V

Good Tidings...

It’s Paramore! Yes Frankie, you of all people know that there is no honorary month without giving this band a mention. I don’t know, I think Paramore is one of those youthful bands you should be acquainted with, as a youth member. They are just tainted with refreshing punk songs which you can jam to in your room...alone...if you want! I mean, I study listening to them. It’s amazing also, the lyrics written by this lot. As a ‘youth person’, I can relate and find the humour in them. Paramore has single handily understood what we young rock lovers are after, and they are gradually gaining momentum. Honestly, each album released is better than the one before.

Hayley, we love you. That big voice is just the icing on top. The guys, we love you too. So, I can’t decide my favourite song by Paramore, but “Brick by Boring Brick”, from their album Brand New Eyes, is honestly one of those songs you listen to and wonder if the artist had been spying on you. The lyrics literally define me, and at first it gave me de creepos! Anywho, I first fell in love with them when I saw their song “Misery Business”, from their album Riot, on the telly and I thought, “By George, they are cool.” Next thing I know, I have uncontrollably been able to get my hands on their albums and I have grown a great load of respect for them. So Frankie, what’s your favourite hit by Paramore?

Current Band Mates

• Hayley Williams
• Josh Farro 
• Zac Farro
• Jeremy Davis
• Taylor York

They have had a number of chart topping hits and there is no stopping this band, formed between 2002 and ’04 in Tennessee, USA. Awards galore, collabos, tours, and festivals! They are doing it all and they are becoming like an infectious disease. So, go ahead and grab a Paramore tune and tell me later if you think I’m absolutely bonkers.

Kamoso Bagaetsho!*

*Setswana for “I’ll see you people tomorrow...yes, that’s the exact interpretation. If I'm wrong then my parents should disown me.

IV

Hello, my endearing darlings.

We’ll continue with our trip along rock’n’roll avenue today as we take a trip back to the classical times. Ladies and Martians, drum roll please...for Rush! Yes, Rush!

A wise person who knows me well is aware that I’m pretty stoked about the existence of the song “Tom Sawyer”. It is my current ringtone because the song is bloody brilliant. I like the fierce aura it exudes and the lyrics are just so true. Formed in ’68, the band has undergone a series of makeovers in terms of band mates and sound type.

Current Band Mates

• Geddy Lee
• Alex Lifeson
• Neil Peart

The band has made a serious journey through the times and it is still alive and kicking. In fact, they are currently touring and will soon release a new album. There is nothing stopping these guys. We salute you!

Heart

Let’s give it up for some girl power! Heart is a band that was originally formed in 1967 in the US by two sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson. They were able to find success much later. Well, I think we best know Heart for their hit song “Barracuda”. Powerful. I can’t think of anything else to describe it.

I’m all for women on top! Therefore I admire this band for making it through this male dominated genre. I mean come on, let’s face it! Every other rock band you hear about comprises of only males. We’re kind of used to that. Which is why I think the band has come far, especially from back in the day (even though I was not born yet), where it was especially hard for women to prove themselves.

Heart has had a number of hits recognised through out the world and beyond, and even by Ziggie. Remember “Magic Man” or “Even it Up”? (Here I am talking like I’m 60, lol). These women have basically conquered the rock scene, selling millions of copies of their albums. The sisters are still active, and because we are celebrating legends today, we shall give them a very long, heartfelt salute. A moment of silent please for these ‘goddesses of rock’! Thank you very much.

Toodles!

III

For another instalment of our “Dedication to Rock music” month, we will feature two bands today because I think we’re running out of days for the month of October.


MGMT!

Band Members

• Andrew VanWyngarden

• Ben Goldwasser

• Matthew Asti

• James Richardson

• Will Berman

Honestly, I never knew there were so many members. I only always see the two in the videos. Ladies and gents, boys and girls, dudes and dudettes, I think that MGMT is one of the most refreshing touch of genius of this era. Their song, “Time to Pretend” from their album, Oracular Spectacular, is just...sheer brilliance. Wow! The lyrics are witty and the whole concept behind the beats and the whole song in general is so contagious.

Okay, besides that, the band was formed in 2005 and formally released their first album which was “Climbing New Lows”. They have a new album out this year called “Congratulations”, and it’s definitely not disappointing. They have won numerous awards and I like to them “21st century Hippie”. Check them out, I strongly recommend them, and I think that they would be most rated by the spontaneous kind of spirit.

Muse

This is another one of those bands I absolutely love. I think it’s mostly because they sort of remind me of Queen. They remind me of Queen in the sense that their music is none like any other. It is rock music but it’s something different and unique. Also, some of their song have that classical kick Queen used to have with their songs...and guess what? I researched on the band and discovered that in actual fact, they have cited Queen as an influence! (Am I good or what!?).

Anyway, the band was formed in 1994. I’m here to talk about my favourite song by them, which is “Starlight” from the album Black Holes and Revelations. Damn! First of all, how on earth can you describe something beyond genius? The lyrics are so subtle and creative. Every time I hear the song it just reminds me of home and ho much I miss my family when I’m in school. Another one of their songs I cannot get enough of is from their latest album, The Resistance, called “Resistance”. OMG! The lyrics again are so sweet and romantic. I think listening to the song is like watching your own love story movie in your mind...that’s if you’re really cuckoo like me. I think generally, the band always knows what to say and how to incorporate their creations with the perfect sound. Besides, Matthew Bellamy has such an enticing voice.

