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Zimbabwe
Music
BANNED (Added 06/03/08)
Circa: 1980's
Home town: Harare
Members:
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Nigel Dams - Vocals
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Len Strydom - Lead guitar
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Brad Townsend - Rhythm guitar
-
Dave Hughes - Bass
-
Richard Juscek - Drums
-
Paul Smith - Drums (replaced
Richard)
The band enjoyed a residency at Harare's 80's dance club, the
Archipelago. They also made occasional appearances at the
Hangar.
One of the band's "finest" moments occurred on an evening
when they had gathered at the Archipelago at 6 pm for a
rehearsal ahead of the gig which was to commence at 9 pm that
night. Whilst idling about they received a message that
bassist, Dave Hughes, had been taken ill and had been
hospitalised. Brushing their initial panic aside they set
about locating Paul Buchecker, a visiting Australian guitar
wizard. He was eventually tracked down playing a gig at
the local Holiday Inn and was dragged along to the Archipelago
after accepting an invitation to dep with the Banned for the
night. With the benefit of only one's hour preparation,
Buchecker delivered a "blinding" three set gig with the band!
(See also ANTIOCH in the BANDS)
BANNED (Added 16/04/2010)
Circa: Mid-80's
Home town:
Members:
Played at the Holiday Inn in Bulawayo where
they were a regular gig.
BUD COCKCROFT
It was after leaving the Zimbabwe Air Force in June 82
and joining the Omani Airforce that Bud really got seriously into guitar
playing. This was due, in no small measure, to the amount of spare
time he had on his hands! He had, of course, always had an abiding
interest in music and had played in many school boy bands as a drummer.
Drumming remains one of his great passions, the early seed being planted
when he was a schoolboy side drummer in the old Salisbury Caledonian
Pipe Band.
During his 2 years in Oman, Bud became a very "proficient"
guitarist. It was at this stage that he decided to return to
Zim at the conclusion of his flying contract, and play music
professionally as a one man show. (Guitar, bass pedals, & drum
machine.)
True to his word, Bud did this & was very successful
from 85 up to 90. In his own words, these " were wonderful
years" during which time he became a household name, as an
entertainer, in Zimbabwe. He self-recorded and self-released one
of his own compositions, "Run Rhino Run", in 1988 in aid of
the Save the Rhino Fund, and it duly climbed to No. 2 in the Zim
charts. This was no small feat for a muso who was not appealing to
the mass taste in those years!!
Bud's music career, however, was interrupted when he decided to return
to flying helicopters once more and duly spent four more years flying in
Papua
New Guinea and the Gulf.
Typically, Bud didn't waste these years and wrote a fair
amount of original material during this time. He also ventured
into sequencer programming. He then recorded the
numbers he had penned, one by one, on his trips back to Zim, at home on
a Tascam 8 track. Once "the album" was finished, Bud - with
his usual sense of inventiveness! - went to a "pirate" tape
copying shops in Dubai and had 1000 copies of his "album"
taped onto cassette for U.S.$1 each! He then returned to Zim with his
tapes which he sold at gigs. So popular were the tapes that they stocks
were quickly exhausted. Unfortunately for Bud, his time in Dubai
had ended by that stage and he couldn't have any further cassettes
manufactured - not at the price anyway!
Nevertheless, the demand for his music continued unabated and he duly
paid CD Technologies (in Jhb) a visit. This led to his
acquiring fresh stock to satisfy the clamouring masses! It is a
source of pride with Bud that he has never had to work through a record
company and, indeed, has produced all his own music - from start to
finish - through his own efforts...and with a little precious help from
some close friends.
At the time of posting, Bud was in discussions with a
South African record company who had expressed an interest in his
work. The outcome of these developments will be posted as they
emerge.
Bud's most recent CD "Bits & Pieces" may
be obtained through Final Music.
