…..makes Jack a dull boy ( that’s a bad thing, I think ). Sooooo, I finished up my little private job despite some, shall we say, “challenges” wrt to my work environment - tonight it’s me and the boys from Metallica.

My project entailed updating software I wrote some 6 years back called “Problem Solving and Decision Making” for my friend Louis of RDM fame who created the problem solving methodology. Now for anyone not familiar with software life cycles, 6 years is like 175 in software-years – I’m quite proud of this simple but effective little program.

Updating was needed as it was written in (VB) .Net 1 based on an MSDE database engine. MSDE in order to scale to SQL servers of course, no puny Access db’s for the BigBadWolf thank you very much. Seriously though, at the time and to this day most if not all potential clients run Microsoft sites, so there’s no sense in trying to do it in something like MySQL.

Installing it on newer operating systems like Vista and Windows 7 became more and more problematic to the point where I decided an upgrade was in order. Converted it to C# and upgraded it to .Net 3.5, running on SQLExpress 2008.

Ok, that wraps up the consultant-speak section of this post. Back to the important stuff: 

I just came across this clip from the band The Slashdogs :

How are those beards ?!

“From the Silverton Swamps in the Far East of Pretoria comes Black Cat Bone. Born from a Muddy Waters lyric and raised amongst the patriot gators of the SA music industry, BCB plays a fused selection of Deep South Rock and Hoodoo Blues”

and from Channel 24 they “crack open a moonshined cocktail of Deep South Rock and Hoodoo Blues for your pleasure.”

Black Cat Bone is Andre ‘King Snake’ Kriel (vocals, electric axe), Kobus ‘da RAT’ de Kock (vocals, acoustic axe, harmonica), Wim.P ‘Capoeira’ van Vuuren (kit, percussion) and Cobiz ‘Bones’ Gerber (bass).

This is a must see act. I think the smallish venue added to the experience – these guys are large as life and pulls everyone into the show.  You can not help as laugh at the constant banter between band members, audience & staff and the sounds are authentic blues. 

An honorable mention for the opening act “Tot stilstand” who played their very first gig. Good stuff, looking forward to seeing you guys around.

They’ve recently signed up a permanent bass player, and on the opening song had someone playing a violin which went down quite well. Andries of Klitsgras drumming circle fame added some percussion and some amazing didgeridoo playing.

I’m no music classification specialist, but I’d classify them as some sort of modern reggae (Just saw they call it “Rockabilly reggae” - quite fitting I me thinks). Very cool. Excellent sound setup, no blaring sounds. Keep an eye open for them, the show is well worth it. Best place to keep track of them is on Facebook. Below a YouTube clip which does not really do them justice, especially with the new line up, but anyway:

This past Thursday night I spent at Tings & Times in Hatfield, my second visit there. The invite I got clearly stated that the bands playing are Gently Scar’d and Walt, in that order, starting at 8PM. Looking forward to returning there and the prospect of their simply delicious food, I made plans to get myself out there.

The food and service was as good if not better than I remember (the “Once bitten” pita is divine!!), but that’s where my compliments end.

Instead of Gently Scar’d, Walt was first up and started some time after 9PM – an hour later than advertised. By the time Gently Scar’d started playing, it was well past 10, and I left having heard only about 3 of their songs – which was great by the way – I listened to their samples online and the live show was exactly what I had in mind.

I start working at 7am in the mornings, and very seldom put myself through a late night during the week – grinding through work the next day is usually not worth it. I understand that the students probably don’t mind. I also get having a lesser known band playing the same night as a well known band in order to get them some more exposure, but then it should be advertised correctly. I don’t want to be forced to sit through a relatively shitty band before getting to hear the band I paid for. I don’t want to be made to wait an hour later than advertised. Surely having the lesser known band play afterwards actually has more merit – the place will be as full as it’ll get for the night and with the alcohol having flowed the band might get a better review than when playing to a sober half-full student crowd?

Tings is not unique in this approach – I’ve encountered this late-start-band-switch scenario at Cafe Barcelona and a few others.

This all gets me back to the almost extinct phenomenon (at least in my experience here in Pretoria, South Africa) of something working well as it’s supposed to first time around and the frustration of knowing it used to be like that, back in the day.

Service levels going backwards – sure you get the uber politically correct, perfect telephone etiquette  greeting when some call centre calls you or heaven forbid you need to call them, but that’s it. Experiencing stupidity that so thick you can reach out and touch it is almost inevitable. God help you if you need to dial 10111, and the corporates are really not much better - politer yes, better no.

Getting something, anything fixed became a game of spare-part roulette - the “repairman” simply picks the easiest replaceable part and replacing it at the customer’s expense with an attitude of “Let’s see if that works”. No more troubleshooting. Consumerist handyman-ship (that might be a new word?!). Replace all parts until the customer is too broke to continue, so frustrated he rather buys a new product, or in the odd case gets lucky soon enough that everyone “wins”. Well, sort of.

I can just mention Telkom, and everyone will have a story of inefficient service, products and the frutration of not having an alternative. Strictlty speaking we now have an alternative, but it’s not a very good one, and it seems to be the case in many commercial sectors in our country. The supplier, ( in the start of this article the supplier being Tings’ - my supplier of entertainment for the evening ) knows well enough that your choices are limited enough that regardless of how shitty they treat you while taking your money, chances are you’ll be back anyway. Perhaps it’s as simple as just not giving a shit - I guess anything’s possible.

Perhaps I’ve grown old and square, but I don’t think so.
Actually no, that’s impossible, it can’t be, it’s them, they’re out to get me!

That’s it, I’m done. I’m of my soap box - no solutions offered, not today at least. The rant has had it’s run. I suspect time and the law of averages will sort it all out, failing which we’ll have to pin our hopes on 2012. At least with this post I’ve successfully fended of death-by-deskjob-boredom for another day.

Live long and prosper…..

The package:

• Entrance to Sun City and the Valley of Waves
• Free “mudsludge” – this was not to be, instead they offered an iced lolly.
• Free draught – turned out to be a kiddy sized cup.
• Free smallish meal – Pizza, burger, or fish & chips. Not bad, but the butch boerseuns will be left a little empty.
• 10 Credits for the Magic Company
• 50% off a Segway tour – excellent!
• 50% off jetski hire – did not get around to this

…but sadly it did not include the VanFokKingTasties show I actually bought it for. Anyways, those tickets went for only R100, so still a bargain.

Segway

The experience:
Did the Segway thing – lots of fun. I would however suggest taking the longest 2hr offroad option. The 50 min session really just gets you comfortable by the time you have to turn it in again, plus I think taking it offroad must be a blast, not to mention the additional scenery. Beware the Segway’s sharp turning circle at speed – really the only way you can fall off, and only if you insist on doing so.

Among other a strongman and fashion show plus a band unknown to me kept things going at the Valley. Loved the steep slide and the supertubes was tons of fun. A must for everyone old enough to walk

The show:
Fantastic. Did not stay all the way through, my feet were killing me by 10pm, and still that drive home….. Saw Heuwels Fantasties, Van Coke Cartel and aKing. Stunning. You should have been there. Jack Parrow did his thing with “Die Vraagstuk” – I’m sure it will go down as a South African classic. aKing’s live bit was better for me than their album I’ve got, and man – Van Coke Cartel just blew it away. You’ll have to go a long way to find another 3 piece pumping out so much energy.

Van Coke Kartel

The downs:
I guess it’s their place and they can run it however they see fit. Perhaps the really rich folk get the stunning service they pay for and it’s just my perception tainted by a lack of thousands to pay per outing that’s clouding my judgement.

Cost. Everything is uber expensive – try R17 for a can of Coke. No it’s not served by a topless model whispering sweet nothings in your ear - you fetch it yourself from the bored looking attendant at the stall. Straw not included. Yes, you also have to open it yourself.

The constant searching of bags, and restrictions on carrying into different sections the very expensive food & drinks you bought. 2 Bag checking stations between the entrance & the Valley of waves – your not allowed to carry drinks or food from one section to the next, you have to finish or dispose of it before moving to the next section.

No drinks, and that INCLUDES SOFTDRINKS allowed at the show. Get real.

The “moshing” dickhead that during the Van Coke set insisted on constantly trying to pick a fight. Take your girl to the trailer you crawled from and stay there.

The verdict:
I’ll be back. Will plan the whole thing a bit better and try and get a similar package again – it was good value for money. I enjoyed seeing the place and not just spending the day swimming, it sort of forces you to go and do something.

Slide

Coming up: Half price bungee at Orlando Towers. Sounds like fun, not sure if my nerves will hold. No big plans for the weekend (yet). Maybe start working on that long planned bouldering wall….. yesss, my precious, that sounds like a brilliant idea.

