Contents

We would like to say a BEEG thank you to the following people for working with us in the making of our first Black Apple Ezine:

Storm and Tegan Thomas, Adrian Wilson, THOR, Of One Design, Energy Related, Tam, and our Crazy Nyx!!

If you would like to be involved in the next ezine, either as a writer, photographer or have your-self featured … don’t be scared, drop us an email on info@blackappleproductions.co.za and say

hi.

Our name "Black Apple" is not an idea established from biting into a darkened mushy apple only to find ourselves gazing upon the remains of half a worm dangling inside,

on the contrary it's far more Symbolic.

"Black" symbolises the alternative scene and unfortunately how the general population of society portrays us. I'm sure most of us metal heads have experienced the moment when meeting someone new, either at work or a family event, and the question; what clubs do u go to? Or, what type of music do you enjoy? Almost always seem to come up. After answering proudly and without hesitation you find the person having this

conversation with you either frozen with a look of horror upon their face or that they have a sudden urge to run to the bathroom with no return.

This is a major part of what Black Apple is dedicated to change. Yes in our scene some of the men wear more make-up and jewellery then their girlfriends and yes some of the women wear boots bigger than most jocks... personalities. However when comparing the people from our scene to a jock scene you will find that our men are the gentlemen’s

and our women are the most beautiful.

You will find that in Black Apple Pictures such as the E-zine covers and posters our apples will be red. This is because although we listen to what some like to refer as scary

music, we dress differently and mix with a vast variety of people, we are still people. We eat, we breathe, we love and we hurt just like any jock or granny down the street

baking apple pies.

We are not the black rotting fruit of the world.

"Black" symbolizes how people see us and “apple” represents who we are. Cause at the end of the day everyone in this world is a simple apple on the tree of life

waiting for their time to fall off.

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HISTORY:

Black Apple Productions was started in 2012 by the sister team of Kelly and Samantha Williams. After years of being loyal fans

of the South African Alternative Music scene, they took it upon themselves to start up a company where all elements of the live

show are able to benefit. In addition to this, they want to assist South African bands, photographers and venues with basic

elements of Public Relations and Marketing, to ensure growth in their futures.

Kelly with her crazy enthusiasm for PR and Marketing will assist bands with Media Kits, Press Releases and tips/tricks for

Facebook and/or Twitter; Samantha will help the bands in a more visual way, organising live shows and photo shoots for band

portfolios and live show pictures. The sister team will be able to set any band up with the basics to grow their future in the

music industry.

Black Apple Productions, launched 12 January 2012, is all about the bands, they want to help bands by giving them the push in

the right direction and assist them by making them look professional. In doing so people will be able to take the alternative

community in South Africa more seriously and make a change for music in South Africa for 2012

Hi, my name is Kelly, most commonly known as Stu by friends, family, colleagues and anyone

else who has met me. The name Stu came from all the outrageous ideas I would come up with –

little did they know that my ideas would turn out to be brilliant!

After graduating from the University of Johannesburg with a degree in Corporate

Communication, I decided to take on the world as a Public Relations Officer. I have worked on

projects from organizing events, managing websites to the basic needs of marketing, advertising

and relationship building. I have an obsession with Metal Music and always have time for a good

chick flick, added to this I like long walks on the beach and have had a secret crush on Bon Jovi

since I was 9 years old.

I decided that 2012 was my year to use my crazy enthusiasm for PR and Marketing to assist

bands with Electronic Media Kits, Press Releases, Events and teach them how to manage

their social media a bit more effectively. I decided to take an alternative bite out of South

Africa.

My name is Sam, everyone knows me as “flash”, and that is the way I like it. I have a passion

for anything photographic and anything that sounds heavier than a Justin Bieber album.

While having a smoke and a beer with the Stu, we came up with the idea of Black Apple

Productions, offering the much needed assistance of PR, Marketing, Gigs, and photos to

Alternative music was a phrase invented in early 1980s

describing bands which broke from the barrage of pop and

hair metal and formed a new direction of more focused and

honest rock.

It includes many subcategories including but is not limited to

Grunge, Hard Rock, Rock, Experimental Rock, Progressive

Rock, College Rock, Gothic Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk Rock,

Power Pop, Hardcore Punk and New Wave.

Their only real connection in terms of roots is the English punk

movement. In the early eighties alternative music was limited

to a few college radio stations. In the

mid-1980s as it became more popular, it began to take over

college radio throughout the country.

