Local musician weaves impressive rock band
They are the Blacktop Rebels who aims to deliver an unprecedented rock experiences.
With thunderous drumming grooves, body shattering baselines and mind-boggling guitar riffs, the world of rock welcomes a brand-new band – the mastery of four musical individuals brought together by pure passion.
They are the Blacktop Rebels who aim to deliver unprecedented rock experiences that will leave their listeners’ ears satisfied beyond their known imaginative range.
Consisting of incredible musos with metal, punk and blues backgrounds, the Blacktop Rebels is the brainchild of local songwriter and bass player, Gert Griessel.
Gert has played for great South African bands such as Jasper Dan – one of SA’s best Blues Rock bands – and The Carolina Bridal Party.
According to him he had waiting for the opportune moment to bring his songs to life in a band. However, this was stagnated as the musical environments he found himself in did not offer his songs a platform to be performed.
He subsequently went on the hunt to seek out top South African musicians eager to join his project.
It was while judging a vocal competition in Fourways that Gert first saw singer and performer Lyla Faye.
After watching her perform, he knew she was right for the band and after a little convincing, she was in. Lyla comes from a pop singing background and has worked on many projects for Sony ATV artists.
With a singer in place Gert set out to get the other musicians needed to fulfil the band’s purpose. He approached guitarist Justin Rae who had performed in bands like Chromium and State Society, as well as opened for Metallica on their most recent tour to South Africa. Justin was sold on the idea and the quality of the songs, and joined the group.
After having to face a few challenges, it was only at the end of February that Gert had approached drummer Mark Trump to join the band. Soon the band was complete and ready to rock on.
Mark has played and done session work for many bands as well as extensively toured overseas and locally. He is better known for his drumming education work, which he has been doing for the past 15 years on the West Rand, sharing his love and passion for drumming with many enthusiasts and students.
With the success of obtaining top brass musicians, Gert and the band recorded their first EP with music producer Ruan Rabie of Mancave Studios in April this year.
The first single of the EP was released on MixFM 93.8 on 6 September on the Rock Roadhouse Show with Mike Timvios.
The Blacktop Rebels will unveil themselves to the public for the first time on Friday the 31 September, live on Radio Today Johannesburg on the Woz and Bish morning show by performing an acoustic track off the upcoming EP Lying in your Arms.
The Blacktop Rebels also published their Facebook page whilst on air, and within minutes had over 300 likes. The band will be making numerous appearances on radio and TV throughout September leading up to their first live performance at Rumours Rock City in Cresta Randburg on 5 October with bands such as After Robot and L.A. Cobra.
They are a straight-up rock band with underlying hard rock and blues feels in their music. Even though they are inspired by many great artists, they list Led Zeppelin, Monster Truck, Rival Sons, Alter Bridge and Red Hot Chili Peppers as their primary influences.
The rock band draws inspiration for their song-writing from everyday life experiences, hardships and joys. If you would like to listen to their music, feel free to visit their Facebook page, The Blacktop Rebels.
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