Caught in Time (Adam Stanley)

My very first guest is one of my dearest friends, singer/songwriter/guitarist/bassist Roly Struckmeyer.

Having first met Roly when he ran the legendary and highly important Buzz Bar in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, during the 90s (where I saw all my first and most influential gigs), I went on to join him in the rhythm section for acclaimed Durban pop-rock band Deluxe.

During that time, we played infinite covers gigs together and he taught me so much about being a musician and life in general (and still does). The bond formed during those years lasts to today, and it's safe to say he's arguably been the most important musical figure in my life, from running the venue that exposed me to live music to creating albums beloved around South Africa that we still look back on with pride.

Please join us for an epic chat about the evolution of South African rock and Roly's place in that journey!

FIND ROLY ONLINE:

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7epa7EpdsT6WWhQyJgnKXz?si=160486f5c9a64591

FB: https://www.facebook.com/roly.struckmeyer/

YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n2XTL1bTaqEHl7ra-c0rZ70AxHKZLkDuE&si=r3NjE99m08uvF3kl

FIND ME ONLINE:

IG: @adamstanleydrums

E: caughtintimepodcast@gmail.com

W: https://www.adamstanleydrums.com

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I’m stoked and honoured to interview my friend and formative musical hero, Archer David Birch of Squeal. Born in the UK and cutting his teeth in punk bands like The Vibrators, he gleaned deep songwriting and production knowledge from the likes of Trevor Horn before emigrating to South Africa. There, he formed beloved hard rock trio Squeal.

One of Durban’s and SA’s best ever bands, Squeal played heavy rock in a tasteful, intelligent way no one else could touch. Tight as a very tight thing, they were always on point live and Dave’s fascinating background in the UK informed their songwriting and approach.

Squeal went on to dominate the country's live scene and airwaves with epic, heartfelt songwriting, angular guitar riffs and sophisticated arrangements showcasing Dave's mastery of tension and release.

As Squeal quietened down in the early 2000s, Dave focused on the iconic Tropical Sweat Studios, which became a national recording destination and provided a place for emerging bands to commit their art to tape in the best-sounding way possible.

Nowadays Dave is focused on soundtrack production and scoring, although he still records bands when the chance arises.

Please, do enjoy my chat with the one and only Dave Birch.

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Springbok Nude Girls are one of South Africa's most beloved rock bands, even now some 30+ years after forming. Their debut album, 'Neanderthal One', immediately captured hearts with the iconic single 'Bubblegum On My Boots' - and they became a household name with the bittersweet anthem 'Blue Eyes'.

Guitarist/songwriter Theo Crous has become one of South Africa's premier music producers and engineers, cutting his teeth alongside masters like Kevin Shirley before helming many award-winning records by bands like Fokofpolisiekar, AKing, Van Coke Kartel and many more. Theo has been a major part of my musical development, producing and engineering my very first recording, the Jimmy 12-Inch EP 'Diaphoraspora' featuring singles like 'Even Steven' and 'Shorn's Song.'

The accomplishments and adventures of Theo and SNG are too many to list here, so I recommend checking out their massive discography here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3hz6VscKnCkBeeeiy66Qzh?si=7gAqKc6IRVCnKfR0QibDWg

Songs featured in this episode are:

Blue Eyes: https://open.spotify.com/track/7DirY6NZx5zbsNChNHUZNb?si=c609d13202c64e46

Bubblegum On My Boots: https://open.spotify.com/track/7rpkHhI6GttrGTphdCNYIC?si=35ac7acea7a04035

Bubblegum On My Boots Today: https://open.spotify.com/track/5xSbVtcrrNp36uwltJFKfb?si=999ac73d32b84ac3

Little: https://open.spotify.com/track/1rJ0NNDUPUGPeU8I9xHHqP?si=2b8e2e838f934b98

X: https://open.spotify.com/track/3n3K0SzVpeI9jdzhzHRd2b?si=6fe28f91ab414d11

Giant Love Affair: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Zk5DkUqVIrcr61xH0erFo?si=26e1966c542744cf

Gang Gang: https://open.spotify.com/track/2KGPdwbWakpMxzgH5bIVyc?si=21347a1fb9cf4dc7

Watch the documentary Springbok Nude Girls on Apple TV here: Springbok Nude GirlsApple TVhttps://tv.apple.com › movie › springbok-nude-girls

Also visit https://springboknudegirls.co.za/ for more info about the band.

