I’d been in bed for a week with the black lung, but nothing was going to deter me from soldiering through to the next Jim Beam Welcome Sessions at Evol in Cape Town’s CBD. Ah Evol. I feel like if the world had to suffer a nuclear holocaust the only things left would be cockraoches, Donald Trump’s toupee and Evol.
That crusty venue holds my heart and just as much as opening band TOUGHGUY now does. Fronted by Sihle Mkhize, his throaty punk-rooted vocals are perfectly supported by Desmond Kannemeyer, stage left. Stage right, Cobra does his best to smash out his chords while being half-groped by a blind drunk fan, while Sihle is ready to fight his mic stand that keeps crashing over. Gold star to the dude in front who basically held that stand up for Sihle for the duration of the set. Sean Baron (Runaway Nuns) guest vocals on a track and it’s a sweet moment, pity the kak cute goth couple in front of me with their tongues down their throats missed it.
TOUGHGUY is full throttle punk with a grungy tinge. Crowd-surfing Cali rock that was bred for the low-lit pub and clubs and causes mass chaos wherever it goes and I fucking love it.
In comparison, Elle E’s set is slick and controlled, the yin to yang of the mass mayhem I just witnessed. She works out the riffs of second track, “Life Force”, in front of a tight, invested crowd and it’s an indie rock masterclass. There’s a fluidity between members as they exchange momentary glances between songs, not skipping a beat. A woman next to me screams “HELLA IMPRESSED” halfway through and I have to agree. This is a band that deserves way more props.
By the end of the night there’s more vape smoke than real smoke in the air and I ninja before I have to say a bunch of goodbyes because it’s easier that way. Jah bless Evol, see you again when my lungs are fully healed.
