time and space are limited and it is for a first come, first serve basis. I am one of the lucky Seerowers to be picked so I will see you on the 6^th Avontoer!

Again to all the friends, families, pets and animals who listened to No One’s Arc on 5FM you guys rock! Once again Nelsparta took over something that the world never saw coming!

Peace!