GUSTAV PRELLER
Burnett Street blocked and beer-soaked is Burnett Street at its best.
As the floats slowly washed into Hatfield by late Saturday, Rag 2010 reached its climax with its last stand of delicious debauchery.
The streets were bursting at the seams with students decked out in short skirts, little black numbers, headbands, strappy shoes, bright-framed glasses, skinny jeans and all the appropriate beverages.
The three stages saw the likes of, among others, Gang of Instrumentals, Tidal Waves, Evolver, Black Coffee, DJ Skeedo, aKing and Taxi Violence rallying the revellers.
Perdeby caught up with some of the bands backstage for a few questions.
TAXI VIOLENCE
Rumour has it that you guys turned down a massive recording contract once. Is this true? If yes, why?
Yes, it’s true, because it was a crap deal. Subsequently we’ve turned down a few more. But now, ironically enough, we’ve just signed with the company that originally offered us the deal that we turned down. But we got lawyers and all of those people involved to make it sweet for us. It’s working out well for us.
Your newest album is called The Turn. Does this have any personal meaning to you?
Ja, last year we went through a lot of change. It’s a tip in direction for us. But we still have the Taxi sound.
What album can you not live without?
There are a few. Pink Floyd, Dark side of the moon. Abbey Road from the Beatles. Songs for the Deaf, Queens of the Stone Age.
Does one of you own something embarrassing that you would not want anyone to see or find? Mind sharing it with us?
I’ve got a mankini. But I’m not really that shy on showing it off. Depends on how drunk I am.
What was the best thing to have come out of the last decade?
Them Crooked Vultures. That and a handheld GPS.
What are the three most important things in your life?
Music. Music. Music. In between that you can put some sex in there.
Which South African politician would you want to be in a jacuzzi with and why?
Julius Malema, so I can slap him with a fish. Zuma, so I can drown him.
DJ SKEELO
Where were you the first time you heard your own song on the radio?
In 2001, at home. People phoned me and said my demo is playing on YFM.
What was the best thing to have come out of the last decade?
The appointment of the new YFM DJ’s. It’s more vibey now. It’s more on track with the market than before. Before there was no direction.
What are the three most important things in your life?
My career. Money. Pushing hard, being successful, getting up in the morning to make the dough.
What are the three worst things in your life?
Promoters that don’t pay us. Running around, travelling and all that. Women: they’re always complaining.
What is the scariest thing you have ever experienced?
[It was] while driving on the N1 from Joburg to Pretoria, [on] a Sunday in 2007. It was raining, actually pouring. I was fetching my brother from Wits. I don’t know what happened, but my car just started swerving. It hit the barrier, but somehow stopped.
Which South African inspires you?
DJ Fresh.
Any unfulfilled wishes?
Having four women – hot beautiful, dancing women – on the stage while I’m playing. And I mean hot Brazilian women. You must imagine that.
Do you own anything embarrassing you don’t want anyone to see?
No comment. Seriously, no comment.
TIDAL WAVES
During your performances you always use the slogan “original music for original people”. What do you consider original about your band and the people that listen to you?
We try to keep the music original as much as we can. We believe that people who listen to our sound are more original than people who listen to some American twang.
You blend many local languages in your music. Afrikaans features very often. Does the language mean anything to you?
Yes. We as black South Africans know that our languages have actually adopted some of the Afrikaans. Afrikaans features often. You know the original riots were not against Afrikaans or its culture: they were against the system. We are bringing it alive again. It is a language and deserves respect.
What are the three most important things in your life?
Peace. Tranquillity. Love.
If you were a drink, what kind would you be and who would you want sipping on you?
A fruit cocktail. Everyone is welcome to come and sip some. Umqombothi beer. Most people have never drunk this real African beer. Your photographer could drink from me if I were a beer.
Which South African politician would you want to be in a jacuzzi with?
I wish there were someone my age. But I’m not interested in any of them.
What is the best thing to have come out of the last decade?
Where we are right now. The platform we are on now. That we are recognised as international music, not just local.
What album can you not live without?
One is not enough. Pink Floyd’s Dark side of the moon. Catch a fire, Bob Marley. The best of Mahlathi. Vusi Mahlasela’s Foreplay.
EVOLVER ONE
On 26 January you changed your name to Evolver One. Why the change?
There are other bands around the world that have the same name. If we kept the old name, we would have had to buy the name conceptually. But more importantly the change is because the band has taken on a new direction. It represents us coming together. Even though it’s a chicken and egg situation, we believe the trademark issue was merely a catalyst for the change.
Does one of you own something embarrassing that you would not want anyone to see or find? Mind sharing it with us?
We’ve got some funny videoclips. I mean collectively we own a video that involves one of us being shaved by Vernon Koekemoer.
What song/artist on the radio at the moment makes you cringe?
That Taylor Swift song their constantly playing on Highveld and 5FM. You just can’t get away from it.
What are the three most important things in your life?
God. Living a decent life. Just being optimistic about the future of this country. Just waking up with a purpose in life. Believing in yourself and why you’re here. I don’t know how many that is?
What are the three worst things in your life?
Alcohol. So many lives are wasted by it. Drugs. Even worse. And prostitution. But I don’t really mind that.
If you were a drink, what kind would you be and who would you want sipping on you?
Long island ice tea. Donald Trump.
