Whether you’re a bohemian ska musician from Cape Town in a bit of a funk or a moody 90s grunge singer contemplating suicide, unplugged sets are a great way to have an intimate evening with all of your fans, and possibly a very intimate evening with one of them.

Captain Stu, one of our favourites here at The Daily Discharge, does occasionally do some unplugged sets.  Also, as you know from Kyle’s last post, Dance, You’re On Fire is down in Cape Town for the next week or so doing a bit of a tour.  They decided to team up and grace us with an unplugged session at an awesome little cafe down in Kalk Bay called Octopus’ Garden on Thursday 22 July. (Facebook event)

(Shameless self-promotion: Kalk Bay is also the setting of my upcoming novel, ‘Dirty Nights in Cuba’ – which is available in serial form at Things By Chase)

Normally I would just stick this on the gig guide and let you find it for yourselves, but this one deserves a special mention. Captain Stu unplugged is an awesome thing to see, and Octopus’ Garden is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been there before.

The atmosphere is charming. The food is great. The beer is wet and cold. I’ve never seen Dance, You’re On Fire but from all the hubbub people are making about them I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you’re probably in for a treat.  In the meantime, here is a clip of Captain Stu playing an unplugged version of their song ‘The Journey’ for Channel MK’s Unplugged series.  Geniet.

[Thumbnail image graciously stolen from One Small Change photography - thanks Debs!]

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.

Be there

Hog Hoggidy Hog recently finished production on their video for ‘Sherry Anne’, a process which has apparently taken over 2 years. I heard nothing about it till now but then what do I know, I just go to gigs to hit the mosh pit and see how many bruises I can pick up.

I have no idea what's going on here but I like it anyway.

The release party will be happening at Mercury Live on Friday (2010-05-07) evening, it will feature ‘The Rudimentals’ and new band ‘Dustland Express’. Entry will be 50 bucks and for that you’ll get Dustland Express, The Rudimentals, the video screening and finally The Hogs. With The Rudeboys and The Hogs sharing the stage a collaboration on a few songs is fairly likely and those collaborations are always somehow more entertaining than the sum of their parts, which, given how entertaining both bands are, is an impressive level of entertainment. Seriously people this is one you can’t afford to miss, if you do you’ll be hearing about it for ages to come as you sit stewing in your self loathing. This is not FOMO, it’s COMO (a term I just made up by bastardising Fear of Missing Out to create Certainty of Missing Out.

Take a look at the preview on Youtube to see what they’ve come up with

Looks pretty cool doesn’t it?

If you aren’t some form of shut in hermit I’ll see you there. If you are you can see the video on hoghoggidyhog.com at midnight on the night. Either way, make sure you check it out.

For other details there’s always the Facebook Event which has a few stills from the production to keep your appetite whetted for the rest of the week.

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.

This time however they have decided to do things the right way. On Friday Hog Hoggidy Hog, the greatest ska punk band in Cape Town (and perhaps the country), will be joined by Half Price, The drunkest band in Cape Town (And almost certainly the country), and a bunch of gingers, at ROAR where they will be recording their latest attempt at a live album. The usual vibe is to be expected with everyone in attendance going all out for the occasion as well as ROAR rolling out specials normally only available downstairs at Gandalfs such as 3 beers for R10.

If you miss it you’ll be kicking yourself and if you’re there you’ll be able to sit around years from now smugly reminding people when listening to the album that you are actually on that album, one indistinguishable voice among many raised in salute to pork rock, but most certainly on the album. You will essentially be a member of Hog Hoggiddy Hog for a night.

You'll also be this cool.

So bring along your friends, your allstars, your mosh arm and your incoherent shout along voice and prepare to spend the next week whispering all your spoken communications cause this one is gonna be big.

Where: ROAR, above Gandalfs, Lower main road, Obs

When: Friday 12/02/2010

Cover: R30 (fuckall)

Facebook Event

Why am I not functioning at full capacity you may ask? Well ask no more friends because I shall divulge this information to you freely. I was at Zula last night. Having owned (or as the nerds would say pwned) the moshpit at The Purple Turtle, I made my way to Zula to catch Hog Hoggidy Hog, safe in the knowledge that I couldn’t have missed them because I’d just watched their drummer play for A B Turbo, and felt sure that I could make it to Zula faster than him as I was unencumbered by the need to lug a drum kit with me.

2 Gigs in a Night - No Problem Bud

Upon my arrival at Zula I was greeted with a familiar sight. (Lets just say this isn’t the first time I’ve been to Zula) The sight in question was the bar and balcony packed to the seams. No matter what, I’ve always found Zula gigs to be well attended. Drinks were quickly acquired and a vantage point was secured.This was then foolishly abandoned in favour of fresh air on the balcony.  Shortly thereafter The Hogs took to the stage and the drinks were dispatched with zeal and after some cunning use of ninja techniques I found myself slap bang in the middle of the moshpit.

