The doctor and the car guard hoist the scull and bones
ZeeRoover release their third CD, 'Erens onder die ster'
ONE looks like a Viking remnant with a bad temper and a backhand, and the other like an alternative London rare arts collector.
They once introduced themselves as a doctor and a car guard to TV presenter Nico Panagio as finalists in a music show and they’ve painted Groot Marico red with sad songs written in… Richards Bay.
Unconventional may be quite an understatement to describe Corrie Pretorius and Eugene Viljoen of the local band ZeeRoover.
Corrie, a security expert, says Eugene, an orthopaedic surgeon, hacks off limbs for a living – which is a little like the pot calling the kettle black.
‘Every band must have one clever guy and one handsome guy – Eugene is the clever one,’ says Corrie with a grin, pulling his pretty wife Ida closer to prove his point.
His claim to fame is singing ‘Rolbos’ as the opening act for Herbie and Spence when he was 12.
They have just released their third CD, Erens onder die ster by Angel-Axe Recording Studios in Corrie’s man cave, where they create their unique folk music, or, as they call it, ‘storytelling’.
‘Eugene and I are actually a ‘moerse’ sad band,’ says Corrie, not looking too depressed about it.
‘We tell stories through our music about characters our children do not know anymore, like Racheltjie de Beer, Japie Greyling, Daisy de Melker and Glenda Kemp.’
No backtracks
The two friends say they focus on good lyrics and live music- no backtracks or miming for these two.
They have written nine out of ten tracks on Erens onder die ster and included one track by Jan Blohm.
Eugene says their songs reflect life – the laughter with the tears. ‘I don’t feel like writing when I am happy – I write when I am sad,’ says Eugene, clearly the more philosophical thinker.
‘Life is tragic in many ways – we also see our songs as a bit of social commentary on controversial issues.’
Corrie says Eugene is a remarkable guitarist who has mastered techniques which take a lifetime to learn. Eugene says Corrie is a musical genius – but only when the ‘genius’ is out of earshot.
Their first track Frankenstein, about the illegitimate child of Frankenstein, sets the mood for what is to follow – a mixture of humour, sarcasm, melancholy, philosophy and deeper messages – if you care to listen to the lyrics more intently.
‘We dream of bringing supper theatre to Richards Bay – if a musician has three songs only, there should be a platform with an audience,’ says Corrie.
‘It should be a community effort to develop local creativity and culture – where schools, drama groups and bands can perform in a smaller more intimate setting.
‘The problem is finding a suitable venue.’
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
