MAX NORMAL.TV: GOOD MORNING DURBAN, ONS IS HIER!

FRIDAY THE 13TH: BURN NIGHTCLUB
PHOTOS: Kevin Goss Ross
The Durban leg of Max Normal.TV's Good Morning South Africa, MTV RAPS, Puma-affiliated album launch tour was a pretty Loki affair; several confused and intrigued-looking Burn regulars, the members of Durban's early-'90s-neon-tracksuit-top, sideways-cap,indoor-sunglasses electro mafia that weren't heading off to Westville for The Social Workers, and me. As usual, “The man with the plan,” Max Normal, was his magically off-centre and intense, multi-personality-channeling, hip-hop misfit self. It's just a sad fact that these days, all art, it seems, needs advertising to survive. Everything needs to be "monetised" and made "viable" – as the "Neon Don Likes Puma", and "Yo-Landi's hair by Scar" additions to the new and revamped "visuals for the Max Normal.TV, high-energy hip hop, Powerpoint presentation" testify.

To quote photographer Kevin Goss Ross, Max Normal.TV's set was “A verbal massacre. A word tornado. No no, an insanity hurricane of kiff.” Backed by The Neon Don, Justin De Nobrega, and Yo-Landi Visser, Max spat and mumbled his way through a passionate tribute to oddball South Africa. According to the website, “Max Normal raps about real things that happen around him during his normal, every day life. Max Normal's world is a dark, dangerous and exotic place, full of all kinds of unexpected twists and turns” – from Tik, Eugene Terror, gay sex, and remixes of DJ Fuck, to little bits of Mickey Avalon, New Order, and even Marilyn Manson (“I don't like the drugs, but the drugs like me,” from “Tik, Tik, Tik”).


The bodymovin' vibe that Max Normal.TV managed to cultivate in that mixed bag of people is a tribute to both the band's commitment to their characters and their energy as performers (this time, Max/Waddy's role-playing even included momentarily-disappearing wardrobe changes).

Max Normal is a natural frontman. A born entertainer. And onstage, he's an uncontrollable force, with a dangerous-looking nervous twitch, and a tendency to ignite, and float uncomfortably over your head.

Watch the new music video for “Total Fuck Up” by clicking the link below. The video was written, directed and produced by Max Normal and Yo-Landi Visser.


In closing, here are some inspirational words from the main man himself, from the song “Love Is”:

“Choose the quickest way between two points.
Don't waste your energy on bullshit interaction.
Don't be scared of anything except letting yourself down.
Out do yourself. Work harder than anyone else.
Now, make very clear distinctions between parasites and creators.
Be a creator instead of a second hand, artificial flavour.
Do not concern yourself with anyone's opinion of your method, save your own.
Be three steps ahead of everyone, and I promise you'll make it home.
Don't sleep too much.”

Checkout www.maxnormal.tv for more info.

“If your days are dark, and your friends are few. Remember, Max Normal.TV is there for you.”

LOOK HOW FAR WE'VE COME - THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC VIDEOS

Hog Hoggidy Hog's "John And Phillip Song" was the first local music video I ever saw. Back then, I was blown away. I couldn't believe that a local band, a punk band, actually had their own video. Fast forward about 10 years, and now, everyone's got one. And they just keep getting better and better – just another sign that, despite our disbelief, the South African music scene is progressing at an alarming rate.

Here's our pick of some of the best new ones, as well as a few classic oldies:

CLICK THE SCREENGRABS TO WATCH THE VIDEOS!

FRESH OFF THE PRESSES:

aKING (ft. INGE BECKMAN)
"Safe As Houses"
Dutch Courage (2008)


Bellville brooders aKING's new video is more about the concept than the execution. It's about building castles and being forced to watch them fall, as you fight desperately, and futilely, to hold everything together in the storm. Beautiful in its simplicity. Inge Beckman is suspicious (and foolish) in her absence.

Directed by Flyonthewall.co.za

aKING.co.za

MAX NORMAL.TV (ft. DUPPIE)
"Total Fuck Up"
Good Morning South Africa (2008)


There's nothing normal about Max. Over the years he's just got weirder and weirder. Crazier and more outspoken. At first, I was skeptical of the new dot TV band – surely nothing could be as good as the old Max Normal, full band sound? But you just have to check him out. Listen to the music. See him live. Read his book. Order the toys. Or watch a video. And you'll soon realise the complexity, the all-encompassing nature, and the humour of what he's up to these days. Classic video.

Written, produced and directed by Max Normal and Yo-landi Visser (Love or Dork Films).

Max Normal.TV

DESMOND AND THE TUTUS
"Pictures"
Single (2008)


Silly, light-hearted and fun. Desmond and the Tutus are the little Pretoria punk kwela band that could – judging by their recent nationwide car advert. This latest video is another prozac dose of their trademark mixture of indie rock, African kwela rhythms, and the delicious way that they never take themselves too seriously.

Directed by Greg Rom (who directed Lark's "Moonlight").

Desmond and the Tutus Kids

STRAATLIGKINDERS
"Avontuur van 'n Hartbreek"
Bloeisels (2007)


Potchefstroom-based emo kids Straatligkinders (Streetlightchildren) have really gone all out on this one. Half shot on a X-ray machine, it's one of the most impressive local videos I've ever seen. Sure, it's a little generic. And they're only chasing safety. But they've found it. And X-rayed flesh tunnels look fucking cool!

Directed by Morgan Dingle.

Straatligkinders on MySpace

OLD CLASSICS:
CLICK THE SCREENGRABS TO WATCH THE VIDEOS!

LARK
"Moonlight"
Mouth of Me (re-issued 2007)


When I first saw it, this video reminded me of Bjork's "Army of Me". Seriously ahead of its time, the video is still impressive by today's raised standards. Lark disbanded in 2007.

Directed by Greg Rom.

Lark on MySpace

FOKOFPOLISIEKAR
"Ek Skyn (Heilig)"
Swanesang (2006)


This is still one of my favourite local music videos. Fokofpolisiekar really raised the bar for local bands when they exploded all over the local music scene, complete with world class music videos and an unfamiliar attitude that you've actually got to spend money to make money. Basically, it's a collection of moving photos, shot by photographer and honourable sixth band member Liam Lynch, on the band's tour to the UK. Last year, the video won an MK Award for Best Music Video.

Directed by Liam Lynch.

Fokofpolisiekar.co.za

TONIGHT WE DIE
UNKNOWN


This one, by Cape Town's Tonight We Die, really blew me away when it first came out. Come on. There's an animated robot in it! It does look and sound a little-dated today. But back then, wow.

Directed by Ben

TonightWeDie on MySpace

AND THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL (for me anyway):
CLICK THE SCREENGRABS TO WATCH THE VIDEOS!

Hog Hoggidy Hog
"John and Phillip Song"
Driving Over Miss Davie (2001)


"Oh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, ohhhh-oh-oh." There's something pretty special in this video's simple honesty, even today. It's fresh, funny, and a little piece of modern South African punk rock history (if you're into that kind of thing).

I don't know if the director is still alive, or sane. If you're out there. Let us know?

Hog Hoggidy Hog on MySpace