The legendary éVoid are back
When was the last time you experienced an éVoid gig?
Some will remember dressing up as “Fadgets” and queuing for hours outside the Chelsea Hotel, in Hillbrow, and some may recall the varsity tour in 1984, when the floor caved in, due to everyone jumping up and down to “Shadows”, in the Stellenbosch Town Hall.
Well you can start jiving for joy, as éVoid are reuniting and returning to South Africa this month, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the gold selling debut album that launched their ethnotronic journey
Void (without the é) was formed in 1977 and the band comprised Brakpan siblings Lucien and Erik Windrich, Danny de Wet and Terry Andalis.
They won the local Battle of the Bands in 1978 and were offered their first professional gig in Zimbabwe, a year later.
During an eight-month stint there the band recorded a cover version of the Knack’s current hit “My Sharona”.
The B-side, “Magicia”, took off and reached number four on the country’s charts.
Returning to South Africa, éVoid began to build up a strong following on the club circuit in the Eastern Cape.
In 1982, older brother-manager Karl Windrich persuaded the trio (Lucien, Erik and George Voros) to relocate to Johannesburg.
éVoid then upped their image with painted faces, tribal dances and South African jive rhythms.
The band is best known for creating a “Fadgets” look, consisting of colourful ethno-gypsy outfits, juxtaposed with Zulu and Ndbele beadwork accessories.
But it was in 1983, with new drummer Wayne Harker, that éVoid began to produce their most memorable and exhilarating live shows at the Chelsea Hotel, in Hillbrow, when Benjy Mudie signed them to WEA Records, and when éVoid went on to complete a groundbreaking and highly successful varsity tour in 1984.
The first single, “Shadows”, peaked at number three on the national charts and remains a staple of South African rock and pop-orientated radio stations.
In February, 1984, they released the catchy “Taximan”, which got to number six on the charts.
Later that year, the self-deprecating “I am a Fadget” became the band’s third single, consolidating their white African punk inspired sound and striking New Romantic “boy band” image.
By September, 1984, the first album was riding high at the top of the charts, followed by the release of a 12-inch maxi single, “Kwela Walk”, that received rave reviews.
On Saturday, January 12, 1985, éVoid performed before an estimated 100 000 people at the Concert in the Park in support of Operation Hunger, along with many other top South African bands.
A month later, the brothers, Karl, Lucien and Erik, left South Africa for London, where they performed as a four-piece with Ilne Hofmeyer on bass and Richard Devey on drums.
A second album, “Here comes the Rot”, was released in 1986, from which WEA released the single “Dance the Instinct”.
In 1993, the group recorded a third album called “éVoid – Over the Years”, available only on cassette for limited distribution.
In 2008, after a lengthy hiatus, the Windrich brothers and original éVoid drummer George Voros released another éVoid album, “Graffitti Lounge”.
Lucien and Erik still live in London with their families, and their parents, Max and Louise Windrich, live in Brenthurst.
Erik is currently employed as creative and performance manager at Kingsbury High School, in London.
Since graduating from the prestigious National Film and Television School, specialising in film music, in 2000, Erik has scored two feature length films “Wanted” and “Fighting Spirit”, and provided music for BBC’s Arena documentary of comedian Ken Dodd.
Erik has also released two solo albums, “The Vision Thing” (2001) and “Backyard Discovery” (2003), on his own label, Tantrum Records.
Lucien is currently doing astrological research and sings and plays guitar in the Redemption Blues Band.
In 2006, Lucien co-produced Wonderboom’s last album, “City of Gold”, which includes the songs “Brain” and “Loose End”, written for the band.
Wayne Harker moved to Germany many years ago, where he continues to be involved in music.
Thirty years on, encouraged by the boundless energy and enthusiasm of long time friend and ex-drummer Danny de Wet, éVoid are coming back to South Africa for a two-week reunion tour at Barnyard Theatres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
Lucien and Erik will be joined on stage by veteran musicians Yoyo Buys (bass) and Mike Horne (drums).
The special guest opening act is Made In Wrong Kong — the original éVoid drummer, Danny de Wet’s new band.
The Gauteng tour dates are as follows:
* Wednesday, August 20: Emperors Palace Barnyard
* Thursday, August 21: Rivonia Barnyard
* Friday, August 22: Parkview Barnyard
* Saturday, August 23: Cresta Barnyard
* Wednesday, August 27: Cresta Barnyard
The shows start at 8pm.
