SA’s music scene is a very different one to when prog punk rock band, ATFN, first starting gigging in 1998.
In the years that followed into the early 00s, English alternative bands were the flavour of the day with groups like The Narrow and Hog Hoggidy Hog dominating stages all over the country. Pretoria’s ATFN (All This For Nothing) fit squarely into this mould.
It was unfortunate, however, that their untimely hiatus came when things were just starting to get interesting – MK launched, mainstream radio started supporting rock bands more and more and brands began pumping money into events and experiences to further serve the scene.
The newly released, ATFN: The Revival Documentary, shot by the supremely talented Dizzy Khaki (Jonathan Erin Purchase), sheds light on why ATFN stopped writing and performing after Paul Gioia’s injury to his hand left him unable to play any instrument, but most importantly, why they’ve started again.
My favourite part of this doccie is how it seamlessly juxtaposes the “then” (through shots of developed photos of the original members from back in the day) and “now” (through interviews with newest members Wim Jansen Van Rensburg, Werner Olckers and Chani Brits) of ATFN’s history.
Be warned, this mini-doccie is not for anyone who’s feeling overtly emotional and if you are, I’d strongly recommend having a double whiskey on-hand while you watch it.
ATFN’s new album “Reverence” is due for release in spring 2019 and after their rip-roaring set at RAMfest 2019, I would suggest that you keep both eyes out.
