Or is it Hand in my pocket? Never the less the sun came out after more rains in the Lowveld and not that I’m complaining at all, I get the best sleep in when it rains at night. As with most good things the regular readers had to wait for some posting from me due to the fact that I survived a Locnville gig.
Not many happy birthdays (today its good friend AC Grimm bday!) except a dedication of the song Lighting Crashes to my friend Tanya who should have turned 28 on the 30th of November. Miss you still lost my sister, I still feel you.
If you follow me on Twitter you would have seen Jon Savage of Casette/5FM power rock nights replied to one of my tweets which was a reply to another fellow music lover Superfreeak tweet. The whole thing started when I bought my copy of the first ever SA Rolling Stone, I love Rolling Stone mag (got a few copies from the US) there was a huge gap in the market for a magazine like this one. Jon Savage wrote an article in there titled “Local is not lekker” – everyone is entitled to their own opion even little old me. Yes there is some bands and artist that shouldn’t even get credit but there is 90 % of DJ’s, bands of all sorts and genre’s, solo artist that work EXTR EMELY hard at gigs, tours, videos, fans, they Facebook, MySpace, Tweet their little sexy asses off. And if it just Indy bands then so be but for goodness sake you have pissed off a lot of people! I miss Barney Simon show who played metal/rock/Indy/rock and that was before Facebook and Twitter, money still plays a big factor on what gets you on radio these days and it sad. I leave it up to you the reader to state your own opion about this article AND your feel towards SA music.
Okay back to a hot and humid Nelsparta, smell that air! I love it!
The weeks leading up to Blue Moon last gig for the year, Locnville went very slow. It is not just me that feels everything is too slow as the year creeps closer to an end. But I must applauded Nelspartans and the few Gautengers who made the Locnville show, those who weren’t there it might have not been your scene but what a party! We had lots of fun behind the bar even if our brother and soon-to-be father Eddie wasn’t there. Saturday I also have to give a shout out to Sune Halderman – she help make a Locnville fan dream come true, thank you again for it sister! Leigh has not been able to stop smiling. Also to Anna Mart who has worked hard at this gig as well and it was huge success! Love you lots doll!
With the sun shining brightly I arrived with a “kitchen volunteer” on the Moon, the mood was a bit odd and I miss the regular faces. But it was also time to meet new ones like Frankie Fire, Ice Project and Dance You’re On Fire (mouthful) and they such cool people. Congrats to Ice Project for reaching the no 1 position on the 97.4 Highveld stereo Top40! If you haven’t seen them live yet get to know them, they really cool and the line up was perfect leading up to Locnville. As the sun settled I watch Locnville do a sound check and while most opion about them is not positive I was impressed that they at least do all of their mixes live on stage. They might not be a rock band like we use to but they pretty professional when it came to their set up.
The bar was busy and Pete had a cold drink bar sat up outside of our main one to keep the young ones out which made Coco Cola a lot of money that night, it was a blessing. I did manage to listen to some of the songs of the bands but could not take any pictures which sucks, no matter I’m sure that it won’t be the last I will hear of them or see them live. But it is good that we were so busy!
Then the bar was empty, you could smell the teenage dreams floating up from the packed floor right into the mist fill bar. I think the earth worms couldn’t hear themselves think as those girls screamed. I’m glad I wasn’t standing anywhere near the crowd! You would have been deaf no wonder that other Bieber dude asked fans “Could you please stop screaming?” Man Monsters Inc would have had a lot of power up if they were there. I stood at the deck watching with my friend Mariska the crowd going nuts over the Chaplin twins, I knew about 5 songs out of all due to radio over killing the SAMA winner’s hits. The new stuff (or so was I told by a fan) is “so much deeper than the previous album” cool bananas. I just know their one video "Stars above you" was shot here in the Lowveld, I guess around Hazyview area if I look at the forest.
After the mad rush of Locnville a few fans lined up back stage to meet their heroes, I always smile at the nervous looks on fans faces. That excitement and then that star struck smile afterwards and they holding that autographed CD/poster/picture/magazine like it’s a gold bar that is a true fan. I will also look like that if I have to meet the Goo Goo Dolls or Collective Soul. The Michael Stry Trio was up next and I wanted to watch our local band so much but the bar filled up again. Around we closed the bar off (thanks to that rule now) and a last bit of the bon fire was welcomed by a bit of mist rain. Driving back with Oom Poedel Niel we spotted some wildlife in form of a porcupine, nice to see that they still around and alive.