In the late 1980s commercial stations slowly began to

embrace what up till then had been known as college rock.

They never sold many albums but the influence on the music

community would be felt in a big way soon when the format

evolved to the next stage Grunge.

The first alternative music was made in the late 1960s with

groups like The Velvet Underground, Iggy and the Stooges,

MC5, and The Silver Apples. The trend continued throughout

the 1970s with bands like David Bowie, T-Rex, Can, Neu,

Kraftwerk, Television and The New York Dolls and combined

intellectual lyrics with artistic expression. All of these groups

would become building blocks in Punk rock in about 1976-

1977.

Punk rock was very important to the progression of

Alternative music by returning it to a more basic and

accessible format. By 1980 Punk was transforming into New

Wave and the tradition was passed on to a new generation.

In the early to mid-1980's bands like REM and Echo & the

Bunnymen were getting major airplay on the college radio

stations as well as 120 Minutes on MTV and other TV venues.

Soon major Alternative radio stations began appearing around

the US. Independent or rock record labels were discovering a

scene awash with untapped talent.

In 1991 when Nirvana's album “Nevermind” hit the charts

there were some changes in the genre. Alternative music was

now a part of the mainstream. New releases that didn't

belong were now being put into the Alternative category.

Metallica, Gin Blossoms, Sonic Youth, Ani DiFranco, Alice in

Chains, and Oasis were all now being marketed as Alternative

Musicians.

Many people despise the term Alternative Music because

everything under the sun is now labelled alternative, causing

the term to actually become a term describing popular music.

There are some Record Labels and Artists who are true to the

definition of Alternative music; as a way to express ideas and

songs which fall outside the pop genre.

As long as these musicians and labels continue to make honest

and artful music with intellectual sensibilities then the genre

will continue to thrive

Adapted From: http://www.silver-dragon-records.com/alternative_rock.htm

HISTORY OF

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC

As long as these musicians and labels continue to make honest and artful music with intellectual sensibilities then the genre will

continue to thrive

The Hammer of Redemption, also known as T.H.O.R. A Metal band based in Johannesburg, South Africa. A name recognized in the South African metal scene since its inception in early 2007.

After times of much celebrated, appreciated and hard earned success and times of seemingly relentless trials and tribulation, T.H.O.R. remains unbroken! Since the inception and birth of T.H.O.R in February 2007, it has seen many different faces and has undergone much change but the method and message beneath the madness has forever remained the same, an influence from something more than what meets the eye that has always been and remains the backbone of T.H.O.R.

A T.H.O.R. show promises to be a spectacle of orchestrated madness and pure unrefined passion. A performance of epic proportions that leaves the viewer in the audience in the midst of a sudden rabid outbreak of energy and the ensuing insanity that strikes the audience as a result!

The Hammer of Redemption lyrically challenges a system of understanding within their own beliefs along with motivating people into true freedom from drugs and any form of abuse. While T.H.O.R. is well known for their prolific Christian influence and beliefs, the purpose of T.H.O.R. and its message is to promote and spread a spirit and belief once again in positivity, love, acceptance and respect for one another, qualities very rarely found in today’s life.

Since 2007 T.H.O.R. has had the great honour and privilege of playing some of the biggest festivals in South Africa, as well as playing alongside some of the biggest and best South African bands. T.H.O.R. has toured all over Gauteng as well as having toured the Free State three times! They have played festivals such as Thornfest (3 and up and Thornfest: The Camp I), Deathfest, Faithfest, Encounter Fest, SaltFest, Spring Fest, Slam Fest and many more!! T.H.O.R. has also had the great Honour and privilege of supporting great international bands such as U.S.A. metal band “Becoming the Archetype”. Other accomplishments also include being featured on the Thornrose music compilation CD ‘09 and have had an interview in the S.A Music News Tabloid and Black Mountain Magazine. T.H.O.R. has also had a number of great endorsements with companies such as Skelm Clothing and Inkaholics Tattoo studio.

