Where is my shoes?

By Marley

That's what Mr. Cat and The Jackal asks...sings...now matter we continue

The next morning we all eager beavers, packed up our bags, had breakfast and heard that there is travelling coffee trailer now, yea! After we got on the bus (the old school bus left first) our bus waited for the one see rower that almost got left behind. He finally graced us with his presents and it was off to Mosselbaai, we all had some sleep again on the bus and we arrived in the bustling city of Mosselbaai. I was about 12/13 years old the last time I was in this city and I couldn't remember it being this big. They gave us two hours to hang around the beach (where the gig venue was as well) but the place was packed and I mean packed!

You couldn't move in the bar without stepping on someone ego, I've never seen so much testosterone Jo'burg boys with thick chains and shirtless bods in one place together. There is nothing wrong with showing off your young skin but please put on a shirt, your nipple stand nearly poked out my eye there. There is a flea market, some kids’ games going and the important thing once again we had to find an ATM. I wanted to find the closest pharmacy as I could feel the need for a strepsil or immune booster, yes flu was coming and I was fighting it hard mentally. Finally got to Pirate Tower and order a drink, the bar was really full and the bartenders looked over whelmed. But with a drink in hand we all hanged out on the deck, on the one side you got Diaz hotel standing tall, the other side you got the ocean with big cargo ships just off shore coming in and going out with the beach. Then you overlook the venue for tomorrow night, there is a swimming pool, palm trees, sun shine "Captain we have paradise indeed". By the time our drinks were done it was time to walk back to the bus and off it was to other side of the "city" to our campsite.

The Campsite before set up

Lazy rockers and seerowers

Across from the river there lived a cow...

All the way so far on tour I heard from NOA that the camp site at Mosselbaai was shitty and when we got there I had to agree. Right next to the Groot Brak River was an open field...no bathrooms, no electricity. We had to carry our bags, pillows...whatever it was we were charring down the wet land of road that was about 300 meters away from the bus stop. And yes I'm complaining it takes two people to carry my bag alone and you got so much shit by now you don't what to leave or what to take. Anyway we all sat around or laying on the green grass. Games being played, music being made and I could feel something burning in my head that damn flu. The Juger truck arrived and we actually cheered it on hoping they might have something cold, nope but they did have music and soon afterwards the tents arrived and we all pitched in to set up camp.

Jugermeister truck arriving

After we all moved in, trips to the closet Spar was made for snacks, supplies, cigarettes and alcohol - the first liquor shop that didn’t sell Hunters Dry...wow. There was soccer being played well into the night with the Juger truck that supplied electrical light in the dark, the portable showers was set up as well as the toilets. Swimming in the river was done if the showers were too busy and food was enjoyed in form of boere wors rolls (I wonder how many kg of boere wors we ate over the course of tour). Late night laughing with friends at tents, under the trees, on the river bed and on the Juger truck by the time I went to bed I couldn't even swallow my wine, my throat hurt that much.

The next morning it was clear for me that I was sick, officially. Thank goodness the Spar was there and I walked to it to get some orange juice and strepsils. We had breakfast and it was pool party time. I was looking forward to see Die Heuwels Fantasies but in the end I didn't even see their show...thanks fever. At the venue it was a lot quite than the day before, had a beer in the one restaurant while watching the 8ta dance crew, later on took a stroll with Gooph through the market and watch the 8ta program again. Eventually we met up with other seerowers and went to the beach; I went for a swim in the ocean and felt a lot better but I knew I had to get some flu medicine and fast. Went to the hotel store only to find that they don't have anything other treatment for sun screen and mild fever for children, great. I pumped myself up with some more OJ, Bio-plus and vitamin water when you feel like this you don’t feel like having a party.
At the venue I went straight to the bar I bought a bottle of Tassies and coke just for good measure. Back stage it was great to watch the crowd grow bigger in the front and the faces getting friendlier at the back, I saved my energy for NOA show and it was awesome to have see rowers jumped up down so close to the stage and have Mosselbaai looking at them like they were nuts but the groove won in the end.