CUTLASS (Added 16/04/2010)
Circa: Early 80's
Home town:
Members:
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Joey Roberts
-
Adrian Beecham
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Brian
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Dave Nunema - Drums
The band gigged regularly at the Holiday Inn.
HEATHER CLARK (HAIR)
Inspired by a young girl who was playing keyboards in a shopping mall
during a visit to Cape Town many years ago, Heather bought herself a
similar keyboard and decided that she'd emulate the player she'd
seen. Doing it, however, was a little more complicated than she
at first thought and, with various obstacles presenting
themselves. Eventually, after a number of trials and
tribulations, Heather taught herself how to read music and, armed with
her keyboard and voice, launched her music career singing in the
Marondellas Hotel on Friday nights on the verandah.
With gathering confidence she regularly upgraded (upsized?) her
keyboard and, during this time, she also landed gigs at the Red Fox in
Harare. Just as Heather appeared to be making real progress she
was diagnosed with cancer of the throat and was told, after corrective
surgery, that she would never sing again. Seeing this almost as
a challenge, she set about re-developing her singing voice which had
changed markedly from the pre-operative one. Nevertheless,
Heather emerged victorious and regained her, somewhat changed,
voice. Six weeks after the operation she sang in the
Harare park to a crowd of 1500 or so at the gospel expo,
together with many other names in Zimbabwe.
Once again Heather's career started to progress and she played at
venues such as the Avondale Sports Club, Sheraton Hotel,
Westgate Shopping Centre, Borrowdale Shopping Centre, and
at many other private fuctions, weddings,
anniversaries, and birthday parties.
In due course she moved to Bulawayo and found there was much more
of a demand for "live" music there. She played
regularly at West Nicholson, QueQue, Gwelo, and many other
smaller places. Heather then received sponsorship for a
recording studio to make her first tape....Nostalgia.
Kelly Rusike, Cathy Reed and Dennis Clark all contributed,
musically, to this recording.
Heather's taste in musical is unabashedly of the "Golden
Oldies" era, relying on her renditions of such evergreens as
"Stuck In The Middle With You", "Clap Your Hands &
Stamp Your Feet", "Who'll Stop The Rain?" and
"Proud Mary" to get her audiences going.
During the course of 2002 she was able to record to CD 20
tracks....done in Cape Town and Weenen Road Studios.
JOEY ROBERTS (Added 16/04/2010)
Joey was born in Bulawayo and grew up in
Que Que and Redcliff. He returned to Bulawayo for his high
schooling and attended Hamilton and Northlea. After school, he
completed his National Service before joining the local band
Cutlass (see separate entry) and played a number of local
gigs, including regular appearances at the Holiday Inn. Joey
then spent a couple of years in the United Kingdom before returning
to Zimbabwe whereupon he joined local outfit, the Banned.
Like Cutlass, Banned also played regularly at the local Holiday Inn
where they enjoyed a good following. He also teamed up with
Rick Accorsi and Barry Henderson in Those Guys.
Following this Joey played with Fernando Lopes and Tookie
Androulakis at Joe's Place until 1998 when he once again returned to
the United Kingdom. Back in Britain Joey provided the
instrumental music for a natural wildlife documentary produced by a
film company called "Osprey". This production went on to win
an international television award for best wildlife documentary.
Subsequent to this, Joey composed and recorded a Sad African Tale
which is dedicated to the raising of funds for captured rhino
breeding.
For more on Joey and his music activities,
surf into his website at:
http://lifetimedreaming.co.uk
KWEKWE (Updated 24/07/04)
Circa: 2002 - ongoing
Home town: Harare
Members:
- Brian Williams - Lead vocals & percussion
- Melody Banditi - Vocals & percussion
- Ellen "Fanny" Kapusa - Vocals & percussion
- Len Strydom - Lead & synth guitars
- Luba Mahalkovic - Lead (2nd)
- Christo Georgiadis - Bass
- Mark Robbins - Drums
Subsequent personnel changes:
- Melody Banditi left in 2004
- Luba Mahaklovic left in 2004
- Isaac Chirwa came in on keyboards when the above two
departed the band. Chirwa is one of Zimbabwe's most
experienced recording engineers whose services are highly sought
after.
