Biografie Van 'n Bende...

...Die Storie Van Fokofpolisiekar is the band's first authorised biography and reveals how five individuals became best friends and formed a world class band through blood, sweat and a few good business decisions.

Fokofpolisiekar is proud to introduce this biography to their fans. This book will be on the shelves later in March. They will hit the road like the good old times and visit Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Stellenbosch and Cape Town to promote the book.

Hunter, Wynand, Johnny, Francois and Jaco have made waves in the press since their first stage appearance as Fokofpolisiekar in 2003. Music critics were excited about their new Afrikaans punk rock sound, but the guys' controversial statements often made bigger headlines.

Some readers will be surprised to learn that most of the members became friends in a charismatic church, or that the band had thought out a marketing strategy before they had written any songs. Or that, at one stage, they could barely afford shampoo. Those who are curious about their lifestyle can read about the house that the band lived in, called The Barracks Of Rebellion and about the other groups like aKING, Van Coke Kartel and Die Heuwels Fantasties that were formed out of Fokofpolisiekar.

Don't miss their promotional tour where you can buy a copy of Biografie Van 'n Bende and have it signed by Fokofpolisiekar.

Friday, 18 March 2011
Line-up: Fokofpolisiekar , Not My Dog & BLK JKS
Venue: Hotbox Studios, Petoria
Cover: R100
Contact: 074143 7471
Time: Doors open 18h00

Other: The last Hotbox gig forever!

Saturday, 19 March 2011
Line-up: Fokofpolisiekar, Cutting Jade, Knave & Wake To Wonder
Venue: Cool Runnings, Fourways
Cover: R60
Contact: 082837 1968
Time: Doors open 20h00

Sunday 20, March 2011
Line-up: Fokofpolisiekar
Venue: Mystic Boer, Bloemfontein
Cover: R60
Contact: 084444 9028
Time: Doors open 14h00. Performance at 21h00.

Monday, 21 March 2011
Line-up: Fokofpolisiekar, Kabouter, The Great Apes & Saint Fearless
Venue: Klein Libertas Teater, Stellenbosch
Cover: R60
Contact: 076416 7230
Time: Doors open 13h00

Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Line-up: Fokofpolisiekar
Venue: Mercury Live, Cape Town
Cover: R80
Contact: 021 4652106
Time: Doors open 21h00

BlackBerry Bold 9780 in SA!

Hey peeps!

If you're a BlackBerry fan just like me, then check out the good news:

Vodacom and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9780 smartphone is now available for customers in South Africa.

The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is the newest addition to the BlackBerry Bold series of smartphones and features a premium and iconic design with an incredibly easy-to-use keyboard and optical trackpad.  The new smartphone is elegantly styled and packed with advanced communications and multimedia features. It is also the first BlackBerry Bold smartphone to come with the new BlackBerry® 6 operating system.  The BlackBerry Bold 9780 will be available from Vodacom in black or white.

Mark Taylor, Managing Executive at Vodacom says: “We are excited to offer our customers the next evolution of the popular BlackBerry Bold smartphone. With its iconic design and rich set of features, the BlackBerry Bold 9780 is perfect for South African consumers who aspire to do more with their time and want to easily connect to the people and information that matter most to them.”

Deon Liebenberg, Managing Director for Africa at RIM adds: “The BlackBerry Bold 9780 smartphone with BlackBerry 6 offers a host of compelling new features, including advanced multimedia, enhanced messaging and easy access to social networks.” 

The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is a compact and stylish smartphone that offers a compelling blend of features, performance and design. It supports 3G networks around the world, as well as Wi-Fi® connectivity and GPS for location-based applications and geo-tagging. It comes with a 5 MP camera with a full complement of high-end features including continuous auto focus, scene modes, image stabilization, flash and video recording. The BlackBerry Bold 9780 also includes 512 MB Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB of additional storage.

BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system that retains the familiar and trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh, approachable and engaging experience that’s powerful and easy to use. It integrates a new and rich WebKit-based browser that renders HTML web pages quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience. The browser offers fluid navigation using the handset's optical trackpad, includes tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously and provides a zoom feature that can intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page's key elements for easier viewing.

Additional features of BlackBerry 6 include expanded messaging capabilities with intuitive features to simplify the management of social networking and RSS feeds (Social Feeds), and integrated access to BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger), Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace™ and various instant messaging applications on the BlackBerry Bold 9780 smartphone. Its enhanced multimedia experience rivals the best in the industry and includes a dedicated YouTube app. It also features redesigned Music and Pictures applications and a new universal search feature that allows users to more effectively search for content on the smartphone as well as extend their search to the Internet or to discover applications on BlackBerry App World™.

The BlackBerry Bold 9780 smartphone will be available from participating Vodashops and selected Vodacom outlets countrywide.

For more information on the BlackBerry Bold 9780, please visit http://www.blackberry.co.za/  or http://www.vodacom.co.za/vodacom/services/BlackBerry

The Future Of Sound

Roughly three years ago I met a Joburg based band called Futuresound. Their first hit single Where Did She Go caused quite a stir on the local music scene and their second single, Daylight graced the top spot of music charts across the country.

