Tag Archives: music

Shannon Hope: The irrationality of belief… and hope

Mike Hampton Posted on by

I’ve never known Shannon Hope in a meaningful way although I’m sure we have some scars in the same places. In the Durban music scene, most of us were just trying to survive the fact that dreams never built reality. But I was in awe of Ketamine, the band she fronted that got recorded by Smashing Pumpkin’s producer, Bjorn Thorsrud. I was there when he watched them perform in a crummy bar in Umhlanga. The resulting E.P. included ‘In the Shape of a Heart’, a contender for South Africa’s greatest … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

You’re going to be raped and stabbed and shot at….

Mike Hampton Posted on by

“You’re gonna be raped and stabbed and shot at…” It’s a line from a powerful South African spoken word/song called ‘Afterthought’ (which is what we are to the politicians). It’s dismay, protest and a shout for you to wake up. It’s also a damning indictment of the South African Government and ridiculous attitudes held by ‘its’ passive citizenry. Auriel Lefebre Van Zyl, the singer/lyricist of Menage á Trois, repeats the line, “You’re gonna be raped and stabbed and shot at,” in a way that it will give you shivers. Play … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Rockers Deity’s Muse aim for the clouds

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Alternative rockers DEITY’S MUSE give me happiness each time they break out of the limiting South Africa scene. Their recent successes wouldn’t have happened unless they’d the passion to stay together longer than their local counterparts. Talent needs balls too. I’m not kidding. Most of the bands I loved are long dead. But DEITY’S MUSE keeps staying alive for me – hey, I can pretend! It says something about DEITY’S MUSE that bands of varying genres want to perform with them. They’ve supported notables Seether and 36 Crazyfists but it’s … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!