Jumping skills? No One's Arc got them
- photo courtesy of AJ van Niekerk

 I couldn't think straight as the flu really kicked in and I made myself home close to NOA gear to keep an eye on friend’s bags and watch VCK and Die Heuwels show up, dammit! Thanks to Dave and Zane from Care for coffee who gave me hot water and honey to help me feel better. Eventually a lift was going back to camp and I jump right at it, it was nice to show up at camp and it was quite. Sleep was the order and even though I missed Heuwels didn't help much if I would have just laid there back stage listening instead of watching, next time.

Holiday Murray
- photo courtesy of AJ van Niekerk

Bertie Coetzee of Zinkplaat with the crowd
- photo courtesy of AJ van Niekerk

Loveglove Pyrotechnics
 - photo courtesy of  AJ van Niekerk

  

Van Coke Kartel with Hunter Kennedy 
- photo courtesy of AJ van Niekerk

The next morning it was hard to get up, I struggled the whole night now with a full blown fever and cold sweat again Zane and David provided coffee and the good bye to portable showers, I didn't care if that water was hot or cold it was welcomed to feel clean again. Back on the bus again after camp pack up it was time for me to sleep as much as possible; hoping that somewhere along the way I find some kind of flu medicine, our next stop is Stilbaai and I didn't see Stillbaai town at all I only woke up when the bus parked outside our next and last campsite close to...wait for it...Stables pub.

I didn't dare walk down that road to go see what Stables looked like I think I had heard enough horror stories of our own Stables not to step foot a different one. There was no shade and the seerowers boys helped pitch up the big white tent while some of us chilled under the stage. Yes we camped right next to the stage of Groot Gees Rock Fees since the day we arrived Die Tuindwergies and Elvis Blue had a picnic concert. After the tents was pitched and everyone settled in and the concert goers started to show up I dragged myself from the shade of the stage to go get my bag. Luckily for me the bus was going into town and I gave a friend money to go to the closet pharmacy and get me meds, I was laying in the tent hot as hell (both the tent and I) and day dreamt about time I didn't feel like jumping off a cliff. I fell asleep again and my friend woke me up with the fizz sound of water meet conrenca c and airmude, I wanted kiss that women.
It wasn't even 20 minutes or my fever broke, I could breathe probably for the first time in two days, I felt better and got out the hot tent. The sun was getting lower and Elvis Blue was singing, I got myself another OJ from the cool drink stand inside the concert and took it easy the whole night. The showers managed to turn up again I used the cold water to cool down. The second last night of Avontoer was a party again and I decided to go to bed, rather sleep early tonight and feel better tomorrow.

31st December 2011, the last time the sun rose in 2011 and burnt the hell out of me. The GGRF was on today and first up was Van Coke Kartel by this time of tour you know most of everyone names even the band members. We also scurried to find Mimi who was not at camp, at all. Other Nelspartan who happen to be in the Cape at the time, Adriaan, was there the previous night. After a few phone calls we managed to track down our queen - the reason they were up right after VCK - yip I'm serious. VCK open the festival cause they had to make a flight back to Gauteng for two shows there. I think they played the same set list all the way through the tour because they always opened with "Vir Almal" (cool song) and man standing like next to stage and see them drums being played and them guitars being played and them bass being plucked respect.

Dylan is a special one

Wynand Myburgh VCK

Gooph of No One's Arc and Pierre of Mr Cat and the Jackal

Lee Nicholls of No One's Arc
 and
 Morne Venter of December Streets

NOA on stage

Gooph and Bongani

The back of the stage was crawling with muso's even The Kongos was there earlier to do a sound check, NOA was up next and the sun was blazing down on us which wasn't cool because the support was sucky. The reason they were on early is that they had to make their way down to Kirstenbosch Gardens which turned out to be one of their biggest crowds to play for (5 000 people). After their show it was pack up of gear and saying good bye and well wishes for 2012, I was really proud of them as they left as it was a craze time with them and now finally know what it means to be on tour.

