Them Particles are not a secret cult
JOBURG - Bacchanalian death country band unlike anything heard before.
“In a nutshell, [it’s] Bacchanalian love-feast music… Call it ‘death country with a [lot of] world mud-type music thrown in’.”
This was how Darryl ‘Dax’ Butler, guitarist and vocalist for Them Particles described the band’s style of music.
“People do crazy things when we play… Maybe it’s Asperger music… It’s sometimes like watching babies eat. Yuck,” he said.
Founded seven years ago, the members’ musical relationship predates the formation of Them Particles.
Butler said that he and Bronwyn ‘The Giant Squid’ Krige (accordion, flute and rubber chickens) had played together for 15 years, and that he and drummer Derek ‘The Unexpected’ Davey had jammed together for 10 years.
Lapsteel guitar player Richard ‘The Bonteheuvel Flash’ Bruyns has been with the band since its formation.
Also part of the band is Stephanie Jayne, on violin.
Krige was adamant that the band is not a secret cult, and said they practise in Parkhurst, as the suburb is home to two members.
While the band performs regular gigs around Joburg, they have not yet recorded an album.
“[We] have been working on an album for seven years. It’s going to be very long when it’s finished! Butler has his own solo album called Drink In Everything,” said Krige.
Speaking about the band’s musical influences, Butler said that he was inspired by anyone “vaguely irreverent and poor as f***”.
“Joe Strummer and the what’s-their-names, the Clap, the Pogues, Miles Danish… We’re too lazy to be influenced by much,” he said.
“But Krige and some of us are talented, thank God.”
“Weirdly enough, many people actually love the music, which has real deep grooves and musical artistry, as well as fairly unlikely instruments and Joburg cowboy vibes. We’re big in Delmas,” said Krige.
Butler summed up the band in one word – “psychotic” – and said that if he learned one thing in the last seven years it has been “to give it your all and not give a f*** at the same time”.
Them Particles perform regular gigs at Stanley Beer Yard, 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, and at the Troyeville Hotel, Albertina Sisulu Road, Troyeville.
Details: 083 548 5916; www.facebook.com/ThemParticles
WATCH: Them Particles – Lizards in the Sand:
