Over the past five years, Shortstraw has established itself as South Africa’s biggest indie rock act with its colourful performances and vast lyrical content that focuses on daily life – whether it be friendships, relationships, partying, work and more. The lyrics are also comical at times and add to the fun that this band brings to the table with its jumpy musicality. The five-piece consists of Alastair Thomas, (vocals and guitar), Tom Revington (lead guitar), Gad de Combes (keyboards), Jake Rubenstein (drums) and Russel Grant (bass guitar)
Here are my top 5 songs
5. Good Morning, Sunshine
We start the countdown with one of Shortstraw’s most beloved songs that enjoyed a lot of radio airplay and is still one of band’s great live songs – with good reason. The chorus has been one of the most catchy sing-alongs in South African music for the past decade and its relatability is something that really hits home. “Wooo wooo you’re such a b*itch in the morning” is something that a number op people has wanted to scream or say at one point. Who said relationships are easy!
4. Oxygen Supply
“Sometimes the truth hurts, sometimes it sets you free, sometimes you can’t see the future until you’re asleep.” This is one of the lyrical gems from Shortstraw in this song from their third album, Youthless, which is one of my favourite songs from the album. The intro is quick and catchy with the guitar stealing the show from the beginning. This really sets the mood for any Shortstraw song and makes you want to jump and bob your head. The chorus and bridge also have a memorable guitar melody that further extenuates the song. Vocalist, Alastair Thomas’s vocals are also great in this one as he shows a great range.
3. Underfed
This song makes me want to jump up and down for ages – a great drum and bass rhythm together with the guitar riff create a musical explosion in the intro as well as the chorus. The lyrics are also on point and focus on relationships and the problems that exist when people do not appreciate each other or are finicky.
2. The Wedding Blues
This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest South African songs ever written about a wedding and what could possibly go wrong at one of life’s greatest celebrations. The sarcastic nature of the song as well as the great rhythm and beat make it an instant classic and urge anyone to get off their seat and dance. One of the best parts is the guest vocals of Shane Durrant of Desmond and the Tutus, as the best man who does his best to ruin his friend’s wedding, “If I am the best man, why are you marrying him?,” is a another gem of a lyric in this drunken-fueled monologue in the bridge of the song.
1. Couch Potato
The opening guitar riff is what establishes this song as a classic hit. The rhythm guitar and drums kick in before the verse starts with the great line “Cheer up, something’s got you down,” followed by the second main riff – which is one of the great musical aspects of this song as it acts as a melodic chorus. The main theme of this song is about watching too much TV, self-control and making the most of life instead of being depressed. After hearing this song, depression would be the last thing on your mind.
