The BedRock Newsletter Archives - Issue No 5

B E D R O C K
(The Band In The Sand)

- Disturbing The Peace Since 1994! -
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www.bedrockband.com
sandmaster@ananzi.co.za/PO Box 1225 Oranjemund Namibia
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No 1/2007 12 January 2007
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HEADLINERS

1. Editorial – It’s a NEW Year
2. Bedrock Goes On-Line!
3. Bedrock Joins MySpace
4. Tales (& Whispers) From The Gigging Circuit
5. BEDROCK Merchandise
6. Associated Websites
7. Subscribing/Unsubscribing

1. EDITORIAL – ROCKIN’ INTO CHRISTMAS…AND 2007!

Well, we’ve had a couple of pretty confused weeks as a result of the long-awaited Luderitz weekend set for 8 and 9 December being cancelled at short notice. This was really a bit of a downer after all the expectation that had been built up over the months. Still, we were fortunate in that we had two good gigs to fall back on.

The first of these was Friday night at The Don (8 December). Although we usually “do the Don” on month ends we stepped aside on this occasion to allow our fellow local rockers, SnoBlind, to make their debut at Oranjemund’s favourite watering hole. Welcome to the scene, SnoBlind – hopefully we’ll see plenty more of you next year! Those of you who will remember SnoBlind as a mega-outfit with dozens of members are assured that that is no longer the case! They’ve reduced their numbers to a neat quartet of Riaan Du Plooy (lead), Polla Pretorius (bass), Warren Weidemann (drums) and David Long (drums). With fewer numbers they are a lot tighter and are a welcome addition to the local gigging scene in their new guise. The band are apparently considering a name change so look out for that.

Anyway, town is always quiet at this time of the year with school holidays being in flow and many people already away on their annual leaves. It was also a long weekend with a public holiday on the Monday. But what was going down in town was a Cultural Festival at the local power station site on the Saturday. As a result, a number of visiting VIP’s, dignitaries, artists and musicians were paying a visit to our little “dorp” for this greatly anticipated event.

With one the visiting bands, the Reho Combi, playing a “langarm” dance next door in the Recreation Club, Bedrock set about to rock the Don in reply. And rock the Don we certainly did! After a slowish start there was an influx of people at about 22:30 including two of the visiting artists, both household names in Namibia – Jackson Kaujeua and Kwaito star, Killa B. In the typical fashion that is the musicians union, it wasn’t long before Jackson and Killa B were up to do a guest spot for the audience. Killa B wasn’t around for long (we think he had a headache!) but Jackson was a treat, laying his smooth and extremely professional sounds on the audience. Things came to a head when Jackson and Bedrock brought his “set” to a close with a stirring impromptu rendition of “No Woman, No Cry”. Good one.

Then there was one more treat of the night – Eddie’s 49th birthday at midnight, duly celebrated with champagne and song! We’re looking forward to a really BIG ONE next year old fruit!

Next day we appeared live on stage at the Cultural Festival, sandwiched inbetween a rousing performance by Big Brother and Egoli star, Stefan Ludik and the headlining act, Jackson Kaujeua. What a pleasure it was to play again on a professionally erected stage with a full sound system and backline provided by a Windhoek-based company. As coincidence would have it, the sound engineer was an old acquaintance of ours, Swartzie. We first had dealings with Swartzie at the Windhoek Rock Festival a few years ago when he was called in by the organisers to sort out the sound - and subsequently did a brilliant job for the Bedrock set.

Although it was hot and we were performing in the sun, nothing was going to hold us back on the day as we ripped into the crowd with Metalicca’s “Enter Sandman”, Deep Purple’s “Strange Kind Of Woman” and “Smoke On The Water” and Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”. That really shook them up and hopefully won the and a few more friends!

Despite the disappointment of the Luderitz weekend falling through, we definitely made up for it most appropriately staying right on home soil!

So that’s 2006 for you. Make sure you pop into the Bedrock website in January, 2007, for a full write up with pics of this exciting weekend.

In the meanwhile, if you feel like dropping us a line please feel free to do so at: sandmaster@ananzi.co.za

2. TALES (& WHISPERS) FROM THE GIGGING CIRCUIT

Rumour has it that Bedrock will be seen next year at places as far afield as Luderitz, Keetmanshoop, Rosh Pinah and Windhoek, just to mention a few. These also a suggestion that material for the eagerly awaited new CD is progressing well. Ssssshhhhhh….don’t say too much….and just watch this space!

3. BEDROCK MERCHANDISE

Don’t forget that BEDROCK music and merchandise make stunning gifts – so, if you’re still at a loose end as to what to get that special person in your life, look no further. CD’s, caps and supporters’ shirts are all available through our website – just drop us a line at sandmaster@ananzi.co.za.

4. ASSOCIATED WEBSITES

Dan Shout’s booking agency for any function which requires “live” music or professional photography: www.shoutmc.com

Enjoy blogging and seeing what other people are observing, and thinking about, in their own worlds? Check out Dan’s blogsites at: www.shoutitallout.com and www.myspace.com/danielshout

Want to keep track on the activities of Bedrock’s most successful “graduate”? Follow Dan’s activities and travels as a member of Johnny Clegg’s band at: www.johnnyclegg.com

If you’re an ex-Rhodie or Zimbabwean check out the Rhodie Music website for plenty of memories of yesteryear at: www.rhodiemusic.com

Did you go to Hamilton High in Bulawayo? Check out what’s going down in recording the school’s history and memories at: www.hamiltonoldboys.co.za

5. PLEASE UNSUBSCRIBE – OR UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS

Finally, please could I ask you to “unsubscribe” if you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter. You can do this by going to the Bedrock website (www.bedrockband.com) and carrying out the “Unsubscribing” function – or by following the links to this Newsletter. By the same token, if you have changed your e-mail address please re-subscribe after deleting your old information. Your co-operation is most sincerely appreciated.

‘Til next time – KEEP ROCKIN’ ‘N BOPPIN’. ‘Til next time!!

www.bedrockband.com