WordPoes

Okay, so I have finally decided that I am staying on blogger...
I'm not winternet wiz kid but I will somehow link it to my website because I've had it with WordPress.


I've had this blog going for a while now, and after almost all my blogger friends pretty much commanded me to move to WordPress, I did. According to everyone's reports it is the shit. But I have learnt my final lesson on comfort – If you're used to it, and don't have a problem with it don't change it.
Even though I love all of you for wanting the best for me, I'm going to have to say thanks for nothing this time. WordPress has given me nothing but lameness and spam. I've never received any spam on blogger, and that's enough for me to stay here.


I know want to blog again after WP put me off of it completely. I am now happy again!


C

The Ghost Inside SA Tour: One Of The Coolest Things I Have Ever Done

Last week my band (Facing the Gallows) along with The Dead Will Tell and Truth And It's Burden hit up a nice, long SA tour with USA band The Ghost Inside. It was a tiring week to say the least, but the amount of stonage/ drunkage/ food/ good times overpowered the extreme tiredness like a small child.
Usually when a touring band comes to SA they play all over and the local bands fill in the opening slots in their respective slots. Which I think is cool... to an extent. On this tour, things were done different or perhaps properly. Three South African bands taking the touring band around the country, like a tour should be.

I can honestly say that this was the greatest thing I have done in my band life so far. It may sound strange, but for once I felt like I was a part of something. Usually a band plays a show or festival and you're kind of shunted around and given half-ass instructions and an estimated time slot. You may even get a free bottle of water. On this tour everyone worked as a team – an awesome team. We had long sleepless nights, heavy gear to carry, hangovers to deal with and car break-ins but we all did our bit and make it fucken awesome.


I think of the whole thing, touring with a band you've listened to for years and taken their lyrics to heart. The chance to see how the person who writes those lyrics is as a person, not just an assumption based on their writings. And although they tour the world with other bands just like that – they are normal people. We're all normal people. The only difference is, they aren't from here.


I guess this is a pretty shinfo post to some people, but my mind and life has changed. I see life and people differently. And I have Ashley, Niekie, Calvin, Dale, Lloyd, Richard, Spencer, Jeremy, Benjamin, Chase, Bryan, Ray, Victor, Jim, Aaron, Andrew, Jonathan, Zach and Brian to thank for that. Thank you, guys.

Facing the Gallows and The Dead Will Tell at the Fish River bridge. I promise, the river is there.

Ten Questions With A Cool Person: Jr

Finally! Ten more questions with another cool person.
I must apologise for the slacking, but I will be making an effort to post at least something once a day. Starting from next Friday as I will be away for most of this and next week.


Anyway, this TQWACP is with one of SA bangingest rappers at the moment. Jr himself! You'll know him from his hit "Make The Circle Bigger" and also for winning the Tropika Island of Treasure. I sent him some questions about stuff, as I do, and he answered them! It's always rad hearing from local talent and getting an idea of how things are going in SA. Read up and enjoy.


Cadillac (C): Everyone wants to be famous, did you ever think you'd be?


Jr: Kinda yes... when I was young I was in love with the arts and I really loved drama and music, so it  would’ve been one of the two.

C: When did you decide to perform as Jr?


Jr: I could never make up my mind as to what I wanted to call myself and my dad said I should just keep it simple and carry on with Jr, which I did in 2008.

C: What was it like being stranded on an island with so many people for so long?


Jr: It was extremely fun! There was so much to do and learn with all those crazy characters.


C: Would you be able to do it again?


Jr: For five mil, yeah!


C: How does Jr spend his down time?


Jr: Couch potato!


C: You've been all over SA. Where's the best place to party?


Jr: Any house party in Fresnay, Cape Town.




C: What is your ultimate goal?


Jr: To be the best I can be and establish a powerful media industry.


C: What is the key to being a successful rapper in South Africa?


Jr: Never be normal, you'll look like the next guy...


C: What do you think of the whole music vs the internet thing?


Jr: I think music and the internet are a great pair! Versus creates conflict, instead of synergy. They work so well together when used correctly.


C: How many circles have you made bigger?


Jr: You don't wanna know...

That's Jr for you! Check out the video for "Show Goes On" and get a party started!

Man Flu and Working for Yourself Update

I know, I now. I'm officially the shittest blogger ever. 
It has been a combination of poor time management, incompetent people and man flu.
I've started a new chapter in life, my girlfriend and I have started working for ourselves. We started a little company and so far things are going swimmingly. There's obviously a lot we've learnt and still need to learn, but it's an awesome experience.


With regards to Ten Questions With A Cool person... the poor time management and incompetence issues have been hindering the release of more interviews. But I am working on it, you will have cool people soon! And from then on things should stay on track.


So until that happens, stay cool and enjoy winter if you're living here I am!
Here's one of my band's music videos. Just so you have something pretty to look at...

From Deep In The City: Newtown Knife Gang

For anyone that has been following the progress of Newtown Knife Gang, you will know that it has taken the JHB five-piece about two years to release something for their starving fans.  

I think it's safe to say that the wait was well worth it! 