This was our last Blue Moon of the 2011 season so I thank everyone who supported us over this year. You guys are what make music and a venue like Blue Moon successful! Please your continued support is always needed so please go like the Blue Moon page on FB, we need to break that 1 000 likes mark still! The BM family is taking some well deserved time off and then it’s back to organising the last bit of Up The Creek 2012, yes that is still on and you can buy your tickets already with some of that 13th check. Blue Moon is home to Nelsparta music and fans and in 2012 I know you guys are going to rock that mountain again till it cracks!
Sunday after being in lazy lion mode I made my way into town for Sunday tradional at Pappas Pizza and was overwhelmed by the amount of cars, okay? I missed the poster for the last weeks and Charlie (the lead man of Beeskraal) was on his last night of tour with his drummer. I pleasantly surprised by Charlie voice, it was really good to listen to him. Between covers and Beeskraal originals it made the night seem to fly by, with a drink or two with two local rockers Ettienne and Faantie and a pizza later it was time for Charlie to finish up and me to go home!
On Monday evening I had the honour of having a young talented muso over for a dinner and to listen to his 1st album, Augmented Strings. This young man, Philip van der Westhuizen, is really a pleasure to listen to. Not only the first 21 year old I met that enjoys his red wine as much as I do but what struck me is he presintance to getting that perfect song and his voice, smooth like a good bottle of Merlot. He is on Facebook and Twitter of course and keep a look out for him at the next open mic at Pronk! He recently had an op done so he is bit house bound at the moment, he does sell his CD’s and I can tell it is def worth the buy!
The next gig to look out for is the Ali Campbell (UB40 front man) gig at Mbombela Stadium on 17 December, as I have mentioned before our very own No One’s Arc is playing at this gig as well which a huge step for my friends. Have you bought your ticket because I have and I tell you I’m already as excited like a dog over a Christmas bone. You can get your tickets at Computicket and they range from R 500 – R200 (I think), book it online or just stroll down to Checkers in Riverside Mall or Shoprite in town to their Computicket offices, see I even tell you where to go so no excuses! It’s an all day event, Park & Ride like always (not always the best) and if you miss this then you seriously going to kick yourself (again)
From next week I will start to blog a little more as my time to leave for Avontoer is coming closer, today it is 18 days still before I leave. What I’m going to do is take the bands that is going on this tour, give you a little history on them, maybe a video or two and of course tell you all more about this great adventure. I’m really looking forward to this now that not really anything can damper my mood on this. If you are one of the lucky Seerowers or someone who will just join us for one or two shows may the party force be with you, those who can’t I’m so sorry hey next year the busses will be open again for you to join in this craze adventure. I might not be able to blog live but will tweet from the tour and the coast.
Yesterday (1 December) was World AIDS day and like someone on FB said if our attitudes were this great towards World AIDS all through the year then we have a better chance at fighting this diseases so in honour of this day I urge all of you over the party season to be safe. When you drink and you feel like rock star at the after party for the Grammy’s is to take care of yourself and whomever you go to bed with.
1) Condoms are cheaper than nappies 2) If you don’t strap up not only are you risking your own life but your partner too 3) Sex complicates a lot things, stop it from making your life complicated 4) Yes I like eating a banana with its skin on, its tasty when you fry it in sugar till its sticky with ice cream! – the last bit is for all those guys and girls who give the lame excuse of “Do you eat a banana with the skin on” mentally, really? You that stupid, if you feel that way then get dressed and leave the room you not worthy of my time then.
Keep the follows and comments coming in, I love it. Also to all the retweets from all my mates and bands, I always feel so honoured when someone especially a band RT a tweet of mine! (Like Tidal Waves, Justin Swart, Locnville…)
Next year I will bring you some more interviews, maybe score some tickets to give away to some shows and of course report on the all the craze things that happens at shows!
Peace & Love!
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