I played in a little know band called ThusFar. We weren’t too big outside of the Eastern cape and surrounding areas. Made the radio a few times, played some nice big gigs, made a couple rand (literally) and loved every second.

I think there might be some ThusFar on LastFM… not sure though

If I may ask, what band did you play in?

I think Esjay is great and her blog, represent.co.za is phenomenal too. so it’s not personal. But I take your point, if i want to review things rather take the time to credit all that need credit and viably bash those that need bashing. Agreed. Again, its always great to have someone commenting as passionately as you have, so thanks!

So this is not just me giving my opinion without being there.. that would be lame.

Michelle

When writing a review.. it is important to actually be informed about what you are saying.

1. Fevertree changed band members after they released their second album… so yes.. band members do make a difference. But if you knew the facts then you would have made a more informed comment.

2. To the fans.. Bands politics matters.. you are commenting from within a band. The fans dont give a shit about the politics… they are fans cause they LOVE the music. So if you are a fan.. band politics dont matter

3. If you thought J and Fevertree actually worked the crowd.. then give them that credit.

4. I agree… Love Jones were a little weak. But still a great band.

5. All you mentioned about Fevertree was about how they looked. You never mentioned anything … like.. what a great live act.. i mean Shit.. come on.. They were as tight musically as any international band i have seen… Their songs are clearly great.. or else they would not be charting all over the place.

6. If you want people to give your reviews credibility, then dont favour a band just cause you know them… not taking away from the fact that Harris Tweed are an awesome up and coming band that could possibly do great things. But just cause they your mates does mean they are the best band there…

7. Fine you paid Cash to see the international.. The were F…king great. but hell.. do u know what it takes to make it in SA being an SA band. All those SA artists I am sure kill themselves and are the the creme of SA bands. Suppport them.. They are all Great. they have a track record to prove it

8. Regarding Punk Rock… TWEAK ARE PUNK ROCK… Greenday aswell… Avril.. I hate to tell you… is not Punk Rock.. name me one punk rock band that has beautiful ballads with piano as the main instrument. Fevertree are a Commercial Rock band… not punk rock. But i will agree that its a grey area

So tell me. you clearly are not a Fevertree or Love jones Fan…

Why is that? is it personal?

OK, so you know, were actually at the concert? You didn’t think that Fevertree sounded like a punk rock band? If not, you are clueless. Furthermore, who are you to say that I don’t know what punk rock is, this is a subjective debate that will never be won. Avril Lavigne is classified as punk rock and so is greenday, so are a host of other bands that sound NOTHING LIKE ONE ANOTHER.

On the love jones issue: I dont care what kind of a rock concert it is, if you are TOO aggressive you lost the crowd, whatever crowd it is. Artists need to have an edge on this sort of thing. They need to be in touch with their crowd. Fevertree and J did this well. Harris Tweed had a tough time of it (also: If you had friends who played in front of 19 000 people wouldn’t you be supportive?) and love jones just missed the boat.

I have played on stage with Fevertree and Love Jones before so don’t tell me about things that you think you know. I know. Band politics matters. Have you thought about why Fevertree has two new members and what sort of impact this could make on their music? Don’t be naive, band politics matters.

I was very short about the SA Bands and there is a reason. In SA we are big-band-deprived. So when one comes to SA I pay the money to see THEM. The opening acts are just a warm up as I can (and have) seen them before many, many times. So I want to review a once in a lifetime band. Simple. Easy. Done.

P.S: Thanks for the comment, I do appreciate that you put in so much effort to write a lengthy post!

J: you had little to say
Fevertree: You didnt actually talk about the bands performance.. you mentioned their look… I had no idea they were a christian band, i had always known them as mainstream… and for the Record.. Fevertree sounds NOTHING like a punk rock band… have you even listened to their album? and have do you even know what punk rock is?

Love Jone: You think they have potential… you think? well.. just so you know… them, Fevertree and j happen to be the hottest bands around right now.. according to the opinion of most of SA… You mention that They lost the crowd due to their agressive style? HELLO.. again.. catch a wake up.. this WAS A ROCK CONCERT… FOB are very heavy.. I think your review lacks consistency and clearly you are Bios.. towards your friends (as you stated) from harris tweed. It breaks me how people like you are always trying to break SA bands apart.. ALL 4 BANDS ROCKED.. THATS A FACT… EVERYONE AROUND ME SAID THEY ENJOYED ALL 4… SUPPORT SA MUSIC.. STOP PULLING SA MUSIC APART>.. Not asking you to like every SA band out there.. But Please.. these are in the hand ful of top SA bands.. if we all dont support them.. they are stuffed.

My opinion:

Harris Tweed:
were great.. although totally not matched to this type of concert. they are more suited to opening for a band like watershed.. or jack johnson. I like Harris tweed and this is not a slate towards them at all. they have strong songs. I do feel they could interact more with the crowd. They also have something unique about them. I love the way they dress.. also very cool…. i like this band.

J:
Also fantastic songs… This guys has talent. I def think that he could go far. They did not really seem to have the crowd hooked.. but i loved them.. more easy listen music… but great in its own right… they have a unique live sound. It must be hard for J.. i am told the band is all session musicians… but doesnt change the fact that there are great songs and executed well.

Fevertree:
Another band with a unique edge. yes they have 2 new members.. but nothing changes the fact that they rocked on fri night.. who cares about politics in bands… people want to be entertained.. Fevertree did just that… The only band to really get the crowd going.. at the end of their set… they had the whole of the dome.. i mean… EVERYONE IN THE DOME.. with their hands in the air and repeating their chant before kicking back into a mind blowing finale. This band deserved credit… such catchy songs and raw live sound. You could see the crowd knew their songs as they sang along. For the record.. Fevertree have often worn eyeliner.. go look in the sleeve of their first album.

Love Jones:
This band also offers something of their own…Essjay really has something unique. Even though they didnt work the crowd much.. They dont have that many songs that are known.. i think they have 2 singles.. but this band seems to be making waves… and are well received. Their hit songs are catchy. I loved her guitar… she has a nice image. It is hard to expect bands to know how to work crowds… after all… they dont get to play to big crowds that often…

All in all and great evening… FOB.. we sensational..

Thats all I have to say..

MICHELLE