Black Market Riots

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to do a gig with the bands Joint State and Black Market Riots, now I must be honest I actually hadn’t given much thought to BMR and my God I was slapping myself in the face by the time the gig was over! I had heard good things via the grapevine but being the stubborn bastard I am didn’t take it much to heart as I have heard it all before, some chick or dude raving about another SA rock band trying make it. The statement normally goes something like ” Have you heard so and so and bla bla bla coz shit hey they are good. ” Hence to say that I was the asshole not knowing any of the words to their songs during their set even though it seemed like I had been idolizing them for the last two years the way I was going off on the D floor.

I remember it quite clearly, Joint State had just played a killer set and I was chilling by the side of the bar drinking my eigth tequila contemplating my options,” I should pull a ‘Ninja Bomb’ and go to Trinity, maybe some Psy Trance would be nice and that chick I wanna score is there after all.”  After speaking bullshit with Joint State crew and couple more  shots later Black market Riots take the stage and immediately make an impact with the small but extremely enthusiastic and mildly intoxicated crowd. I slowly feel myself being pulled to the dance floor and the whole idea of ‘stomping’ and ‘coming right’ slips straight out of my head, it is amazing what the right opening song can do to inspire an audience, by the time they start playing the guitar solo in what I now know to be called ‘When We Collide’ I have already ‘liked’ them  on frikken Facebook on my phone and a picture of the band is my new backround (not really but you catch my drift).

Their stage presence is second to none and their music compliments everything the band seeks to be in terms of vocals and guitar synergy, clothing style and even the type of electric guitars they have. I have always said that being a successful rock act in this country takes more than having a catchy tune (which these bra’s have) but having the full package (which these bra’s have). Needless to say  that I needed to find out more, which I did using my ears, feet and finally a lovely  service called Gmail where I was able to get them to answer questions for all our value.

Here are 2 of their tracks which can downloaded here Black Market Riots - when we collide Black Market Riots -  machine   This is what they had to say for themselves…

1. So this MK MVP entry thing….Tell me about it? Whats it all about?

Well this is a Mnet MK competition named Music Video Project. Last year they gave the top 10 pitches 50K to make an explosive music video. So this year they are giving away a minimum of 50K to the top 10 bands. We worked very hard on our concept for our latest single named When we collide which deals with the “bad addiction” between two people using each other for their own gain. So the concept and production is something quit unique (in our mind). We have shot two videos before and did for next to nothing (because we have such a great friend in the industry) but this time round it was a shocking trial run to see what amounts one actually need to spend on making a great produced video. Hopefully we’ll get picked and get this tune on the telle – HOLD THUMBS!!

2. Sick band name, but I’m nervous now, do you guys deal on the black market ?

Hahaha! Seriously?? We aren’t that dodgy! The name was a tricky one, we started getting members together and actually just went straight in to rehearsals, no idea on what we want to sound like or where this is going, but after a while we got hooked on the idea of being yourself and try our own unique way of expression. So this is where it lead to. We stand for individualists and ones own believes but also being honest and true to your “neighbor”. So this name originated from taking a stand in your life, taking it up front and not be ashamed of who you are. – Danie

3.You guys have played at some awesome festivals around the country, which one was the biggest jol ‘off’ the stage?

Definitely OPPIKOPPI, probably the most memorable time in the existence of Black Market Riots. The gig was great but the party was huge and non-stop madness! – Shaun

4. When I was checking your facebook page I was jealous to see all the bands you have shared the stage with…Which band did/do you guys gel with the best with regards to performance chemistry etc…
Definitely Taxi Violence! They’re such a bunch of chilled okes and they weren’t “too famous” to hang out with us. I think they’re probably the one local band that is as crazy as us on stage haha. – Pierre

I would love to play for Lady Gaga. It would be a shame if something bad were to happen. Like my bass crashing into her face…
Otherwise we’d love to jam at Dave Grohl’s (lead singer for Foo Fighters) birthday. That guy is an awesome musician and only gets better with time. Like a good cheese… – Christo

6. When and where can we see ‘The Black Market Riots’ next?

At the moment we are focussed on new material. We have change a lot over the years and grown in to what we as band like doing, this takes time and saying this means not a lot of shows happening but we have these two for now:  23 August – Aandklas 26 August – Emerging Sounds – ROAR | 1 October – Grindfest 2011 – Gandalfs

They are always open for bookings - info@blackmarketriots.com    ;-)

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