Fuzigish at Unit 11 Durban

Photographs and Review by Brent Raftopoulos and Jessica Simes

 

The Southern Ska Stompers demolished Stone City on the 4th of July with their new album launch, Fuzigish SA’s ska rock icons showed Durban once again why they are the first band that comes to mind when someone brings up S.A ska. Unit 11 was lucky enough to have them play at their club with Fruit and Veggies and Low Profile opening for the band. The Durban groups made sure to make their presence known with Fruit and Veg giving the crowd a little of their Durban ska talent as well as Low Profile rocking out in their usual fashion. Fuzi as per usual had a huge turn out with die hard fans singing along to favorites like Uncle Shifty’s and Upper Hand. The group showed the fans plenty of thanks by giving them a gig so awesome that Durban has not seen in a long while.

The band started out hard and showed Durban a good time. The crowd going ballistic all the while, this ended in the security barrier having to be removed. Fuzi had their usual madness with crowd members hitting back one of Big Willy’s infamous funnels as well as stage diving and being thrown around. The only negative thing to be said was the crowd let the band down by trying to kill each other instead of skanking the way it should be done. Jay Bones as per usual kept the crowd entertained with his guitar and vocals along with Big Willy and the rest of the gang making a night to remember. The group made sure to include the audience the whole while and even though they had a massive set list there was not a single dull moment even when Jay ended up without a guitar and improvised an entire song which just shows his lyrical talents. Lamps were knocked around while the gig was going on and all I could see was Jay taking a rogue lamp to the forehead thankfully that wasn’t a situation Fuzi had to deal with.

 

Lee their drummer gave us some crazy beats to listen to while Rockwell jammed along providing us with some rough ska backup vocals and some bouncy bass notes to keep the rhythm flowing. The band as a group were great together and are still to me the ultimate S.A ska band and I’m hoping I’ll be able to watch them again soon.

The gig was amazing and definitely was worth a mere 40 bucks to watch. The group has always been a top band in my mind to watch live and after watching them I’m going to be making a point to be there at every gig from now on. Jozi can count themselves lucky to have a band like Fuzigish in their ranks showing the new guys how it should be done. All that can be said is that Durban wants Fuzi back already for some more skanking and madness. My new year’s resolution is definitely to fight the fight up Hill Street under blue skies while being exploited and distorted, united and divided you and I will be scratching a little bird at Uncle Shifty’s Wholesale Emporium! From us all in Durban Thanks a lot Fuzi!

 

Fuzigish is still on their tour see the dates and below:

18/06. Bloem,The Mystic Boer w/ Frank Freeman
25/06. Jozi, BEEEG Day Out
09/07. PTA, Tings an Times w/ Sunday Punchers & Juggernaught
16/07. CT, Mercury Lounge w/ Hog Hoggidy Hog
29/07. P.E., Jesters w/ Sick Day September
30/07. G'town, Slipstream Sports Bar w/ Folklore