Dylan and Lee
- photo courtesy of AJ van Niekerk

The day was a slow one with different bands other to the ones that were on Avontoer played, saw La Vi live but wasn't really sure if I liked them, there was about 3 or 4 other bands and some of us were ready to pull out our hair, we wanted something hyped up and we got it. They say big dynamite comes in small packages this how I can describe Tristan of December Streets, they got on that stage and played their hearts out. It was the last of Avontoer so why not go out all the way; it really kicked up the party mood.

The December Streets

Nico and Tristan of December Streets

I missed a few bands in between as I was still taking it easy, chatting to friends, photos being taken, shirts being signed...the whole story. Zinkplaat played when the evening set in and man Bertie and boys delivered, the poor man voice eventually left as their show was the longest of all and you have to give it to them. If it wasn't for a tour Zinkplaat did Avontoer would have never even started and Zinkplaat have doing Avontoer for the last 6 years.

Zinkplaat

New Holland

Seerowers on stage with New Holland

New Holland was up next and "Freedom" was the seerowers queue to go stage and party with the band despite Pierre protests the seerowers ignored him and went up but not all of us craze fuckers were up there. Now we are lus for a jol! The Kongos was the second last band and we stood right up front the stage like where the monitors are so we are looking up at these guys and their show is really cool. Anyone who has seen them over their course of their tour will say they brilliant, they did play their two hits and more. Their parents are very involved in the whole set up; their dad is their sound engineer. I spoke to Dylan Kongo, the lead singer and bassist, briefly after their show, nice guy can't wait to see them at Up The Creek. Next up was not only the final hour of 2011 but also Loveglove Pyrotechnics. What a band to bring in the New Year, if you remember The Darkness with their craze body suites and hairstyles then this band is better. With a bottle of Jugermeister (and a little help from me) Dimitri climbed off stage onto the barriers to feed the crowd behind us Juger rocker style. Eventually Shorty (bus assistant) got onto stage and Pierre said it was count down, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

The Kongos

Louis Christie of Loveglove Pyrotechnics 

New Years!

Champagne all round (I do mean all round), hugs and kisses, cigarettes and love being handed out like candy at Halloween. Loveglove continued with their show and once they were done we all party back stage till late in the morning. I had a tent for myself (since NOA left us) and I woke up to the busses honking, on tour your blood runs cold if you wake up to the bus honking and you still sleeping. I popped my head out to hear Gammi screaming "Bus is leaving in 15 minutes" - what is he serious? Which bus is going where? What the hell is going on? Gummi confirmed to me that they want to leave at 8am but needed the people to get up, there were people who had to catch flights from Cape Town early afternoon and it was 3 -4 hour drive back to DPK house in Stellies. I've never seen that camp move so fast, people falling over each other, packing up their stuff, it was a royal mess. We all hurried into the busses and we were off to Stellies, the bus was dead quite as everyone was now passed out still from tour and the NYE celebrations. Even when we stopped for a toilet break hardly anyone got off, I think a handful of us on Gummi bus went to the bathroom.

We stopped in Heidelberg and Gummi announced that we stopping for breakfast that we can sit down and eat. The people nearly chocked on their bacon and eggs as dirty looking, bare foot, pale babelas seerowers walked in the Wimpy. The Cream Soda and coffee machine worked over time with the drinks orders and the breakfast did us good. After breakfast it was time to get back up on the bus and leave which meant sleep. We eventually came to DPK and when the other bus arrived it was so quick good byes to everyone who was leaving and some of us were staying behind at DPK. Later that night we did however did a proper good bye at Bohemia and just started the party from the top...

