One of the gigs associated with the Southern Ink Xposure Cape Town Tattoo Convention, Hold Fast had a fitting line-up of bluesy rock, manic rockabilly and raw rock madness, courtesy of Wolftown, Them Tornados and The Great Apes respectively.
As I mentioned previously, I wasn’t feeling fantastic on Friday, and honestly would’ve enjoyed an early night…but I got the opposite. The gig started later than expected ( to coincide with the end of the convention) and the venue was frustratingly dark.
These less than ideal circumstances combined with the fact that I’m not a big Wolftown fan at the best of times, didn’t do them any favours as far as my enjoyment of their set was concerned. The same goes for the burlesque dancers that performed in between acts – I’m not sure what exactly ‘burlesque’ entails but I felt a bit like they were just stripping…
Up next were Them Tornados, whom I really enjoyed the last time I saw them. They were great this time round too, though I was disappointed that the awesome toothed double bass had been tamed by a coat of shiny white paint. But the guest guitarist and vocalist introduced only as ‘June’ was a great addition. They played an extended set and came back for an encore, which I’d normally be thrilled about but by that stage my headache and the lack of moving air in the room was really getting to me.
Last up were the Great Apes who were as hypnotically primal as ever. I’ve mentioned previously that while I love watching them, musically they’re a bit hardcore for my tastes, which is why, all things considered, I was surprised to find myself enjoying them more than before. It seems they’re growing on me…
At one point, a guy appeared next to me and screamed and thrashed as if possessed by the music. In the gap after a song, he turned and asked me the name of the band and, after I’d told him, declared ‘that makes so much sense!’ before proceeding to make monkey noises for the rest of the night – it was pretty hilarious.
As for the Apes, whenever I watch them, no matter the size of the venue, I feel like it can’t contain them. This time was no exception – bassist Jaques Stemmet regularly spilled off the stage, vocalist Yusif Sayigh moshed a while with the crowd mid-song and things culminated in the flinging and subsequent thrashing of a cymbal by drummer Jeakan Coetzee. Exhilarating, and totally mad as ever.
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The Great Apes | Them Tornados | Wolftown
Check out my photos from the Tattoo Convention over here
