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a band Cassette was formed four years ago, has toured Europe extensively and is the only South African rock band to have travelled to Japan. It was nominated for three MTN South African Music Awards in 2007, an MTV Award for the Best Live Act in the world, as well as being voted ‘best live act’ at the 2009 Coke Fest by 5fm. With the release of a second album “Who Do You Trust?” Casette’s phenomenal rise is a given.
Speaking on the phone to Jon Savage, the lead singer, I had the opportunity to learn a little more about the band. The name Cassette was chosen quite simply as a name they could grow into. Think of the Beatles immediately Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison spring to mind - not an insect.
Cassette comprises five members: John Savage (vocals), Jane Breetzke (keyboard & vocals), Nathan Waywell (bass), Andrew Wessels (drums) and Alan Shenton (guitar). Their first album was light and fun. For the second album the five different personalities were taken into the production room for a more varied sound. According to Jon each member is very headstrong; with their own different styles, opinions and influences, resulting in a unique reinvented sound.
“Who Do You Trust?”, the second album, has been described as very heavy and somber - about life, death and the untrustworthy nature that has developed in us as a nation. Jon cites Johannesburg as an example saying: “If there is someone lying hurt in the road, it is human nature to want to help, but we don’t because we’ve lost our humanity and don’t trust people anymore - we don’t trust ourselves and are immediately suspicious of anyone”.
In the studio Cassette will do what needs to be done, but the band lives for the outrageous stage performances where each personality and talent shows how passionate they are. At the Oppikoppi festival last year, each member whipped off his shirt in front of the crowd and showed their personal opinions about Robert Mugabe, the controversial head of South Africa’s neighbour. Jon is quick to assure audiences that the members of Cassette are passionate, proud South Africans and not politically motivated. However, the band members are not scared to have their say and voice their opinions.
On asking Jon what Cassette’s highlights have been so far, he replied that there were so many. Narrowing it down these came to mind: meeting with Mandela at the 46664 concert; opening for Pink; touring in Japan; working with Mark Needham (who has collaborated with The Killers, Bloc Party & My Chemical Romance) and playing football with Snow Patrol.
Having succeeded in grabbing the attention of the South African market, Jon admits “they can only grow so big here, therefore, a move to the UK to make a mark on the International music scene is not out of the question”. Having toured the UK, they already have a fan base there and, with their up and coming European tour of Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and London, they will definitely increase this number.
You can see Cassette perform on stage at the Royal Show this Saturday evening (23rd May) alongside Prime Circle, Southern Gypsy Queens, The Ranks and JacSharp. Tickets for the Royal Show are R35.
Before the performance view “Who Do You Trust?” on YouTube - there are three different endings to look out for! |
