This week we delve into Brads Archives to play his “Pioneers of SA Show”.
Circus, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Clout, The Helicopters, Baxtop, Via Afrika, Tribe After Tribe, Celtic Rumours, Dog Detachment, Ella Mental, Peach, No Friends Of Harry, Lesley Rae Dowling, Little Sister, Freedoms Children, Taipan, Hawk, Falling Mirror, Petit Cheval, Lucky Dube, Pierre De Charmoy, Fat City, Asylum Kids, The Sweatband, McCully Workshop, Suck, Bright Blue, Radio Rats, éVoid, Rabbitt, Crocodile Harris, Ballyhoo, Hotline, Stingray, Juluka
““ Don’t we live in exiting times! Most of us can say “I was there when they were writing the book of Rock” Well, while the rest of the world enjoyed the growing ripple effect of Woodstock during the late 60’s and 70’s, South Africa was largely cut off due mostly to the apartheid regime. So, although not directly involved with the exploding phenomena of Rock, and unbeknown to the rest of the globe, this country down at the bottom end of Africa was busy adding their chapters to the pages of Rock History. Some of the artists recorded albums and then disappeared into the woodwork, but a lot are still around today in some or other form. One thing though is certain, they will all forever remain in song. Who were these Pioneers fueling the Rock flame in this segregated country in the late 60″s and 70″s? Tonight we explore the PIONEERS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK so lets rewind to the 60s 70s and 80s”
“Circus Bernie Millar on Vocals, Ronald “Bones” Brettell at Keyboards, Gary van Zyl doing Bass, Sandy Robbie on Guitar and Wally Cullis on Drums Circus ruled in South Africa’s wildcat club culture of the mid-1970s – an original band, with a theatrical approach to their songwriting. Everything they touched in their glorious 30-month run from 1976-8 set a new level of excitement in the biggest clubs of the Reef and the Coast. They stayed true to themselves, and wound up broken by the SABC’s Tannie morality and the profit motive of the record companies. Sipho “Hotstix” MabuseSipho Cecil Peter Mabuse (born 2 November 1951), known professionally as Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, After dropping out of school in the 1960s, Mabuse got his start in the Afro-soul group the Beaters in the mid-1970s. After a successful tour of Zimbabwe they changed the group’s name to Harari, an afrosoul band led by Mabuse. When they returned to their homeland in South Africa they began to draw almost exclusively on American-style funk, soul, and pop music, sung in Zulu and Sotho as well as English. Clout Clout was a South African rock group formed in Johannesburg in 1977, best known for their hit single, “Substitute”. Originally all-female, the group later included some male musicians, who had played as session musicians on the recording cindy alter The Helicopters South African pop/rock band formed in Vereeniging in the early 1980s by singer/songwriter Bernard Binns. Two albums (“Love Attack” in 1985, “In The Flesh” in 1987 ) and one EP (“What Affair?” in 1988) were released before calling it quits shortly thereafter. Baxtop Formed in Johannesburg in 1978 by Larry Amos (guitars, vocals), Tim Parr (guitar, vocals), Robbie Whitelaw (bass) and Pierre de Vos (drums). In 1979 they won the SABC’s Battle of the Bands competition and they released their only album Work It Out. Via AfrikaAfro-rock band formed in Johannesburg in 1983 Via Afrika (1983) EMI A Scent Of Scandal (1984) Via Afrika Tribe After Tribe Tribe After Tribe was formed in 1984 in Johannesburg, South Africa by guitarist Robbi Robb (ex-Asylum Kids). The band released a humdinger of an album (“Power”) locally in 1985 before circumstances caused the band to take flight to Los Angeles where Mr. Robb continued to work, still releasing albums under the “Tribe After Tribe” monicker. Celtic Rumours Durban-based band that had the ingredients for major success with lead singer Kevin van Staden, a front man with a great rock voice, matinee idol looks, and an eight-album plan ahead. Despite topping the South African charts and touring incessantly, the band didn’t really make the great leap to the next International level and disintegrated in the early ’90s after releasing two albums. Sadly, whilst working on his debut solo album, Kevin was tragically killed in a car accident on 26th December 1994. Dog Detachment Hard rocking new wave band formed around the Armstrong brothers in Linden, Johannesburg in 1980 that played a subversive, fanatically independent, high pressure brand of rock that they themselves referred to as “Stormtrooper Pop”. Three albums were released between 1983 and 1989. Ella MentalCentering about theatrical vocalist Heather Mac (neé McDermott, later Parr) and guitarist Tim Parr, Ella Mental were formed in South Africa in 1984 and released the single “See Yourself (Clowns)” in 1985, with debut album “Uncomplicated Dreams” following later. The band toured extensively and produced three