Since taking South Africa by storm in 2008, Siba, Steve, Rev and Genesis have been touring South Africa and they recently entered the studio to record their self-titled debut album which is set for release end of this month. I caught up with the guys while in studio to find out what the recording process is like this time around (they are busy recording an extra 5 tracks for the album) and what music means to them.

"I loved seeing the songs grow and come together they way we had them in our heads. Other than being on stage, studio is the next best place I like to be, so I loved every second of it." - Steve

"This time around being in studio was a whole process of imagination. I say this because this time we made music with the idea of performing it in large stadiums. We made music that we could sing directly to a large crowd of people and leave each one of them feeling like we sang specifically to them. So, in a nutshell, studio was us not only recording songs but performing them to a crowd-filled stadium as we did so. Maybe it doesn't make sense now, but buy the album, come to a show and experience what I'm trying to say for yourself!" - Rev

"Being back in studio felt right. If by doing the first 16 tracks for the album was 90%, then producing and recording these additional songs was the remaining 10%. I felt highly creative and as a band I could feel that once again Futuresound has grown to another level of synergy and creativity. It was good to get back in studio one last time before we launch our album. With all the hustling and grinding we do to make things happen it was a good reminder to bring it all back to the music. After all, that's what God has blessed us for and that's what we're all about." - Genesis

"Being in studio again for the additional 5 tracks on the album was so much better this time for many reasons. For one, we are now signed artists which wasn't the case first time around. So, there was a lot more confidence of seeing our finished product on the shelve.s I was a lot more relaxed with a bit more understanding of each band member and my own strengths and weaknesses; enhancing the strengths and improving on the weaknesses. As with life, the experience had a few ups and downs and a few surprises, for instance recording our follow up single When Will You Fall was no walk in the park. The song was originally written for Pop Stars and its key and register were well suited for a female vocalist, but we decided to use it ourselves after we were too late with submissions - which actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I'm used to not taking up more than an hour recording vocals, but spent an excruciating five hours to hit those high notes. I came very close to quitting - no tears! - but was eventually successful." - Siba

Make sure you've got 21 April marked on your calender for the launch of Futuresound's much anticipated debut album.

Peace!

Izzy
xxx

It's That Time Of The Week Again...

...time for some party ideas!

C'mon, crawl out from that rock you've been living under and get with the program! Geez! Keep in mind that this is an alternative for those poor suckers who can't make it to Cape Town RAMfest... Boo hoo.

Thursday, March 3
What's Up: Tidal Waves
Where: Tanz Cafe, Fourways, Johannesburg
Line-up: Includes Voodoo Child and Some Grow Young

Captain Stu

What's Up: Captain Stu
Where: Bohemia, Stellenbosch
Line-up: Includes Peachy Keen
What's Up: Jan Blohm
Where: Cafe Barcelona, Elardus Park, Pretoria

What's Up: Koos Kombuis
Where: Die Blou Hond, Linden, Johannesburg

Friday, March 4
What's Up: Wake To Wonder
Where: Carel De Wet High School, Vanderbijlpark

What's Up: Warthane
Where: The Black Dahlia, Boksburg, Johannesburg
Line-up: Includes Loathed and Bile Of Man

What's Up: Prime Circle
Where: Tanz Cafe, Fourways, Johannesburg
Line-up: Includes Liezel Marshall Band

What's Up: Ekhouvanjou,okay!
Where: Tings an' Times, Hatfield, Pretoria

What's Up: Mean Mr Mustard
Where: Firkin, Centurion, Pretoria

Saturday, March 5
What's Up: Nibs Van Der Spuy
Where: Pandora Art House, Muckleneuk, Pretoria

Chromium

What's Up: Chromium
Where: Cool Runnings, Fourways, Johannesburg
Line-up: Includes Only Forever, Death By Ninja, Facing The Gallows and Candi Black
What's Up: Wake To Wonder
Where: Radium Beer Hall, Houghton, Johannesburg
Line-up: Includes Alter Irving

Sunday, March 6
What's Up: Dan Patlansky
Where: Muratie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

What's Up: Goldfish
Where: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Newlands, Cape Town

Griet 'Pyramid Stage' At RAMfest 2011 Cape Town

More news from The RAM stall!

For those of you who were at RAMfest last year and who witnessed the absolute carnage that was the Griet ElectroDome Stage; be prepared for an even bigger and louder experience this year. Much, much louder!

And for those of you who are new to the RAMfest experience; you are about to experience the best party weekend of your life with the ultimate in local electro, dubstep, drum 'n bass and indie-dance line-ups! Griet and RAMfest present to you THE PYRAMID STAGE!

Here's what you can expect during this weekend at RAMfest Cape Town...

