Hello guys.
I'm going to speak about the blog for a second, as some of you may have noticed there is two main authors on the blog however we are willing to accept articles from you guys to post. I'm sure many of you have had some sort of experience with the alternative scene and maybe you want to rant about how gigs are organised or how creating a name for yourself that exceeds just the bay area is extremely difficult. If you have an opinion on the alternative scene that you've been wanting to voice let us know.
Regards,
Garth "Corrupted"
Monday, 13 June 2011
My Apologies
Yeah, I understand that it's been nearly a month since my last post, but unfortunately I'm still a slave to the education system. And when it's exam time... You get where I'm going with this.
But so long I'll leave you with a song of probably my favourite band to come out of our scene. The Black October. Sad thing about these guys is that they felt the wrath of the "Chromium Effect".
A reunion gig would be nice though.
http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_details/926945
But so long I'll leave you with a song of probably my favourite band to come out of our scene. The Black October. Sad thing about these guys is that they felt the wrath of the "Chromium Effect".
A reunion gig would be nice though.
http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_details/926945
Thursday, 2 June 2011
The 2007 Gig
Hi guys
As you probably don't know I am the other contributor to this blog and as of yet I haven't posted anything but I decided that I should at least post something.
One of the most epic gigs I've ever been to in PE was in 2007 when a couple bands from other parts of South Africa came down for a massive 7 band gig, I can't remember the entire line up. The two touring bands were Cold Hand Chemistry and 12th Avenue with supporting acts by PE bands Inherent Scars and The Black October (two bands that have, since then, broken up).
Now I know this isn't a big gig to some people that maybe have attended Ramfest or Woodstock but this was big for me, having then only recently stumbled upon this alternative scene. For me this was going to open my mind to not just PE metal bands but various other South African bands.
That was one of the most intense nights for head banging in my life, started out a little slow just head banging slightly to the music then once I started getting into it, no holds barred. Now this would be perfectly fine for a three or four band gig but for 7 bands this proved to be quite harsh. I still remember at one point in the night getting help from Theodore and some other guy to head bang.
When faced with that many hours of head banging you try to discover new ways of head banging that put less strain on your neck but still look like you enjoying the music and making an effort. (Perhaps I shall do a follow up post with videos of different head banging styles).
One thing I'm pleased about is the fact that I survived until the end of that gig and only left after the final band had played. The next day of course was pure agony.
P.S a video I took on a V360 cell phone of Cold Hand Chemistry - http://youtube.com/watch?v=l1_GiOoFU00
As you probably don't know I am the other contributor to this blog and as of yet I haven't posted anything but I decided that I should at least post something.
One of the most epic gigs I've ever been to in PE was in 2007 when a couple bands from other parts of South Africa came down for a massive 7 band gig, I can't remember the entire line up. The two touring bands were Cold Hand Chemistry and 12th Avenue with supporting acts by PE bands Inherent Scars and The Black October (two bands that have, since then, broken up).
Now I know this isn't a big gig to some people that maybe have attended Ramfest or Woodstock but this was big for me, having then only recently stumbled upon this alternative scene. For me this was going to open my mind to not just PE metal bands but various other South African bands.
That was one of the most intense nights for head banging in my life, started out a little slow just head banging slightly to the music then once I started getting into it, no holds barred. Now this would be perfectly fine for a three or four band gig but for 7 bands this proved to be quite harsh. I still remember at one point in the night getting help from Theodore and some other guy to head bang.
When faced with that many hours of head banging you try to discover new ways of head banging that put less strain on your neck but still look like you enjoying the music and making an effort. (Perhaps I shall do a follow up post with videos of different head banging styles).
One thing I'm pleased about is the fact that I survived until the end of that gig and only left after the final band had played. The next day of course was pure agony.
P.S a video I took on a V360 cell phone of Cold Hand Chemistry - http://youtube.com/watch?v=l1_GiOoFU00
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
... Vs. The World
This is a rant so be prepared to be offended. I'm not going to single out people or organizations entirely, but I will make it obvious as to who they are. I feel that what I'm about to say is true, so if you disagree I really won't judge you.
Anyway.
During high school I met a lot of kids who were into the same music and "lifestyle" that I'm into. From kids rolling around with Slipknot tees, rocking out to Rob Zombie, skating or hanging around the tattoo parlour - they existed in some form or the other.
This was encouraging, because I really felt that all the negativity shown towards the scene was overblown. Bands and gig organisers would always complain about lack of support and what not and it never really made any sense to me.
Until I started to go gigs regularly. It was then that I noticed and realised that their complaints were valid. Because it was always the same faces I'd see. (Ok, so occansionly some doods would just pop by, but then they left after an hour or less.)
