Today I’m bringing heartbreaking news to all Gangs of Ballet fans in SA: The band have decided to bid fans farewell after the release of their final and third EP in a triptych of EPs, Form and Function Part 3 at the end of June 2018.
Here’s a statement from Gangs Of Ballet
“It’s hard to say when, why and how, but in the end it feels like the season just changed and we’ve loved the season. It’s altered our entire lives.”
More info about Gangs of Ballet
Since their inception on 6 April 2011 when they played their first opening act show for aKING at Unit 11 in Durban, Gangs of Ballet have been conquering the hearts of fans and music lovers alike. Five times SAMA nominated, MTV MAMA Award winning band, they have numerous #1 hit radio singles and top #10 hits to their name, #1 music videos on TV, an iTunes #1 album, have shared stages with international acts such as Switchfoot, Of Monsters and Men and One Republic, have had their music featured in national television advertisements such as Cell C, a VH1 USA hit TV series and have literally played to crowds of thousands of people.
“We never imagined that we’d get to be full time musicians so we’re grateful that we got to do it for 7 years of our lives.”
The members of Gangs of Ballet have all developed other projects which they will now be pursuing full time. Jono is an amazing designer and is currently working on the design for the CR7 brand (Cristiano Ronaldo). Josh has been sessioning for other bands and is also now focusing on his solo album to be released as Josh Scott.
Brad has been traveling and starting a management agency with his first signing being Andrew Sutton who is growing rapidly across South Africa. Life has taken it’s course and it’s a matter of moving onto new exciting chapters for all of them.
Brad Klynsmith from Gangs of Ballet comments
“We’re lucky to have a lot of good memories! We’ve seen the entire country, played the biggest stages, won awards and opened for internationals. For me, it’s some of the smaller memories that are really precious. I remember clearly the first time our song came on the radio.”
“I was with my wife listening on a cheap portable radio and 5FM play listed us! I was literally jumping around the room and fist punching the air! It was the official beginning for us and things really started to move quickly from there.”
The band will certainly miss the energy of a good crowd and seeing all the beautiful parts of SA where they got to travel; the history they have together as brothers will not be forgotten.
Wanting to leave on a high note, Gangs of Ballet is not turning out the lights just yet – they will be celebrating until the very end.
The band will be releasing a brand new single entitled “Black and White”, their first official collaboration, featuring none other than renowned South African rapper Jack Parow on the 6th of June, followed by a music video on the 11th of June. Form & Function Part 3, their third and final EP, is also set for release end June.
Fans can also still catch them at shows until end August where they will be sure to play their new songs as well as old classics.
I still remember seeing Gangs of Ballet live for the first time in 2012 / 2013 and thinking that they could go far with their blend of catchy tunes and riffs and I’m sad to find out that they are calling it quits. They completely blew me away every time that I watched them perform.
Let’s hope that they’ll play one of their last shows at Oppikoppi this year. If it’s going to be anything as memorable as their set on the James Philips Stage in 2014, I’m definitely looking forward to it.
Watch this space for regular updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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