Rufus and I had been playing together for quite some time. I was still, as I am now, finding my way as a songwriter. We were on our way to the southern outskirts of Boksburg, one of the industrial centres of the country and the wind was blowing off the yellow dust from the tops of the old mining dumps scattered all over in those parts. We were on our way to Michael and he was waiting with some cold beer and an piano at the ready in his Sunward Park apartment. I played from time to time with Mike and his insights and direction in melodies for my new songs and prowess as a piano player really impressed me. I had spoken to Rufus the week prior and we set up an appointment and informal jam session.
Mike fired up the piano, Rufus and I tuned up and we started the session with a cover...Longest Days by John Mellencamp. A devastating song about growing old, losing friends and death. A little morbid for three healthy young men in their twenties but then again, we all have always gravitated to the darker realities of life. The piano started and I could feel my voice riding on a secure stream of beautifully rehearsed notes. I sang and as before Rufus sang his harmonies perfectly into my left ear. There were no smiles, only concentration and the fear of messing up but there was magic. We all new it. We had captured lightning in a bottle. We had become The Giant Strides.
The rehearsals became more intense as I started bringing in one new song after the other, playing them for the guys and then arranging them and figuring out our individual parts. We had big aspirations. They were not of fame and money. They were of the desire and magic of communicating with an audience and telling our authentic stories to people out there who had forgotten how to listen to the words. Months later we met with Chrisna from the legendary Cafe Barcelona and she took a chance on us, warning us that we better work hard at marketing the show and make it worth her while. We had Dan Augustine, all the way from Milwaukee Wisconsin designing our concert poster and Giant Strides logo. We printed T-shirts and incredible artwork started rolling in. We already had a great sound engineer in Rufus' brother and we used social media and word of mouth to spread the great news. We were not going to let the venue or our supporters down. People took a chance on us with only limited exposure to the music. And so, 6 February 2015 rolled around. Our fans did not disappoint. People rocked up from all over the area. Friends and family from Potchefstroom, Johannesburg and many other places started rolling in and filled up the venue. They had to bring in extra staff because this was unheard of for an unknown three piece who had only recently discovered each other. We played a long set. Mostly originals by Rufus and I mixed in with covers by Jason Isbell, Tom Russell and David Gray. People were listening but they were cheering us on through all the little mistakes and missteps. We partied late into the night. Drinking, singing and laughing. Eventually we were asked to leave. We did not want that night to end. That show started a conversation with our audience and friends that made for beautiful shows and great times. Thanks to Gerhard and Marlize Jacobs we got to play Aardklop arts festival in Potchefstroom twice to big audiences. We had added Lihan Puren on Bass guitar and Loedolff Muller on drums. We were making huge progress in our performances and our shows became tight and impactful. We played where and whenever we could. We made even more friends willing to help us out and one of them is Jaco Naude. Jaco is an incredible sound engineer and producer. A no bullshit guy with the same work ethic as us. We went to the studio and recorded some demos and he guided us through that process also becoming one of our sound engineers on the road whenever Nick Voster couldnt help us out. It was a magnificent time to be alive and to be making music. We thought it would never end but as we all know, the only constant in life is change and The Giant Strides were not exempt from that. The guys got married, got divorced and bacame parents. Some of us had to leave the country, looking for work and things started getting really complex. We decided to take a break.
Now, as I am busy typing this blog, seven years later the stars have aligned again. This October all the original members of the band will be back in the country and available. I reached out and every single one said yes without hesitation. Despite a few logistical challenges The Giant Strides are getting ready to play for you again. We have added our friend and drumming powerhouse Thinus Scheepers to the lineup to fill in for Loedolff should anything unforseen happen. Loedolff is an airline pilot flying contracts in Mali and other far off places and we wanted to make sure we are covered. What a blessing to have Thinus with us. We have been working together on a side project for quite some time and he fits right in with the rest of the band. Thanks to our friend Stephan at the incredible Sowaar Bar in Pretoria we will be playing our reunion show for you on the 22nd of October. It is a venue that takes care of the artists and it promotes good times and original music. We are grateful for the opportunity. Dan Augustine is back with yet another incredible poster and I am prepping limited edition T-shirts and gig posters for the night. We are working with Jaco to record the show and perhaps even make a concert video. We have a lot to do before then but we are working hard to make it epic. We would really appreciate your support. Please come to the show. Bring your friends and family for this once only occasion. We will bring you our best. The old songs and some new ones. You will be part of something special. See you there. Spread the word. The Giant Strides are back !!!!!
JB