Francois: 7 years, fookin' ell, can you believe it… Well as most K.O.B.U.S. supporters probably know (it's been related so many times before) Theo and I started doing this purely for the fun of it, something completely different to the stuff that we were known for respectively, metal and rock. Sending out the 5 song demos for the 1st album was great fun, we didn't mention who it was and we milked the whole "who is this" thing.
When 'kobus!' was eventually released, and we started performing and touring, we suddenly found ourselves in a whole new world with totally different audiences than what we were used to. We played venues we'd never have set foot in before, was interesting (and an enjoyable change)
Great thing was, the album got excellent reviews and it was the SARock Digest.com album of the year 2003. The 'Hoenderman' mp3 still holds the record for most downloaded track on the site!
I still maintain that the live performance of this album works best with backtracks, because of the electronic nature of the songs. Would be cool to do a show like that again…
Memorable about this era?
- The big hoo-ha about the blow-up doll onstage at the Boereplaas Rock festival. There were 2 page spreads in the papers with huge photos, excellent!!
- Being nominated for 'n 'Kanna' award after our 1st ever performances, KKNK 2002.
- Me falling off the stage at Oppikoppi 2003 in a frenzied headbanging-solomosh, and finishing Hoenderman on my back with headbanging fans in a circle around me. MAIN!
- Theo's live version of 'Lei My'. MAL!
- Our black suits, painted nails and far out hair-dye jobs.
Can't say there's any low-points from this era, we just had fun, creating a new genre (or is that non-genre?), freaking out Nude Girls and V.O.D. fans with our weird musical direction and just enjoying the ride. For a more 'in-depth' description of K.O.B.U.S!' beginnings, read the piece on the creation of the song 'Jou Oë' elsewhere.
With 100% Skuldgevoelvry in 2004 we continued with the sound of 'kobus!' but added a few heavier tracks. Shit, it's a long album! (I think it's a masterpiece, and I'm not batting an eyelid!! Shoulda won some kinda award dammit Haha) We dropped the suits and it was out with Huyser and backtracks and in with Paul on drums and Rob on bass. I added more blood, more props, the skull, the robe for Karel Void.
Incidentally, 'Die Storie van Karel Void' got played almost every single Monday nite on RSG, Johan Botha's show, and we're yet to see any royalties. Johan! Jy't nie die playlist ingevul nie. Samro! Samro!
I put together most of the songs during my stay in Dubai in Soen, Waar die Antwoord verskyn & Ry in die Kar's creation are quite vivid memories.
The band was now more popular and we had to start performing more, funny thing is, we played a lot in 2004 but we actually only performed ONE gig in 2006!
The thing I'm unhappy about is that this album was not promoted as it shoulda been. It was a unique release at the time, and people still find it difficult to get hold it, more so than the debut album.
With SwaarMetaal, 2007, speaking for myself, I'm back where I'm most comfortable, heavy, loud, lekker!!
st. sycho: Kobus! is known for its unique style and it's firsts in Afrikaans music, is there something in Afrikaans music that has not been done yet that you want to do, or would like to see being done?
Francois: We don't look at it in that sense, we don't do things purely becuase it's not been done before. We do what we enjoy, we entertain ourselves first and foremost.
If it happens to be a first then that's just a bonus to the fact. We didn't record the first 2 albums thinking "let's do something different". In terms of what I'd like to see done in Afrikaans - it's really what I DON'T want to see in Afrikaans. I want to see less Bokjol-bullshit-sakkie-skoffel-shite. We need more musicians doing it because they love it, because they NEED to do it. Especially the ones just starting off. Look, it IS a business at the end of the day, especially when you become more popular, you can't get away from it, and everyone's gotta eat right? But your initial reason for making music should be because you enjoy it, not the possible profit margin.
Theo: I think everything's been done in terms of musical genres, but not in terms of KOBUS! We have still to do a good couple of different and unusual albums to release!
st. sycho: When will Main Street be released?
Francois: Hmmm, can't say, watch this space
Theo: I'm not telling!
st. sycho: Doodstraf and some of the other songs has the potential to be a next "De la Rey", would you agree with this?
Francois: No, not at all. But then songs have a way of taking on a life of their own. Thing is, some people see it as a definite call for the reinstatement of capital punishment, other's see it as an observation of what's going on in SA at the moment, which is how I wrote it. In fact all the songs on 'SwaarMetaal' that could be described as bordering on socio-political are my observations of our society, not socio-political commentary of a definite stance regarding any issue. It's like 'Witman', some see it from a conservative viewpoint, others from a liberal angle. And that's great because that's exactly my intention, with all songs I write. I want people to make up their own minds about the meaning of a song, I don't want to tell you what you're SUPPOSED to hear or get from a song.
Theo: It might, but that's not the intention. If people want to perceive it that way, then it's cool by me!
st. sycho: One of the main reasons that De la Rey was so popular, is that it got a lot of publicity, most claiming that the song is controvercial, why do you think this hasn't happened to some of your songs?