KweKwe is a seven piece multicultural group whose repertoire
includes everything from rock, pop, reggae, jazz and blues. They
have a strong support base in Harare. Although they play,
mainly, covers, they are presently busy with studio work featuring
original material of the Afro Pop genre. Mark Robbins is one of
the "elders" of the regional music scene having been a
member of the DRIFTERS and DADDY LONG LEGS in year gone
by.
Most recently, KWEKWE played on the same bill as three of the SA
Idols finalists who were on a visit to Harare during February,
2004.
LUBA BLUES (Added 07/02/04)
Circa: 2003 - ongoing
Home town: Harare
Members:
- Stuart Charles - Vocals & flute
- Luba Mahalkovic - Lead guitar
- Christo Georgiadis - Bass
- Mario Ciampi - Drums & vocals
Another band presently active on the Harare scene playing a
mix of originals and covers. Luba Mahalkovic and Christo
Georgiadis are also members of
fellow Harare outfit, KWEKWE.
OLD GEEZERS ON THE BLOCK (Added
19/05/95).
Circa: 2005
Home town: Harare
Members:
- Doug Smith - Bass (See also BANDITS/FUGITIVES/EXECUTIVES/DRIFTERS/DADDY
LONG LEGS/HOLY BLACK)
PIED PIPERS (Added 09/02/03)
Circa:
Home town:
PRIVATE LIMITED (Added
06/03/08)
Circa:
Home town: Harare
Members:
The band played 80's and 90's
dance music and appeared regularly at Marilyn's. They also
appeared at the Sheraton Conference Centre which they describe as "a
buzz". On one occasion, Mick Matzukis (ex- Antioch), was
visiting from Johannesburg and joined them for a guest spot on the
drums. "The trouble was", recalls Nigel Dams, "Nick is so
accurate, and so strong, that he turned Anton's drumskins into
funnels, basically. Nick was definitely accustomed to
skins a little stronger than the fertilizer sacks used in Harare!".
Being the gentleman he is, however, he posted Anton a set of Remo
pinstripes a week later so there were no losers.
PROOF (Added 06/03/08)
Circa:
Home town: Harare
Members:
The band specialised in
guitar-driven rock and played many gigs at the Hangar and
Archipelago clubs.
One particular memory is of an
occasion when they set out to play a gig in Karoi in Jules' truck
which was furnished with "typical Zimbo" tyres. That means
that the grooves and so were not quite up to scratch. As a
result, they found themselves stranded at the roadside with all
their gear. This required a rescue mission to be sent from
Karoi, incorporating a convoy of pick-up trucks. As a result
they arrived at 9 pm, missing their planned 6 pm soundcheck by some
hours. Passing their gear over the heads of party-goers, they
got established and duly rocked the patient audience well into the
night. Playing in front of thousands at the Rhinofest is also
a special memory.
PTY.unlimited
(Added
01/07/2004)
Circa:
Formed in March 2004
Home
town: Harare
Members:
PTY.unlimited
give it stick at the
Borrowdale Sports Club as
a fundraiser of the NOMADS
Formed in
early 2004, PTY.unlimited
have very quickly found
themselves a niche on the
Harare social and
entertainment scene.
Their repertoire is based
on a wide range of
material from the 50's,
60's and 70's and includes
country, rock 'n roll and
ballads. Their debut
was staged at the Avondale
club on the last Friday of
April, 2004, and, since
then, there's no holding 'em
back!
PULP
(Added 16/11/09)
Circa: 1980 - 1984
Home town: Salisbury
Members:
-
Steve Flynn
- Lead vocals
-
Guy Halls - Lead guitar & vocals
-
Phil Heath - Guitar/leads & vocals
-
?? Taylor - Bass
-
Andy Bate - Drums
The band appeared regularly at Le Coq D'Or, the
Savannah Club and The India Club and supported KLUNK and
HERITAGE on occasion.