To Book the band: thorbookings@gmail.com Facebook Page: The Hammer of Redemption (THOR)

Storm started doing percussion, vocals and harmonica for the Death Valley Blues Band and shortly after starting with them, he became their permanent drummer. He has also been known for playing drums for a Punk band – “The Braineaters” and does percussive drumming for “Submachine”, on top of this, Storm did Latin Percussion for “Son of a Thousand Blues”. Storm has played popular festivals such as “Woodstock”, “Splashy Fen”, “OppiKoppi”, “Lucky Fish”, “Thornfest”, “Mutherfudd”. Storm has also appeared on Radio Stations such as “5FM”, “Tuks Fm”, “UJ Fm”, the “Joe Blogg Show” and many more. He has shared stages with popular South African acts such as: “Josie Field”, “Fuzigish”, “Slashdogs”, “Cortina Whiplash”, “Zebra & Giraffe”, “Fokofpolisiecar”, “Hog Hogiddy Hogs”, “New Academics”, “Rambling Bones”, “Aking” , “Van Coke Kartel”, “The Parlotones”, “Melanie Louw”, “Krystel T” to mention a few and International Acts such as “Sheep On Drugs” and “Fatboy Slim How does Storm do it all … We went to find out When and why did you start playing? Music has always been in me. My family was very musical. When I was young I used to bang on my school desk making rhythms and playing along with advert jingles on TV. I remember in Grade 2, we had to draw a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up. My picture was inevitably a rock star. I received my first drum kit when I was 14 and that was it for me.

Which instruments do you play?

I am a drummer and percussionist. My main instrument is the drum kit although I have been known to do percussive duties of playing the conga's, timbales, djembes, cowbells, tambourine etc. Do you attend sessions? What makes a good session?

Sometimes when you attend a session rehearsal or gig, you tend to play with other session players (some who you have never met). I think the key to having a good session is synergy, listening to what everyone is doing, and confidence in what you are doing. Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?

My drumming influences are mainly drummers who maintain a strong groove, play for the song, keep things original and fresh, portray their energy and feeling into what they are playing and are generally good guys that work hard:

Josh Freese (he has played over 300 albums)

Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters)

Danny Carey (Tool)

Steve Gadd (Top session drummer)

Matt Chamberlain (Great session player - has worked with

Tori Amos)

Kenny Aronoff (Great session player - has worked with Smashing pumkins)

How do you balance your music with other obligations?

Time management is a hard thing to crack but the overall key is balance. Balance in everything you do, and if you commit to something you have to see it through. I am also very lucky that the bands and projects that I play for understand and respect my other commitments. I am always approached before anything is confirmed to make availability and when it comes down to gigs, I am flexible in doing more than one show in an evening.

Storm has started many projects including the Storm Awesome project where he offers himself as a session

musician for those who are missing the element of that which is Awesome!

In addition to all his work, Storm is an avid professional photographer …

follow him on Facebook.

Storm Awesome Storm Photography

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

Mistakes are always bound to happen on stage. The best way to handle them is to just carry on and pretend that you were meant to do that. A lot of the times, your audience don't know the songs or the changes and won't notice the mistake. What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?

This music thing is hard and heavy at times and there will be days when you want to give it all up. On those days, that is when you have to work at it a little harder. This life aint easy but it can be rewarding if we work hard and persevere. And remember that in everything you do, you are Awesome!!!! How often and for how long do you practice?

My ideal practice regime is once a day with an occasional day off. I like to have about a 30 minutes – 1 hour session with my practice pad running through different exercises, rudiments and click practice. Then I rehearse most evenings behind my kit with the band that I am playing with and that ranges from 2 - 3 hours.

Music is what I've always

wanted to do and that

will never change.

“What’s this all about? It’s about music, it’s not about anything else, it’s not about having the

coolest cover, or the coolest title, or about anything. It’s just about music.”

~Lars Ulrich~

CONTACT BUTCHER BIRD Email: butcherbc@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ButcherBirdClothing

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The foundations of Boksburg shook on the 4th of February as hordes of metal fans

descended in force on The Black Dahlia for Emalyth’s latest offering, ‘Masque of

Comus”. They were not to be let down and I reckon the god of nocturnal revelry

himself would have approved as Emalyth and Black Dahlia pulled out all the stops

to bring together a gig with a line-up of ten of the most brilliant and brutal bands

that this country has to offer. Even KZN-based blackened death metal beasts,

Theatre Runs Red, came though to inject their particular brand of poison straight

into the hearts of their Joburg fans.

Adorned in Ash followed by Killatoria and Spectral Realm kicked off the evening of

madness and got the crowds revved up for what would be the most ass-kicking

event Boksburg had seen in a while. Not to be out done, Bleeding Spawn and

Displeased Disfigurement made sure the crowd was in a frenzy when Theatre Runs

Red hit the stage to the roar of the fans. All Forlorn and the brutal Bile of Man tore

the place apart and Bloodbeast and Balyios annihilated any necks that had the

audacity to remain intact.

From start to finish the great sound and lighting, a larger stage and quick setups by

the bands ensured the fans didn’t get too long to rest their necks before they were

summoned back to the storm of long hair and leather that was the pit.

Solsken, Reigning Red and Chaos R Us were on hand to sell their wares to the 200-

strong horde that packed the venue and drink specials made sure the drinks flowed

for those who attempted to stay cool in the corpse paint-melting heat inside.

As things finally came to an end, the fans walked (or stumbled) out of The Black

Dahlia bruised, broken and satisfied. Some anticipating hangovers, others dressing

their wounds but all of them saying, ‘So, when’s the next party?”

BIO (HAZARD) OF NYX THE BLACK APPLE WRITER

I’ve had a passion for music since I was ye-high to a drum kit. It started with Johnny Cash, Alice Cooper and Deep Purple but I fell in love with metal when I saw the album art (I don’t recall the album) and reckoned anything with that kind of packaging must be worth a listen so I ventured forth to the dark side where I

still await delivery of my cookies.

When I’m not getting up to sh1t, my favourite place to be is on my soapbox because it’s breezy and has a great view of the stage.

Now, where did I leave my beer...

One of the newest body modifications to hit the scene is tongue splitting, also called “tongue forking” or more officially “tongue bifurcation”. The process involves literally cutting the tongue in half directly down the center. Once the tongue is split it is possible to move both sections independently of one another Surgical Splitting - The tongue is split using a scalpel or surgical laser by a certified medical doctor. The benefit of having a doctor split your tongue is the careful attention paid to sterilization and having all the proper tools to take care of any complications. Fishing Line Method - Yes, you can split your own tongue with just fishing line. I would imagine this is the most common way tongues are split as no doctor is required. The only requirement is a healed tongue piercing and some thin monofilament fishing line. Thread the line through the hole where the piercing barbel usually goes. Feed the line through and line it up with the center of the tip of your tongue. Tie the fishing line as tight as you can bear, and be sure to knot the line several times to avoid slippage. Remove the excess fishing line and leave it alone for three to four days. At that time, remove the existing fishing line and retie the tongue as tight as you can bear. Continue this process for several weeks and you will slowly split your tongue.

http://www.zimbio.com/Body+Modification/articles/zX0kc-D0cJt/Tongue+Splitting

Okay, maybe we don’t all take it as seriously as these guys, but most of us have dabbled in some level of body, modification. In fact, things like piercings and tattoos are so common that it’s more surprising when someone doesn’t have one. The thing is, we humans love to push boundaries, meaning that predictably, such predictable means of physical decoration just aren’t cutting (Chortle) it anymore. No, what we need now is someone to literally etch our new favourite design into our skin. Scarification, as it’s name implies, is the practice of etching or cutting designs into the skin. Various methods are used to add emphasis to the designs, such as rubbing ink or ash into the wound, which produces different visual effects as the wounds heal. Because of the numerous variables involved in the healing of a wound, such as the depth of the cut, how quickly an individual heals, and how the wound is treated, the final result is less predictable than a tattoo, but also often more visually striking. Designs are usually kept simple due to the fact that scarred lines will tend to thicken as they heal, obscuring detail in any intricate designs and, presumably, because they are over with quicker. http://bodygeeks.com/2011/08/scarification-is-beautiful-and-horrifying-and-just-plain-

insane-all-at-the-same-time

Scarification is beautiful and horrifying and just plain insane all at the same time

Tongue Splitting

Tattoo aftercare: Wash After 2 hours with warm water using your hand and pat dry. Air dry for 10-15 minutes. Apply a water-based fragrance free cream 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks Shower and bath as usual but don't soak the tattoo. Keep the tattoo out of the sun, pools and sea for at least 2 weeks or until the tattoo is fully healed. Don't pick or scratch your tattoo.

Tel: Sean 084 054 0044 Email: justinked@hotmail.co.uk

Shop 15

Winchester green shopping centre Swartgoud road, Winchester hills

SPONSOR

of the Black Apple Productions Launch

John Wookie is Black Apple’s FIRST cover feature artist. Adrian is a close friend of the Black Apples of the Black Apple Production team and has been a musician from the day they met him, he has supported the team from the very beginning, before anyone knew about what the Black Apple Team were planning for 2012 . We asked him to answer a few questions about what he has learnt from being on stage over the past 10 years.

