On My Playlist: Top 5 Jerry And The Bandits songs

Since 2013, Jerry and the Bandits have established themselves as one of South Africa’s premier Indie-Folk bands with their upbeat tunes, unique lyrics and energetic stage presence.
Jerry and the Bandits have played at numerous top festivals across South Africa like Oppikoppi, Lush Festival and Splashy Fen, to name just a few. They have lifted spirits with their folk-inspired tunes that range from upbeat dance-like numbers to more reflective tracks. They are truly a breath of fresh air in the SA music scene.
The band consists of Jerard ‘Jerry’ Quaintmere (lead vocals, guitar, kick-drum and tambourine), Kirstin Walters (tenor/alto, saxophone and clarinet), Jason Chadinha (lead guitar, harmonica, ukulele and floor tom) and Geraint Boje (double- and electric bass).
Honourable mentions: ‘Old Oak Tree’, ‘Little Villian’, ‘Ghosts’ and ‘Ahwoo’.
Here is a look at some of their best songs.
5. Monsters
‘There is a place I never knew existed until now And I hide these thoughts I lose myself inside somehow. It is dark in here and I only seem to hear these monsters. These monsters keep pouring their words inside my mouth.’ This is how this reflective masterpiece from Jerry And The Bandits starts off as Quaintmere’s husky vocals give the lyrics some extra punch. The song then moves into a more positive feel in the chorus with some great guitar work from Chadinha and Quaintmere, together with a soothing saxophone melody from Walters to add something extra. The chorus is lyrically one of their best as the introspection and honesty truly reflect the overall message in the song: ‘For these little things, they make us lose our minds.’

4. Beneath The Moonlight
This is one of the band’s more positive tracks. It starts off with Quaintmere singing a message of hope, ‘the night’s seem a little darker, baby it’s not that bad,’ before full-on folk guitar strumming sets the scene for the first verse. The build-up and progression in this song are one of the best parts with the kick drum creating a further pulse to the track.
The chorus is probably one of the band’s best lyrical pieces and its stunning delivery does justice to the words ‘We will dance beneath the moonlight and lift our hearts up this filthy ground. We will live and love beneath the moonlight as we watch every star and forget who we are just for now.’ The overall vibe is further amplified by the really upbeat, melodic sound that the band is famous for.

3. End of the Road
The bass in this track is the star of the show and this song has a real jazzy, folk feel to it from the start. Bojé does a great job in creating an impeccable groove for the other instruments to ride on. The lead acoustic guitar work is another stellar aspect. This is another track with some really poignant songwriting that focuses on making changes in your life in order to live life to the fullest: ‘Wooahh, I must leave this all behind, for the end of the road I must see.’

2. Why Don’t You Say Goodbye
Some upbeat Ukelele vibes set this track in motion as Chadinha shows off his skills with an enticing riff. This is one of Jerry And The Bandits’ most popular songs and is always a hit when performed live. The saxophone comes to the party with a sultry melody before the vocals kick in. This song focuses on the tale of a man and a woman who have been worn down in life and the apparent need to let go of the things that hold them down. What makes this song all the more special is the whole narrative behind the lyrics that makes for some great listening. The chorus is another fantastic element of the song with its bouncy, jumpy beat as Quaintmere sings ‘oooh my baby, why don’t you say goodbye?’ Definitely one of the band’s must-listen-to tracks.

1. Hearts Run Wild
The newest single from Jerry And The Bandits, ‘Hearts Run Wild’ takes the top spot in the countdown. Its soulful nature showcases the band’s musical progression. The song focuses on how negative things seem to drag us down in our hearts. ‘Ohh run and hide, the wolves are coming for the starry-eyed,’ sings Quaintmere with intense passion in the chorus. He truly excels on this track, showing off his vocal range with absolute intensity. The instrumentation on this track is beautiful with Walters’ saxophone melodies taking the cake. It is a subtle melody but just gives the track that extra edge.