Alternative-indie-pop-punk-rock influenced photography

Lets grow old together!

2009-03-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

Lets grow old together and die at the same time - The White lies

It was AwEsOmE

2009-03-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

Organised Distortion drove down to Durban last week, Woody & I took turns with the driving then Mamaki & Bongani took turns with the lighting and ashing of cigarettes for us (the drivers). “Spikiri” Woody’s golf-1 broke down just as we were about to join N3, coming from Mamaki’s house; the alternator was fucked.

We grabbed a random mechanic; he got us on the road again for (+- R250).
We travelled in peace from there on and got to Durban in one peace. We got a warm welcome from Thule (expresso sishi) Saneli (Moonchild) and her left wing Rowan.

Yesterday I had to leave all my friends in Durban....I’m starting work on Monday!

Let’s go on together

and die at the same time – White Lies

UPDATE

2009-02-05T01:53:00.000-08:00

While I was studying an intermediate photography course at Market Photo WorkShop, some of my friends urged me to apply for a mentorship programme available to students. I applied, and was fortunate enough to get funding for an upcoming solo exhibition.

I’m now slowly pulling near the final stages of its production and I keep getting inconsistent feedback from people that I show my work to. The initial idea clashes with the traditional narrative method of how stories are told, when working within a photographic medium.

The thing is, that I’m very young and still have a lot to explore in the world of photography, and for now I’m finding it quite difficult to adapt to the various ways other photographers work, and the impact photographic traditions and conventions bear on contemporary photography. When I got this funding, I saw it as an opportunity to find myself as a photographer, discover my weak and strong points, and explore with ways of working that best suit me.

My background is like this: photography has always been my thing, though I had never really explored a camera until mid- 2006, before doing my short course - It was magazine madness, music and scrap-booking all the way! I hardly read about the nitty-gritty of photography and its histories; I cared less. I went with the works that fascinated me, and fastened a knot with my gut feel.

This is the kind of attitude I instilled in my work, up to a certain point, but fortunately this project has allowed me to twist my ways a little when it comes to reading and researching about photographers and works that appeal to me. This has becomes one of the major highlights for me during the production of alternative-kidz.

Raw, is what John Fleetwood (the head of Market Photo Workshop) titled this process, when I explained to him my intensions and steps I took & opt to take during the last process of building up this project.

My one and only concern, is that I’ll end-up with work that is not appealing to me, if I following a certain trend just to fit in with what is mainstream. At the same time, I’m anxious of killing my project if I go too explorative with it.

Later…

When your times on the door,

And it drips to the floor,

And you feel you can touch,

All the noise is too much,

And the seeds that are sown,

Are no longer your own - Joy Division

OLD SCHOOL NEW SCHOOL WHO'S WHO

2009-01-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

Liam Lynch reckons’ we (New skool kidz) do not understand the old school culture and we’ll never do….! Well, I’ve been feeding myself with JOY DIVISION and T.C. MATIC lately which I think blows me off like non of the bands that I’ve claimed are my favorite…these are the bands that when I’m listening to I sort of feel butterflies running in my stomach, getting exited and spiritual at the same time.

At the same time, The Wombats (News skool kidz), my favourite band of all times "oOpS", have done a track titled let’s dance to Joy Division also puts me on the very same mood that I've talk about when I listen JD and TC-M.

What I intend to say is…sometimes you don’t have to spend time trying to understand everything that interest you, just allow these things to execute their thrilling sway to you. Go with the flow and try by all means not to lie to yourself, and then just be…yourself.

What do you think L?’

Organised Distortion

2009-01-20T02:52:00.001-08:00

Hanging out with musicians when you cannot even play one instrument can be a little bit shitty sometimes. while on a visit to Durban this past weekend, I met with people who are so determined about their music, what I mean is…when I got there on Friday, we went to Urban Zulu concept store – where Organized Distortion played their first gig after an eight months break. And then it was music, pool, cigarettes and a lot of crap talks from Thato (as always) all the way till about 4am at the place we crashed at. If a can here a sound of an piano anytime soon….only I know what I’ll do to who ever that will be playing it.

I am feeling a bit sick, I need meds.

I DO NOT NEED IT

2009-01-07T01:51:00.000-08:00

I and January have never seen eye to eye and we will never do, it isn’t about going back to work or anything of that breed…it is just against me. I extremely dislike people who ask and tell about the new years resolutions and how out of this world their holidays were…Aaagrrg! Somebody please help. I think I would really do better with one year, two routines and two activities.

