Come the appointed night I headed through to Mercury. I didn’t take my camera. This wasn’t going to be one of those nights where I sat around trying to get the right lighting to snap a clear picture to use here. That night I had one purpose: to go completely mental, and nothing would be allowed to hold me back.

First up were newcomers, Dustland Express. With everyone still fairly sober and them being fairly unknown it was the usual Cape Town vibe of everyone standing back watching the guys playing their hearts out without ever joining in. It’s a sad fact that in Cape Town: if you’re not known, no one will be the first to go out there and rock with you. We live in a city where everyone is far too cool to be the first to go out and jam to an unknown band and it’s fucking depressing. People really need to stop giving a fuck and show some appreciation for the music regardless of whether anyone else thinks you look like an ass.

Next up were The Rudimentals – a band with no worries about being unknown. They warmed up the crowd nicely with their infectious ska, playing a tight set as everyone has come to expect from them. My one comment is that they have become more serious over the years, more mature. While this is often regarded as a good thing

I have fond memories of the heady days when a Rudies gig meant circle pits and stage diving. It was a feeling shared and summarised by a friend in a singe phrase, “Play NoTV.” It’s a song they removed from their setlist and those who remember it don’t know why.

When they left the stage the usual band changeover bar rush occurred, but rather than taking the acquired drinks and waiting casually for the next band, everyone picked their spot to keep a decent view of the screens. It was a worthwhile exercise because the video is truly something incredible to behold.

The ‘Sherry Anne’ video took 2 years to make, was filmed on green screen and was animated by the Hogs’ guitarist Amos Keeto. A feat which explains the time taken when you consider the fact that everything in the video other than the people is computer-generated. It is truly a must watch. To make things easier for you I’ve embedded it in the page, a feat which amazes me every time I get it right. I’m completely clueless with this internet thing.

With the introductions and formalities now over the Hogs took to the stage. While some may have noticed that George was wearing trousers rather than shorts, a completely unheard of event, most did not. Because from the first note they played the crowd went mad, although mad is not quite strong enough to describe the chaos which occurred. For the entirety of the set there was at least one person borne aloft after a stage dive.

There were a few failed stage dives too, most notably the chap who chose to attire himself in his birthday suit prior to taking the stage. Unsurprisingly his jump was a failure, with him as moses and the crowd as the Red Sea; no one wants to risk grabbing a handful of sweaty nutsack. When the band finally left the stage after their encore they left behind a sea of battered but euphoric fans.  This was quite possibly the wildest gig I’ve been to since my school days.

Until the next video, which I happen to know is in the pipeline, (You heard it here on The Daily Discharge, unless I’m wrong in which case I’m gonna come back and edit this so you’ll never prove anything) or, closer to now, the next gig, I bid you a battered farewell.

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.