Yesterday they released their debut music video for the track Listen and since then it has smashed over 17 000 hits. In one day? A pretty good response if you ask me.

The video was shot almost entirely DIY and the quality of the final cut is leagues above many local releases, so they're not just a bunch of pretty faces.  These dudes know what they want and they want it good!

The time put into this project was definitely used wisely by the look and sound of things. I for one cannot wait to see these guys destroy things on huge stages. It has been a long time coming...

Check out the video, tell everyone and catch Newtown Knife Gang the moment they hit your city.

This is how it is…

Hey, friends. You may or may not have noticed that this week I did not post Ten Questions With A Cool Person. This is because my week has been somewhat of a busy one, and with the additional awesomeness of having no electricity due to cable theft, I could not post anything new.


I know you must be terribly upset. But I assure you that I will make up for it as I would never want to upset anyone.


But for now, here is a video of a penguin being tickled…

Dubtastic!

It's a Monday morning and I was having an okay time until I heard Icarus Lives! (PeteyG Remix) by Periphery. Again... "So?" you might ask. well, you may or may not know that I play in a metal band and I love metal like it is my own child. 

But now things have been turned up a notch with the introduction of drum n bass and dubstep into the world. You see, metal is awesome, but so is dubstep and DnB. And the great thing is that these three types of music all have a connection.

In the past two years or so the South African metal scene has been penetrated with dubstep. to me it seems that the metal heads can relate to the heavy, bounciness of the music. This is fucken fantastic! Everyone knows how stubborn metal heads are, so this is a major breakthrough in music.

When Bring Me The Horizon came out with Suicide Season: Cut Up, people lost their shit because now they could experience their favourite band's new album dusbteperised!

Periphery have just dropped their latest EP called Icarus Lives!. There are three remixes of the title track. The first two are pretty rave/crap, but the third. Oh the third! PeteyG's remix is one of the tastiest remixed and/or dubstep vibes I have heard in a while. And this is what has brought me so much excitement today that I was forced to write about it. 

There's a bit of a battle between the dub-hater metallers and the dub lovers. I for one am a dub over. But the majority of metal kids are pro DnB/dubstep. And I see no logical reason not to love it. More music, more people, moe heavy, more fun.

So here is the track. I hope it brings you as much joy as it has for me.

 

Ten Question With A Cool Person: Brendan Jack (Photographer)

With all the "photographers" out there it's hard to break through the crusty layer of happy-snappy picture takers and get to the juiciness that is good photography. Brendan Jack is at the soft centre ready to explode in and around your mouth with his fantastic work. 


I have ad the privilege of working with Brendan and he is nothing short or a gentleman and a scholar. His amazing ability to take a vague idea and turn it into a masterpiece is one that very, very few people have.
I asked his ten questions about stuff. And this is what he answered.

Chantelle loves giant balls...

Cadillac (C): Why are you a photographer?

Brandan Jack (B): Initially I just kind of stumbled into it through a graphic design course I was doing. Now it's a creative outlet and a vain attempt to elevate the standard of what people will accept as good enough. That's not to say my work is any better than anyone else's (it certainly falls far short of where I'd like it to be), it's just that there seems to be an overwhelming amount of people who are satisfied with mediocrity. I've always felt that I'd rather be told my work is shite by a viewer with high standards than be told it's fantastic by someone without.

C: Have you had any strange requests for photo shoots?

B: Not really but I suppose that's relative. I did go through a period involving mutilated teddy bears and half naked girls; actually, maybe I'll revive that...

C: What do you do when you don't take photos?

B: Some of my closest friends have referred to me as a "miserable bastard"… I prefer to see myself as "home-body". I'm usually at home hanging out with my awesome little family, watching as the mighty Arsenal repeatedly disappoint me, buying more DVDs I don't have time to watch and books I don't have time to read or editing pics. For work I handle licensing, royalties and contracts for a music and entertainment solutions company.

C: What made you decide on pin-up photography?

B: I don't know that I'd strictly call myself a pin-up photographer, even though it's something I love, but I suppose it's because of the influence of one of my favourite artist, Gil Elvgren. Also, I think the models and actresses from the '50s were lovely!

C: Do you have any other passions/ hobbies?

B: I play beach volleyball and I recently started golfball-whackery at the driving range and that's quite rad, despite the fact that I'm crap at it.

C: Tequila or bong?

B: Anyone who knows me knows how hard I don't party, that said... bong.

C: What one thing/person do you want to photograph before you die? If you ever die...

B: That's an impossible choice, but for the sake of this interview, I'll partake in this ridiculousness. The one person I would most like to photograph is Wyle E. Coyote.

C: If you could magically change from your life to someone or something else's, who would it be and any?

B: I don't know... maybe the Pope so I could put on my hat, walk out onto the balcony and tell the thronging hordes it's all make believe.

Brendan's dog/child, Frank

C: Are you a cat or dog person?

B: Dogs are better than cats. This is science. You cannot argue with science. Also, I have the best dog in the world, his name is Frank Oz the Cheese-Eating Surrender-Monkey, but we just call him Frank.

