Front row seats to Hate Speech band practice

Those of a certain age will remember Barney Simon and his infamous radio show, The Night Zoo, on 5FM.

As a student back then, much time was spent studying late into the night, especially as exams approached.

The books were open and the radio cranked up, listening to South Africa’s legendary alternative rock and metal DJ.

“Look everyone, he’s coming through the door!…” Crackle!

Over the years, Simon’s late night show awoke a distorted yet keen interest and following in the alternative rock and pop scene.

I would venture, now and then, kitted in black attire, to release some energy in the mosh pits of Durban’s Winston Pub or Burn night clubs.

So many good old memories of Durban, back then.

I always thought a fair dose of alternative music would clear the brain of any cobwebs – and help with the studying, of course.

Twenty years later and I have kind of forgotten about my student years, you know, jumping around, head bobbing, hair flying – all to music from the likes of Cypress Hill, Rage Against the Machine and Prodigy, plus a few local bands, in Durban’s underground scene.

This all came flooding back when Russell Stroud of the band, Hate Speech invited me to their band practice last Sunday in what he has nicknamed ‘The Dungeon’.

It’s was a rather chilly June afternoon and my companion for the day Susan Henderson (a noted musician herself, of more classical genre it has to be said) and I are lucky to have VIP tickets to a rehearsal.

The four-piece band had been practicing since 9am that morning.

That was quite a few hours and despite the cold weather, they were sweating.

However, there has been no time to waste for Hate Speech as the band has been invited to play at the Infectious Metal Outbreak Africa Metal Fest at Rumours Rock City in Gauteng on June 15.

The practice area is called ‘The Dungeon’ for good reason – one has to climb through a small door under Russell’s house in Southport to enter the dark, musty smelling, soundproof matchbox-sized room.

It’s here, underground, that Hate Speech has churned out some of its best hardcore music over many years.

The Dungeon has seen hours and hours of practice, then more practice, blended with passion and persistence.

When things heat up during practice temperatures can reach 40 degrees and more.

This is where the air-con comes in, when it decides to work.

Before we enter – for a 40 minute line-up of disrupted play – we are warned that it’s going to be ear-deafeningly loud.

And it was: with Rudi van Wyk’s drums competing to be heard with Russell’s inimitable deep throated death growl.

The concern was that I might emerge from The Dungeon partially deaf!

But, truth be told, it was some quality head-bobbing, hair flying time spent with some seriously talented musicians.

Aside from Russell on vocals and Rudi on drums, there’s Brady Jordan on guitar and Graeme Messina on bass.

In two words? Shockingly therapeutic!

You know what Barney Simon used to say: “If it’s too loud, you’re too old” – well, Sunday’s session proved, I’m not that old, yet. Wink!

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