SILKWOOD
Circa:
1984 - 2000
Home town:
Harare
Members:
-
Gary Clark - Lead vocals & rhythm
guitar
-
Cliff Webb - Lead guitar & vocals
-
Shaffer Khan - Bass & vocals
-
Paul Rigby - Drums
-
Richie Yiend - Replaced Cliff Webb in
1985.
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L-R:
Paul, Cliff, Gary
& Shaffer (1983)
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The
Tuning Up Goes On!
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Gary
Finds The Right
Pitch!
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I
Can See The Sunrise
- Silkwood |
The return of Gary Clark (ex-IVYDALE WALK II)
in 1984 initiated the creation of SILKWOOD. In forming the
new group the band placed huge emphasis on the need for the band's
members to be strong vocalists. The reason for this was that
they intended covering a lot of material by such bands as the
Eagles and CSN&Y. Scouring the Harare music scene they
recruited two of the city's outstanding talents into their
ranks. These were Shaffer Khan and Richie Yiend who was an
aspiring Stevie Ray Vaughan-influenced guitarist. The band
immediately took off and enjoyed an extremely busy first two years
of existence, over and above their regular daytime occupations.
Such was the pressure of the band's programme that
it was decided to employ a manager to take care of the ever
increasing administration load. This appointment came in the
shape of Kevin John Rhodes. Kevin's interest in the band was
triggered after he'd heard them performing at Rosalind's Night
Club. Kevin helped the band finance new sound equipment and
played keyboards for them at a couple of gigs. He also
played on their single single, "All Night", a Benny
Miller production in 1986. This record were to #14 in the
local charts.
The band's first single was "I Can See The
Sunrise" - also a Benny Miller production - but it wasn't as
successful as their second release.
In 1997, Richie Yiend took his leave of the band
when he was transferred with his job to Mozambique. The band
continued as a trip for three years after Yiend's departure and
played their last gig at New Year's Eve 2000 at the Holiday Inn,
Harare.
At the time of their demise in 2000, the band had
kept the same personnel line-up for fifteen years, something of an
accomplishment in the world of music!
Where Are They Now?
Paul Rigby - Left Zimbabwe in 2002 and is believed
to be living somewhere in the south of England.
Gary Clark - Left Zimbabwe in 2001 and now lives
in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Richard Yiend - Believed to still be in
Mozambique.
Shaffer Khan and Steven Rhodes remain in
Zimbabwe.
SPECIAL FX
(Updated
22/03/04) Circa: (1986 - 2004)
Home town: Bulawayo
Members:
Rudi Gouma later joined the band on keyboards.
The band started their career at the Grenada Restaurant
before relocating to Z International in the Trade Fair Grounds and,
finally, Catch 22.
After
18
years
in
the
game,
SPECIAL
FX
decided
to
"call
it
a
day"
in
early
2004.
Jimmy
Brandt
continues
to
perform
as
a
solo
artist
in
Harare,
Rudi
Gouma
plays
in
pubs
and
restaurants
in
Bulawayo
and
Frank
Reynolds
is
involved
in
discotheques.
SPECIAL FX grew out COUNTDOWN.
THE
TOUCH
(Added
09/05/06)
Circa:
2004
Home
town:
Harare
Members:
-
Lappies
Labuschagne (Snr)
- Bass & vocals
-
Dave
Smeda - Lead &
rhythm guitars
-
Paul
Shephard -
Keyboard & vocals
-
Paul
Smith - Drums
& vocals
THOSE GUYS (Added 16/04/2010)
Circa: Late 80's/early 90's
Home town:
Members:
- Joey Roberts
- Rick Accorsi
- Barry Henderson - drums
The band had regular gigs at "Catch 22" and
were popular on the local scene.
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