A new heavy festival based in Johannesburg, The Big Smoke is well timed to bring together bands from across South Africa’s varied underground, from the classic boozy songcraft of Evert Snyman to the psych punk of We Kill Cowboys, the raw rock of Caution Boy, Soweto’s Shameless — about whom it becomes much easier to find info when you look for the social media handle ‘shamelessbandsa’ — and long-respected outfit Black Cat Bones. That’s the first lineup announcement from the newcomer event set for June 9, and indeed only one to come, but you’ll note the involvement of Mongrel Records here alongside STFD Live — the acronym is ‘sit the folk down’ — so quality rock and roll is assured. Always nice to have these things covered from the outset, and you can tell they’re doing the ‘test the waters’ edition the first time out, presumably to gauge response and either continue or not from there.

South African heavy has spent the last five-plus years on the ascent — and of course longer than that, but you know, narrative — so to have an event showcasing the current crop of bands and one that might go so far as to bring acts from Europe or maybe even the States on board for future editions is well earned. Looks like a good time as-is. I hope they keep it going.

From the PR wire:

STFD Live presents The Big Smoke, JHB’s new annual rock, stoner, psych event featuring The Black Cat Bones, We Kill Cowboys and more

STFD Live presents The Big Smoke – Joburg’s hottest new event featuring heavy hitters, The Black Cat Bones, Evert Snyman & the Aviary, We Kill Cowboys, Shameless and Caution Boy! Taking place at Sognage on the 9th June 2023 The Big Smoke is set to be an annual event showcasing the evolving South African music scene with a focus on heavy rock, stoner and psych. Doors open at 6pm and the first band is on at 7pm.

Early Bird – R100pp (limited)
Online – R150pp
Door – R200pp

(artwork by Alex Muller)

Quicket link – https://qkt.io/V0XjnA
FB event – https://www.facebook.com/events/6074907765935679

The Black Cat Bones

The Black Cat Bones are a multi-genre conglomerate of likeminded music makers from Gauteng, South Africa. Andre Kriel, Kobus de Kock, Gareth Bunge & Casey Rothman form part of the core founded in 2007 and are regularly accompanied by an array of the countries most talented collaborates and guest artists. The bands captivating performances and diverse repertoire put them in a class of their own as they evolve from sub-culture champions to a group that’s adored nationwide by a constantly expanding, loyal following from all walks of life. BCB is recognised for their hard work ethic and respected among their peers as one of the most driven musical outfits in the country.

Evert Snyman & The Aviary

One rarely encounters that unique sound that draws you in and alerts your senses…that rare quality in a musician that forces you to listen more closely and pay attention. Evert Snyman is exactly that – a multi-talented songwriter and performer who has enthralled many an audience with his galvanic melodies, poetic, yet straightforward lyrics and hypnotic rhythms. What sets Evert apart from other musicians is the raw honesty of his music. He is a fearless and unabated songwriter and lyricist, speaking to emotions we often keep hidden – even from ourselves. Based in Johannesburg, Evert Snyman has launched and collaborated on various projects, cementing himself as a versatile multi-instrumentalist. Perhaps the most well-known of these are alternative rock bands, Pink Noise and Pollinator.

We Kill Cowboys

We Kill Cowboys is a Cape Town based, 4-piece rock ‘n roll band, the brainchild of tattoo artist and singer-song writer, Alex Muller.The band fuses elements of psychedelic rock, punk rock, grunge and stoner blues with an anti-establishment lyrical content, delivered by Alex’s raw, sultry, gritty vocals. Jono’s dirty, wielding guitar riffs, Andrew’s metal drum fills blasting alongside Danie’s fuzzy bass grooves … These guys are here to turn the amps right up and blow ear holes and minds.

Shameless

Shameless Band is a trio from Soweto who plays Rock slightly differently. With the influences of their everyday lives – they have dubbed their sound ‘iRock Yase Kasi’ (Rock from the hood) or ‘Nkabi Rock’ (Hitman Rock). Their creativity is fueled by the music they grew up with: Phuzekhemisi, Stimela, Zola 7, and other South African musical leaders, and then also heavier bands like System Of A Down, At The Drive-In, Thin Lizzie, Deftones, and Tool.

Caution Boy

Somewhere between the highway & the railroads of the Moot (Pretoria, South Africa), smothered by its suburban industrial coma, came a one-man army (Andi Cappo), filled with punk screams, stoner basslines, pop grooves & screeching guitars. Caution Boy was born to tear your eardrums from your skull. It isn’t all mayhem though – Caution Boy also has a sensitive side, which can be seen during acoustic shows and on the acoustic album Misty Bedroom Blues (2017). What started as a one-man karaoke from hell, singing to his original pre-recorded backtracks, or playing solo sets acoustically, has evolved into a full live band that is set on setting souls ablaze with pure energy, passion & enthusiasm. The live band consists of Treveshan Pather (bass), Archie Kinnon (drums) & Andi Cappo (vocals & guitar).

https://www.facebook.com/sitthefolkdown
https://www.instagram.com/sitthefolkdown/

The Black Cat Bones, Book of Miriam (2022)

