I kid you not. When I first took a gander at the Facebook event page for Belly of the Beast at The Assembly, the number of people invited was 666. That’s either some hella clever social-media marketing or … well, we’d better prepare for a night of proper-proper rock ‘n’ roll this weekend. Here’s what to look forward to.
HELLCATS
Your headliners on Saturday hail from Joburg, but we’ll forgive them for that because they’re. Just. So. Damn. Cool. This is stripped-down rock at its most authentically minimal – drums, guitar, vocals, that’s it. And for a change, drummer Allesandro Benigno is the band’s vocalist, with Warwick Rautenbach on guitar.
When Hellcats booked their first gig at Arcade Empire in Pretoria back in 2014, they had a grand repertoire of … one song. Two creative weeks later they came out swinging at that show with another eight tracks, and have since conquered the local underground scene.
The boys describe their sound as bare-knuckle rock n roll – hard, fast, uninhibited rock, with driving riffs and a clear ’70s influence.
Clicky clicky to listen to Hellcats on Soundcloud.
THE TAZERS
It’s a Jozi invasion! But please, put your glasses up for psych rockers The Tazers. They can stay, too. After all, there’s definitely room for more live psych rock in Cape Town.
The Tazers offer up a ballsy, bluesy set for your listening pleasure. They are Jethro J-Lo Lock on lead vocals and guitar, Timothy T-Sauce Edwards on drums and harmonies, and Guido G-Spot Assmann on bass.
Clicky to listen to The Tazers on Soundcloud.
RETRO DIZZY
You know, I hate to go all copy-paste on you, but I can’t resist when it comes to Retro Dizzy’s description of themselves: ‘a surf-punk-rock band with slivers of psych swimming in reverb and distortion’.
Sounds like they’ll fit right in.
Hailing from Hermanus, Retro Dizzy is Nicolaas Rossouw on drums, Stuart Dods on bass and backing vocals, and Richard Liefeldt on vocals and guitar. And don’t think they’re some sleepy small-town slouch band either – these guys have shared a stage with both Allah-Las and friggin Black Lips.
IN BLOOM
Rounding out your band line-up is In Bloom, Cape Town heavy rockers (originally from PE). There’s a strong 70s inspiration here too, coupled with ‘plenty of tasty riffs and gut-busting drum solos’.
THE ROBFATHER
And of course, what would a rock show at The Assembly be without The Robfather there to guide you between sets. Cape Town’s own Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla will accompany you into the darkest of the dark hours before dawn, so get ready to pull shapes.
OF NOTE
Where The Assembly, 61 Harrington Street, CBD
When Saturday 5 March 2016
Cost R40 before 10 pm, R60 after
Contact See the Belly of the Beast Facebook event page