Francois: Because our music's not widely accessable, it's not commercial pop that's gonna be played on radio all day long. Look at it this way: Should the Beatles' Yellow Submarine be played again on a daily basis on National radio it would be a huge hit once again. The general public, unlike the Volk van Main, buy what they are spoonfed. Exposure definitely helps, but yeah, K.O.B.U.S. music is not daytime radio friendly as far as the SABC's concerned!!
Theo: Our songs are much heavier and much less commercial than DE LA REY, I'm not holding my breath for 10 Million South Africans to get into it… Maybe 10 Million Germans!
st. sycho: Would you ever add another instument to the band and what would it be?
Francois: for sure! The main reason we don't play songs like 'KinderHel' live is because the keyboards are one of the important elements in the song. Many songs we'd like to play live but it just wont sound cool without the keys…
We have in fact started talking about incorporating the keys, to join in with the songs that need it in the live setup, like Karel Void, KinderHel, Waar die Antwoord Verskyn… there's many. The keyboardplayer is Deon Cabano, we're working toward using him in future but only for Cape Town and surrounds gigs.
The other instrument I'd add without hesitation is another guitar, especially now with the 'SwaarMetaal' shows. Its not necessary, but it'd fatten the sound when Theo plays his leads.
Theo: A HARP!
st. sycho: If someone gave you unlimited funding for a world wide tour, to which countries would you go?
Francois: Europe, for sure. It's a fortress of Heavy Metal and still has the most appreciative supporters of different and creative music. But then, unlimited funding you say? A World-Tour off course!!!
Theo: Checq REPUBLIK, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Scandanavia,Poland.
st. sycho: Which gig has been the worst ever?
Francois: Our worst attended gig was the very first show we ever played. It was at the 'Stal-teater' at the KKNK 2002. We had 5 audience members. My mother, my brother, his wife & their son and the sound engineer!! But, our worst gig, period, was in Bethlehem in the Free State. The place was packed, but there was zero audience response. Nothing! Soul-draining, to say the least! After the gig we drove straight to JHB to continue our tour there.
Theo: The gig in Bethleam!
st. sycho: Tell us about some funny moments backstage
Francois: If South African clubs would start providing actual backstage fascilities I'd be able to answer this one!
st. sycho: What would you consider as the ultimate show?
Francois: K.O.B.U.S. headling live at Madison Square Garden, 5 nights, sold out!
Theo: KISS, ELVIS and KOBUS!
st. sycho: Which song do you guys consider the most difficult to perform?
Francois: From a vocalists perspective I'd have to say 'Witman'. There's hardly any time to catch a breath.
Theo: GEE RAAT, It's fucking high for me to sing!
st. sycho: Do you have a song thats the bands favourite?
Francois: No, that's very difficult to answer. There's many I enjoy performing: Amen, Heldersiende Bedelaar and Die Swart come to mind immediately.
Theo: It ranges, at the moment its TIENERANGS
st. sycho: Could Amen be considered a sort of sequel to Waar die Antwoord verskyn?
Francois: If you like, ha ha. Although 'Antwoord' is kinda themed more about individual death, whereas Amen apocalyptic.
Theo: ASK FRANCOIS!. He knows about lyrics and stuff!
st. sycho: When can we expect a Kobus! DVD?
Francois: Hopefully after all the SwaarMetaal videos are completed.
Theo: Fucking Soon I hope!
st. sycho: What does "Drome te Bestel" say when you play it backwards?
Francois: If I told you, I'd have to kill you!
st. sycho: Are there songs on Swaarmetaal that says something when you play it backwards?
Francois: I don't know… you heard anything?
Theo: No, people don't have record players anymore.
st. sycho: Do you have any ideas for a new album yet or are you concentrating on Swaarmetaal for the moment?
Francois: I have many songs in various stages of completion, but ja, as far as releases are concerned we're concentrating on SwaarMetaal for now. I'm also working on a solo album called 'Niktofobia'.
Theo: Lots of Ideas!
st. sycho: Would Kobus! ever consider releasing an English album or maybe a translation of the current Afrikaans or do you want to stay a pure Afrikaans band?
Francois: I've considered translating Hoenderman into Zulu ha ha. But seriously, anything's possible in the K.O.B.U.S! universe, if one of my english songs would work well as K.O.B.U.S! song, I'd do it. I would'nt specifically write an english song with K.O.B.U.S! in mind purely to have english songs in our repertoire, no.
Theo: MAYBE, We don't really plan it, so maybe.
st. sycho: Is there anything that the band hates?
Francois: Apathy. Love us or hate us, cheer or boo, tell us we suck or kiss our asses. Just, please, have a fkn opinion!!
Theo: Vegeterian meals!
st. sycho: A message for the fans?
Francois: Volk van Main! You are the essence of K.O.B.U.S! Thanks for all the support over the passed 7 years, especially those of you who 'get' what K.O.B.U.S! is about, those of you who understand that this band is an ever-evolving beast who will never remain in one comfort-zone for too long. We'll see you on the road!
Theo: Buy the gahddam album!