KIRSTI BUICK
Once again, Tuks started the year off with a bang with a crazy Rag weekend. The Tuks Rag/UP Beats Festival was the first party on the list, which drew students in their masses to Rag Farm on the LC de Villiers sports grounds. The line-up was nothing short of stellar, including big names like Flash Republic and Afrikaans rock legends, Fokofpolisiekar. Perdeby was lucky enough to hang out backstage with some of the local rockers.
Fokofpolisiekar
What’s it been like coming together again to play as Fokofpolisiekar when you’ve all been involved in your own projects?
It’s actually not too hard. We’ve been playing these songs for years now, so they’re kind of burned into the back of our skulls. We have an agreement that Fokof is taking a backseat while we work on our own stuff. Instead of just breaking up we decided to take it slow.
So will you be working together much as Fokofpolisiekar this year?
Right now the big project for Fokof is an authorized biography by Annie Klopper to be published by Protea Boekhuis. We didn’t have much input in the documentary made about us in 2009, so we decided never again. We want to help with [the book] as much as possible. It will probably be launched at the end of March.
Do you have any gigs planned in Pretoria for this year?
We’ll actually be playing at Hotbox Studios with Not My Dog. It’ll be the last show ever played there before they shut down.
What do you have planned for Valentine’s Day?
Wynand: Well, we all have girlfriends, and I just got engaged. I’ve been on the road for a week, so we’ll probably just take the day off together. We don’t really have plans yet.
The all-important question: blondes or brunettes?
Wynand: Brunettes!
Snake: Blondes!
Allan John
Since you’re Pretoria natives, where’s the best place to party here?
Allan: Anywhere we play. Tings & Times is great.
Morné: In my pants.
Since Rag is all about giving back to the community, do you guys have any charities or causes you’re passionate about?
Well, we’re very passionate about breast cancer. We’d love to do a gig in support of that. We’d even help with the checking ourselves.
Blondes or brunettes?
Really, anything will do. Anything except grey.
Any party tips for innocent first years?
Invite us! No roofies in other people’s drinks. And take her to the bar and get her drunk. Unless she’s ugly. Then get yourself drunk.
What do you have planned for 2011?
We have an album release planned. We’re not sure yet, but we might be radical and release it online for free. We’re also doing a lot of festivals – we actually made the first cut for Oppi[koppi]. And then lots of Pretoria gigs.
Morné, if we cut off your hair, would you lose your mad bass skills?
Probably! Wait no, I wouldn’t lose my bass skills. Maybe my pelvic thrusting skills though.
If you guys had to build a Rag float, what would be on it?
A giant pelvis! And a big bass guitar, with orangutans on it. And dead bodies – just so we’re PC.
The Arrows
What have you chosen as your opening song tonight and why?
“Lovesick”. It’s a great opening song for a festival situation. We wanted something people would remember.
What was the crowd like tonight?
We loved them! They were so enthusiastic and into it, even if they didn’t know the songs. They were really here for the music.
Since Rag is all about giving back to the community, do you guys have any charities or causes you’re passionate about?
We’re very involved in a project called Operation Eden. It’s very controversial, but it’s a hands-on solution to poverty. The organisation gives breeding rabbits to impoverished families, who then have them for six weeks for breeding. After that they pass on two to another family. Rabbits are very easy to maintain, and they’re a great source of protein.
Any party tips for innocent first years?
Know when enough is enough. You can ruin your reputation with too many nights of partying.
Frankie Fire
Francois (Du Toit), you were once a Tuks student yourself. What’s it like to be back?
It’s a lot of fun. I’ve been coming to Rag for a long time, but never as one of the bands. It’s going to be amazing to play on this stage. There are so many legends that have played here.
What have you guys got planned for Valentine’s Day?
We’re actually going to see U2. The tickets are so expensive, it counts as a Valentine’s gift. But maybe some flowers and a pink drink, some chocolate-coated calories …
If you guys had to build a Rag float, what would be on it?
A giant scale model of the Foo Fighters. With puppets!
Since Rag is all about giving back to the community, do you guys have any charities or causes you’re passionate about?
Well, DropZone, Oppi[Square] …We support Hatfield Square in general.
Blondes or brunettes?
Both, thank-you. At the same time. We like girls.
Which other act are you most looking forward to seeing tonight?
Flash Republic, Die Tuin Dwergies and Fokofpolisiekar.
Candi Black
Since Rag is all about giving back to the community, do you guys have any charities or causes you’re passionate about?
We actually support a charity called Barefoot for Poverty, and we’ll be playing barefoot today in support of that.
Any party tips for innocent first years?
Don’t drink and drive! And no glove, no love.
Are there any gigs in Pretoria coming up?
Yes, we’re playing at Tings & Times on 9 March and 16 April, as well as at Vredefest.
What’s on the cards for 2011?
Right now, we have plans to shoot a video for our current single “Shotgun Lover”.
The Newspapers
If you guys had to build a Rag float, what would be on it?
Probably a mic stand. And a cheesy slogan.
What have you chosen as your opening song tonight and why?
“King of No Book”. We shot a video for it in 2009, and it’s probably our best known song.
Do you still get nervous before you play?
A bit nervous, but it’s more a kind of an adrenaline rush. We’re well rehearsed.
Which other act are you most looking forward to seeing tonight?
Flash Republic. We played with them at Aardklop last year. They’re a great band.