Shameless, “Impicabadala” (2021)

Pretoria, South Africa’s Caution Boy released their 10th full-length, Alligator, last week through Mongrel Records. That’s 10 albums released in about five years, mind you. True some of the recordings date back much further, but 10 records of anything is an impressive milestone to reach, however long it took to get there. And these aren’t just rehearsal room jams. Caution Boy play songs. Catchy songs. Varied songs. Rocking songs. Formerly a solo-project of guitarist/vocalist Andi Cappo, the band enter Alligator as a trio with Treveshan Pather playing bass and Archie Kinnon on drums, and of course that has an effect on the material, the dynamic. Cappo had worked with a range of guests on records like 2018’s Spastic Plastic or 2017’s 2016-2017, but as I understand it, Caution Boy have never been a full band in this way, and Alligator is the first offering they’ve had through Mongrel.

Those who follow or are aware of the label’s oeuvre will maybe recognize the (co-)production hand of Evert Snyman (Ruff Majik, solo work, etc.) on “Consolation,” a video for which is premiering below. The post-Songs for the Deaf desert-style fuzz and crunch of guitar tone on that topical, hooky album highlight extends to brash, punkish cuts like “Ever the Optimist” and “Mutual” — more Mondo Generator than Queens of the Stone Age, though not as willfully mean — as well as the grungy “So Sick.” “Consolation” arrives as the third piece of an opening salvo before “Ever the Optimist” goes deeper into aggression, with the opening title-track setting a careening, urgent tone (Snyman guesting on piano helps that) that the Melvinsian starts and stops of “Silence the Screams” gleefully bashes to bits like Rob Crow got mad at a thing. Speed wins the day, but “Swallow Me Whole,” like “Consolation” and really the rest of what surrounds ahead of the comedown-until-it-isn’t closer “Hue,” it’s clear that songwriting is the underlying focus. Seems highly unlikely a band gets to its 10th album otherwise. If you want to write songs, you need to write songs. There’s your deep-rooted insight for the day.

Because Alligator is already out — I’m late to the party, as ever — you can stream the eight-song album in its 27-minute entirety. Is that a full-length? They call it one, the songs flow together, and with the punkier aspects, arguing seems even more like a waste of time than usual, so yeah, it must be. In any case, unassuming though the amount of your busy day Caution Boy might take up with these tracks, the numbers are deceptive. Having listened once, one might be inclined to, say, put Alligator on again. One with less prior experience with the band’s work — like myself — might then be inclined to dig further back to 2019’s Vice Versa or the aforementioned Spastic Plastic to hear some of the differences between Caution Boy as a solo-project and as a full group, which, yes, do exist, despite a consistency of influence and a somewhat irreverent point of view. From there, who knows where one might end up? For what it’s worth, 2016’s Chapter 1-11 (Eleven) has plenty of hooks too. Have fun.

Video and PR wire info follow here.

Please enjoy:

Caution Boy, “Consolation” video premiere

Caution Boy on “Consolation”:

“Consolation” is a mirror held up to society, reflecting the reality of the pandemic generation. This is laced with glorified glimpses of the good times before & hopefully the good times to come, symbolized by karaoke, which is almost like a traditional pass time across the globe. This also symbolizes the transition for Caution Boy, which started as a solo project, performed as as 1 man “karaoke from hell” to a full band.

“Consolation” is an alternative dance punk rock homage to the covid 19 pandemic. From how the powers that be capitalized on the weak, to the individuals who were too stubborn to take precautions, to the internal & external struggles that go hand in hand with isolation.”

STREAM + ADD THE NEW ALBUM: https://orcd.co/alligator

The times are changing… and so is Caution Boy, what began as a demented, alternative punk rock “karaoke from hell” solo project; has metamorphosized into a monstrous trio, whose only mission is to destroy stages, ear drums & the normalized standards of society. Andi Cappo on the strings & screams, Treveshan Pather on the oh so low notes & Archie Kinnon on hides & twiggs.

What started as a sardonic reference to the cheesy phrase “see you later, Alligator”, turned into a ferocious animal, relentless, waiting to tear you limb from limb. It was inspired by the ruthless actions & reactions to orbiting the vicious virus spreading across the planet, from the effects of isolation to the political impacts, to the death of people near & dear to us.

The first recording dates just so happened to fall in the first week of South Africa’s (seemingly never- ending) lockdown. In the months that followed the mindset and songs started to change, some were dropped, new ones were written, and others became more relevant than ever. It is composed of eight high energy, pedal to the metal songs that Andi describes and “barely an album” – with a cheeky wink and his tongue in his cheek.

The bands latest album is co-produced and recorded by the band over a few days, spread over a few months from late 2020 to early 2021, with Evert Snyman (Pollinator, Ruff Majik) from Pariah Studios in the co- producer’s driving seat, and in charge of the recording, mix and master.

Caution Boy, Alligator (2021)

Caution Boy on Facebook

Caution Boy on Instagram

Mongrel Records website

Mongrel Records on Thee Facebooks

Mongrel Records on Instagram

Mongrel Records on Bandcamp