Dunno why I put this picture in cause it's a still from the vid so you'll see it anyway

Because I’m feeling lazy I’m not gonna write a recap of the launch party, if you missed it it’s your own damn fault and I’m not taking responsibility for your failings. If you were there you don’t need me to tell you what happened, unless you were blackout drink in which case what I said about people who weren’t there applies to you.

So without any further rambling here it is. Touch yourself, smoke a joint, pour a tumbler of Johnny Blue or whatever you normally do before watching a video. And without any further rambling (for real this time) here it is.

Pretty decent I say. And I’m not just saying that because I’m in it, it really is good, like a blowjob when you’re stoned. (The Daily Discharge does not in way endorse the use of narcotic substances. Actually we do but don’t blame us if you end up on the streets selling your body for crack)

Keep an eye out for your beloved editors and our incredible acting skills. Jason claims to be the first mask she turns around, I claim to be the mask with the most screen time, we’re probably both wrong, lying or just fucking with you.

If you don’t have internet (How are you reading this) or want to preserve your bandwidth cap (get uncapped) you can watch the video on MK89 on 23 June Between 20:00 and 20:30.

Cheers

X

Their budget also didn't extend to a photoshoot so they're still using these old pics from the 70's

They began teasing their fans over half a year ago with the promise of a video for the song ‘Carry Me Away’, coincidentally, a song the general public hadn’t actually heard when the hype started. This was to be their first music video, or for those who like using fancy words, much like the band themselves (and to be honest, me), the debut music video. They finally released a teaser for the video in January showing just enough footage to let people know that all the members of the band actually featured in the video as well as an attractive lady who emerges from a bathtub.

At this point the actual song was still a mystery to fans who had to simply assume the it wasn’t a dogshow, The band rectified this shortly before Easter with the online release of the single. Those who had been looking forward to the song released a collective sigh of relief to find that their faith in the band was justified and they could smugly point out to their friends that they’d known about it ages ago with infuriatingly superior comments like, “I called it ages ago.”

In the months that followed, their fanbook page (I intended to type facebook but fucked up, then I decided I like fanbook better so I’m keeping it this way, although with the recent “upgrade” likebook would be a more accurate description, but fuckit) kept the world updated as the production on the video was nearly completed, then completed. They then put out that it was soon to be released, set back, set back some more and so on and so forth. Stuff like this “And in recent news. We’re having some difficulties with the launch, nothing to worry about, but it might be postponed by a week, we will keep you informed!” and this “Soon, just finalising some dates and stuff, had a bit of a mix up but it’ll all be sorted asap!” till they finally let the world know that the vid was going to be released at ROAR on the 12th June. I for one waited for the exclamation of “Hah! we fooled you, we’re never letting you see this thing.” but as of yet it hasn’t come. Jason and I have of course been anxiously awaiting this day so we can see what the hell we played our own small part in creating.

See, It really is happening

So if all goes as planned you’ll be handing over R30, for A B Turbo, The Video, Yes Sir! Mr Machine and Versus the Wolf. The latter have only been around since the start of April (there was however a band called New Altum who had all same members, made the same music and mysteriously disappeared after a fairly big hype campaign at the same time as Versus the Wolf announced their presence to the world. I call shenanigans). The evening will be MC’d by comedian, writer and radio personality,  Paul Snodgrass. The band have claimed that his presence was required due to their own comedic failings. There will also be Jack Daniels promo girls with prizes and, I assume, the intention of using sex appeal to make you part with you hard earned cash for a shot of bourbon and the need to placate that idiot voice in the back of your head telling you that you stand a chance of getting action. (It’s wrong, you don’t stand a chance)

To reiterate, the details you need to be aware of are:

• When: 12 June 2010
• Where: ROAR
• Who: A B Turbo, Yes Sir! Mr Machine, Versus the Wolf and Paul Snodgrass
• Why: A B Turbo’s ‘Carry Me Away’ Video Launch
• What’s it gonna cost: R30

See you there.

On a side note, if anyone has any unwanted Doppler Effect merch lying around I can provide it with a loving and caring home. And there’s not much I’m willing to love and care for.