When and why did you start playing? I started playing guitar in 2002 in matric. I had always been interested in music and have many personal reasons for playing. I then started playing bass the following year (2003) as I found out there was a shortage of bassists and I was keen to learn and get on stage quickly - little did I know, from the first time I picked up my first bass guitar I found a part of myself I had been searching for and I have not looked back since.

Which instruments do you play?

I play bass guitar and I am moving into doing lead vocals as well.

What was the first tune you learned?

It’s been 9 years, and so many tunes learnt later … I don't remember the first one.

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

Cool Calm and Collectedly - if I make a mistake I just go with the flow and get to where I'm supposed to be with the rest of the band. Mistakes happen, I don't freak out on stage - I deal with it behind the scenes at band practice by identifying why it happened and correcting it.

“Mistakes on stage should be taken in one's stride!”

Which famous musicians have you learned from? There are too many to mention! I try learning something from any piece of music I listen too...but if I must name names... Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, ZZ top, Golden Earring, Lamb of God, Devil Driver, Pink Floyd... as I said...there are far too many to mention!

Which famous musicians do you admire? Why? I admire all musicians, especially famous ones, like Ozzy Osbourne, Steven Tyler, Freddy Mercury (R.I.P), Flea, and many more, because they are the masters of their trade and they laid the ground work for musicians like myself to do what we do ... I aspire to follow in their footsteps.

Adrian “John Wookie” Wilson is currently working on improving his vocals

and starting something of his own; his passion and enthusiasm for the music

world is definitely something to be admired and something to look out for in 2012.

Black Apple Productions would like to wish Adrian “John Wookie” Wilson all the

best in his future endeavours.

What are your fondest musical memories? My fondest music memories ... hmmmm ... that would have to be my first stage gig ever with a two piece band Heathen. ThornFest 2 because it was just such an amazing gig for Visus, I played for this band for a period of 4 years. Thornfest 9 because we played 9:30pm main stage to an epic crowd! It was one of our last gigs as a band. Another fond memory is my last gigs with 11th hour late last year, we went on tour to Durban and it was a most epic weekend! Not to mention a great success in my opinion! But most of my memories are fond ones because I share them with all my fellow musicians - my friends - in the industry!

Who are YOUR favourite musicians? Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Flea, the list goes on…

Lastly, you have many tattoos – what do they all mean to you? The tattoos I have are my outward representation of who I am to the world. One of my tattoos, the cross on my arm was done six years ago after I beat the battle and quit drugs forever … it is a reminder to me every day of who I am and the code that I now live by!

Photos courtesy of Lionel Lodewick from Tutto Photography and Samantha Williams of Samantha Williams Photography

“I started playing for the

same reason I still play

today - the music is who

I am... it is me.”

Around 2005, Jarryd, Rowan and Andrew decided to start a band. Not knowing anything about music, how to play an instrument or even what genre they wanted to be in, they all just picked an instrument and started to play. Along the journey, they found that their roots were in metal which was when Mickey, their second guitarist joined the group.

After Mickey joined the ranks and Garyth was on vocals, Tristan, Jarryd's younger brother asked to have a go at the microphone. That was where they discovered one of the best vocalists they had ever heard and decided that two vocalists were better than one. Tristan and Garyth (vocals) got together and wrote their first original song in 2007, titled: "If the Good Die Young".

Of One Design lean toward a more Melodic/Metal-Core style, with a mix of each band member's own, unique input.

“We think of our music as having a very positive, uplifting sound and underlying message, whilst keeping it heavy... We strive to become well known and make

ourselves successful in the metal industry, whilst breaking the stereotypes concerning metal and metal-heads.”