You can download the Jimmy 12-Inch back catalogue here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ggsdl76bxyu2avj/AACYLtefCfS07_gVEVM1tOaqa?st=uhrgrcpq&dl=0

________

Follow me on social media at:

Instagram: @adamstanleydrums /

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563275038371

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This episode sees me talk to Martin 'Cito' Otto, vocalist and songwriter for South African pop-rock-funk legends Wonderboom. A true gent, he waxed lyrical about their history and some choice moments from their incredible career. They're a band absolutely devoted to the stage and crafting the best songs they can - successfully giving the middle finger to convention while writing stuff that's totally memorable and accessible.

Visit https://www.wonderboom.co.za/ for more info!

Songs featured in this episode are:

My Name Is Freedom: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/my-name-is-freedom/1730584928?i=1730585329

Miss Demeanour: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/miss-demeanour/1730584928?i=1730585344

Smile Pantsula: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/smile-pantsula/1510392528?i=1510392538

She Cries: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/she-cries/1510392528?i=1510392536

Space Man (Springbok Nude Girls): https://music.apple.com/gb/album/space-man/1258394974?i=1258395222

Charlie: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/charlie-aint-slavin-2-da-habit/588691527?i=588691606

Shadows: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/shadows-2001-barney-simons-shadows-2001-remix/588691527?i=588691752

Southern Light: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/southern-light/1634644523?i=1634644531

Never Ever Ever: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/never-ever-ever-ever/582363370?i=582363373

Ooh La La: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/ooh-la-la/1634644523?i=1634645210

Animal: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/animal/1634652426?i=1634652433

Hell: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/hell-single/1634664216

Songs featured by my solo project ThumbOfRule are:

Last To Leave: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/last-to-leave-single/1580286542

Caught In Time: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/caught-in-time/971275559

Thanks to Cito for his time and kindness in helping me put this episode together.

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This episode sees me talking with singer Kahn Morbee and guitarist Paul Hodgson, some good friends as well as very well known names on the South African scene (and internationally too).

I first toured with the Parlotones in 2002 and we shared many a stage over a couple of years, including one in London. I immediately knew they were absolutely class songwriters and wasn't surprised when their trajectory just kept going up and up.

Even so, they've done some pretty amazing things few SA bands have achieved, and it's been an absolute blast to delve into their past, explore their evolution, learn about triumphs and lower points, and share some pretty funny stories.

Explore the Parlotones and get connected to their socials here: https://theparlotones.co.za/

Parlotones songs featured in this episode:

Colourful

Beautiful

Push Me To The Floor

Here Comes A Man

Giant Mistake

Ashton Nyte - 'Rivers Run Back'

Boo - 'Lucki'

Neon Choir - 'Young Blood'

Anova Skyward - 'Caught in Time'

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Perez were one of my favourite SA bands, probably one of the top three I listened to - and they were mates and peers, so a very meaningful band to me and musically very unique in the scene. This was important, especially when the scene was generating some like-for-like versions of overseas bands - Perez kept their identity and kept the song as the main focus, with some highly impressive vocal and instrumental chops to boot.

What made them work so well was the tight friendship and musical understanding between the four members - something that becomes difficult to achieve later in life. Check some of this early magic in Tamsyn Curtis' awesome documentary: https://youtu.be/YsrILzwhe0Y?si=wZdCzOesIDt_tQin

Their live shows were transfixing, with all of them exuding magnetism and just knowing how to work a stage, and their best gigs were ones where they would collectively get lost in the music. They did some big things during their short tenure, were played all over national radio and headlined many festivals - which is why so many still love them.

They didn't reach the heights they could have, and have all moved on to other projects, but the music speaks for itself. Go and get it.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4G30SsYmThGzZPCCyDN1bH?si=7mP-9FhyQnyHMtfIscgTPA

https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/perez/1538334873

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Esjay Jones hails from Durban, South Africa - the same town as me - so we've gigged and hung out quite a bit in the past. She went on to front the successful SA pop-rock band Stealing Love Jones before making the big leap to the USA where she pursued and achieved a very impressive songwriting and music production career.

She's collaborated with people like Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Brian 'Head' Welch (Korn), Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chill Peppers), Shifty Shellshock (Crazy Town), Alien Ant Farm and Morgan Lander (Kittie). In fact, the collab with Lander led to the creation of the pair's alcohol-free beer phenomenon, KittiePIG (https://kittiepig.com).