Here is the studio diary of the recording, along with the song itself, on Youtube:

You can also listen to the track on Myspace Music or on Facebook

Unfortunately the video is not due for release for several more weeks yet, but you can enjoy the song for now – and have a listen to some of their other music.  Also definitely worth a listen are the singles ‘Green and Gold‘ and ‘Disguise the Lies‘

Johnny Foreigner - Odd, Entertaining

Johnny Foreigner again

I doubt the pokey Gauteng version will have this weather or scenery.

A B Turbo - Music video coming soon

Die Heuwels Fantasties - Joined by Jack Parrow

Lark - I'm developing a taste for them, at a rate of one gig per year I'll probably be a huge fan by 2015

Lark

Boo! - Someone please tell me they're reforming for good.

Pendulum - As awesome as you can possibly imagine them

Random Dude - Pendulum melted his face off.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I just gave you 11 000 words. Considering the fact that I normally write about 500 words per article I just gave you 22 articles. Its cause I love you guys mm’kay.

I’ll let you know when ticket sales open for next year.

Ramfest however is where things get pure. There will be no Afro ethnic chill music or electro jazz and no inflated ticket price to pay off the environmental impact. Instead there’ll be two music stages separating the metal acts on the alternative stage from the more mainstream acts on the main stage, a third stage will provide electro all night and late into the morning with nightly afterparties meaning that there’s no reason to hit the bed at 4. The music ranges from ska, to punk to metal to electro to finally drum and bass, with international act Pendulum headlining. Thanks to the spread on offer there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at any time, I myself have taken a look through the lineup to try figure out where I’ll want to be and when (if I don’t find myself in a tent, carnally occupied at the time) and found myself struggling to prioritise.

The alternative stage lineup looks like a who’s who of Cape Town’s metal acts with a few bands from upcountry retracing the steps their forefathers took many years ago during the great trek to return to the Cape of Good Dope. Bands to watch for are Enmity with their unique image and sound, AB turbo, who coincidentally will be releasing their first music video some time soon,  and… my pitiful knowledge of the SA metal scene has now been exhausted. Use the comments section if you have any other recommendations.

The main stage lineup on the other hand look like a who’s who of “HolyShitThey’rePlaying?” with bands like Lark pulling themselves back together fo the occasion, Boo! playing again after 6 years of seperation, Red Five Point Star coming down from Slovenia, and finally Pendulum, the band who come to mind immediately after The Prodigy whenever Drum and bass is mentioned, coming down from the UK. This is before I bother mentioning the current Cape Town favourites such as The Dirty Skirts, Fokofpolisiekar, Half Price and Taxi Violence.

In terms of electro I once again find myself out of my depth but seeing as our electro contributor seems to be perpetually absent I’ll just go ahead and recommend Bruce Willis, Haezer, Mix n Blend and Killer Robot based on second hand information. I know enough though, to be around for the homegrown section featuring Niskerone, Counterstrike, Hyphen and SFR.

Other than the music things to look forward to include flushing toilets in buildings and hot showers, a river and a pool to cool off in. Robot and ninja themed afterparties will be held at the electro stage on Friday and Saturday night respectively with a beach party during Saturday day. For those who prefer to feed themselves instead of tucking into the food stalls there will be braai’s so you can have cook your own chops and wors. Bear in mind that only plastic bottles will be allowed into the stage area’s so bring something to decant your beer into or pick a liquor and mix to bring along.

If you haven’t organised your ticket get down to a computicket and grab one. If you have yours already look out for keep  lookout for myself and Nick Krige, sadly Jason and Solly couldn’t make it and Norman is too much of a fag. And yes,  we do look like our pictures. The official Ramfest website is hell to navigate so rather check the facebook event for more info

All images stolen without permission, please don”t sue me.

The video is due to be released some time around March, but in the mean time you can entertain yourself by watching this trailer (Brett Allen-White not included).

Despite any discomfort felt at being in the nastiest corner of Observatory and seeing the place (and Antonio) in full daylight, the day was successful.  Most of the band performance footage had been shot the day before, so there were just some crowd scenes and scenes with the leading lady to be done. The costumes render us unrecognizable, but if you ask we will gladly point out which of the shadowy figures we are (but you’ll have to wait and see).

