KenYan rOck sCene: UP COmiNg EvenTs

It'll be an eventful couple of weeks starting with Ramps and Amps this weekend. the event will include a battle as well as a guest acts such as Murfy's Flaw, PLG, Claymore project and last years tragedy. if you're an extreme sports fan then the French school next to Yaya centre is the place to be. What's the damage you ask; 350 bob only and al proceeds go to charity. Kosa uchekwe!
Next up we have the Nairobi Rockfest on December 8th. The event promoted by the Rumble on STV will be headlined by the Botswanan metal band-- Skinflint. Having released for albums to date and selling 100000 records last year, this internationally acclaimed band has shared the stage with Metallica, Carcass, Wrust just to name a few Metal scene giants. It's understandable if you're air guitaring from excitement. You could always get tickets to the real action at ticketsasa.com or at the venue. Local bands backing up SKinflint include Parking Lot Grass, Last Year’s Tragedy, Rock of Ages, Mortal Soul and Absence of Light are the . The organizers promise the most modern stage, lighting and sound effects to boot, all worth the sh 1000 it'll cost you at the gate(of club Ichonic at Ngong race).

oCtobEr KenYan Rock scEne

Halloween, beer, great music political nut jobs and just outright craziness. This October was just one of those months that you don't forget. It was no different for the local rock scene either. Some days were good others great and yet others disastrous. As it so happens the two most important events in any rockheads calender, the ROckToberfeSt and the OcktOberFesT fall on this month.

Starting with the former, all reports indicate it was a nightmare, and not in a cool dark, goth, metallic sort of way. It sucked (for most people that is). From an inconvenient Venue (volar club), unpaid rock bands, disappointing VIP section and a late sound check. The negative feedback was so much they had to shut down the Rocktoberfest Facebook page. I still cant believe the organizers made all but two bands (Parkinglot grass and last years tragedy) play pro bono. They had nothing but the gratitude of their fans and the love of rock to pull them through the night. That isn't to say it no fun was had. There was lots going on outside in the parking lot where most of the music was played. The DJ's trans and house mix wasn't that bad either.

Away from the gloom, this years Ocktoberfest kicked off with what was dubbed as the biggest battle of the bands in Kenya. Around 20 bands made an appearance including local favourites Music to Overdrive, Dove Slimme and Parkinglot grass. Less known bands such as The Nini, The Njeri kahare project and Corders band were also not left out. With lots of beer flowing and great music the festival made for a great close to the month. And true to form Parkinglot grass carried the day winning the battle once again.

parkinglot grass celebrating their win.

What November has in store for rockheads is still hazy but the next rock therapy will be on December 14th and Murfy's Flaw will be making an appearance in Ramps and amps come November 24th and so will PLG. We'll keep you posted.