The Medicine Dolls and Bridge6 rock the roof off the rugby club

AN unmistakable sound rang out from Vryheid Rugby Club last Wednesday as local rockers, Bridge6, opened for touring post-punk grunge/rock group, The Medicine Dolls.

As always, Bridge6 did not disappoint, with George Fritze’s distinctively discernible heavy hard rock vocals, along with the rest of the band’s disciplined and precise synchronicity on drums, bass and guitar, setting the scene for what transpired to be an unforgettable evening for local music fans, who were undeniably rocked to their collective core by not just one, but two immensely talented South African bands.

It’s difficult to describe Cape Town based band, The Medicine Dolls, who visited Vryheid as part of their South African tour last Wednesday, without conjuring up eclectic recollections of punk, grunge and rock legends of days gone by like The Cure, The Clash, The Sex Pistols and perhaps just a hint of Manson… but just a hint.

Having said that, it can also be said that, at this point in time on the South African music landscape, there’s nothing that sounds, looks or feels quite like The Medicine Dolls.

Feels? Yes, ‘feels’… It is virtually impossible to be in the presence of The Medicine Dolls as they perform, without feeling the music as it resonates through the air, filling the atmosphere with Allan’s unwavering passion for every aspect of his performance and he pulls it off effortlessly with his remarkable punk rock superstar persona.

Truth be told, Vryheid music fans, if you missed this gig, it’s very likely that you missed an encounter with the future of rock music in South Africa.

Rumour has it that the band will visit Vryheid again in October of this year. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Interesting fact: August 9 was Women’s Day – Both bands who performed at Vryheid Rugby Club on Women’s Day have equally talented and petite female bass guitarists, Xanell Fritze for Bridge6 and Bex Nicholas for The Medicine Dolls.