And that doesn't tell half the story - how her unique talent, drive and determination has seen her through, taken her places most musicians only aspire to. Hopefully our chat uncovers at least some of that.

Thanks for your time Esjay, it was a real fun one!

Find out more about Esjay Jones: https://www.esjayjones.com/

Listen to We Are PIGS: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QRmv4wNihLdpSIjRxFFrz?si=DuHBmFh4TyGhefqecBXrpw / https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/we-are-pigs/1545506097

Listen to Stealing Love Jones: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1h5Z07yv6lnDhygWTDmCGE?si=Drbw1WzVSd68xcWyQWUfFQ / https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/stealing-love-jones/280223554

Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EU9T2T2wFtIZGwhYeYkxx?si=CTjGWZFMTheaK7iTCnhOXQ / https://open.spotify.com/artist/5sHBcFmZOnDRoyIcJCtvI9?si=8wG3vDRaSgqhqH-gN3fxVQ

Listen to my music on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/thumbofrule/1560754178 / https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/anova-skyward/971275560

Download Caught In Time and other tracks: https://anovaskyward.bandcamp.com/album/caught-in-time / https://thumbofrule.bandcamp.com/album/bad-hair-in-the-house-of-the-king

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Fokofpolisiekar are a household name in South Africa, and rightly so - their honest, insightful and highly intelligent lyrics are delivered with powerful, intricate guitar work, propulsive drums and bass, and Francois Van Coke's raw-throated vocal. And it's this magic combination that formed a band who truly connect with people, on multiple levels and across genres and walks of life.

The band's history is well summed up in the epic documentary 'Fokofpolisiekar' - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.0eafcf3f-cc57-9552-80ed-bf687d8c6276?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb

And Francois has now told another side of the story in his awesome book, 'Hoe Ek Dit Onthou' - https://woordfees.co.za/en/program/francois-van-coke-hoe-ek-dit-onthou/

Fokof continue to be very active, both as a band and in their various side projects including Van Coke Kartel and AKing. Their last album 'Dans Deur Die Donker' came out in 2023, so there's a lot of creative mileage left in the tank - and it's befok.

In this short but awesome chat we tried to get to the heart of what made Fokof so great.

Find out more about Fokofpolisiekar here: https://www.fokofpolisiekar.co.za/

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Sugardrive were a formative influence on me and I was beyond thrilled when my friend Kerry-Anne Allerston hooked me up with Paul, singer of this legendary South African band. Their debut, 'Hey God It's Me Again' made a massive impact on all of us, and 'Sand.Mand.Sky' is a bona fide classic record. The song 'Disco Lazarus' off third album 'When I Died I Was Elvis' took them to new heights with extensive national airplay.

No wonder they headlined Oppikoppi multiple years running, they were just untouchable live.

We talked right through their career and Paul was astute, well-spoken and a real laugh throughout. Also, he remembered everything really clearly, which was a real treat. This episode is a proper full circle moment and I am super proud to be able to have recorded it. Thank you so much to Paul and Kerry-Anne for making this happen.

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Garth Barnes is the signer/guitarist/songwriter for Tweak (now CrashCarBurn) who dominated South African radio in the early 2000s with their incredibly catchy and relatable pop-punk songs.

Scoring multiple chart singles across their early albums, Tweak became a household name and bridged the gap between the pioneering early 90s SA rock bands with the modern, more internationally-flavoured second wave of bands and beyond. Supporting massive international artists, they took off like a rocket and tried to hold on.

Tweak was renamed CrashCarBurn when the band relocated to London, UK, and changed members along the way. While they never reached the insane heights of the Tweak days, CCB have released four outstandingly written and produced albums, and continue performing to this day. I loved this chat, as Garth and I have somewhat of a parallel history in the early 2000s.

Please, do enjoy.

TWEAK: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5a111cSPcXfRJAbY2MdtLS?si=rZqeAIL9TGC325nXeyySlg

CRASHCARBURN: https://open.spotify.com/artist/184sdcjHnD6iVWbPEhxJoC?si=tZVeQIbHTrumxYmHs0B-7g

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The hilarious singer/guitarist talks about meeting Prince Charles, supporting Bon Jovi and Def Leppard - and the very beginning of the South African Music Explosion of the 1990s.

What a treat - Alistair is so funny and remembered everything so clearly, the conversation just flowed. It really pulled together some important pieces of the SA music jigsaw in the context I'm trying to present it in. Please enjoy this fantastic conversation with a very unique and charismatic human.

