Taxi Violence
? ‘We would’ve died a slow death if we didn’t change,” says George van der Spuy. Taxi Violence’s lead singer has a point. In a scene in which camp electro cool all but dry- humped retro-sexual rock into indie disco impotence, Taxi Violence were becoming an anachronism. ‘Rock out with your cock out!” was the rallying cry on their debut album, Untie Yourself (2007). A raw blast of classic rock exhaust fumes, the critics loved it. But fans gagging on designer shabby-chic post-punk pastiche weren’t really listening. The Turn (2009) was even dirtier, a retro-blues rock cocktail of whisky-soaked dick-wavers and hellfire hymnals about poker night and pussy paradise lost. Despite festival headline slots and MK video rotation, the lack of any real radio airplay meant that after five years of slogging it out as ‘next big thing”, the band was still at the crossroads. ‘Taxi Violence is the bastard son of South Africa rock,” says drummer Louis Nel. ‘We’ve played with so many bands in the indie scene but we’ve always been on the outskirts.” Their master plan into the mainstream? Strip every song they have ever written down to lean ‘n mean acoustic rock wails on their new unplugged album, Long Way From Home. ‘We call it modern vintage,” says Van der Spuy.
Bertie’s Mooring, the Boardwalk, Harbour Island, Gordon’s Bay, July 15, 9pm. Entrance is R30.
? Swiss-American clarinetist Mate Bekavac and expatriate South African violist Gareth Lubbe will be the celebrated soloists on the final weekend of the eighth annual Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. Aimed at providing talented young South African musicians with the opportunity to study, perform and be inspired by chamber music and orchestral playing at an internationally recognised and professional standard, this year’s festival once again boasted more than 30 concerts, public masterclasses, coaching sessions, orchestral training and lectures.
Endler and Fismer Halls, University of Stellenbosch, corner of Victoria and Neethling streets, Stellenbosch, July 15 to 17.
Concerts at 8pm (Friday, Saturday) and 4.30pm (Sunday). Entrance is R110 or R80 (senior citizens, students). Tel: 021 808 2343. Book at Computicket. Website: rel=”external”>www.sun.ac.za/chambermusicfestival.