BetweEn a rOCk aNd a hard plAcE

Picking up from where we left off on music videos, Kenyan rock band decided to take a trip down memory lane. Its 2010 and social media is abuzz with rumors of a new terror in town. Tall tales caught everyone’s attention. His description: tougher than Chuck Norris, too big to fit in Wikipedia the subject of the boogieman’s nightmares. If he were caught between a rock and a Hard place the latter would get hurt. Ringing any bells? It wasn’t a bird or plane. It was MAKMENDE. This bell bottom donning, afro combing, smile deprived badass took the Kenyan music scene by storm. An invention of the Kenyan band “just a band’, this Kenyan superhero was meant to promote their music video Hahe. It was online marketing at its finest. It took them from an unknown Kenyan band to recognizable brand.

The video itself is a poster child for Kenyan humor.   With colorful characters like Makmende, Abscordita, Wrong Number and taste of Daynja, the video left many in stitches. Makmende was such a hit he even got the attention of the Wall Street Journal.

This single instance underscored the power of the internet in marketing music. The video got more than 20000 views and gave the infamous #KOT(Kenyans On Twitter) something to talk about for a while. More than anything, it had a great effect on Kenyan pop culture. The Afro was once again back in style. And still is (we think lol). Makmende was also Kenya’s first truly viral meme. The jokes were also colorful (Kenyan rock band remembers something about using Viagra for eye drops?) It also showed the extent which a little grit, humor and creativity could do for a Kenyan Band. Anything is possible.

OctoBeR KenYaN ROck SceNe

Who would have thought? 2013 is drawing to a close.What’s new in the Kenyan rock scene you ask? First off, Murfy’s flaw released their new music video “steal a beat” in September.  It features the band in club setting with well-choreographed dancers in the background. The music of course stays true to Murfy’sflaw mellow style. The song would not be complete without Number Nine’s (lead guitarist) modal riffs.

 murfy's flaw: from the left Punky, Jozie, Vicky , Jojo and Reema, courtesy of get mziki

 Dove Slimme has also been making great inroads in local charts(X FM to be more specific). This Kenyan rock band launched their EP earlier this year. Their single, Leo ni leo made it to X FM’s top 500: Number 29. Leo ni leo also remained on the weekly top 30 for more than three weeks.

ParkingLotGrass is representing Kenya in a German rock festival. 49 metal Zone is going down in Bayrueth Germany from the 24^th to 26^th October. Kenyan rock band would like to wish them all the best. You can also start preparing for Nairobi Rockfest early this year. It will be on December 7^th. South African rock band BOARGAZM will be headlining the event. Kenyan rock bands performing will include, Last Year’s Tragedy, Murfy’s flaw, ParkingLotGrass and Claymore Project. Start saving up, damage is 1000 shillings.

WhAt mAkes A gReaT KenYaN RocK VideO?

In this day and age the music video has become synonymous with great Kenyan rock music. But what makes a music video stand out. Kenyan rock band thought we’d weigh in with our own non-expert opinion.  It’s pretty obvious that you have to be unique. Music videos are a dime a dozen. People need incentive to watch your Kenyan rock video. Offer something different:  a dude in a doggy costume or perhaps a badass with an enormous Afro and an attitude problem. The only limits here are your imagination and budget. 

Don’t forget to tell a story. Take Tafadhali’s (by music to overdrive) video for instance. It tells the tale of struggling guitarist who eventually finds other musicians after misfortune and a few lucky breaks. Also, the Kenyan ROck video should be captivating. It would be a plus if viewers don’t know what is going on till the end. You do not have to match the story with the lyrics exactly. Give yourself a little creative license. Leave a lasting impression. Everyone remembers Just a Band's Hahe and Makmende. While not every video will go viral, it’s a great example of imagination and creativity in a Kenyan rock video. Of course there is the most important part: the music. The video is only an extension of the music. A great Kenyan rock video will do nothing for ear numbing noise. Otherwise have fun with it. And speaking of Kenyan rock videos check the recently released steal a beat by Murfy's Flaw.