more singles: “Jenny”, “30 Million Lonely People”, and “Madmen” (which was banned because it criticised then-president P.W. Botha) Peach Consisting of two pairs of Greek teenage sisters and a Jewish guy, Peach were formed in Durban, South Africa in 1979 and defined the cheeky, trashy, sleazy, post-punk scene of the early 80’s.Best remembered for their fired up live shows, they released only one album (“On Loan For Evolution” in 1981) and disbanded shortly afterwards. In 1978, their version reached No. 1 in South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Denmark and Belgium. It also reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the UK charts for 15 weeks No Friends Of Harry Formed in Johannesburg in 1986, N.F.O.H. rightly claim the title of South Africa’s first and most influential alternative/goth band. The band released three albums (“One Came Running” (1987), “Into The Valley” (1989) on Principal, and “Fifteen Seconds” (1991) on Clear Cut) and finally the “Fly By Night” compilation before calling it quits in September 1998 when their bassist emigrated to Scotland Lesley Rae Dowling Lesley Rae Dowling was discovered in Stellenbosch in 1980 . She released her first single (The Spaniard / Grips of Emotion) and album (Lesley Rae Dowling) in 1981.. Her music has won many South African music awards, including various Sarie (South African Recording Industry) awards, several SAMA awards, 3M Scotty awards, and an FNB SAMA award. She declined the opportunity in the early 1980s to go international, as the cultural boycott of South Africa during the late apartheid era meant she would need to live in Ireland for six months a year, something she was not prepared to do. Little Sister South African pop/rock duo consisting of sisters Debbi Lonmon and Jenni Lonmon. Freedom’s Children The original band included Julian Laxton on lead guitar, Nic Martens on organ, bassist/lyricist Ramsay MacKay, Brian Davidson’s vocals, Colin Pratley on drum kit, Harry Poulos on organ/vocals and Gerard Nel’s piano. Being very much denied in their part of music history, as they are mostly totally bypassed when it comes prog articles, FREEDOM”S CHILDREN manages to reflect a small but fascinating scene of South African progressive rock. Their 1970 release “Astra” has a very important role that unfortunately often gets overlooked. Taipan back in the 70’s & 80’s it was first known as” Alcatraz” and then “Taipan” latter when got a record deal in Germany. Hawk The Johannesburg quintet was formed Dave Ornellas (ac guitar, vocals) and Keith Hutchinson (winds & Kb) and comprised also guitarist Mark Khan, bassist Richard Johnson, and drummer Braam Malherbe. Falling MirrorFormed in Cape Town in 1978 by two cousins, guitarist Allan Faull (born 30 January 1949) and vocalist Nielen Mirror (born Nielen Marais 11 June 1951), Falling Mirror remain one of South Africa’s greatest and most eclectic alternative bands… ever! In 1978, both were residents of the Valkenberg Mental Institution Petit Cheval Petit Cheval (French for “little horse”) were a new romantic band from Pretoria, South Africa (often compared to Spandau Ballet) that released two singles and two albums (“The Voice Of Reason” in 1985, and “The Perfect Gift” in 1986) before disbanding. Lucky Dube Lucky Philip Dube was a South African reggae musician and Rastafarian. His record sales across the world earned him the Best Selling African Musician prize at the 1996 World Music Awards. In his lyrics, Dube discussed issues affecting South Africans and Africans in general to a global audience. He recorded 22 albums in a 25-year period and was Africa’s best-selling reggae artist of all time. Dube was murdered in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on the evening of 18 October 2007 The Julian Laxton Band South African disco / rock band formed mid-1976 led by the late Julian Laxton Pierre De Charmoy Grew up in Durban, started a music career after leaving school. He released his first single “Lonely Heart” in 1982 and his first album, Ovation in 1983. His third single “Live On” in 1983 saw him begin to make a name for himself in South Africa. He released several singles in the early to mid-1980s and seven albums between 1983 and 1990. Fat City Toni Gozza & Fat City… (South African Blues Rock Band 1987-1990) Asylum Kids Punk/rock group formed in Johannesburg in 1980 which disbanded around 1983. Guitarist Robbie Robb went on to form Tribe After Tribe in 1984. The Sweatband 80’s rock band from Rondebosch, Cape Town that recorded their first promo, “Partners in Crime” around 1982 It was when the drummer’s brother’s girlfriend’s classmate at the teacher’s training college was hired in 1983 that the band really took off. One more promo cassette, “Catch That Sweaty Feeling”, was released in 1984 and now with Wendy Oldfield as vocalist, the band’s edgy rock sound garnered them a solid following and fan base. The “No Sweat” album (produced by Kevin Shirley) was released in 1986, with