IDLE SUNDAY, the next pop-rock sensation has signed with FOURWORD RECORDS, even though the band has just started searching for a new lead singer.  

After lengthy negotiations, the four gentleman of Cape Town penned a deal that will see them touring both locally and internationally and releasing their full debut album and music video in 2010 and 2011.  

The label is looking for a dedicated lead singer who will be able to fit in with the image, learn a set of established songs and help work towards a successful future.

The debut album, tentatively titled The Rising, will feature 10 tracks and be available towards the end of the year. Laced with upbeat pop-rock production by Kyle Puller from Dual Records, IDLE SUNDAY’s epic story-like song style has already been labelled as a ‘younger and fresher Green Day’.

For more information on auditions visit www.idlesunday.com or www.fourword.co.za

UCT RAG Launch Your Band is an epic music competition that provides a platform for upcoming bands to showcase their work! This year, the top 3 bands “Escaping Larry”, “nogapsbetween” and “New Altum”, have competed in the semi-final showdown on the University of Cape Town’s well known Jammie Plaza to a jam-packed crowd of roaring students.

They now have a chance to show you what they’ve got on Friday 30^th April 2010 at the V&A Waterfront’s Quay Four from 20h30. An opening performance by last year’s winners “Reburn” will lead to these finalists battling it up followed by South Africa’s one and only Prime Circle rocking the night away!

 
Up for grabs for the winning band is a professional recording demo valued at R20 000 at Sound & Motion Studios, a performing slot at Rocking The Daisies this October, an album cover designed by the Red & Yellow School of Logic and Magic, equipment from Marshall Music, and a lot more!

So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets for only R60 presold from the UCT RAG office at the UCT Upper Campus, Rondebosch or R80 at Quay Four that night! 

UCT RAG Launch Your Band- it’s the ultimate place to ROCK!

For more information visit www.launchyourband.co.za or contact 021 650 3525.

Proudly sponsored by Marshall Music, Sound & Motion Studios, Rocking the Daisies, Quay Four, Chew Magazine, SAB Miller and Goodhope FM.

This is a rare show, not to be missed.

Performance starts at 8:30 Sharp.

R40 at the door.

Launch Your Band is UCT RAG's annual music competition that provides a platform for unknown bands to showcase their work. The top entrants will compete in a semi-final showdown during meridian on UCT's Jammie Plaza in front of a crowd of nearly 2000 students. The competition culminates with the top three bands playing alongside two-well known South African Bands at a finale concert.

Like every competition there are amazing prizes for the winning band. This year, the winning band will walk away with a 6 day recording deal worth R20, 000, a slot at Rocking the Daisies, album artwork by Red&Yellow as well as a band photo shoot. Last years winning band, Reburn, won the crown and are now on their way to local success.

Interested bands can find more information regarding demo submissions and competition details on our website www.launchyourband.co.za. Entries Close on the 8^th of April.

Blog by Tecla                                               Photo by Inggs

It was so hot on Sunday that I was convinced I’d entered some sort of edenesque version of hell at Kirstenbosch. And snaking in between 12-year-olds with 100 LMGs in my bag to find a good spot to park and appreciate Zebra & Giraffe was a mission and a half. The crux came though when I lit up a cigarette and got treated like one of those 12-year-olds by a khaki-clad man who looked like a retired game ranger.

Needless to say it was rather tough through all this commotion to even acknowledge what was going on onstage but it was somewhere between lead singer Greg mumbling “Barack Obama”, “George Bush” and “Fight! Fight! Fight!” (the name of the track) that I was able to give them my full attention. Now legend has it that Greg is a little bit of a genius when it comes to the bass, the keys and guitar – he plays them all. But stuck behind a microphone, with a guitar strapped around his shoulder, he looked strangely sweaty and uncomfortable. I suppose the heat didn’t help either.

For about half of their set Z&G were a four piece, until bassist Andrew decided to grace us all with his presence after being held up at the airport. He jumped right into the next track, swapping his usual bass for a slide guitar, which he played on his lap - at which point I got into an argument with some random who was convinced it was a lapsteel. Even after Greg announced it was a slide guitar. I think he might know what instruments his band members’ play, reTARD. Moving along... lead guitarist Alan (who is by far the most exciting member to keep your eyes on during a show) also traded in his sexy lime green Fender for a bass, which he plays equally as well, and if it’s even possible, with more gusto.

And then it was crowd pleaser time with tracks like ‘Arm yourself’, ‘Oxymoron’ (my personal Z&G pick) and ‘The Knife’ making the little kiddies jump to keyboardist Rob’s beats like they’d missed their daily dose of Ritalin. To quote Greg “This is awesome. I’d never thought I’d see a mosh pit at Kirstenbosch.” Oh really? Fly down from Joburg next week for Fokof at Kirstenbosch. Then we’ll show you a mosh pit.

This was all followed by a cover of Chris Isaak’s legendary, but oh so cheese-worthy tune, ‘I don’t wanna fall in love’. Greg had a nice little Laudo moment, centre stage on his lonesome and then launched into a track (presumably off ‘Collected Memories’) that I’ve never heard before and it was the first and only time during the gig that I raised an eyebrow and probably said something like ‘Jissus. He’s not that bad,’ while he displayed a vocal range of more than just an octave. Hottt.

So as the sun set, one-by-one sunglasses came off and we got to see exactly how hungover most of the 20-somethings were from the night before. All whilst Z&G wrapped up their lack of onstage antics as drummer Darren threw his drumsticks into the crowd. I saw fear in Inggs’ eyes. Honestly.  And as the pre-pubescent girl who caught one stick sauntered past me, tenderly caressing it, I had a light bulb moment. They might not be my cup of tea, but with a SAMA Award for Best Rock Band under their belt and god know how many copies of ‘Collected Memories’ sold nationwide, Z&G have their commercialized rock facade down to a fine art.

And they sold out Kirstenbosch. High five.

Tecla