As all children need to learn their ABC’s… so do those who are introduced to the wide world of (rock) music. Maybe you have heard of these bands and maybe you haven’t.
For the ones you haven’t – do yourself a favour and go and check them out. Rock on!
(Feel free to click on some of the links and see where they lead you…either a video, song or a band bio)
D – Dave Matthews Band – one of the best live acts I have ever seen. E – Enter Shikari – this is the first video of theirs I ever saw and fell in love with them 🙂 F – Funeral for a Friend – this song always takes me into oblivion G – Gaslight Anthem H – Hugh Masekela I – Incubus – you may just DIG this video (they have a way with lyrics ) J – Jon Foreman (He writes very well. Profound thoughts) K – Kings of Leon L – Lifehouse M – Mat Kearney
One Black Sheep – fun video here
N – New Volume (a new band on the scene. Friends of mine) O – Of Monsters and Men – this song of theirs was in this Film P – P.O.D & (People live here)
Rise against have the ability to both push out hardcore rock songs that have you screaming along and then they can offer these breath taking ballads that make you feel so connected to your humanity.
Q – Queensryche
I discovered this band back in 1993 on the Last Action Hero soundtrack which is actually pretty cool. (The world seemed a lot more innocent back then)
R – Relient K S – Switchfoot & (Sound of Silence)
My wife showed me this video recently. (A brilliant cover from the band, Disturbed – who we would not expect to do such great justice to the original song. Captivating!) T – Twin Forks
I am sure a lot of you haven’t discovered these guys yet. The lead singer is originally from Dashboard Confessional. Folk music at its best. U – (The) Used – they have always had cleverartwork V – VocalFew W – Weezer X – X – I had to throw on these South African Rock Legends. I believe to be named after the Springbok Hit Parade compilations. Y – Yellow Card Z – Zooropa = – an album from U2. I really like their song NUMB – one of their better songs! (Bizarre video too.)
U2 – New Years Day (This song I often listen to on the first day of the new year. But it can be listened to, anytime. Do it now.) – “All is quiet on New Year’s Day”
Biffy Clyro – Bubbles (can rock ever produce “cute” songs? Yes, indeed. This Scottish outfit do just that with this edgy rock song.) – Well how’s your view of things today“You are creating all the bubbles at night I’m chasing round trying to pop them all the time”
I’d like to think I have a dynamic relationship with my very real God. What the heck; He in His mercy would whisper and show me deep truths within my spirit and soul. I recognize that it’s of Him because some thoughts… really can’t be of me… they’re way beyond who I am.
Anyway, I started off 2014, saying I would not be on Facebook from Jan 1 to the end of Lent. Yeah that would have been about 4 and a half months long. Woah! Would I have made it? More than likely.
However, sometimes this great medium of social media can be used for work purposes. Like the inter-church soccer league that I organised.
Then I do found that I am addicted to sharing little gems of inspiration. From great verses to incredible and moving quotes. Heck, why would I want to keep those powerful words too myself? How selfish. I want to share with others.
But anyway in my spending time with God; I felt “the go ahead” from Him to get using my Facebook again. (Thanks Father God, you’re cool like that.)
Because in giving it up (in the first place) was more a response to a relationship than to a religion and a set of rules.
Now God forbid, (for Lent I had given up blogging.) But half way through; I did cheat. I wrote a review for a gig that my friends did. Oh dear, woe is me? I broke my “fast” but too be honest… I didn’t care.
Because in relationship with my God; I felt it was okay.
Now the stiff lipped religious folk would want to frown upon my actions. Tssk! Tssk!
What would I choose? Religion or Relationship?
You guess it.
Not rules and religion! I don’t ever want those things to box me.
Back to what I wanted to say: Communication is awesome! A bit of a redundant statement there.
From Twitter to Facebook to Instagram and gosh those are only 3 of the many social media outlets…
People share their lives.
People have used the internet to communicate.
It’s the heart of each person.
We want to be heard, is that crime?
We want to be appreciated, is that wrong?
We dig it when someone likes a picture we have posted on Instagram.
I love it when people visit my blog. Who knows; maybe my little words would encourage them and make them smile.
Communication is key.
Communication is good.
No need to hate on it!
Let’s be thankful for quotes we can share.
Let’s be thankful for our artistry we can display.