To book the band: garyth@ekbearings.com

Facebook page: Of One Design

The history of heavy metal music began around 1964-1970 with bands like the Kinks, the Who, Alice Cooper's The Spiders, Golden Earring, Led Zeppelin, Vanilla Fudge, Jimi Hendrix, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf, Blue Cheer, Atomic Rooster, Cactus, Grand Funk Railroad, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Black Widow, and Black Sabbath. The genre borrowed heavily from rock and the blues but moved towards a more aggressive direction than other bands from the 1960's incorporating energetic live shows and darker melodies and themes. Cream is one of the best known bands which appeared early in the genre known for classic songs like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room”. The Jimi Hendrix Experience featuring the legendary Jimi Hendrix on guitar and vocals was incredibly revolutionary and remains a strong influence on musicians today, especially guitarists. Ground breaking albums such as “Are You Experienced?”, “Axis Bold as Love”, and “Electric Ladyland” were pivotal in the future direction of rock. Led Zeppelin was also a big contributor to the movement incorporating in heavy thudding guitars and high almost screaming vocals. Deep Purple's classic “Deep Purple in Rock” showcased Ritchie Blackmore's classical guitar style juxtaposed against the intense screams of Ian Gillan's vocal. In 1970 Black Sabbath made what many consider to be the first true heavy metal album self-titled “Black Sabbath” followed in the next few years by “Paranoid” and “Master of Reality”. Guitarist Tony Iommi, vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, drummer Bill Ward, and bassist Geezer Butler churned out gloomy heavy churning riffs and rhythms accompanied nicely by Ozzy's eerie vocal style. This Birmingham act nearly single-handedly defined the essence of the heavy metal genre combining a fascination with dark mythological and religious subject matter compared against the reality of a working class life in poverty ridden industrial Birmingham during the early 1970's.

Newer bands like Judas Priest, Queen and Blue Oyster Cult took up the mantle of these older bands and added their voice to an ever growing revolution in rock music. Queen was the most experimental of the groups combining interesting and beautiful melodies with classically inspired harmonies which bordered on progressive and experimental rock. Kiss took the genre to a fevered pitch using classic elements of theatre such as fire and fake blood to keep audiences interested. In the late 1970's heavy metal went through a decline and the giants of the early 1970's started to loose influence due to deaths and personnel changes. AC/DC, Judas Priest, Queen, and Rush kept the genre alive but only just. The early 1980s saw a revival of metal of a sort with bands like Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue among others. Unfortunately due to highly commercialized excess driven hair bands the genre was sent in to another decline where the music would be reabsorbed into new genres. By around 1990 most heavy metal had evolved into other rock genres like hard rock, grunge, gothic rock, gothic metal, thrash metal, speed metal, doom metal, and nu metal.

Adapted from: http://www.silver-dragon-records.com/heavy_metal_music_history.htm

HISTORY OF

HEAVY METAL

Queen was the most experimental of the groups combining interesting and beautiful melodies with

classically inspired harmonies which bordered on progressive

and experimental rock.

"Energy Related" is a acoustic band that started in June 2010 in a little town in Johannesburg called Edenvale....."Also known as the garden of Eden"

After the band "Endless" broke up Donovan decided to go take on the world as a one man band with his acoustic guitar and lyrics that he wrote about his spiritual journey and his adventures throughout his everyday life and experiences.

Donovan has a mad passion for music and is an all around musician that loves to compose and write music...from Blues, Reggae, Ska, Punk, Grunge, and Rock ’n Roll....

Energy related was formed by Donovan as a way to allow other session musicians to fill in the spaces to make a complete sound of a band. In the search for like-minded musicians, Donovan added Storm “Awesome” Thomas, Byron Horn and Sheldon Sham to Energy Related.

Donovan always said that he doesn’t want to use his own name as a band name, as a solo artist the name of the band needed to possess meaning for both himself and the listeners.

Donovan is a spiritual man and lives by his motto "Every soul every living thing has got has got a purpose in this life and that everything in the universe is Energy related". The name "Energy Related" originally came from one of the songs that Donovan wrote.

"Energy Related is a tool to find true happiness within, having realizations and break free from this concrete jungle"

Who are Energy Related and how did it get started? I started Energy Related in the year of 2011….As a solo artist I didn’t want to use my own name as a stage name so I came up with Energy Related. Energy Related Basically started out as a solo project backed up by session musicians and later became an on-going project.

How do you know one another? The first time a saw Storm he was jamming a rad show with the Death Valley Blues band at some hippy fest in Edenvale, a few years later he came to a birthday party of mine and I invited him to jam for my first album “Strings Of life” Byron I met in 2003...we use to ride Skateboard together, party hard together and became good friends and eventually started making music together, he jammed the drums for me in two previous bands and now plays the bass guitar for Energy Related. Sheldon use to be the bass guitarist in my previous band “Endless” and now plays the saxophone for Energy Related

What inspired the name? The Name “Energy Related” originally came from a song that I wrote will I was playing for the band Endless… The song is about the energy you find in life, from people and one of the most important things in his life, “Music”. Like the feeling you get when you hear a song you love, the song that reminds you that everything will be alright. That feeling that someone wrote that song just for you. You relate to the energy that the Artist has put into that song, the passion, the love. That is what Energy Related is all about.