Needless to say, I don’t want to reveal too much about the content of the video, but I can say this:  The band hopes to have the song, ‘Carry Me Away’,  mastered and the post-production on the video done before mid December, in which case you might see it on MK by Christmas.  If not, we can expect to see it gracing the airwaves by some time around RAMFest next year.

A B Turbo is a punk rock revival band from the Mother City with a taste for circle pits and on-stage demolition acts.

The line up consists of Matthew James (vocals), Devon Martindale (guitar, backing vocals), Peter Walton (guitar), Brett Allen-White (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Sean Devey (drums), all of whom have been performing in bands together since their high school years.

You can see some shots of A B Turbo in action here during their latest gig at the Purple Turtle, but what we say you should do is listen to some of their music at their facebook page, myspace page , or ideally from the A B Turbo LoadTheShow page, where the bands get paid if you download for free (AMAZING, right?).

Stay tuned for when the video comes out – we’ll be posting it here!

So it came as no surprise that the most common phrase heard at the Purple Turtle’s first live music event in years was, “I was there, dude!”  The bouncer was surly, the door girl was wasted, and the air was stinking hot, thick with smoke and human moisture.  The bands hadn’t even started playing yet.  All the old faces were there, most of them hairier. It was just like it always had been.

Except it wasn’t, quite.

The grungy Rock ‘n Roll walls, painted with two-tone abstracts, were gone, replaced by plush maroon and black curtains.  The pillar with a collage of ancient fliers promoting bands with names like “The Revolting Cocks” was missing, which didn’t feel right. The bar was snazzy, with nice TVs all over the place.  The Turtle had grown up into a vulgar middle-class cigar lounge.

The dodgy stairs leading up to the balcony where you could buy pre-rolled spliffs from a dude, and smoke them, or chill in the pitch black interior and wait for the bands to start, were also gone. There is a dance club upstairs now, with a separate entrance.

Aesthetics aside, it seemed that not all of the vibe we remembered was contained by the Turtle itself.  We had hung on to it, and brought it with us.  As soon as the bands started playing it didn’t matter how many years had passed since the last time you skanked to one of Brett Allen-White’s bands.

The starting act, Sabretooth, was a metal outfit, as you can clearly see here. They got the air nice and sweaty with some crazy guitar, fast double-bass drumming and meaty vocals and screams.  The crowd seemed hesitant to start a circle-pit right there, and was content with solo head-banging. Next up were Cape Town rockers A B Turbo, the band many of us had come to see.

A B Turbo could be described as a mix of post-hardcore, screamo, etc, and deliver a punchy, solid performance.  The sound quality was good enough, and the band energized the crowd so much that by the time they finished a large pit had been going for a while, and several people had been successfully injured.

To give a little background, A B Turbo consists of Sean Devey on drums and Brett Allen-White on bass, both of whom played in old Turtle stalwart band Three-Fifty (much though they hate to admit it).  They later had a successful run playing in Doppler Effect, alongside Devon Martindale and Peter Walton who now deliver powerful, creative and purposeful guitar.  Matt James completes the outfit with a great range of cutting vocals, and the perfect on-stage image.

A B Turbo Was Awesome

Lank Awesome

Up next was Half-Price, the only band playing that evening who actually used to play at the Purple Turtle way back when. They were in more or less the same shape and form, although those shapes and forms had grown a little saggier, and less aggressively drunk.  Unfortunately I cannot comment on their performance, as I had left to go take some shots of Hog Hoggidy Hog playing at Zula bar.

Upon my excellently-timed return I managed to catch all of one of Cape Town’s premier ska bands, 7th Son.  Their sound has changed dramatically over the last few years, growing harder and more musically complex as the band grows with new members and new styles.  When last I heard them they were more or less the chilled version of The Rudimentals with better lyrics.  These days, they’re about as close as you can get to seeing a band like RX Bandits in Cape Town, for under fifty bucks.

If it had been any other venue, I would call it a pretty damn good show.  But being back in that space, watching familiar faces and hearing familiar sounds, with people you’ve seen around for years, was something special.  It didn’t matter much about the music, or the decor, or upstairs, or that the gents bathroom door was still broken.  We all got a chance to re-live some of our most awesome nights.  And that was rad.

We look forward to the next one.