C: What is the next step in your epic plan to take on the world?

B: I plan to pull my thumb out of my bum and start shooting more regularly. Once I've got a decent collection of pics together, I'll start a new Facebook page or something. Not really a plan as much as a vague idea is it?


Keep a look out for Brendan's rereleasing of himself soon! You will not be disappointed. Especially if you like naked girls...

A pic from a shoot Brendan did with my band

Pestroy!

Tanya having a little pants party

I want you to meet someone...

"What?!"

This is my cat, Ross AKA "Night Fury". Some of you may know him, some of you may have heard of him and some of you are yet to discover his greatness.
As you can see, Ross doesn't give a fuck... and if he did, he probably wouldn't waste it on you. Or me for that matter. 

"Night Fury"

Don't be fooled by his chilled face. He will scar you for life. I have ten dogs. Really. And Ross has no fear for any of them. The dogs are well aware of his capabilities and some have suffered as a result. One day when I decide to write a novel I'll write something about my dogs.

Ross' Power

Of the ten dogs, three buck, three birds and 2 cats, Ross is ruler of all. All of the other animals respect him and know very well not to look him in the eye.
As mighty as he is, Ross' meow is faint and husky. DNA tests have shown that this is because he needs no meow as he never has to answer to anybody and his mere presence is enough for him to be in control. The power that would have been unleashed in his meow has been transferred to various parts of his body.

Surveying the place

Much like Mufasa in The Lion King, Ross likes to look out over his territory to make sure things are in shipshape. No one knows what would happen if things weren't in shipshape because all the animals are too scared to step out of line.

Ross manning it up

As you can see Ross is the boss. He keeps the phone and remotes near him. He controls all information entering or exiting the house. Because he said so.

That is who I wanted you to meet. I hope you like him. He's my homie and maybe one day he'll let you be his.

C

Ten Questions With A Cool Person: Jona Weinhofen (Bring Me The Horizon/ I Killed The Prom Queen)

Welcome to yet another installment of TQWACP. This week however, will be a little different. You see, Jona sent back the interview but left out a question and couldn't get back to me in time, so this week we'll have to do nine questions... sorry.

Jona Weinhofen is a veteran of sorts when it comes to banding. He started off with I Killed The Prom Queen in 2000. After vocalist Edward Butcher left the band in 2007, IKTPQ called it a day and it was a round then when he got offered to play for Bleeding Through, he accepted the position and rocked on. Then in '09 Curtis Ward of Bring Me The Horizon gave up his position i the band leaving yet a space to be filled. Jona was invited to fill in for a while and ended up becoming a permanent member.

Much to my delight, I Killed The Prom Queen have announced that they are back! Jona is now manning 2 positions playing for IKTPQ and BMTH, which is pretty damn impressive if you ask me.

This is what he had to say!

Cadillac (C): Coolest place to play - Australia, USA or Britain?

Jona (J): There are cool places to play all over the world but they're all cool for different reasons. For example; we have great shows in places like Chicago, LA, New York and Detroit in the USA, but I've also played great shows in Manchester, London in the UK and I love touring everywhere in Australia. If I had to compare all three I'd say Australia is my favourite. Its my home country, I love it and miss it and it is great to see so many friends when I tour there.

C: What was your first tattoo?

J: A dagger on my shoulders that appears to cut through my neck which I got done when I was 19.

C: Is it still visible? 

J: Yep, and I still love it!

C: What is the best vegan meal you have ever had?

J: There have been too many. But at the moment my favourite place to eat is the Veggie Grill in Southern California. Its an all vegan burger place which also serves meals like mac 'n cheese and cakes. Their Santa Fe crispy chicken burger is mindblowing!

C: What is usually the first thing you do in your free time?

J: Check my email and Facebook! How boring is that? I also like riding my bike on tour and watching Star Trek Voyager and other nerdy tv shows.

C: You've done stints all over the world as a guitarist. What bands do/did you enjoy playing in most?

J: I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in all 3 bands. They have all had their ups and downs but I've learnt a great deal from all 3 bands and wouldn’t trade my time with any of them for anything in the world!

C:  What did you tell your teachers you'd be when you grow up?

J: Probably a rockstar or entertainer of some kind. Haha. How fitting! I don’t think they believed I would be successful. I went to a fairly shitty school where the teachers didn’t appear to care too much about the students. If only they could see where I'm at now and that I had the last laugh!

C: What do you love most about what you do?

J: I love travelling and I love that I get to play guitar for a living to people who actually love my music and performances! I also love that I have met really cool people all over the world and am proud to say I have close friends in almost every country I've been to. If I ever wanted to travel there independently I'd have people to hang out with and stay with.

C: What will you do when you're too old to tour?

J: Probably manage bands or book tours. I've already done both part time whilst playing in bands and it’s a natural progression I can see myself going into. I still have a few years left in me yet though!

You read it! Check out I Killed The Prom Queen and Bring Me The Horizon's websites/ social media sites to keep up with all the happenings. Until then, Enjoy the videos!

image: http://s1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/LolPowerRanger/?action=view&current=jonadropdead.jpg&sort=ascending