three singles lifted off it. One more album (untitled) was recorded in late 1988. It was shelved for the time being and Wendy Oldfield left to go solo in November of that year. McCully Workshop McCully Workshop is arguably one of South Africa’s finest pop rock bands. They started way back in the ’60s, dominated the South African airwaves in the ’70s, continued through the ’80s and ’90s and in the 21st century are still going strong. Suck Suck were a rock band who were part of South Africa’s first wave of hard rock titled “The Big Heavies”. The group lasted eight months between 1970 and 1971, during which they recorded their only LP, Time to Suck. It was later released in America in 2009. Suck were also among the earliest groups to cover Black Sabbath. In March 2007, they were featured in an article in Classic Rock magazine titled “The Lost Pioneers of Heavy Metal”, where they were referred to as “acidpunk metal” Bright Blue Bright Blue: Formed in Cape Town in 1983 , with its afro-fusion influence played their part in the anti-apartheid movement of the time and had a fair measure of success along the way. Their track “Weeping” is widely regarded as one of the finest songs ever to emerge from South Africa. Radio Rats Formed in Springs in 1977. Jonathan Handley (guitar, vocals), Dave Davies (lead vocals). Were signed by Jo’burg Records and released the album Into the Night We Slide and the single “ZX Dan” in 1978. The band has continued to perform and record intermittently over the years with many changes in their line-up (especially drummers) but with the consistent front duo of Jonathan Handley and Dave Davies. éVoid Originally formed in 1977 around core members and brothers Lucien and Erik Windrich and then known simply as Void, the group won their section of the “East Rand Battle Of The Bands” in 1978. Adopting the name éVoid in 1982, the band would (complete with painted faces, tribal dances and jive rhythms – known as ‘ethnotronics’) rise in prominence 1983,their eponymous debut album second album “Here Comes the Rot” 1986 Rabbitt With TWO Ts. Rabbitt is a South African pop rock band formed in Johannesburg in 1972, evolving from a band called The Conglomeration, consisting of members Trevor Rabin, Ronnie Robot, and Neil Cloud.[1] Their successes included making it to the top of the South African charts with the hit “Charlie” in 1976. Crocodile Harris Real name Robin Graham began his music career as Crocodile Harris in the 1970s, releasing the single “Miss Eva Goodnight” (1973) and an album You’re A Woman, I’m A Man (1974) as well as follow-up singles before forming the Wright Brothers with Richard Wilson in 1977. In 1983 he released the album Give Me The Good News. His last single release was “The world is an explosion” in 1984. He died in 2015. Ballyhoo Ballyhoo is a South African musical group, who had a charts-topping hit in South Africa in 1981 with “Man on the Moon”, which spent 19 weeks in the charts Derrick Dryan – vocals, Attie van Wyk – keyboards, Mick Matthews – guitar and vocals, Fergie Ferguson – bass and vocals, Cedric Samson – drums Hotline Hotline was a meat ‘n potatoes rock band that formed in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1980, with the original line-up consisting of PJ Powers (vocals). In 1983 the band changed their style to afro-rock, and that’s when success really kicked off – not least of all by being popular with both black and white audiences (something rather unusual in the old days of apartheid, and frowned upon by the corridors of power). The band split in 1987. Stingray Stingray is a hard rock/AOR band from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, that was formed in 1979. The band split up in 1982. Dennis East: vocals Shaun Wright lost his leg in a shark attack in 1980 whilst surfing at Balito Bay. He carried on drumming, but was eventually replaced by Wally Cullis from Circus Juluka Juluka was a South African band formed by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Juluka means “sweat” in Zulu, and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu. The band was closely associated with the mass movement against apartheid. At the age of 14, Clegg met Zulu street musician Charlie Mzila, who taught him Zulu music and dancing over the following two years. In 1969 Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu met in Johannesburg when young Sipho went there to find work. The 18-year-old Mchunu challenged the 16-year-old Clegg to a guitar contest, and the two became friends. Soon, they were performing together on the streets and in what few other unofficial venues a multi-racial band could safely play in under apartheid. They were forced to keep a low profile and their success came from word of mouth instead of through traditional publicity. Clegg himself was arrested and beaten up by the police on several occasions for his activities, and also for the band’s lyrics. “
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