LISTEN TO ARAPAHO:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yA0PesbdKjJz16gjF1vjF?si=HqN3bwAXT0mQv4bT9257Qw

ArapahoApple Musichttps://music.apple.com › artist › arapaho

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Ard Matthews and Just Jinjer were 90s icons in South Africa, selling more records than anyone and releasing timeless singles that still evoke memories for many South Africans. Ard, Brent and Denhiolm enjoy busy and evolving music careers to this day, testament to their exceptional talent and work ethic - and how beloved they remain.

I enjoyed this chat even though Ard said he can't remember a lot of the 90s! He was definitely a rockstar to me back in the day, so this was kind of a big deal. Still, given how many mutual friends we have, it's mad we never met before.

Listen to Just Jinjer:

APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/just-jinjer/156238572

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ywF40MvBzMeS8jijufoao?si=OuO-xZrZRI6uLV1zy--0kw

YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@justjinjer6110?si=T77e6fJjJPY1LkAC

My new ThumbOfRule single 'Heavy Bones' releases Friday 7 February 2025!

APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/thumbofrule/1560754178

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EU9T2T2wFtIZGwhYeYkxx?si=VCeoshJAQmKrD67w0H72Gw

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@adamstanleydrummer7532

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John Ellis and Tree63 have written some of the catchiest, most heartfelt songs to come out of South Africa - and their message is one of faith, hope and personal spiritual connection. John is a gifted songwriter with a knack for melody and arrangement, and a brilliantly honest lyric writing style that has captured hearts and ears all over the world.

I loved this conversation about Tree63's message, their journey, and how John thinks about being a South African - and a South African in music.

We first connected over a fascinating piece he published, "10 South African Songs That Taught Me To Be South African". Check out his beautifully written and insightful blog here: https://johnelliswords.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/ten-south-african-songs-that-taught-me-to-be-south-african/

LISTEN TO TREE63 ON APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/tree63/19515964

LISTEN TO TREE63 ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6x5SSOrpZwjUi8zfLBOQi7?si=2cngrUN2Q4WzUdqMEpiFdA

CHECK OUT TREE63 ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@treesixtythree2538

READ JOHN'S BLOG: https://johnelliswords.wordpress.com/

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The South African scene wouldn't be what it was without community - and there were arguably no stronger examples than the metal and punk communities that spanned the country. While there was friendly competition, there was ultimately support and collaboration at every turn.

That's the era I came up in, and so talking with these three friends was not only a hilarious treat, but also very meaningful as we reconnect after some 20 years.

I'll let the episode do the talking...

PESTROY:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTydtWH0kF2VQlV_DP3MFuQ

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3baf1D1VQZUemM5vrukbLW?si=zNQxpOh9Srub4qOPBOT7vw

https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/pestroy/254875730

16STITCH:

https://youtu.be/3XglpfkD2wI?si=VvEwoiWLYa0TASxi

NEWTOWN KNIFE GANG:

https://www.youtube.com/@newtownknifegang

https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/newtown-knife-gang/437204292

MARLOWE:

13 videosPlay all

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ZY49Da5Jtv8pfmea1XWdu?si=AkZRbZG8Q0iFKHp9g_zz3A

https://music.apple.com/gb/album/lines-from-the-broken-telephone/1377206148

HOKUM

https://www.youtube.com/@HOKUMBANDSA

https://open.spotify.com/artist/06zsO0gfNuux6sp6vSYRBV?si=XoSrJ-gbSmyoOmUc883J4g

https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/hokum/379976432

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Hanu De Jong is a powerful force as a live vocalist and frontman, but his artistic evolution also matches his onstage presence.

Progressing from brawling, beer-soaked 7-string riffs and mind-bending time shifts with Not My Dog, he formed melodic rock outfit The Narrow in the early 00s with his brother Emile (also a co-founder of NMD), proving beyond doubt his ability to craft epic, evocative melodies and a not insignificant set of vocal chops.

Hanu is astute, funny, kind and focused on constantly creating - all of which came through clearly in this awesome conversation.

NOT MY DOG:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notmydogband

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7p5v2JRt5D9QjHn3u8h16T?si=MZ_2k3AARPKdySg-I2Wk5w

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/not-my-dog/472990925

THE NARROW:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hanu0303

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/00hP5aJk3HbvFpXzcBeSl3?si=8enxa0wVQ32XLoUjw9D3bQ

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/the-narrow/299435311

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