When I saw shit like this asked myself the question: "what do all these kids I see do that keeps them away from the very scene they claim to be a part of?"
But its obvious really, the moral standards of people in this town are atrocious. And have been so for a while. People in this town (well a majority) just seem to be drifting.
Drifting into a lifestyle of house music and pseudo- gangsterism. This leaves no place for the our scene to exist and grow.
So instead these kids who were once into kickflips and metal, have succomed to the um... Shit. I really have no name for it...
Sorry about that.
Anyway.
During high school I met a lot of kids who were into the same music and "lifestyle" that I'm into. From kids rolling around with Slipknot tees, rocking out to Rob Zombie, skating or hanging around the tattoo parlour - they existed in some form or the other.
This was encouraging, because I really felt that all the negativity shown towards the scene was overblown. Bands and gig organisers would always complain about lack of support and what not and it never really made any sense to me.
Until I started to go gigs regularly. It was then that I noticed and realised that their complaints were valid. Because it was always the same faces I'd see. (Ok, so occansionly some doods would just pop by, but then they left after an hour or less.)
When I saw shit like this asked myself the question: "what do all these kids I see do that keeps them away from the very scene they claim to be a part of?"
But its obvious really, the moral standards of people in this town are atrocious. And have been so for a while. People in this town (well a majority) just seem to be drifting.
Drifting into a lifestyle of house music and pseudo- gangsterism. This leaves no place for the our scene to exist and grow.
So instead these kids who were once into kickflips and metal, have succomed to the um... Shit. I really have no name for it...
Sorry about that.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
The Chromium Effect.
Out of all the underground scenes in the world, I'm 100% sure that there's no other like the one in Port Elizabeth.
Why do I say this?
Because firstly, it's vacant. Yes there's a good amount of bands here- the regulars and the 'don't quit your dayjob' bands- but unfortunately, their efforts are in vain.
The core of this dilemma , I think, begins with the self-esteem of the artists.
Everybody wants to be in a band, get famous, have loads of sex and live like true fucking rockstars. This is all good; until you realise ,after your first gig, that it might never happen. And that's where these bands fall into mediocrity - just playing shows as an excuse for something to do on weekends. Plainly put , their a lot of mediocre bands, and no one wants to see them.
Secondly, its the "the Chromium Effect".
Aagh. Chromium. This band has done the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the impossible. They relocated and made a name for themselves. *laugh*.
The great thing about this band is that they never gave into a trend or an image. Their music sold itself, and the people loved it. In fact, they've become such a National pride that now Jo'burg are claiming them as their own (faggots). Haha.
...And thats where it ends. Chromium. Bands have tried, and tried, and got close, and got signed, and relocated.... And FAILED! In the last 2 years at least 3 bands have made it into festivals and got signed. They all had potential to go all the way. Then the 'chromium effect' kicked in and they broke up. It seems as though Chromium left behind some odour, an odour which puts off P.E bands from getting big.
We need some cologne.
Penguins Hunt In Packs - Guitar Hero This : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuooOE-UxSA
Chromium - Confessions of a Hero : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-J74RDRLaI
Amery Liszt - Back By Popular Demand : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W17qh1ArNxs
Why do I say this?
Because firstly, it's vacant. Yes there's a good amount of bands here- the regulars and the 'don't quit your dayjob' bands- but unfortunately, their efforts are in vain.
The core of this dilemma , I think, begins with the self-esteem of the artists.
Everybody wants to be in a band, get famous, have loads of sex and live like true fucking rockstars. This is all good; until you realise ,after your first gig, that it might never happen. And that's where these bands fall into mediocrity - just playing shows as an excuse for something to do on weekends. Plainly put , their a lot of mediocre bands, and no one wants to see them.
Secondly, its the "the Chromium Effect".
Aagh. Chromium. This band has done the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the impossible. They relocated and made a name for themselves. *laugh*.
The great thing about this band is that they never gave into a trend or an image. Their music sold itself, and the people loved it. In fact, they've become such a National pride that now Jo'burg are claiming them as their own (faggots). Haha.
...And thats where it ends. Chromium. Bands have tried, and tried, and got close, and got signed, and relocated.... And FAILED! In the last 2 years at least 3 bands have made it into festivals and got signed. They all had potential to go all the way. Then the 'chromium effect' kicked in and they broke up. It seems as though Chromium left behind some odour, an odour which puts off P.E bands from getting big.
We need some cologne.
Penguins Hunt In Packs - Guitar Hero This : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuooOE-UxSA
Chromium - Confessions of a Hero : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-J74RDRLaI
Amery Liszt - Back By Popular Demand : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W17qh1ArNxs
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