MUSIC

One of South Africa’s most legendary rock bands, the Springbok Nude Girls took a break in 2001. They subsequently made a few appearances here and there but from 2007, were seen no more. In March this year, with the help of Jameson and Levi’s South Africa, they made a fiery surprise return to the music scene at an exclusive gig at Cape Town’s live music venue, The Assembly. one small seed tv was on hand to chat to the legends themselves. We also dropped in with supporting acts, Fokofpolisiekar and Jackal & Wolf to find out what it was like to share the stage with one of SA’s most highly acclaimed bands.

The Nudies need no introduction. They have played with top international acts such as Lenny Kravitz and Portishead. Back in 1997, the Sunday Times Magazine eloquently summed them up with the following statement: “They have graduated to the rarefied atmosphere of the big leagues in style.  Energetic, brain-scrambling live shows, material with the ability to leap instantly from searing to soothing - frequently in the same song - and, in Arno Carstens, a frontman so sexy that he could cause both men and women to spontaneously combust.” Although the group was dogged with controversy, with rumour mills spinning tales of in-fighting and run-away egos, the band has remained an SA favourite on the level of Mrs Ball’s Chutney and Springbok Rugby.

Supporting Capetonian rock acts, Fokofpolisiekar and Jackal & Wolf also put on a sterling performance, leaving the stage and crowd well warmed up for the Nude Girls. Arms flailed, heads banged and whiskey was drunk by one and all. Check out this video to get a taste of this spectacular gig. .