East London alternative 1990s rock band MattBlack will this weekend reunite for a once-off performance at the Legends Showcase.
The band members have come together to give their fans the opportunity to experience their sound as a group one last time.
The group – bass guitarist Jason Steyn, drummer Ian Beling, singer Matt Marais and guitarist Justin Cocks – will perform together for the first time since 1997.
MattBlack has opened for well-known South African bands such as Urban Creep, Arapaho, Sugar Drive and Springbok Nude Girls.
Marais said they were looking forward to playing together again. “Although we haven’t played together in such a long time, we have not stopped making music.”
Beling is based in Johannesburg and Cocks – who was in London – is relocating to Australia.
Steyn and Marais are still in East London.
“Justin has been back for a while now and we have been rehearsing everyday.
“We will be doing all our original songs,” he said.
The band recorded a 10-track demo album in 1996 which was sold around East London.
Two of the songs from the demo received national airplay on 5FM. After two years of enjoying airplay and shows around the city, MattBlack disbanded and the band members moved overseas to pursue various interests.
Marais said the one-night show was the band’s way of finishing what they started “all those years ago”.
“Jason and I usually perform around East London but these days we keep it low key. We’ve done unplugged shows at Raggies and other pubs around town,” he said.
- Catch MattBlack live at Legends Showcase in Berea on Saturday at 8pm. Tickets cost R50 and are available at Lee Gold Music and also at the door. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
MattBlack reunites for one night East London show
The band members have come together to give their fans the opportunity to experience their sound as a group one last time.
The group – bass guitarist Jason Steyn, drummer Ian Beling, singer Matt Marais and guitarist Justin Cocks – will perform together for the first time since 1997.
MattBlack has opened for well-known South African bands such as Urban Creep, Arapaho, Sugar Drive and Springbok Nude Girls.
Marais said they were looking forward to playing together again. “Although we haven’t played together in such a long time, we have not stopped making music.”
Beling is based in Johannesburg and Cocks – who was in London – is relocating to Australia.
Steyn and Marais are still in East London.
“Justin has been back for a while now and we have been rehearsing everyday.
“We will be doing all our original songs,” he said.
The band recorded a 10-track demo album in 1996 which was sold around East London.
Two of the songs from the demo received national airplay on 5FM. After two years of enjoying airplay and shows around the city, MattBlack disbanded and the band members moved overseas to pursue various interests.
Marais said the one-night show was the band’s way of finishing what they started “all those years ago”.
“Jason and I usually perform around East London but these days we keep it low key. We’ve done unplugged shows at Raggies and other pubs around town,” he said.
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