For those who remember, the Eighties in Johannesburg wasn’t only the era of two states of emergency, harsh censorship and PW Botha. It was also the decade that gave rise to an angry enclave of alternative white boppers who reformed Yeoville, colonised warehouses and established loud clubs in strange places.
DV8 was going as the most radical. Set off the slopes and fountains of Joubert Park – that were much more sedate than they are today – the club was an undecorated basement, playing the relentless sounds of what was referred to as post-Punk pop. Gothic music like The Clash, The Jam and Throbbing Gristle rang out in the darkness and kids hung around, dressed in flowing new romantic garments or in militant camouflage and heavy Doc Martens boots.
Saturday July 17 sees a DV8 reunion in Johannesburg city, when old Eighties alternative rockers get together at the Megamusic warehouse on the Newtown Cultural Precint. The four DJs, however, will be playing contemporary sounds, from ambient to funk, indie, reggae, trance and soul. As the flyer says: “It’s never 2 late 2 DV8”.
For information call (011) 834-2761