Rare Psychedelic And Prog Music South Africa Quiz

Answer: Into Smoke Tree Village

A simply fantastic band. I have a copy of "Classic Epics" and to me this next sentence best describes the music. Excellent acoustic and electric, outer space sounding, acid guitar, dreamy mystical vocals and an overall mid period Pink Floyd sound. Steve Linnegar and Martin Kopelwitz were both born in Cape Town and met while taking classical guitar lessons.

They began performing around the Cape and two years later they disappeared into their own recording studio. When the studio went bankrupt, Steve and Martin flew to London.

They were typical struggling artists and lived hand to mouth. Eventually they succeeded in getting studio time to record some of the best South African psychedelic sounds ever heard. Of all of their LPs, "Classic Epics" is considered their masterpiece.

Answer: Suck - "Time To Suck"

Suck was formed in Johannesburg in early 1970. South African born bass player Louis "Moose" Forer, who at one time worked with Peanut Butter Conspiracy, met guitar player Steve "Gil" Gilroy in a club. Gil had just arrived from London. He had previously worked with Mick Abrahams who was the original guitar player from Jethro Tull. Gil and Moose became drinking buddies and were great friends before they knew it.

Italian born drummer Saverio "Savvy" Grande met Gil and Moose in a club in Johannesburg. Port Elizabeth born Cypriot vocalist/guitarist/flautist Andrew Ionnides was taken in and Suck was born. Andrew had worked with Blind Lemon Jefferson and October Country. Suck's album consisted of one original song with the rest being cover songs by Deep Purple, Grand Funk, Donovan, Free, Colosseum and King Crimson. Suck did a Black Sabbath cover song on a rare South African compilation album. That track is also available as a bonus on the Suck CD.

Answer: Freedom's Children

The beginnings of Freedom's Children go way back to 1966. For a brief time they were known as Fleadom's Children because the government said the word freedom was unacceptable. These guys were somewhat of a local version of John Mayall's Blues Band. Many of South Africa's top rock musicians were in the band at one time or another.

Their lineup was constantly changing. A good lot of the band members went on to form some of the biggest bands of the day. Some of these musicians included included Ken E Henson, Mick Jade, Barry Irwin, Rabbitt's Ronnie Robot and Trevor Rabin. If anyone out there would like to hear Freedom's Children, I would highly recommend their "Astra" album.

It's out on CD and available through websites on the internet.

Answer: McCully Workshop

In 1965, the McCullagh brothers, Terence (Tully) and Michael (Mike), started out with a folk rock trio called the Blue Three. Richard Hyam was the third member who they drafted from Tiny Folk which was a folk duo he was in with his sister Melanie. They went through the standard personnel and name changes like The Blue Beats and Larfing Stocke before settling on McCully Workshop. How they arrived at their name would make a good quiz question.

It was because they used to rehearse in Mrs. McCullagh's garage.

Answer: It was the name of a hotel's disco/pub

First of all I do realize that when referring to the American Indian that totem is the correct spelling. I had to come up with an answer though and that sort of fit. In 1969, Ken Henson, who later became singer and guitarist of Abstract Truth and sax-player Sean Bergin were in a jazz group called The Sounds. During that year Henson was approached by the owner of a local hotel.

This guy had heard that Henson played sitar and asked him if he could get together an exotic, Middle Eastern sounding band to back a belly dancer in the hotel's disco/pub.

This pub was named Totum. It was at the Palm Beach Hotel in Durban on Gillespie Street.

Answer: Third Eye

Some consider Third Eye as being one of the best heavy psych bands out of South Africa. Freedom's Children is one band that they would have to play second fiddle to. Their music was complex and I've heard it said that it will appeal to fans of Jimi Hendrix and early Uriah Heep. "Awakening" was released in 1969 followed by "Searching" and "Brother" in 1970. Quite an accomplishment in such a short period of time.

Answer: John And Philipa Cooper

John and Philipa Cooper's album titled "The Cooperville Times' consisted of spooky and psychedelic folk music. The sounds of lead guitar player Julian Laxton are unmistakable for those into the South African scene. He played for Freedom's Children, Otis Waygood, Hawk and Rabbit. Very little is known about this band however.

They did hail from Johannesburg. I've heard their music described as Ithaca meets Mellow Candle.

Answer: Rock Today With The Big Heavies

There's just not much one can say regarding this album. It is a double vinyl album on the EMI Starline label from 1972 out of South Africa. It contains some of the best psychedelic and progressive music from South Africa. Some say that it also contains some of the "not so best." It's cover is gatefold in style. I bought my copy circa 2004 and paid roughly $150.00 at that time.

It may be reissued on CD by now but I can't confirm that. There is a fairly inexpensive way to hear these bands and it's on an LP titled "Love, Peace And Poetry African Psychedelic Music." It was released in 2004 on Normal Records.

It is also volume eight in a series.

Answer: Ten Light Claps And A Scream

I find it quite interesting that Otis Waygood was a blues band comprised of Rhodesian Jews. They came down to Cape Town in a battered vehicle and really just on a whim. Somehow a guest artist slot was open on the 1969 "Battle Of The Bands" and they managed to procure it. "Battle Of The Bands" was huge in Cape Town back in those days.

They literally became an overnight sensation because of this show. Their music was a form of raw, vibrant, foot stomping blues rock.

Answer: Wildebeest

Apparently "Bushrock" was the concept of Colin Pratley. It seemed to fit the style of music that Wildebeest played quite well. It was a blend of African, rock and traditional music played with incredible energy. The "Rand Daily Mail" voted this album the album of the year in 1981. African drums combined with rock guitar and violin along with melodic female vocals gave Wildebeest their unique and vibrant sound.

The album was recorded live at "Upstairs" in Sunnyside, Pretoria on February 28th and March 1st, 1981.