Friday, March 4 @ Griet Stage
18:30 - 19:30     Kennedy
19:30 - 20:30     Battle Beyond The Stars
20:30 - 21:30     Double Adapter
21:30 - 22:30     Enough Weapons
22:30 - 23:30     El Gordo
23:30 - 01:00     Liver
01:00 - 03:00     Tom Deluxx (FRANCE)
03:00 - 04:30     HAEZER
04:30 - 06:00     B-Team
06:00 - 07:00     Ill Tastic

Saturday, March 5 @ Beach Stage
13:00 - 14:30     Haasbroek
14:30 - 16:00     Tommy Gun
16:00 - 17:30     Moe Joe
17:30 - 19:00     Funafuji

@ Griet Stage
19:30 - 20:30     Mr Sakitumi
20:30 - 21:30     Bruce Willis??
21:30 - 22:30     JAM JAR
22:30 - 23:30     Ph Fat
23:30 - 00:30     Psydstep

Sunday, March 6 @ Griet Stage
00:30 - 02:00     Niskerone
02:00 - 04:00     Counterstrike
04:00 - 05:30     Hyphen
05:30 - 07:00     SFR
07:00 - 08:30     Mr Bong
08:30 - 10:00     Fletcher
10:00 - 11:30     Sedge Warbler
11:30 - 13:00     Toby 2 Shoes

Eeeep! It's Almost Time...

Do you hear that office clock ticking? It's ticking just for you... ticking the minutes, hours and days away until you can unleash your beast... (and let me tell you; I'm counting the sleeps - true story!) Yes, friends, The RAM is finally here! Pack away your suits and books and take out your crazy party clothes (hat tricks included) and get ready to have the time of your life!

The RAM has been spoon fed some adrenalin and Vitamin B cocktails since last year and it's ready to break out of its cage. It's the calm before the animalistic musical storm. When Saturday, March 12 arrives, all hell is sure to break loose!

John Vlismas will be the MC for the event and here is just a little reminder of what you can expect at Riversands Farm in Fourways.

Here we go; get your boots on 'cause it's going to be pretty rad!

Line-up

Main Stage
Alkaline Trio (USA), Funeral For A Friend (UK), Not My Dog, Die Antwoord, Zebra & Giraffe, Van Coke Kartel, Pestroy, Dance, You're On Fire!, Isochronous, Knave, Pity The Fool, Blk Jks, Desmond & The Tutu's, The Shadowclub.

Dance Stage
RudeOne, Deeziak, CutKeyLow, Tasha Baxter, Ambush, Bittereinder, Benson, PHFat.

Facilities

Entertainment Area
Stages, bars and stalls will be inside a fenced-off entertainment area.

Beer Garden
Large, tented bar area with tables, benches and parasols. There will be more bars than last year to ensure more efficient bar service (wahoo!).

ATMs
...will be placed around the entertainment area.

Market
Expect the best in festival foods; affordable yet healthy and delicious. Catering for everybody's needs, clothing and other festival paraphernalia also. A Merchandise stand with credit/debit facilities will be there again.
To book stalls, contact ingeborg@hilltoplive.co.za or go to http://www.hilltoplive.co.za/ to download a stall-submission form.

Medics
There will be professional medics on site, with all necessary emergency equipment. Just take your own headache tablets (after experiencing drinking in the sun at last year's RAMfest, that's on top of my list for things to take this year.). Also remember to take sunscreen and c'mon people; PARTY SAFE!

Green
Bring rubbish bags to keep your area clean. All rubbish bags will be collected by cleaners and sorted into the relevant recycling bins. PLEASE LEAVE GLASS AT HOME!

Tickets
Tickets available from http://www.ticketbreak.co.za/ or at Musica stores nationwide. Tickets are R250 each or R300 if you buy at the gate (gates open at 10:00).

STRICTLY NO:
Under 16s (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 21), glass bottles (decant your drinks into plastic bottles), littering (leave no trace), fireworks, domestic animals, picnic baskets, graffiti, bad attitudes, weapons, independent sound systems, illegal substances and please don't drink and drive!

R.O.A.R
Entry is entirely at your own risk. The promoters accept no responsibility whatsoever for injury, death, loss or damage of any nature to persons, vehicles and belongings. This applies even to negligence of any kind by the promoters, venue and contractors. All rights reserved.

WIN! WIN! WIN!

Hey peeps!

MK Award winners for Best Group (amongst others), Die Heuwels Fantasties, are launching their much anticipated second album, Wilder As Die Wildtuin, next Friday at D'Aria Wine Estate.

Pic by Liam Lynch, courtesy of Red Bull

This is going to be one kick-ass party and an event not to be missed. That's why I'm giving you the opportunity to win a double ticket to attend the launch! Cool, ne? I know! All you have to do to win, is email me (isabel.smith07@yahoo.com) the name of DHF's new album. Easy peasy. Do it! NOW! (Entries close March 8.)

Details of the launch are as follow:
Date: 11 MarchLine-up: Die Heuwels Fantasties with guests Coenie de Villiers, Inge Beckmann, Francois van Coke, Johnny de Ridder and Adriaan Brand
Venue: D'Aria Wine Estate, outside Durbanville
Time: Gates open at 17h00, show starts at approximately 20h00
Cover: R70 at Computicket and R90 at the gate
Contact: Marcus Oosthuizen - 073 643 1801 / marcus@aandklas.com
Other: Show your ticket at the gate and get the new album, Wilder As Die Wildtuin for R60!

Just do it!

Izzy

xxx