I want to thank Alet, Bertie, Porra, Beer, Pierre, Oom Deon, Jaco (JACO!!!!!! JACO!!!! - sorry inside seerower joke), Niel, Gummi, Jay, Shorty, the security, the bar, the tent pitchers, the coffee guys (David and Zane = legends), Tassies, Juger, Bohemia, MK....fuck what a time.

Thanks to The Friendly Lemons, The December Streets, Holiday Murray, Loveglove Pyrotechnics, Zinkplaat, New Holland, Van Coke Kartel, No One's Arc, all the guest bands thank you for making awesome music. You guys are the reason why we fans and seerowers go on things like Avontoer best of luck to the New Year may sell so many records you won't room on your wall for all the awards. Vir die bands wat genomineer is vir 'n MK award sterkte!

6de Avontoer !!!

If you want to be apart of the 7de Avontoer then keep an eye out for news later on the year when the spaces go open again for seerowers. It's really highly recommend if you are fan of live rock music and want to know what it is to tour and be on the road. Will I do it again; maybe, I'm still trying to sleep in my bed without thinking the bus is going to leave without me in the morning!

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AJ van Niekerk thanks for the use
of your awesome pictures!
A friend for life

Top of the Dogs...

...Nah not really more like my Top 10 of favourite videos I stumbled across on YouTube, been posted to my Facebook or something that I have been hiding in the treasure cove that is my hard drive. As the year is fast coming to an end and so is my countdown to Avontoer (to which I shall inform you soon) I thought since we all counting down something why not share some of my favourite YouTube videos with you...

No 10: Mr Cat and The Jackal - The devil always wants to dance

Mr Cat & The Jackal is from Cape Town, I saw them live for the first time at STRAB this year and absolute felt like a pirate on a rum drinking spree...oh wait I was doing that anyway...I love their music.

You can buy their CD at Look & Listen (it's where I got mine) and take a listen. I've seen MK playing this video quite a few times. Check out their cool website, like their FB page & follow them on Twitter. They have some decent gigs coming up this December so make sure you check them out

No 9: The Parlotones - Push Me To The Floor

Oh how I hear my friends swearing at me now for picking the Tones but face it, Kahn and the boys make good music, since 2003 they have graced my ears and yes I do have their CD's among my collection. The reason why I pick this specific video is the raw acoustic version of one my favourite Parlatones songs. Like he said it's about a one night stand to be honest I don't do one night stands but its a general feeling of the lyrics that I share with him here.
Of course you can follow Kahn on Twitter, like their page on Facebook and check out their website. They got their own wine out as well which I haven't tried but hey worth checking out I suppose

No 8: The Tidal Waves - Kia Ora

The Tidal Waves, super nice guys straight out of Jozi. Their connections with Nelsparta runs deep and we have partied like hippies at Woodstock every time they have played here. This is one of their older songs but their music is well worth checking out. Reggae will always remind me of summer and since it is summer right now in SA this a perfect tune to make you want to go down to the beach, light a smoke and watch the tide come in.
Tidal Waves are performing at that big ass Bike Show down in Cape Town where Seether is also going to perform so make sure you go give them a shout, to Tidal Waves. Otherwise give their website a look, like their page or follow them on Twitter


No 7: JR feat DHF & Jack Parow - The Show Goes On

Despite Jack Parow mug on the thumb nail this is an awesome song! This song went through my head all year round behind the bar at our quite times. Times when good friend Dirkie was in a serious bike accident earlier this year, when your soul needed rest and your body some good vibrations. JR is one of the top names in SA Rap and I'm yet to see him live. I have always enjoyed Die Heuwels Fantasties and Jack Parow I've seen live about 3 times now. The last two mentioned will be guest artist on the 6de MK Avontoer and Jack said he is bringing a full band with, can't wait to hear it.