It’s 1969 forever

Find a girl, have a drink,

Have a dance and play - Babyshambles

Happy New Year!

The twenty fourth of December

2008-12-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

She passed out as Thato and Bongani were still refreshing on old Organized Distortions’ songs, they went on and on and I was sitting and watching as they composed and sang new and old songs (inside my heart I was singing too).

3 am on Christmas we went out for “a drive just around the area to see what people do during this in time in DK...just for the fuck of it” - Thato, By that time Two new songs had already been fit for human consumption.

I dig Organized Distortions.....

What's the word again.....???

2008-12-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

I don’t know if there is a type of wording that is there for telling a feeling of seeing a sublime friend of all times, who at some point you tried to move on without as they too-up a lonely journey to find their own alchemy in the Egyptian pyramids (Rest, meditation, contemplation and so forth).

On the 13th of this month I received a call from RED-EYE, CARTOON CHAOS OR WOODY if not THATO (choose any that you like) telling me that he’s on a queue to a flight that is coming back Home.

Rad!!!

I introduced him to Nathi (Re-burth) and got him to check Nathi on stage this Saturday at Ipelegeng hall – Soweto (nice one Mr. Louw), all done with the intention of getting him in the mood for Organised Distortion aka OD. We are getting BoNgAnI (the OD bassist and a mate) soon from the Vaal then SaN (OD Vocals and a villain Lol) I shall then update you from then on what is coming...

TULIPS

2008-12-11T23:35:00.000-08:00

When you said tulips, I knew that you're mine. Crying in the night, wearing my jacket. Wearing that smile, I knew that I'd found you. This could be an opportunity. If you promise to let it, If you promise to let it grow...'Cos you're the one I love'

- bloc party

Got KICKED-OUT at Tempo's

2008-12-07T23:24:00.000-08:00

I had a first clash with the bouncers on Saturday for photographing at Tempo’s with out the accreditation. I have never had an incident like this ever since I started taking pictures at gigs; maybe I should not read too much into it, could possibly be a “pull-up socks on professionalism call”.

The shit thing about it though is that they could not even let me say bye to a good pal of mine that I met for the first time in person, CEEJAY, whom I reckon thinks am an ass for disappearing with out saying bye…

I’m easy though…I managed to get enough pictures before the riot started. The line-up was super awesome, hi-5.

I don't want to hear you

(Kick me out, kick me out)

I don't want to hear, you know

(Kick me out, kick me out) - arctic monkeys

Easy

"Closed For The Season"

2008-12-01T01:59:00.000-08:00

Called you up a few weeks ago, thought I was going nowhere. I thought that I had lost my mind and that I was sinking lower. I want to have all the things that I have never had and your about to tell me how or I'll hurt you pretty bad.

So I'll ask you once. I'll ask you twice and if you still can't give a reason! I'll hang a blue sign over your left eye saying 'CLOSED FOR THE SEASON'

Called you up a few days ago cause I still had gotten nowhere. Although I had found a place to go and I was about to go there! But I want to be seated cause I had enough of walking. So you better start giving me answers before my right hand does the talking.

Called you up not long ago cause I still had gotten nowhere! And I was pretty sure now that I had sunken lower All my patience gone and I was getting pissed. I want to own the world and you to taste my fist.

- THE HIVES

OH WOMAN MY WOMAN

2008-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

My baby is going away to Kimbarly for two weeks. She'll be working with SAFA, we spent a day together on Monday the 24th beacause she will not make it to crazy 88 on friday to see Gonzo republuc, Desmond and the tutu's and the Cokestrokes. She's a sweet something...

Oh woman, my woman
I want to talk with you

Oh woman, my woman
I need to see you through

Oh, light can shine I can
see your smile.

Can go strolling in the park,
holding hands in the dark.

-KINGS OF COMPELATIONS

Queen of spades

NOT EVEN IN TOWN!

2008-11-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

My boys are scatted; they’re out and about in their own little universes...they are NOT EVEN IN TOWN!

I STILL REMEMBER

2008-11-14T06:17:00.000-08:00

I remember when the first thing that rang on my mind when I woke up in the morning was soccer!