Band Members

• Matthew Bellamy

• Christopher Wolstenholme

• Dominic Howard

Of course they have won a lot of awards for their music. I think that with bands like Muse, the future looks bright for us rock fans in that we will always have something amazing to expect and look forward to. So go ahead, give them a listen.

Well, see you next time with a new batch of bands.

II

Hey talkers! Wassup!?

So, let’s go back to 1968! Led Zeppelin, another British rock band considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. All of the great polls in the universe agree with this notion. Along with many other bands, I discovered Led Zeppelin from my parent’s rock collection when I was a lot younger.

This band was initially known as the Yardbirds. After a few minor adjustments with changing band mates, it was finally called Led Zeppelin. It consisted of band mates:
• Robert Plant (Lead Vocals)
• Jimmy Page (Guitar)
• John Bonham (Drums)
• John Paul Jones (Bass guitar, Keyboard)

This band has had a tremendous amount of success from the word go, because of their deep rhythms and guitar riffs that probably made them one of the creators of heavy metal as we know it today. Jimmy Page is such a genius and I ABSOLUTELY rate him in my top 10 of the best guitarists of rock history. In all Led Zeppelin music videos, you can really see how flexible and ‘in the zone’ he is when he is creating his magic.

They have sold over 100million albums worldwide. Led Zeppelin IV was released in 1970 and became one of the best selling albums of all time. It included hits like “Stair way to heaven” and “Black Dog”. My personal favourite songs by the band are “Over the hills and far away” (I think the transition from the introductory riff to where Robert Plant starts to sing is just brilliant), “Whole lotta love” (excellent piece), and “Kashmir” (Though very long, the guitar riff and drumming is just entirely brilliant).

The band ultimately split in 1980 after John Bonham, the drummer, died an accidental death after drinking heavily. He still remains one of the best drummers in my book. I find it very noble and touching that the band did not continue without their drummer. It shows true friendship indeed.

So, never heard of Zeppelin? Where on earth have you been living! (just kidding). I don’t think I did any justice in expressing just what a big deal and the magnitude of the contribution Led Zeppelin made towards rock music...so in the essence of Rocktober, let us take a moment of silence for these gods of rock, and end it with a respectful salute!

Learn more about this band

Bee-Bye.

Let there be rock!

Greetings from the Zigs.

It is officially Rocktober...and I am a little late to be making such an announcement, but in all fairness, I’ve been really preoccupied with school work. Anyway, let’s pretend it’s the first of October. Let loose and imagine everything you’re reading here today was posted on the first.

So, ‘tis Rocktober. October is a month dedicated to all that’s rock’n’roll and I’d like to commemorate that. So if you are a real rocker at heart, then you will enjoy what’s in store for the rest of the month. Honestly, I’ve been celebrating Rocktober for as long as I can remember, but I don’t know what it is or how it came about. I tried doing a little research but I cannot quite grasp the gist of the meaning. Maybe it’s because I have my own understanding. To me Rocktober is meant to show other music genres, despite their own high level of respect, that rock’n’roll can have its own dedicated month because it just can! The essence of rock to me is that it’s persistent, different, rebellious, without limits, honest and in-your-face with a dab of that energetic guitar solo. Whether it is punk or heavy metal or indie or goth or whatever it is you like, this is the time to reflect and be thankful for it. Be thankful for how it makes you feel and how powerful the lyrics and beat are on the everyday you. If you are really deep like I am or whatever, tell me, what’s favourite band or act from the ‘60s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and the 00’s?

As a special treat, I am going to post various profiles of bands I think have got the ‘it’ factor and I absolutely adore what they have to offer throughout the month.

I will start with Kasabian. This is a British rock group and I absolutely love their song “Underdog”, from their album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. I feel it’s one of those genius songs you can never get tired of. First of all the lyrics are superb and the beat is just bananas. I can’t help but move my head to the song when it’s on, even if I’m not in the mood. Anyway, I can go on for years. The band was originally formed in 1999 and had the name Saracuse. From my point of view, I think their music is intelligent, and witty with lumps of attitude. I mean, when I’m humming to their songs walking alone in a crowd of people, I always feel the strongest nudge of confidence coming over me. They offer something different. From what I’ve noticed, most rock acts these days are a reflection of what has been done before, and it becomes boring. Which is why most of them, fade after their fifteen minutes of fame.

The members consist of:
• Tom Meighan – lead vocals
• Sergio Pizzorno – guitar, backing vocals
• Chris Edwards – bass
• Ian Matthews – drums
The band has been nominated for, and has also won awards on numerous occasions. With hit songs like “Fire”, “Vlad the Impaler”, “Empire” and “Club Foot”, I think they have done great so far and there are still more great things we will see from them. So if you don’t know Kasabian, make sure you give them a listen because I highly recommend them.

‘Till next time...xoxo