Two Randburg bands battled four other bands from around Johannesburg in the final of the Road to Splashy Fen competition, sponsored by Music Mate and held at the Rivonia Barnyard on 14 March.
Raygun Royale and Coolerbox were the two bands who went through to the final from the West Rand heat held last month at the Cresta Barnyard. Although both bands performed well and even changed up their act from their last performance, neither of the two won the grand prize of the opportunity to perform at Splashy Fen, an annual music festival in Underberg, Kwa-Zulu Natal. However, it was still an exciting and slightly nerve-wracking experience for both bands.
Coolerbox had an especially hard time on stage as two guitar strings broke before their third song but that did not deter vocalist and guitarist, Joshua Jacobz. Despite the unfortunate accident, Coolerbox still held the crowd’s attention with their fusion sound and unusual feature, a violin. Guitarist, Merrick Kyle’s relative, Viola Haslach, was the band’s violinist for the night as she is on holiday from Germany.
The band rehearsed nearly every day since the West Rand heat but did not get the chance to practice as much with their drummer, Anthony Kuum, as he got married sometime before the final. The band did not feel they were as well coordinated as they normally are on stage but were still positive and excited for the future. “It doesn’t stop here. We will never stop pushing for the dream that is to live what we love,” said Jacobz.
Raygun Royale, who were the favourites in the West Rand heat, practised less for this performance than for the heat as they were confident in an act that they have worked on and transformed since December. The three-man band does not perform covers and entertained the crowd with their five original songs, Fingers Crossed, Lungs, Those Little Bones, Knife Fight on Roller Skates and Boots. The band is anything but defeated and will perform at Lush, a festival in Clarens which is on the same weekend as Splashy Fen.
In the future, Raygun Royale aims to play at Oppikoppi and has plans to play at the Smoking Dragon Adrenaline Festival. However, their real goal this year is to play around Cape Town, the only city that has not experienced their sound.
The end of the night proved that Jasper Dan, a southern rock band with members from the greater part of Johannesburg, will perform at Splashy Fen over the Easter weekend.
Details: Rivonia Barnyard, 087 236 3088.
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