Live Review

Fokofpolisiekar – Clapham Grand, London

• 1st Jun 2011

It is hard for non-South Africans to understand the impact punk rockers Fokofpolisiekar made on Afrikaans culture when they appeared a decade ago. Fokofpolisiekar (yes, it does mean “F*** off police car” in English) brought a much-needed energy and anger to challenge the preconceptions and conservatism of a scene dominated by crooners, Euro-pop and country-style balladeers stuck in a rut of self-doubt.
 
For this, their first UK gig since 2006, support comes from singer Francois van Coke and bassist Wynand Myburgh’s side project, Van Coke Kartel, playing an energetic mix of songs from their three albums, including “Voor Ons Stof Word”, “Elke Oomblik Tel”, “Ondier Kom!” and a cover of Michael Sembello’s “Maniac”, the only English song of the evening.
 
Maybe lacking the initial impact of Fokofpolisiekar, Van Coke Kartel have established themselves as a big rock band and stand now more than capable of crossing over successfully into the global music scene.
 
Francois and Wynand are joined by drummer Jaco Venter, and guitarists Hunter Kennedy and Johnny de Ridder for the Fokofpolisiekar set, continuing with the same energy and passion. Starting with “Prioritiseer” they then went straight into the hits “Brand Suid-Afrika”, “Vernietig Jouself” and “Hemel Op Die Platteland” which sent the crowd into a frenzy with Francois riding atop the crowd at times.
 
The thoughtful “Maak Of Braak” showed that lyrically Fokofpolisiekar aren’t mindless noise. This is focused, personal and confessional and you don’t need to be Afrikaans or even South African (and I’m neither) to marvel at the beauty of a song like “Ek Skyn ( Heilig)” to see why this band means so much to the fans. Finishing with “Antibiotika” and the eponymous “Fokofpolisiekar” (seriously, who else could pull off calling a song after themselves like these guys did?) it was clear from the surrounding buzz that this was a band on the top of their game and which still has a lot more to give.
 
Yes, this was a largely South African crowd, but it doesn’t detract from the fact that tonight, Fokofpolisiekar are one of the great punk rock bands. Forget last year’s over-hyped Die Antwoord, this is the credible sound of the Afrikaans and South African music scene that doesn’t imitate America. You should go out and buy their records now and hear for yourselves.
 
Van Coke Kartel will be the support act for the Springbok Nude Girls at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on 4 June.