Heroes Wear Red & Graeme Watkins Project

Heroes Wear Red are performing with Man as Machine and the Graeme Watkins Project at Tings 'n Times on the 4th June.

If the name Graeme Watkins rings some bells, that's because you might remember Graeme from his Idols days, but what the Graeme Watkins Project are now creating is like nothing before heard in this country.

More from their press release:
GWP has an international-competing production quality, unique instrumental ideas and complex, innovative sample tracks. This has allowed GWP to enter seamlessly into the realm of Electro-Indie, where they are fast finding their feet, ready to battle the big players.

This is evident in their recent successes. GWP’s first single “Real World”, off the debut album “Corridors of the Mind”, received immense interest receiving high rotation nationally on several of SA’s leading radio stations.

This unit has managed to break the “cookie-cutter” mould of stereotypically SA music, producing a handful of fresh, new original tracks – each lined with raw, pure emotion. 

It goes without saying that this gig is not to be missed. More information is available on the Facebook event page.

Van Coke Kartel - Winter Acoustic

Van Coke Kartel will be touring their acoustic set this winter. On the 17th June they will perform this set with Coal and Stonecollar at Mercury Live for an Uncircled show.

Mercury Live rarely hosts these uncircled shows and they are not to be missed. The stage moves to the center of the venue and an intimate and relaxed atmosphere prevails. There is limited seating provided for these shows, so get there early to avoid disappointment.

Coal will be performing their popular dark and haunting semi-acoustic set. Stonecollar have prepared their acoustic set specially for this event, don't miss this opportunity to see them in a completely different light.

Stonecollar Press

Reviews are still coming in fast and furious for the new Stonecollar album. Now, Channel 24 have published an article featuring Stonecollar: Channel 24 - Is Hard Rock Dead in SA?

"With CD sales declining globally across all genres, and the further monopolising of airwaves by the Top40 playlists, certain 'genres' of music previously thought to be the staple of suburban identity have fallen by the wayside. Or have they?

In South Africa, rock is historically regarded as music played by and for the white suburban teenager. The harder brands of rock in particular have retreated into the dark corners of those suburban alleys, but can still be found thriving there, albeit on a smaller scale.

One band that happens to serve as a great example of this is Cape Town outfit STONECOLLAR, who are about to launch their debut album, and have been getting lots of positive buzz from international weblogs and such with preview and demo tracks." [...read more]

Don't forget that Stonecollar are holding their album launch party on the 17th May at Mercury Live.

Coal Update

Coal recently spent a weekend away disturbing the neighbours in langebaan with their non-stop rehearsing. The fruits of that labour are a much improved electric and acoustic set, as well as some lo-fi recordings which they've uploaded to their Soundcloud account. In the coming weeks they'll also be uploading some snippets of other songs, but in the meantime you can listen to the full version of both Stroke and Train.

Coal have recently returned to the stage after their 4 month hiatus, in which they focused their efforts on re-arranging existing material, writing new songs and training up their new drummer. They'll be performing in and around Cape Town regularly going forward, be sure to make the effort to check them out, you will not be disappointed.

Stonecollar Album Launch Event

Stonecollar have recently released their album "Trial by Fire". The party to celebrate this launch is on the 17th May at Mercury Live. The following day is a public holiday so there's no excuse not to come out for some mid-week madness. More information is available on the Facebook Event Page

The album has already received rave reviews both locally and internationally:

"There are some signature performances here: great guitar solos abound and Leshem Petersen's expressive, emotional, and clean vocals are quite impressive.
Should we expect international acclaim for Stonecollar? Possibly. Trial By Fire, with the right promotion, could find an audience in the States, and Europe as well. Strong talent and good songs propel Stonecollar's Trial By Fire. Easily recommended!" - DangerDog.com

"Stonecollar are actually the first metal act I have heard from South Africa and if they are an indication of what the burgeoning scene there has to offer, then we could be in for a treat over the next few years" - Metal Perspective

You can purchase a copy of the album via facebook's online store or, if you're in Cape Town, you can contact the band directly to obtain a copy. Of course, you can always pick one up at the show on the 17th of May!

Coal at The Waiting Room

Tonight Coal perform their set of dark and haunting lullabies at The Waiting Room. Their music is like "smoke and water", both "haunting and mesmerising". Coal will be on stage at 9:45pm sharp, don't miss out!

You can find out more on the Facebook Event Page

Poster by Adam Hill