No 6: aKing - You and I

Ahh aKing, what a great band on and off the stage. I love their lyrics and melodies, their lyrics have caused me to post it as status updates because they sum it right up. His voice makes most girls melt, the boys like him cause he is a awesome guy and yes in general this band have come a long way. "You and I" are off their new album "Red Blooded Years" and is now available. This song is beautiful, it is a truth to say that it takes one person to heal all in you.
They also on tour and you follow them on Twitter, like their FB page or go to their website

No 5: The Shadow Club - Drunken Love

Confession here about this band, I only heard of their name about 3 months ago. And when I Google their stuff this video came out first, I love it. The song reminds me of some old The Doors record some of our fathers might have in the dusty vinyl cabinet and would love to see them live. See if you can spot Flash Republic and Zebra & Giraffe in this video with them.

They got a MySpace page and a page on Facebook

No 4: The Black Cat Bones - Old Pappa Joe

Now what will this count down be without a little voodoo and some black cats? Yes you have read numerous times that I write I about the craze boys that is The Black Cat Bones. Kobus with his long hair and long beard can't be missed at all but man their show will leave you breathless. I have really lost count on how many live I've seen them live nor have drank with them. You can't keep up they are all over the place!

"Old Pappa Joe" is one my all time favourites and I know in 2012 I'm going to see them again and take a better listen to their new music.

Of course you can get their new CD at their shows, buy them tequila and roar with them! FB, Twitter and their web site is there for the clicking and liking

No 3: Ewald - I'm Not Your Hero

Aaa some good Nelsparta music in form of Ewald of My Aching Monotone (previous band NoCane). 2011 have been a big year for Ewald both professionally and personally, I'm really proud to call him friend. I put him at number 3. I love all his music one of my favourites "I'm not your hero" (I'm also in one of the pictures in this video) and also "Lief vir Afrikaans", "I believe"...just see all his videos.
He currently performs at random gigs in and around Nelsparta but mostly you can catch him live and acoustic at Pappas Pizza every other Sunday night.

No 2: Captain Stu - Siamese Twin

I will never forget where and how I met the lead singer, James of Captain Stu. It was a fresh hot Cape morning in Swellendam earlier this year at Up The Creek. Mimi only called "Hey Captain Stu" and this long haired delicious looking man greeted her back. Then when I watched them first time I had a Rum and cola in the one hand, standing in the Breede River in the hot sun dancing. They were also on Live@5 earlier this year and I enjoyed it so much. "Siamese Twin" is their brand new video and worth checking out if you want good SA music. They live in Cape Town and I'm sure that they will be around doing what most bands will be doing in the summer, gigs.
Their website is informative, Facebook addicts and Twitter of course and sorry ladies can't give out their phone numbers...that you have to get yourself ;)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls over the age of 18...this is what you have been waiting for...the one that made a fire and burnt my fingers the minute I type in the title, one you need an ambulance for after a live show....drum roll please

*drum roll*

No 1: No One's Arc - UFO

A little predictable I know but it was hard okay and this blog is dedicated to the locals, so local is number 1! This video kicks all videos asses that I've seen on MK, MTV and VH1 put together. Catch That Rabbit has certainly captured the energy that is No One's Arc and put it on film. After a decade together the band has settled and their new music is awesome! If you have not seen this band live then put it on your bucket list, grab your rock on and see them on Avontoer this year (again) happening up and down the Western Cape coast. They are playing with Prime Circle at the Kirstenbosch Gardens on 31 December and for the locals they will be performing at the Ali Campbell (UB40 front man) show on the 17th of December. If you are in Joburg they will be at Tanz Cafe on the 15th of December. Twitter, Facebook and website all there you just need to go follow it, like it and play it! Most importantly share it!
Now isn't that how we roll? Fuck yes it is!

That's it! There is GOOD South African music out there, I just handed my Top 10 to you, some missed it by mere centimeters but it is up to you decide what you want to hear. Keep on supporting local music because if ain't for fans there ain't no music.

Peace & Love