I remember when I was young, my mother had bought drum magazine and there was a Benni McCarthy poster: she put it on my wall without me knowing ‘when I saw it…I was screaming on the top of my lungs’….happiness.

I remember when weekends use to mean nothing to me other than dust and bruised feet from long day fifty bucks bets tournaments….damn!

It all happend before I started fucking around with a radio.

I remember when I use to be a soccer fan!

bUt i WaS nEvEr
AnY gOoD!

Rock Therapy # Five

2008-11-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

People came in their great numbers yesterday to attend the fifth rock therapy session. They all dedicated their time just to get a glimpse of REBIRTH; well they have been doing it for the past four shows and it has become a diary essential for most of them...same here.

Rebirth (the band) are the organisers of these sessions and are the only band that is currently playing there, never mind that though because shit gets hectic in an awesome way when these dudes are on the roll.

This week the weather wasn’t looking great; they then decided to do the set-up in Nathi’s room which is...I don’t know how big in square mitres, but I know for the fact that it doesn’t take all fifty people at the same time plus instruments. Anyways, everybody was cramped inside there and shit started to happen; people started pogo dancing inside that space, pushing each other against the walls and getting high over the distortions of Rebirth and everything else that one can get high on...

On the 29th of November ’08, they’ll be playing at the Pimeville skate park with other guests that they’ve mentioned, will update that info as soon as I keep in touch with Nathi again.

aLtErNaTiVe DeDiCaTiOn
To aLL rOcK tHeRaPy

PeOpLe AnD rEbIrTh

Liam Lynch : Walk about for "A Claude Glass"

2008-11-08T02:12:00.000-08:00

In my ideal world, I would wake up every morning before commencing any action and listen to sublime talks by sublime people as a source of a kick for the day.

G.O.D made it possible for me today.

Nice one mate
x

A GET UP AND GO SONG

2008-10-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

THIS IS MY GET UP AND GO SONG
There is so much to be done in such an inch space of time. Shit has not been on the roll lately, I need to tighten shit up production wise, guidance…. guidance… guidance is what I am in need of.

I am shooting straight-up following my guts which I sometimes doubt that they’re doing me any justice.

I sometimes find myself on the dead-end of my being, wishing and waiting for a lift that might or might not happen in time...

BuT tHiS pOsT iS mY gEt Up SoNg,
i'll wAiT fOr ThE LlfT wHilSt
I Am GoInG forwad.

The 25th of October @ Tempo's :Make your own Woodstork!

2008-10-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

"Come out in your great numbers I've got a very importend announcement to make"
First and foremost: The first and third image on the top strip are of one of the bands that kicked my ass on Saturday, unfortunatley I couldn't get their name and I so wanna check them out next time...Somebody please help me with their link or something...

Last but not least: Me and the kidz went to Tempo's last Saturday to check- out Make your own woodstock at Tempo's.

I got to school myself with new awesome....awesome...awesome bands like The cokestrokes , The Privates international band and more. The privates gave out free CD's and a friend of mine catched three of them and gave out two to some chicks with a hope of getting their numbers in exchange...he's plan was a flop, but the chicks got the CD's.....eishhh

Feeling betrayed on a Thursday afternoon

2008-10-23T07:32:00.000-07:00

Two favourite mates of all times are fucking me-up, I really feel neglected and betrayed!

1. They promise to never 4get Alternative-kid wherever they go then they step on it as they find their way up the hill!

2. They are promising to give Alternative kid a hand but they seem to be folding it back at the time where I need it the most...

Can't fight!
There's no escaping the factsI tried to help but I failed

I want my wasted hours back
And I want my head to clear
And I have this bad taste in my mouth

I'm drip fed these pictures
And now my words abandon me
The fraction that still me
Said this lives not all it could be

Can't fight, decide a future
Let's dance, you're so robotic
Times up, refill the meter
This disappointment's so electric - The Automatics

We have got no time

2008-10-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

The only thing we have always wished for is to spend as much time as we can possibly do together, then starting a band called “Curry rice”.
But nobody seems to have time. I normally spend Sunday afternoon lazing around my bed – if anybody can ask me why? I will answer them by saying “only god knows!”

This Sunday was a little bit different though; I got to spend time with long time favorite friends “Kenny and Sihle” in the park at Protea Glen.

If I think carefully about it though even think about roaming around at this point and time of my life is no option; I have a lot that is cooked for my plate for the near future...eish!!!

