Photos by Jonx Pillemer

We first brought South African band BLK JKS to you back in 2008, and I’m glad to see that the band is getting shine in their native country during the World Cup. When I talked with their manager a while back he told me that they were practicing vigriously for their moment on the world stage and they did not disappoint.

During the World Cup the JKS will be helping with RED and Grassroot Soccer programs for local youth in the Khayaletisha township outside of Cape Town.

Earlier this week, South African band (and FADER Favorites) BLK JKS, along with DC’s own Laughing Man and our homegirls Noon:30. Big up to photographer Boney Starks of 714 Images for capturing these amazing photos.

Laughing Man

BONUS: Our BLK JKS interview from their previous time in DC.

Last week’s show calendar was insane, with sold out events left and right, but the sleeper performance of the week (and quite possibly, one of the best) came from BLK JKS. The crew from South Africa put on an unbelievable show, making them more than worthy of their “next big thing” status. Led by lead singer Lindani Buthelezi and the ferocious drumming of Tshepang Ramoba, the BLK JKS not only dropped familiar songs like “Summertime,” and “Lakeside,” but dropped some amazing extended cuts in typical jam band fashion.

The band has already covered the Fader and are onto very big things once their album After Robots drops in September. Lady Glock chatted with the guys about their current tour and moving to Indiana in the winter of all places to record their album. Also, check these beautiful shots that Ms. Glock took as well.

BLK JKS – Lakeside

When many people think of Africa, the stereotypical images abound: tribal music, mud huts, grass skirts and conflict dominate our images of the continent. However, Africa has been leading the modern music revolution for a hot minute now, from the Afrobeat stylings of Fela Kuti, to the Ethiopian jazz beats of Mulatu Astatke, to the more recent African hip-hop movement.

The South African rock band BLK JKS (pronounced Black Jacks), is again shaking up what African music is supposed sound like. Ever since their 5 song EP dropped 2 years ago, the collective has been getting worldwide acclaim from the Internet and music industry execs alike. The sound–a collection of psychedelic rock combined with African rhythms and heavy percussion–is a maturation of what acts like Mandrill and Bad Brains used to do back in the day. The sound is strictly African, however, with their rock guitars peppered by Zulu chants and various ramblings about the environment, teenage pregnancy, and South African politics.

The group has become a fascination in their native country, attracting as one local paper calls it, “new South African hipsters who are looking for a soundtrack to an identity…”, and they’ve gotten cosigns by Pharrell and Dead Prez. They are currently on the first leg of an extensive US Tour, which is scheduled to conclude with multiple dates in Austin for South By Southwest, including the NPR Music showcase on Thursday, March 19th. (much thanks to Lady Glock for the track)

We’re ringing in 2009 with our reader Best of 2008 lists. I reached out to several of our readers to give their Top 5 of the best releases of the year. I’ll be profiling a new reader each day over the next several weeks. Today’s Reader is Rob Fields of Bold As Love.

Name: Rob Fields
Location: Brooklyn
Website: http://www.boldaslove.us

TV On The Radio–”Dear Science”.  See DLZ and Love Dog
Passing Strange original cast recording.  A great show full of music that shines light on our humanity.
Gnarls Barkley–”The Odd Couple”.  I can’t think of a more introspective, and in some ways, existential album put out by a Black artist
Saul Williams–”The Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust”. Hard-hitting and truth-telling.
BLK JKS–”Mystery” (EP)

Honorable mentions
Chewing Pics–”Tarantula” (EP)
The Knux–”Remind Me in 3 Days…” Just a lot of fun