What do you aim to accomplish as a band?

We would like to accomplish the opportunity to travel the world and making a success in being a fulltime musician, spread peace wherever we go and to have one hell of a journey that we will always remember.

What do your lyrics mean to you?

Peace, love, fighting for freedom, enlightenment, and finding a way to encourage myself to lead a positive lifestyle and to be happy, hopefully it can encourage others as well to live a positive life and to be happy

Where do you gig? We have been rehearsing for the past 6 months together as a band and been working hard on learn the songs that we recorded on our first album “Strings of life” we are currently in negotiation with different company’s in getting a booking agent for the band so we can start promoting the album…

Who are your influences? My family and friends, Bob Marley, John Lennon, Nelson Mandela, pretty much anyone that makes a difference in this world...

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Busking on the streets of Amsterdam, or playing at the M.T.V unplugged studios in New York. Even just jamming at some beach party in South Africa will be so awesome.

Black Apple decided to chat to Donovan Fourie - the man who started the madness which is now known as ENERGY RELATED

Newtown KNIFE Gang is Johannesburg’s hottest new rock force. Founded a little over a year ago by the core of leading rock band 16stitch, the remaining band members conceptualized the band based on their past experiences in the music industry. The addition of ex-We Shall Embrace singer Spencer Martin upfront, brings a youthful, energetic and powerful edge to this already established musical force. 16stitch rocked the airwaves and headlined stadiums from 2003 until 2008, raising the bar for existing rock acts and bringing in a fresh new sonic that ultimately paved the way for many bands that emulated their unique approach. With a phenomenally talented line-up of musicians, it was not long after the group’s demise that the members would find themselves exploring new musical paths and stepping back into the rock limelight. In the year that Newtown KNIFE Gang has been writing and producing their repertoire, they have secured a record deal with Electromode, home to Heuwels Fantasties and Jack Parow amongst others, signed with over 40 online music stores and secured themselves a comfortable place in the future of SA rock. Their debut single Listen is set for release in April 2011, a prelude to their Self Titled debut album release. Other singles such as Read Between the Lines, Taste Goodbye and To be Honest have already been earmarked for success. Drawing on influences ranging from Billy Talent, The Used and 30 Seconds To Mars, Newtown KNIFE Gang comes to you strong and in-your-face. With a gigantic buzz already circulating the band, there is no doubt Newtown KNIFE Gang will dominate the rock scene in 2011.

Artist: Newtown Knife Gang Album: Self-Titled Album Record Label: Electromode Members: Spencer Martin – Vocals Nick Argyros – Drums Paul Norwood – Guitar Gareth Norwood – Bass Warren Retief – Guitar Favourites: “Taste Goodbye”; “Listen”; “Read between the Lies”

“Newtown Knife Gang - a name, that if you’re from Johannesburg starts your mind imagining a bunch of young people beating bongos and blowing a couple penny whistles. However it is the complete opposite of that; Newtown Knife Gang’s new album provides a couple melodies which will remind you of some international bands simply because this is how they sound - international. When I found out that Newtown Knife Gang was made up of the core of 16 Stitch and the ex-vocalist for We Shall Embrace I had the expectation of it sounding like “Beautiful Angelic Parasite” I was surprisingly wrong (and that doesn’t happen often!) I must admit that I was a tad confused at the name change, as it was only the vocalist who was changed, but after some research it all made sense that “you can’t call your current girlfriend by your ex’s name” The album although in some ways reminds you of the good old days of 16 Stitch, Newtown Knife Gang brings something new to the floor. Spencer Martin’s vocals are clean and pierce straight into the heart of anyone listening to their songs. Making you want to listen to the album over and over again. The contrast between Spencer’s voice and Ross’s voice makes Taste Goodbye my favourite song on the album, Big ups to Nick for the drums – the drumming is on this album is amazing From the first song you find certain parts of your body creating involuntary movements such as foot tapping or head bobbing. The tunes are catchy the sound is clean and the vocals are clear. Definitely the type of CD you can vacuum your carpets to or just simply have a rocking party with.

T-Time

with Tasty Tam

4 Valentine’s Gifts from

your Brutal Boyfriend

TASTY TAM IS ...

Tam Walker is a student at Wits by day, bartender by

night. She’s been around the world like your mom’s been

around the block. She’s British, so her potty mouth will

come as no surprise. She’s from Manchester, but

possessing female genetalia presents a major obstacle to

her liking the footy. She’s not sorry.