I like hearing good stories. Don’t you?
On WhatsApp one can create groups. On my phone I have about 15 groups. These cover by Tuesday Night Soccer, Wednesday Soccer, worship team, youth group, youth parents… etc. The point is I have a lot of groups. What do I like about them?
I like that it brings people together in a certain way. It gets friend’s communicating. My favourite group is one that has all our guy friends in it. From Cape Town to Durban to London to Joburg. All are connected by the simple genius of social media.
I don’t get it; when people are such “group haters” and immediately leave a group when too much talking goes on? They use an excuse that their phone makes a noise each time a message comes through… then set your notifications to silent.
It’s not that difficult!
Anyway…
Okay, okay, so I know what your hesitations may be…
Yes, there is a lot of crap things that have gone down with all this social media.
So, it is true. We have to guard our hearts and watch our actions online.
Agreed, I’ve indeed read countless blogs and posts about that.
Lust is on a rampage!
Hate speech carries way too much bitterness.
Attacking people with statuses gets done way too much!!!
Yes, with all things there is the flip side.
So do be careful.
Another thing on the flip side (while we’re there); I want to mention this:
My friend and I have this saying. When him and I are going to enjoy a concert or a kiff (yeah, that word can still be used) experience we will say let’s “John Mayer” this. Meaning?
In one of his songs he has this lyric: “Didn’t have a camera by my side this time Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes… You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes it brought me back to life You’ll be with me next time I go outside just no more 3×5’s Guess you had to be there” (3×5)
Recently I watched Biffy Clyro (a band from Scotland live) and there was one guy who probably filmed the whole set with his camera and then the video function on his phone too. He was behind the lens the whole time…
So he was there at the concert but really wasn’t there in the experience.
I felt sad for him.
Communication is grand.
But sometimes you don’t need to Instagram every moment.
Or tweet about everything you’re doing.
Just go and live!
And one day, you can stop with friends, over coffee or a meal and share your adventures and stories.
How about that?
So this a shout out. A celebration to the positive side of communication!
We are seen.
We are known.
That’s God idea anyway.
I’ve had this song by MAE – Communication in my head for some time now.
Help me out here…
But I have been super stoked with the incredible bands that have graced us with their presence over the last few months! Wow! Dave Matthews Band, Chevelle, The Hives, Bastille, Bruce Springsteen (is on his way), Skunk Anansie, Deftones and Yellow Card
A whole bunch of pop artists too…
30 Seconds to Mars have been (and are coming again), U2, Kings of Leon.
Artic Monkeys…
I know I am missing out on a few names… (So this is where you as the reader can add more to my list…comment section)
But I am just proud of how Big Concerts, Web Tickets, SEED Experiences and other companies / festivals for getting in some decent bands to our beautiful country.
Rocking the Daisy’s
Oppikoppi
Ramfest
a BIG thank you!
We appreciate it!
And thanks to Ramfest 2014, Biffy Clyro and Killswitch Engage and others are coming in March 2014.
loved this band for awhile now
musically, they are super talented and tight
i love their big instrumental parts that they throw in most of their songs
this song is off their latest album.
and each time this song appears in the confines of my car, I find myself rocking out
bashing the steering wheel and head banging my head…
it’s like “I’m gonna freak out freak out” (love the way he sings that)
Hey little man, let me sing my song Or I’m gonna freak out, freak out Become a dominator, a violator
You can’t give it all that it needs You can’t give it all that it needs [x2]
All we need is a magic formula A whole new backbone Is what we’re looking for So you wanted to change the world But I didn’t believe you That’s why we’ll say goodbye to the good old days son I’m trying the best I can But there’s a white flag burning in the middle of my hand I’m tired of being exposed And I don’t know how much more of this I can stand
Hey heaven’s whore, let me sing my song A cranial freak out, freak out, freak out, freak out
You can’t give it all that it needs You can’t give it all that it needs [x2]
All we need is a magic formula A whole new backbone Is what we’re looking for So you wanted to change the world But I didn’t believe you That’s why we’ll say goodbye to the good old days son I’m trying the best I can But there’s a white flag burning in the middle of my hand I’m tired of being exposed And I don’t know how much more of this I can stand
I’m trying the best I can But there’s a white flag burning in the middle of my hand I’m tired of being exposed And I don’t know how much more of this I can stand
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