What is your opinion of a great video?

MInD yOur moSH Pit MAnNers

Mosh Pit etiquette fits the definition of oxymoron perfectly: two words that mean entirely opposite things. In the midst of the head banging, hoarse screaming and shoving it’s hard to imagine any kind of order or code exists. Honestly though, some things you do in the mosh pit will lose you teeth. That is someone will knock them out for you. So what are the dos and don’ts of the mosh pit? First and foremost, know what you are getting into. People get hurt in the pit and if you aren’t prepared for that then stay at home and watch TV. Frankly if someone started crying in the middle of a pit I’d kick him in the nuts for the hek of it.  There will be some blood, saliva and sweat involved. It might not necessarily be yours. You should be prepared to get dirty. It is all part of the fun. And speaking of dirt, wear an outfit you don’t mind ruining. Your clothes should be light and comfortable. You might consider losing your spikes temporarily too.

Whatever you do, don’t be a dick. Leave the people in the side-lines alone. They aren’t in it because they don’t want to be. If someone falls help them up. A serious injury is a sure way of ending any concert. Copping a feel in the pit is a as low as you can stoop. Many a mosh pit have broken down to fist throwing, bone breaking frenzies because of jerks who take the fun too far. Do not be that guy. Avoid doing anything that takes away from the music.  It is why everyone is there to begin with. Kenyan metal fans are tight nit group. You should treat them like family.  Mind your surroundings. Keep a look out for other people. If someone wants to hard-core dance alone let them. But by all means shove everyone else on the floor.

Mosh-taliation can be a bitch. Do not start shit in the pit. One wrong move and you’ll be recovering from a broken nose. If however you get on someone’s bad side by accident, there are a number of way to handle it. My personal preference is flashing the horns and mouthing an apology. Of course the classical ‘it wasn’t me’ me approach could work. You need to be pretty convincing though. But most importantly, do not show any weakness. If it comes down to it, defend yourself.

Now Kenyan rock band has had it said that fighting is an integral part of moshing. We agree that some aggression cannot be avoided.  But having been around the Kenyan Rock Scene a few times, we can safely say fighting is a no no.  An unintentional elbow to the jaw won’t kill you. Laugh it off and move on. We haven’t got punched in the face yet . Kenyan Rock band supposes we are doing something right. Mind your mosh pit manners!

COOL ON THE INSIDE; Dove Slimme's new EP

Dove slimme launched their first EP on the 6th of July to much fanfare at Tree Tops restaurant. Backing up the ensemble were Parkinglotgrass and claymore project. Dubbed Cool on The Inside, the Kenyan rock band says its about state of mind and not forcing issues.

"Live it! Love it!Rock it! Everyone is cool on the inside, you just have to find that place" -Dove Slimme

The EP has an edgy urban feel to it

 The EP has an edgy contemporary rock feel to it typical of Dove Slimme. In relentless pursuit of the 'unkown unkown' Cool on the Inside would not be complete without the experimental mixing of English and Kiswahili as in the track Leo ni Leo. Some ululation is thrown in for good measure. Dove Slimme told Kenyan rock band  they wanted to have fun with the sound as well as telling stories. The six track EP features Dove Slimme's own version of the national anthem, Leo ni Leo, Party at The Barn, Vertigo, Identity and Yelele. Kenyan Rock fans may already be familiar with the hits Yelele and Party at the barn. Leo ni leo was singularly released two weeks ago. This Kenyan rock band is not resting on its laurels though. Dove Slimme is already working on new material to be unveiled soon. An album is in the works with what will go into it largely depending on the response to the EP. You can get your own copy at the Hedgehog Creative at Sarit, Textbook Centre or simply call 0721607177 to have it delivered. Cool on the inside will soon be available online as well. Dove Slimme is planning a  series of gigs and shows to promote their EP so be on the look out. Check out their website doveslimme.com and revebnation page and stay informed.