Face it. Valentine’s sucks. For everyone. It matters not whether you’re in a relationship because he/she will have disappointed you in some way (‘the roses just aren’t big enough’ or ‘I just feel like you could have put in more effort while you were down there’), or being single is just starting to lose its shiny. So, did you receive a lacklustre gift from your better half this year? Start your nagging and hint-dropping early by checking out these brutal gift ideas for 365* days from now!

NAME A COCKROACH

Nothing says ‘I love you’ like the soothing whisper of the Madagascan hissing cockroach. Lucky for you, the Bronx Zoo is offering you the chance to name one of their critters after your true love for just $10! I’d cash in on this one early; there are only so many roaches and your loved one will only know how much they truly mean to you once you name a hideous invertebrate after them. www.bronxzoo.com/roach/

EDIBLE UNDERWEAR

This one may seem tame, but have you ever eaten sticky candy that has been cloying to the bare skin of your metalhead boyfriend’s nether regions for the entire time it took him to convince you to eat it? I thought not. It may seem overdone, but it’s not for the lily livered. It’s like taking that shot you know will see you on your ass within half an hour.

Edible underwear should be a round on Fear Factor. It should have you

shuddering when you think of it. Like cockroaches.

ADAM & EVE ARTWORK

The first man and woman in existence (so says that historically reliable tome, the Bible) actually managed to piss off the creator by becoming aware of their nakedness. What is more brutal than actual God drop kicking his creations out of paradise? What is a more brutal gift than yours and your beloved’s faces in the place of those hell-bound sinners’ in classical artwork? http://m.gifts.com/search/product/your-faces-on-adam-and-eve-artwork?prodID=87601

CHOCOLATE COATED JALAPENOS

It is well known that a woman’s brain reacts to chocolate in much the same way it does to sex. So now that we’ve established that every woman you have or will ever meet craves chocolate like she craves a husband and a filled womb, the obvious gift for your lady is enough chocolate to slip her into a sugar-induced coma until next Valentine’s day. This is where chocolate coated jalapenos come in. The product description tells you they’re “something to sweat over.” Sexy. www.chocolatecoveredcompany.com/chocolate-covered-peppers.html

ADRIAN Bassist...formally of VISUS and 11th Hour, now in the process of starting something

new. I’m an easy going fun loving guy who loves music and loves to play it even more!

The stage is my drug and I cannot live without it.

I would be a chicken & crispy bacon sandwich with sweet chilli and BBQ sauces...why? Because it’s awesome!

TEGAN

Dancer, model and all round Diva

A Dagwood. Many elements of awesomeness rolled into one giant mess. Sounds about right, yeah?

STORM

Storm “Awesome” Thomas is a South African Drummer,

Percussionist and Songwriter. Known for his onstage primal energy he

has played with many bands and artists.

I would be a Wappa. A wappa is when you

take two slices of bread and you put everything on it that you can find in the fridge. Wappa's are awesome and always satisfying. They combine different tastes from a little bit of everything, are healthy and plain old delicious.

BRANDON

I have been involved in the South

African Music Industry for Seven years. I started out playing guitar in

Several different bands; I have played for many different kinds of bands from

Praise and Worship to Death Metal. I’m currently Studying Sound

Technology: Music production at COPA. I am the guitarist and clean

vocalist of The Hammer of Redemption and guitarist of

Thundermerwe. I am living the dream of playing, writing, performing,

recording, producing and listening to music every day of my life!

If I could be any Sandwich I would be a Club sandwich with Everything on it!! Because there are just sooooooooo many things I’m interested in and like to be involved with!!! Also a Club sandwich is kinda like my mind Always busy!!!!

ARNOLD

I have been playing guitar for 12 years

bass for just over a year. Love black metal and I’m just an average easy going 24 years

young guy.

A microwaved butter and Aromat sandwich its easy a lil weird and just simply awesome.

OGI

I'm the drummer for State Dependency, and our

DEBUT album is coming out this year \m/

Can this sandwich be a burger? If yes, I would be a double McRoayle from McDs, that is the best burger invented by man, it has all the right ingredients!

If you like the Black Apple Ezine, and would like to feature in it, write for it, have your visual art portrayed in it … contact the

Black Apples on info@blackappleproductions.co.za and say HI and hopefully we will work together in the future.

We hope to see you all on the 30 March 2012 for our Black Apple Launch!!