A quick pre Mieliepop chat with Black Math

Black Math are one of those acts that you should NOT miss at Mieliepop this year. Come to think of it, you should not miss any of their shows. Yes folks, they are THAT good. I’ve only seen them once at Oppikoppi, but they are definitely a band that I want to see again (and I’m not saying that because their drummer is a girl).

Black Math hail from that other city by the sea (AKA Durban) and have been around since 2010. This garage rock / alternative rock / psychedelic rock / stoner rock / punk / metal band has a raw, unforgiving sound and it will punch you in the face when you least expect it. I think I still have a bruise somewhere from their last set at Oppikoppi.

Their live shows are very high energy, intimate and full of head banging. They strive to keep their music sincere and original and avoid current trends in sound and genre. They stand against all things made to be consumed by the masses and try to create something new and interesting. Black Math tries to make music that is thought provoking for all who wish to listen.

I had a chat to band ahead of their upcoming performance at Mieliepop this year. This is what they had to say.

What comes to mind when you think of Mieliepop Festival?

Dope line up, mielies, popcorn, butter, beautiful scenery, corn fields, and most importantly a good time with sweet music.

What can music fans expect from your set at Mieliepop 2016?

A fucking skits party! we aim to have as much fun as possible in the hopes that it gets everyone else all loose and moving. They can expect generous volume, siff riffs, and three scallywags having a party on stage and hopefully who ever’s watching has as much fun as will.

What is currently playing on your iPod / CD Player / Music Streaming service that you use?

Our listening habits are ever fluctuating, a lot of weird, psychedelic, noisy and lo-fi stuff but we tend to span the genres… at the moment a lot of Australian bands, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, POND, DZ Deathrays, Tame Impala, The Murlocs, Dune Rats. American bands like Thee Oh Sees, FUZZ, Wand, Night Beats, Tweak Bird, Ty Segall, Mac Demarco and more.

Some hip hop like Jay Dilla, Madlib, Madvillain, MF DOOM, Captain Murphy, Jurassic 5(always), Tribe Called Quest, and of course, Wu Tang Clan. Weird but great stuff like King Crimson and Flying Lotus. The Wytches, Wolf People and there’s way more but its just too much to mention.. not forgetting local bands like The Moths new album is tops! sorry if we’ve left stuff out.

What is the funniest thing that you’ve experienced on stage?

Too many funny things have happened but the only one that we remember was at Smoking Dragon 2013 going into 2014. Halfway through our set Cam’s (guitarist/vocals) brain exploded and blood came shooting out of his nose and went all over the place, it was hilarious, he carried on the show by stuffing a huge white piece of tissue paper up his nose..so he had this bloody white thing hanging from his nose for the rest of the show and for some reason he was wearing a funny hat as well, it was great.

Which quote / phrase would you use to describe the term “Rock ‘n Roll” ?

Stop trying to look so cool.

I’d like to thank Black Math for taking time to answer my questions. I dunno about you guys and girls, but I’m definitely not missing their set at Mieliepop 2016.

Not convinced that you should watch them? Have a listen to their track “Light Trails” below: