Awe 2013

As 2012 is coming to a close, we all start thinking about New-Year's resolutions. Those empty promises we make in order for us to feel better about the year ahead. Allow me to look back on last year:

#1 I will stop smoking and drink less
* I invented smrinking

#2 I will swear less
* I work with fucktards

#3 I will study harder & party less
* I'm repeating 3 subjects, but on the upside - my legs have never looked better (#moshpitworkout)

#4 I will spend my money wisely
* Concert Tickets - best diet in SA

As above evidence proves, I am hopeless, so I have concurred: Screw New-Year's resolutions.
And I made this playlist instead - Some of my favorite songs from local muzos of the past year, plus a few old favorites.

Thou must listen to all & appreciate each individual awesomeness. In no particular order, allow me to present the best talent South Africa has to offer:

#1 Voodoo Child - Taboo
     http://www.myspace.com/voodoochildband/music/songs/taboo-47821696

#2 Misericord - Another End
     http://www.myspace.com/misericord/music/songs/another-end-26268517

#3 Fuzigish - Maximum
     http://youtu.be/qDdGVc-jRDU

#4 Man as Machine - Burnout
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyK7DCdOWOY&feature=player_embedded

#5 Facing the Gallows - Hey I can see my house from here
     http://www.myspace.com/facingthegallows/music/songs/hey-i-can-see-my-house-from-here-31658106

#6 Taxi Violence - Devil n' Pistol
     http://www.myspace.com/taxiviolence/music/songs/devil-39-n-pistol-56394132

#7 Hog Hoggidy Hog - The Naked Song
     http://www.myspace.com/hoghoggidyhog/music/songs/naked-24266894

#8 The Sleepers - She is my drinking problem
     http://www.myspace.com/thesleepersband/music/songs/she-is-my-drinking-problem-27043565

#9 Pestroy - Open Minded?
     http://www.myspace.com/pestroy/music/songs/open-minded-49209324

#10 Misled - Just One Night
       http://www.myspace.com/misledno/music/songs/just-one-night-17953907

#11 The Vendetta Cartel - Spirit of '97
       http://www.myspace.com/thevendettacartel/music/songs/spirit-of-97-46708304

#12 Dead Alphabet - Eat You Alive
       http://www.myspace.com/deadalphabet/music/songs/eat-you-alive-80024710

#13 The Narrow - Lonely Lonely
       http://www.myspace.com/thenarrowza/music/songs/lonely-lonely-26397620

#14 Knave - Hollow Chamber
       http://youtu.be/vwIT-5meuBI

#15 Laurie Levine - Kites
       http://www.myspace.com/laurielevine/music/songs/kites-53066005

#16 Die Heuwels Fantasties - Leja
       http://youtu.be/A8y6RhgktNc

#17 Farryl Purkiss - A Million Grains of Sand
       http://www.myspace.com/purkissmusic/music/songs/a-million-grains-of-sand-56978595

#18 Fokofpolisiekar - As jy met vuur speel sal jy brand
       http://www.myspace.com/fokofpolisiekarband/music/songs/maak-of-braak-explicit-40137673

#19 Desmond and the Tutus - Peter
      http://www.myspace.com/desmondandthetutus/music/songs/peter-23526544

#20 The Plastics - Dirty Dancing
        http://www.myspace.com/theplasticsband/music/songs/dirty-dancing-43091165

#21 Mr Cat and the Jackal - The Rain came Pouring
       http://www.myspace.com/mrcatthejackal/music/songs/the-rain-came-pouring-the-flood-pt-1-89680241
   
#22 Haggis & Bong - Spandex (It's a privilege, not a right)
       http://www.myspace.com/haggisandbong/music/songs/spandex-its-a-privilege-not-a-right-31259286

#23 Van Coke Kartel - Dis 'n Land
       http://youtu.be/vGdSyK81-U0

#24 The Dirty Skirts - Homewrecker
       http://www.myspace.com/thedirtyskirts/music/songs/homewrecker-27701448

#25 Sacrifist - Unforgiven Insanity
      http://www.myspace.com/sacrifistband/music/songs/unforgiven-insanity-18499256

#26 Gross Misconduct - Abbadon
       http://www.myspace.com/grossmisconductmetal/music/songs/abaddon-25716624

#27 Auriol Hays - Zero gravity
       https://soundcloud.com/auriolhays/15-zero-gravity

#28 Wrestlerish - Sleep
       http://www.myspace.com/wrestlerish/music/songs/sleep-56441139

#29 aKing - Guilty as Sin
       http://www.myspace.com/alex93music/music/songs/guilty-as-sin-40137781

#30 Starseed - Love's War
       http://www.myspace.com/starseedrock/music/songs/love-s-war-26575676

#31 The Vulcan Nerve Pinch - Epoch
       http://www.myspace.com/thevulcannervepinch/music/songs/epoch-26321890

#32 The Sick Leaves - What are you waiting for
       http://www.myspace.com/thesickleaves/music/songs/what-are-you-waiting-for-68227282

#33 Ashtray Electric - Quite Overstared
       http://www.myspace.com/ashtrayelectric/music/songs/quite-overstared-42794765

#34 Ree-Burth - Save Me
       http://soundcloud.com/ree-burth/save-me

#35 Zebra & Giraffe - The Knife
       http://youtu.be/XqNy-RM1sWU

#36 Dan Patlansky - Only an Ocean
       http://www.myspace.com/danpatlansky/music/songs/only-an-ocean-20405231

#37 Civil Twilight - Letters from the Sky
       http://www.myspace.com/civiltwilightband/music/songs/letters-from-the-sky-5563228

#38 Thieve - Last Day December
       http://www.myspace.com/thieveband/music/songs/last-day-december-37936569

#39 Colli and the Rockets - Harvey
       https://soundcloud.com/colli-and-the-rockets/colli-and-the-rockets-harvey

#40 Red Huxley - My Own Way
       https://soundcloud.com/redhuxley/my-own-way

#41 Woodstock Mafia - Electric Light
       http://youtu.be/C8SLDs5j1Vg

#42 Running with Scissors - Losing Faith
       http://www.myspace.com/runningwithscissorsgirlband/music/songs/losing-faith-19921222

#43 City Bowl Mizers - Tease
       http://www.myspace.com/thecitybowlmizers/music/songs/teaze-26620063

#44 Fridge Poetry - The Clinch
       http://soundcloud.com/fridgepoetry/the-clinch

#45 Sick Cindy - Ain't Enough
       http://youtu.be/waQOlW7dpgc

#46 Old Brown and the Sherries - Old Brown and the Seventies
       http://www.myspace.com/oldbrownandthesherries/music/songs/old-brown-and-the-seventies-82503194

#47 Henry Ate - Once
       http://www.myspace.com/henryate/music/songs/once-19437735

#48 Red Tape Riot - Love is a Feeling
       https://soundcloud.com/red-tape-riot/loveisafeelingsingle

#49 Black Cat Bones - Ol' Pappa Joe
       http://www.myspace.com/blackcatboneband/music/songs/ol-39-pappa-joe-14091554

#50 Gangs of Ballet - Breaking the Silence
       https://soundcloud.com/gangs-of-ballet/breaking-the-silence-1

#51 City of Heroes - Fight or Flight
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoNNUDqatYA

#52 Lacey May - Back to Shore
       http://www.reverbnation.com/playlist/view_playlist/-4?page_object=artist_1330393

#53 Red Helen - As Unavoidable as Death & Taxes
       http://www.myspace.com/RedHelenBand/music/songs/as-avoidable-as-death-and-taxes-75599395

#54 Jet Black Camaro - Pretty Girl Blues
       http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/15287846

#55 Get Up June - Call my words bold
      http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/14713872

#56 Fragmented Children - Phoenix
       http://www.myspace.com/fragmentedchildren/music/songs/phoenix-80067430

#57 Earl Grey and Croquet - Lady Luck
       http://www.myspace.com/earlgreyandcroquet/music/songs/lady-luck-75083996

#58 Black Handed Kites - Up
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UmBsgfJ0zw

#56 Slashdogs - Darkest Fear
       http://www.myspace.com/theslashdogs/music/songs/darkest-fear-26754818

#57 Lark - Spider's Eye
       http://www.myspace.com/lark2006/music/songs/spiders-eye-89376977

#58 North of Winter - Belly of the Beast
        http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/13975187

#59 Southern Gypsey Queen - 99 Red Balloons
       http://youtu.be/XaP2aPuHff0

#60 Catlike Thieves - Midnight for Now
       http://www.myspace.com/catlikethieves/music/songs/midnight-for-now-49569132

#61 Josie Field - Toxicity
       http://www.myspace.com/josiefield/music/songs/toxicity-23593891

#62 Kongos - I'm only Joking
       http://www.myspace.com/kongos/music/songs/i-m-only-joking-75414546

#63 Stealing Love Jones - Kicks
       http://www.myspace.com/lovejonesband/music/songs/kicks-40251281

#64 Shotgun Tori - The Flood
       https://soundcloud.com/shotguntori/the-flood

#65 The December Streets - Fire Through the Window
        http://youtu.be/5daqw8iQ_gM

#66 Fire Through the Window - Golden
       http://www.myspace.com/firethroughthewindow/music/songs/golden-75040714

#67 Dear Reader - Great White Bear
       http://youtu.be/r_NPQN3z_e0

#68 Dogtown - Sunshine
        http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/15139517

#69 New Holland - Something to believe in
       http://youtu.be/X0OmzUrEvj8

#70 Lonehill Estate - The Ginger Song
       https://soundcloud.com/lonehillestate/lonehill-estate-the-ginger

Not wanting to end at an uneven number, I've decided to add a bonus track, 'cause one does not simply leave out Jeremy Loops.

#Bonus Track: Jeremy loops - Welcome
                         https://soundcloud.com/jeremyloops/welcome-jeremy-loops-2011


Happy smrinking this holiday - and remember: DON'T Drink & Drive - Stop & take a slukkie =)


Vredexx

The Year of the Mcflurry

Oreo Mcflurrrys are awesome. They're especially awesome at 03:00 in the morning. I believe that one should have an awesome Mcflurry moment everyday. Therefore, I shall make 2013 the year of the Mcflurry. The Year of Awesome. Now to start the Year of Awesome one has to first bid a due to the year the Mayans ran out of paper. To say my goodbyes to the year smrinking was invented, I thought I'd have my own little awards ceremony for my personal favorites from 2012. The Smrinking Awards if I may.
Now don't cry if your not on my list, just be more awesome next year =).

And the winners are...

Best Hangout - Wolves Cafe, Illovo



This quirky and offbeat little eatery on Corlett Drive is now my favorite chill spot. It's open 7 days a week and absolutely awesome. Especially the cupcakes. I'n in love with the cupcakes. Red velvet cupcakes. The spot is owned by Desmond and the Tutus frontman, Shane Durrant, with his wife Angie and mate, Greg Rom.
In addition to the random awesomeness of the menu, there are displays of jewellery, trinkets, art and music for sale. Except for late afternoon lunches of Nutella & Banana sandwiches rounded of with a sinful cupcake and cappuccino, Thursday nights are probably my favorite. Dubbed 'Howl' due to the line-up of local Indie muzos. Best chill with my idiot arty farty friends. 

Friday nights at Wolves is Lisa's fave “Beer O’Clock.” Occasionally they also host a small live indie music festival called the “What Are Wo Going To Be Doing On Sunday Mini Folk Fest.” Be sure to check this out.

My number one must do event for the coming week:
13 Dec / All Cake Must Go: The Wolves 2012 Finale

Best Upcoming Band - It's really a toss up between Bri6ge and Colli & the Rockets

So you all know that Bri6ge is my proclaimed favorite. 3 Siblings & a mate from a drowsy hole of a town called Vryheid in KZN. Xanell Fritze, Estiaan Fritze, George Fritze and Jaco Engelbrecht make up the alternative dressing of this rock band. Though they're only starting out, I see big things for these undiscovered muzos. Go have a peek at their first gig for the new year: 02 February 2013 at Schivas Rock, Pta.

Follow them on twitter @bri6ge & check out their MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/597455160

*Watch this space*

Secondly there is Colli & the Rockets.

This 2 piece indie band consists of Colleen Helberg and boyfriend Thinus Pieterse (previously of the brilliant band, DiKommentaar, with that gorgeous Elandre Rheeder lad & powerful vocalist Van Wyk Brand).

Colli and the Rockets is a Jozi based Indie Band taking the local scene by storm.Their self-recorded single, Harvey, is available on Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/colli-and-the-rockets/colli-and-the-rockets-harvey
Also follow them @Colli_Rockets

A bit of a different sound definitely worth checking out.

Best Randomly Invented Word - Smrinking

You know it's true, I'm a self-proclaimed literary genius.

Best Live Show - Linkin Park

I still can't get over it. Read my previous post. It was mindblowing. But I have to say I'm a little over excited about my fast approaching golden circle moments at my first ever Metallica show. I'm gonna faint.

Best Festival - Oppikoppi

Oh my gorgeous hell. I won't even start. Just go, go to Oppikoppi and be amazed.
And remember - as jy nie dans nie, is jy fokkol.

Best Movie - The Perks of being a Wallflower

Based on the tragically funny book by Stephen Chbosky. I loved this movie, for the full scale review follow this link: http://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/The-Perks-Of-Being-A-Wallflower-6011.html
Not quite as brillaint as the book, but hey no movie ever is.

Best Musical - Rock of Ages

The 80's were mind-numbingly awesome. With a star studded cast and the best music ever to accompany it, Rock of Ages is a definite must-see. With a drunkenly idiotic Tom Cruise as the famous Stacee Jaxx, he proves that he's still a great actor. My favorites though, were definitely Alec Baldwin & Russel Brand. But I ask you one thing, and one thing only: Why can every bloody actor that ever existed sing like a rockstar? It's simply not fair.
The story was a little weak, but the music made up for it tenfold.
Nonetheless, watch it, love it, hate it, I sincerely couldn't care less. I loved it, and if you have any sense you will too.

Best Indie Pop Album - Lana del Rey: Born to Die

So there's this big controversy about Lana Del Rey and how she's inauthentic and blah blah blah. Whatever. I like her music. And so I have awarded her the best Indie Pop Album of the year, mostly based on that eerie wonderful song that is 'Video Games', and kinda also 'cause I love pissing of people that think they know what there talking about, but really just want someting to poke at because Mommy took away their toys. But I digress, it's a beautiful album. Have a listen & enjoy.
The eerie wonderfulness of Video Games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE6wxDqdOV0

Best Rock Album - Serj Tankian: Harakiri

Harakiri is the third studio album by Serj Tankian, formerly of System of the Down (still an all-time favorite). The album was released on July 10, 2012, as a follow-up to Imperfect Harmonies, released in 2010. This album's is probably the closest to the sound of the late great System of a Down, still certifiably crazy, but a bit more punk rock - orientated. Have a gander:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQtRXqBQETA

Best Indie Rock Album - Cloud Nothings: Attack on Memory

Attack on Memory saw a change in Cloud Nothings' musical style. Contrary to their previous poppy sound, Attack on Memory is more aggressive and darker. Despite its wrist slashing depression, it's in merit a very good album. I love their darker side and hopefully you will too. My favorite of the album: Wasted Days http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6pCwReP4_k

Best Local Indie Rock Album - Desmond and the Tutus: Mnusic

Do I really need to explain this? Desmond and the Tutus is a happy-go-lucky rocky poppy indie musical mash. Combining indie, kwela, pop, rock ’n roll and sheer genius gives them a uniquely South African sound. It's dancy, nothing-can-get-me-down type of music. And its the perfect partner for smrinking. Obsessed with it. It's the wonderfully idiotic music that only our confused heritage can spit out. Yay South Africa!

Watch it. Now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RD8vW25W0Y

Best Debut - Dead Sara

Dead Sara is a hard rock band from Los Angeles, best known currently for their single "Weatherman". Listen up, girls are awesome at being rockstars, this band is awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLGoeYOZ0Qs

Best Female Vocals - In this Moment: Maria Brink

Blood. That's all I'm saying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZF5m-vmDzM

Best Drink - Jack Daniels Honey

I'm a girl. I like whiskey. I like honey. Mix them - guarunteed to make me happy. =)


And so my choices are made.
And my choices are awesome.

Now go forth and be awesome in the year of the Mcflurry xx