The Hogs Moshpit - You Should Have Been Somewhere in That.

A Hogs moshpit is never a disappointment and this one lived up to and exceeded all expectations, with sweaty bodies bouncing around in time to the brilliantly danceable songs. The Hogs songs are all crafted in such a manner that even if you’ve never heard them before you will be bouncing in time to their ska punk mastery within seconds of hearing a song. This coupled with their polished expertise at playing the songs, the energetic stage act and pure enthusiasm are what make a Hogs gig brilliant. These guys show no sign of aging or slowing down. Other notable parts of the performance included lead singer George Bacon taking over Ross McDonalds trombone to play him happy birthday and Teboho from The Rudimentals joining the band on stage to add some flavour.

The Hogs - Please Bow Before the Kings of Ska Punk

Adding to this is the fact that Zula has a wooden floor that tends to bounce in time to the masses of people jumping on it. It’s either been expertly crafted to do this without breaking or some floor builder randomly managed to achieve the perfect punk floor with sheer good luck because thus far despite the abuse it has endured it has never shown any sign of breaking.  Needless to say having a floor capable of doubling as a trampoline is makes a moshpit even more ridiculous.

Actually, their arms are like that for balance

Some of you may still be asking, “But why, good sir are you not firing on all cylinders? You promised us an answer.” If you hadn’t caught on to this yet that answer is that quite simply, upon my arrival in the pit, I resolved not to leave, for the entire set. It’s a feat that even experienced moshers look upon as fraught with difficulty. Not leaving the pit means not getting any drinks or fresh air for the duration of the set. And if you’re in the pit you’d better be going for it on the mosh front. A full Hogs set of moshing hard takes a toll on a person and by the time they left the stage to the roars of approval from the crowd I was drenched in sweat, covered in other peoples spilled beer, and in dire need of a cigarette and a drink, but instead of  indulging in these simple pleasures I headed back to The Turtle to catch 7th Son.

If you were there, thanks for making it a great night, and congratulations on surviving, Also well done to The Hogs for a brilliant show, If you weren’t there then what the fuck is wrong with you? Seriously, I should physically assault you. But I won’t, because I love you guys, Instead I’ll give you a tip. Friday 13th Nov. The Turtle Strikes Back. Be There. You have no excuse this time.

You see, on any given weekend there should be at least one worthwhile alt rock gig to attend. A good or perhaps even “Epic” weekend may have more but they should always be on different days. This saves the world from decision making and everyone knows that making decisions is bad for you and causes premature aging.

This weekend however we are faced with a choice, and it is by no means an easy choice. You see, on Saturday evening (24/10/2009 for those in a different space-time continuum) we have to choose between watching a gig at the Purple Turtle or watching a gig at Zula Bar.

The Purple Turtle gig represents an important part of the Cape Town music scene, It was at the Turtle back in “the good old days” that most of the old guard of Cape Town punk, ska, and reggae bands got their start. It was a crappy hole but it was well-loved. It then became crappy without gigs for reasons unknown to me. It has now come under new management and the Punk scene is trying to reclaim it. As a result, a broad spectrum coalition (I’ve been reading reports on the UN) of CT’s finest has come together to give what promises to be an epic performance.

Back to the Turtle is headlined by The renowned Drunk Punx: Half Price who always put on a show that makes up for their lack of musical talent with gratuitous big phat titties and free beer. They are joined in their efforts by AB Turbo who will be blasting out their brand of screamo metal, 7th Son with some slightly more chilled reggae and Sabertooth whom I’ve somehow never heard of and as a result can’t write anything about. Sorry.

The chairman decrees that you should be there

The other option is being billed as Hogumentals and The Rudeboys at Zula. Both Hog Hoggidy Hog and The Rudimentals are stalwarts of the Cape Town scene who have been playing gigs since time immemorial. Both out on a show that forces you to bounce with the Hogs delivering possibly the greatest moshpit experience in Cape Town and the rudies bringing out the Ska vibe on a level that few can accomplish.

Also to be taken into account is the chemistry between the lead singers of the two bands with a few collaborations a certainty and the epic and terrifying trampoline floor of Zula which provides the only moshpits where double bouncing occurs.

Avoid socks or they'll be rocked off

On thing is for sure though. Only an idiot won’t be bouncing to something in Long Street this Saturday. At R30 for The Turtle and R40 for Zula both gigs are great value. Where will I be you ask? It’s a difficult decision but at the moment I’m leaning towards the chance of seeing big phat titties being flashed on stage. I’ve also found that in recent years The Rudimentals have settled down somewhat and are slightly more serious than they used to be.

Facebook Events:

The Turtle: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155252305737&index=1

Zula: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154017178270&index=1

Stay tuned for write-ups of both gigs after-the-fact.

See you in the pit.