Got tickets to the Sun City Spring Bash and the Van-Fokken-Tasties gig (blame Tuks for that name ) on Thursday, and then flipping a coin on whether I’ll leave for the Roc Rally on Thursday or Friday. Going these alone at the moment <sigh>

Let’s set a deadline for learning to ride that unicycle too. How about end of October – and by riding I mean steady enough to commute from my parking garage to the office.

Let me stop there. I’m famous for loading way too much hay on my fork. If I can pull these off, I’d be quite happy. After that there’s still the multi-pitch climb at Swinburne and the kite surfing rig…….. the slackline, trad climb, the trip to the coast. The web-site, making ice, selling the plot, growing something in a pot.  

Mediocrity is no longer an option. Live while you’re alive, sleep when you’re dead.

A brief rundown – I’m no expert music critic:
Piet Botha & Jonathan Martin.
The classic “Piet” sound at least as I know it. Some cover versions which seemed unusual.

Chiba Fly
My new “Check this out” band. Sh!tkickin’ & foot stomping rhythms delivered by a single guitar & percussionist. Maybe I’ve been living in a hole, but it beats me how I’ve not heard of these guys before – they rock! See them – buy the album – that’s an order. Apparently they’re on Facebook too.

Octanium
Did the “neverending-soundcheck” thing, which in the end still needed work. Bunch of very young okes, first band with obvious groupies – pity though it was skinny legged long haired boys ;-P. I must however mention that the last song of their set ROCKED. In another league from the previous songs – the difference being that the “manager” took over rythm from the vocalist. Maybe it just that much better a song – I don’t know. The lead guitarists shredded, so I’ll keep an eye open for these guys – they may very well be the next big thing.

Exit Stranger
Good music, well rehearsed solid sound, but not my style. I thought the vocals were quite good.

Wysdiman
This time they had the crowd they deserved, and they rocked. Loved it once again.

Couch Potatoes
I packed up during their set so I did not give it that much attention, but I loved it. Buy the album if you can. Another band I’ll gladly support again.

All the other stuff:
I like the venue – basic but safe & spacious. I loved the firestand, saw some interesting “gig-art” and for the first time I heard of of “Bronks TV”. Some pics below, and do make sure to get out there next time you see any of these bands playing – each one was worth it, I had a ton of fun whatching & listening.

Venue:
The venue was surpisingly pleasant given the slightly dodgy neighbourhood and other nearby establishments. The host is fabulous and took my friend who arrived a bit earlier on a impromptu tour of the place.My only complaint is that the seating arrangement can be improved upon – we ended up moving to get a better view, and I imagine we were not the only ones who had their view obscured by a pillar. The food was great – I had a wrap that did the trick.

The music:
Not what I expected, but mesmerizing nonetheless. Don’t expect big showmanship or any conversation for that matter, these guys sit down and play, that’s it, but it’s good. I expected something more towards the style of Tony Cox, but they have very distinct styles. They have played together though – do yourself a favour and check these out:

Clipped labeled “Dave & Julie”:

Steve & Tony fooling around:

A bit of a sidetrack – my favourite: Tony’s “You asked for it”

There’s tracks / clips that can be downloaded from both their sites. All in all – when you get the now rare chance to see any one of these two guys, or the even rarer privilege to see the play together – DO IT!!!! As for me, I’ll be keeping an eye on the House of Nsako – a lovely venue.

That’s it, I’m done.

I thoroughly enjoyed the set and the band’s energy, especially BruceBleed who was supercharged in his Superman shirt despite the place being a little less than packed. Food & service was good - but perhaps the long weekend messed around everyone’s calendar (and budget?) a bit………

I made of with some nice loot: A reservation card signed by all the bad members ( hopefully worth a bunch when they hit the big time ;-P ), a CD & DVD (I think – did not open the DVD yet…..).

You can catch them again this Saturday at the Wolmer Events arena, along with bunch of other cool bands – check this schedule out :
15:00 *** Piet Botha & Jonathan Martin
16:00 *** Chiba Fly
17:00 *** Octanium
18:00 *** Exit Stranger
19:00 *** Wysdiman
20:00 *** Couch Potatoes
21:00 *** Black Cat Bone
22:00 *** Action Thrillers
23:00 *** Grynd Rodd Muse
24:00 *** Acerbic State

Last but not least: I see Evolver is playing at the Steak & Ale on the 26th – would have loved to see them, but by that time I’ll be chilling in Mokopane, mentally preparing for my Dome mission the next morning, a rock “show” with a difference…..muhahahaha