How many times have we slept side by side, a thousand miles apart?

And how many times have we thought we could finish something we could never even start?

How many times have I said I love you and I hate you in the same breath?

And how many times have we tried to grab something when there was nothing'...

We got no time we got no time

we got no time left at all

– Just Jack

When resentment strikes

2008-10-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

I am busy trying to compile self portraits from my archives and by photographing new ones for a possible presentation in Maputo. I am going to Maputo on the 11th of this month along with PDP and advanced students, my school is showing few of the exhibitions that the students has produced in the past few years and will also be hosting a couple of workshops / training.

I had an Idea for the presentation; but I find it difficult to implement at the moment as it is school holidays and my cousins from Emdeni came over to visit, we’re sharing my space which makes it difficult for me to do my work the way I am use to. So...JA!

I am just hoping my presentation will come-up eventually.
Ta.

Organized Distortion

2008-09-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

I'm missing these boys...

2006 - Levi's Rage for life

2008-09-19T07:17:00.001-07:00

28 September 2006
Levi's rage 4 life
Newtown

Johannesburg

Alternative spirit circling around 2toned kidz

ROCK THERAPY

2008-09-16T00:17:00.000-07:00

I got an invite to a ‘rock therapy’ session on the thirteenth of September. This is an ongoing monthly backyard tour session that is hosted by Rebirth- a three piece punk band from Soweto in Pimeville.
These dudes are hoping to move from yard to yard every second Saturday of the month around Soweto rocking and
Persuading clichéd minds to take note of this music; that is if they ever get granted permissions in few of their ideal places that they have approached.

I went to scout this session and I got hit by an overwhelming vibe and people, young kids singing the chorus along with Rebirth ‘I assume they know it from the weekly band rehearsals that they visit as the band rehearse outdoors at Nathis’ house – the vocalist and initiator of the band’.

Here are one or two personal turn offs which I hope will change as the vibe grows stronger and taller.

1- when I first got there... these dudes were playing my chemical romance and something that sounded like Merlyn Manson..., I have cut –off that shit on my preference list years ago; infect since I started to fuck with bands like Arctic monkeys, The Automatics, Desmond & The Tutu's, Howard Roak etc.

2- This other hit and miss dude who plays a guitar for this band portrayed himself as a guitar technician to me other than the drummer who stole my whole attention. This dude was playing a guitar with his teeth! Playing it backwards! It’s disgusting he should leave that to my boy Thato, ‘Redeye’ he knows how to do that trick better.

The last and the least...it was some random hip-hop vernacular rappers who then started to rap about Africa and there was another dude backing them-up with an acoustic-guitar, playing emotional rhythms! I won’t throw a heavy punch at that though because Nathi had said before that they accommodate hip-hop cats as they fill up the space and show support to Rebirth.

This does not stop me from supporting Rock therapy sessions though, I love it and I want to take part in it where possible or if they allow me to.

See you later...Alternative Kidz.

Damned

2008-09-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

Am I damned or it's just a thought...if not another episode that I have to go through as a young man?

I am walking on the uneven path that often leads me to the grumpy lands of...the wonerlands. I now and then bump into dead-end zones, I am numb!

I plead, they close their ears; they swiftly turn their backs towards my face and they glance on my feet! They look forward again and they tell me it will all be fine...in time. They’re moving forward and they leave me hanging. I cannot workout my way forward; I am damned.

Later... Kidz.

Something closer to core definition of revolution

2008-09-09T01:08:00.001-07:00

The rise of rock music and culture among the black youth is a new and exciting vibe that is very real to my social and age groups. However, it hasn’t yet made its core impact here at home; this vibe is happening in the USA with cultures like Afro-Punk.

In my research I have also come across bands like The Specials – a very impressive ‘ska-punk black and white Coventry’ band which was put together by Jerry Dammers in 1977. “I was aiming for revolution of racial harmony, of peace and unity” - JD. I have found very little of this being done here in South Africa. I have started however sub-consciously by photographing myself and friends who choose to dwell into rock music and culture as an alternative lifestyle to what is clichéd to our ethnic group for may social and political issues that we are faced with in our everyday lives.

I want my photography to challenge the stereo-types and stigmas attached to various races and cultures in S.A; breaking them and encouraging more relations between these groups and take-over from what THE SPECIALS has started...

Hello Alternative Kidz...