Author: Matt Haddon

American metalcore band Atreyu are making their way to South Africa in September 2019. The band will be playing at Mercury Live in Cape Town on the 5th of September and at Pirate Fest in Johannesburg (at Marks Park) on the 7th of September 2019. I recently had a chat to Brandon Saller (the drummer of Atreyu) about their upcoming tour of South Africa and a few other things. This is what he had to say. Firstly, will Atreyu be kicking ass as pirates on stage? We will most definitely be providing high-level‘s of Ass kickery! “In Our Wake” has…

UK Progressive Metal act Monuments will be returning to South Africa for a 2 show tour in August 2019. It’s been 4 years since they’ve played at Krank’d Up Festival so fans are definitely feeling amped for their return. I recently had a chat to Monuments guitarist John Browne about their upcoming tour and a few other things. This is what they had to say… How has the touring been, and have you played in new countries? It’s been insane! We took a little break from the road and since coming back we’ve had such an amazing reception. New spots include…

I was curious to find out what you can expect at Punk Acoustics and what some of the acts will get up to, so I decided to conduct a Fuzigish Interview via e-mail. Here’s what lead guitarist / vocalist Jay Bones had to say… I first heard you guys on the Family Business Compilation. It had so many legends on it, like Skirtbox, Vendetta Cartel, Hog Hoggidy Hog and Ignorance is Typical. How has the industry changed since the early 2000s? It has changed immensley. it has gotten bigger for one. There are more platforms to access the music on,…

The Shabs are one of the acts who will be jamming at Punk Acoustics in Pretoria this coming weekend. This Cape Town based Folk Punk band have been making waves in the SA Music industry over the last few years. I recently conducted a The Shabs Interview. We talked about Punk Acoustics and a few other things. This is what the band had to say… Please give Running Wolf’s Rant readers your names, instruments and preferred super-power Jon Shaban – Guitar and Vocals – Teleportation Ryan – Bass and Vocals – Time Travel Jon C – Drums – The power to sing…

In case you forgot, American metalcore act Fit For a King wil be performing in South Africa in June 2018! There will be no less than three shows accross three cities (Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg) featuring incredible local supporting acts. I recently had a chat to Ryan Kirby (the lead vocalist of Fit For a King) about his band’s tour of South Africa and a few other things. This is what he had to say. Firstly, we are so amped and beyond excited to have you guys grace our shores! Is there anything that Fit For a King fans…

Formed by vocalist Bryan Binneman, bassist Rayner Abraham and guitarist Chase Beynon in 2007. They added guitarist Ricki Allemann and Nemanja Stabic on drums, beginning the bands journey that is currently in its 11th year. The band released their debut ep ‘What If They Run’ in 2009 and have since released ‘This Is Hate City’ (2012) and ‘Chapters’ (2013). Known for their style that blends elements of Metalcore, Punk, Thrash and Hardcore Facing the Gallows are also well known for their high energy and explosive live performances from small club stages to large festival shows. They have played every major festival in South Africa including Oppikoppi, RAMfest, Woodstock, Krank’d up, Thornfest, and Splashy Fen (to name a…

In case you forgot, 36 Crazyfists are coming to South Africa in April this year. They’ll be playing at Mercury Live in Cape Town on the 27th of April and at Rumours Rock City in Johannesburg on the 28th of April 2018. They will be supported by Only Forever, Newtown Knife Gang and Riddlebreak in Jozi and by Only Forever, De Wallen and  Atlantic South in Cape Town. Tickets are on sale nationwide for R380 each via Computicket. I recently had a chat to Brock, Kyle & Mick from 36 Crazyfists about their upcoming South African tour. This is what…

Secrets are an American Post-Hardcore / Rock band from San Diego, California. They’ve been around since 2010 and have released 3 studio albums to date. The band’s members are Richard Rogers (guitarist / vocalist), Wade Walters (vocalist), Michael Sherman (guitarist) and Connor Brannigan (bassist and guitarist). Great news is that Secrets will be coming to South Africa in April 2018 and I’m pretty excited about this. I recently had a chat to the band. This is what they had to say: First off, the video is wicked cool, but where’s the drummer dudes? Was he sick at the video shoot? Did you lose him when…

On the 30th of September Turning Tricks Entertainment hosted another amazing Krank’d Up Fest. The team was a man short on the night, due to Wayne Boucher attending Euroblast to front the epic Deity’s Muse, but despite this Duncan, Spencer and the rest of the team pulled off an epic fest headlined by Intervals and Memphis May Fire. I’ve had the genuine pleasure of attending many fests as a fan, journalist, musician, roadie and a performer, and I must admit that, regardless of the role that you play in these fests, the best thing you can do is go and make…

Looking in a medical textbook will tell you the following: Vulvodynia is a chronic, severe vaginal pain with no identifiable cause. While the severe part is dead on, what a medical textbook won’t tell you is that Vulvodynia is also the pioneer in what is rapidly becoming South Africa’s most eviscerating export: slamming brutal death metal. With lobotomizing, lurid riffs, skin-shredding blast beats and slams gruesome and filthy enough to induce septic shock, Vulvodynia are a lethal plague, spreading throughout the flesh of today’s heavy music scene—infecting one set of ears at a time, and leaving no survivors.  This band which…

Rags to riches stories, in which lucky, talented individuals rocket from humble beginnings, to fame and stardom seemingly overnight, can be interesting reads. However a commonly found flaw lays in the writer’s reluctance to reveal the hard work, blood, sweat and tears that generally precede such overnight successes. The story of Johannesburg, South Africa based metal band Red Helen is no fairy tale of lucky breaks. It is a rather more detailed story of hard work, persistence and a keen resolve to reach their goals and become an international success. The members of the band are Brandon Pratt (on vocals),…

In case you did not know, albinobeach is an instrumental trio based in Johannesburg, South Africa. They are one of the acts who will be performing at Krank’d Up Festival (which is being held at Sundowners in Alberton on the 30th of September 2017). The members of the band are Kalin Pashaliev (bassist), Garrick Van Der Tuin (drummer) and Ian Finch (guitarist). I recently had a chat to Kalin from albinobeach. This is what they had to say: I must have listened to “Okavango Delta” a thousand times over the last few years. I remember downloading the track off Myspace,…