Some people seemed to take offence at my comments about rather average local band Freshlyground and their decidedly more average fans. The salami feels no pity for you. Mediocrity is a sin. I’m not done yet.
Well, if you reckon South African heavyweights like the Parlotones and Prime Circle make you ooze in your skants, then listen up: they totally suck too. Yes, yes – it’s true. Sorry to disappoint you all again. It’s just that they’re quite boring, completely unoriginal and not very attractive. If Scott Stapp from Creed and Jon Bon Jovi had to have sex with Quasimodo and Papa Smurf while Michael Learns to Rock sat in the corner and jacked off, the result would be the weasly lead singer from Prime Circle. QED, I suppose: he is, ergo they did.
Why the bitterness, you ask? Why does the salami just hate South Africa? Well, it’s time I set the record straight.
Last night, I went to see the Springbok Nude Girls at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Unbeknownst to me before yesterday morning, the opening acts were (ta daaa!!) the Parlotones and Prime Circle. I missed the Parlotones (no huge loss) and tapped my foot through Prime Circle, who weren’t very good at all (and their sound was a disaster). No alarms and no surprises.
But wait…I’m getting to the point of this post.
The Springbok Nude Girls came on last and gave possibly one of the most earth- (and ear-) shattering, sublime and utterly intense performances that I have ever borne witness to in my life. Quite simply, they were incredible. Arno was on fire, powering his way through classics like Giant Love Affair, Managing Mula, Little, Genie, I Love You and Supergirl, before returning for an encore (an encore…from a South African band!) of Bubblegum on My Boots that got the whole venue jumping.
There was even a mosh pit that would have made Slayer quake in their 16-hole Doc Martens.
Quite literally, I haven’t seen so many excited South Africans in one place since my 12th birthday party at Silvermine. I have seldom felt so proud to be a soutie. Chakalaka coursed through my veins. What a show. What a show!
Alright. Here comes the punch. I know what South African music is capable of; my world was rocked by it last night. I’m not interested in excuses like “inadequate funding, production, marketing or distribution” – the Springbok Nude Girls are living proof of just how good South African music can be. Sure, without proper international backing they’ll never enjoy enormous financial success, but when lined up against the best that the South African rock scene has to offer (as they were last night), there is simply no comparison. They are that good.
Last night, in Shepherds Bush, the Nudies made love to my ears. And it was magical. And at times a little rough, but I liked it. All of it.
Frankly, Freshlyground and the rest of them can sod off.
PS. SNG will be releasing a new album soon! Watch this space.