SENT A SECRET SQUIRREL TO THE ASSEMBLY SHOW LAST NIGHT...

...And all i got back was this blurry ass photo and a bunch of "private profile" pics from the beach the next day.

BLK JKS MUST BE STOPPED!!!

EAT THIS!!!

Linda and Molefi tearing up Ke-Ditselane Cultural Village, December 2007. Photo by Annica Marincowitz.

If any of you readers were at the gig, email us so we can post some firsthand account

"WE DON'T SLEEP...WE'RE MODERN DAY VAMPIRES"

Great video interview and live footage from BLK JKS following their shackout performance at Obz Fest in Cape Town a few weeks ago. Songs clips include "Molalathladi", "Lakeside" and "Taxi".



It's online right here via 24.com.

A few casual notes:

- OK now it appears Mpumi wore a scarf with the adidas tennis shorts.
- Is Linda's arm really bleeding?
- Really feeling/feeling frightened by Tshepang's bandana game.
- Respect Molefi! RIP Tower Records!

Thanks to Nomfundo H Mbaba+Tshabalala for the look.

BIG IN BEDFORDSHIRE

In between Lee Perry and the Upsetters "Hurt So Good" (1970) and Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" original UK 7in pressing, yup that sounds about right.

"I can't get enough of this. Brand new 10" from hot'n'happening South African band BLK JKS. The A side in particular is just brilliant. They have apparently already released a sold out CD (what I wouldn't do to get hold of a copy of that!) and this is their second release."

via Spinster's Rock, "Bedfordshire's Most Happening Music Blog"

Next stop, Bedford Ave, Brooklyn!

SHOP TALK

Fact of the day, Chicago is called the Windy City not because of the weather but because people there have a reputation for being big talkers. Dusty Groove in Chi Town is definitely getting it in BIG about BLK JKS, viz:

"Fuzzy guitar grooves and genre-straddling Afro soul & psychedelic rock from Soweto, South Africa's Blk Jks -- on a great little AA-side 10-inch single! "Lakeside" covers the most genre terrain -- starting out with an atmospheric swirl of guitar and easy going lead vocals, before finding a tight reggae groove in the middle, and splintering off with with some psych guitar towards the end! The flip "One Must Die" is more of a modern psych-rock-soul jam, with fuzzy guitar and a hip hop inspired live drum work. (Limited edition of 500 copies!)"

OBZ FEST OUTTAKE

Tshepang wasn't the only dude rocking interesting styles onstage. Linda can't even look in Mpumi's drection hahahahahaha

L.L. BLK JKS

BLK JKS crushed the "loud tent" at Cape Town's OBZ FEST last weekend.

The usual facemelt jaw drop set, and it brought the sistas out.

We see you ladies!!!

Also, check out Tshepang and his purple haze headband look. Interesting!

THE PAVEMENT SPECIAL LAUNCH PARTY 13th DEC 2007

GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE FRI 07 DEC 07

FIRST PRESSING

"LAKESIDE" b/w "ONE MUST DIE" vinyl-only 10in

***international release***

"Lakeside" is the debut single from BLK JKS, the most exciting, far-reaching band in South Africa today. While the forward bounce, layered harmonies, and elliptical guitar vernacular reveal the urban Zulu blues of mbaquanga at the song's core, agile signature changes, haunting, fractured imagery and Linda Buthelezi's debonair vocals set the BLK JKS sound out as much more than the sum of its parts. This is the sound of urban Africa now: a direct inheritance of classic styles freed up from the burdens of the past and expectations of the present—a sound that that tears away the veneer of discreet charm and newly monied lifestyle trappings in "the new South Africa" and instead struggles for perspective inside the waking dreamtime of a feverish generation on the verge.

The self-produced and self-released "Lakeside" 10in was recorded with Kevin Leicher at Johannesburg's Dark Star studios and is backed with the band's early tune "One Must Die", a more straightforward but no less uncommon track marked by guitar buzz and bass fuzz over a neck snapping beat with more of Linda's signature delivery and a surprising freestyle verse from guitarist Mpumi Mcata.

Childhood friends Linda and Mpumi grew up on the same block in Johannesburg's East Rand, where they taught themselves guitar after Linda's sister received one as a prize in church choir. Forming a band in 2003, early BLK JKS shows and recordings we remarkable for their stacks of guitar drone and head nodding beats, but it was with the addition of bassist Molefi Makananise and drummer Tsepang Ramoba—both of Soweto—that BLK JKS began work with a fresh approach and plunged into its current universe of sound. Heavy clubs dates and festival gigs followed as they band earned a loyal following across the country. In June 2007 the BLK JKS released a handful of songs as a limited edition CD EP that was quickly snapped up by hardcore fans and knowing collectors.

*** The November 2007 release of the "Lakeside" vinyl-only 10in marks the band's international debut with a limited edition of 500 selling in London (Rough Trade), New York (Other Music), Chicago (Dusty Groove), Tokyo (Jet Set), Johannesburg (Canned Applause) and Capetown (Mabu Vinyls).

*** BLK JKS is currently finishing the debut LP "AFTER ROBOTS"
and is planning its first trip to the US in the spring of 2008.

For bookings, management and press inquiries email knoxrobinson@gmail.com

OPPIKKOPPIE FESTIVAL 2006

PHOTOS: KATVROU

BOHEMIAN EARLIER THIS YEAR SOME TIME...

PHOTOS: KATVROU

88 EARLIER THIS YEARS YEAR SOME TIME

PHOTOS: KATVROU

THE BOHEMIAN THUR 11 10 07