South African Psychedelic Rock You Need to Know
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With a new wave of psychedelic music coming out of South Africa, we thought we would put together a list of some of the best bands you need to know.
The Psychedelic Furs- “The Ghost in You”
One of the most successful charting singles of the 1980s new wave era, The Psychedelic Furs’ “The Ghost in You” peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and spent an impressive six weeks at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1984. The song, which was written by frontman Richard Butler and keyboardist Tim Butler, appears on the band’s 1982 album Love My Way.
The Charlatans- “Weirdo”
This song is the perfect introduction to The Charlatans, one of the most important bands to come out of the Manchester music scene in the early ’90s. “Weirdo” is a perfect example of the band’s unique melding of influences, which includes everything from classic rock and pop to country and psychedelia. Singer Tim Burgess’ ethereal vocals are the perfect counterpoint to the song’s driving, anthemic chorus.
The Stone Roses- “Fools Gold”
“Fools Gold” is a song by English rock band The Stone Roses, released as a single in September 1989. It was the lead single from the band’s second album, Second Coming. Upon release, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 8 and peaked at number 3 in January 1990. The accompanying video features the band performing the song in a nightclub, intercut with footage of them on a beach.
The Stone Roses are an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1984. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester music scene in the late 1980s. The band’s most prominent lineup consists of vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani and drummer Reni. The Stone Roses released their debut album, The Stone Roses, in May 1989 to both commercial and critical acclaim; becoming one of the landmark debut albums of all time.
The second album by The Stone Roses was highly anticipated before its release in late 1994 after a five-year recording hiatus during which time members Battleship and Reni left the group; with Brown and Squire citing creative differences with Aziz Ibrahim and new drummer Rob Turner respectively. The album was poorly received upon its release and commercial performance was poor; leading to the band’s break-up later that year.
The Verve- “Bitter Sweet Symphony”
The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” is a song you need to know if you want to understand South African psychedelic rock music. The song was released in 1997 and quickly rose to popularity, becoming one of the defining songs of the genre. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” is a perfect example of the South African psychedelic rock sound, blending elements of rock, pop, and electronica into a unique and catchy song.
Oasis- “Champagne Supernova”
One of the most influential British bands of the 1990s, Oasis rose from the ashes of the Madchester scene to conquer the world with their infectious brand of guitar-driven pop/rock. Combining elements of classic pop, stadium-sized rock, and anthemic Brit-pop, the group — which featured Liam Gallagher (vocals), Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass), and Tony McCarroll (drums) — became one of the U.K.’s most popular bands, selling millions of albums and singles worldwide. Along with Blur, Oasis helped revitalize British pop in the wake of American grunge and Brit-pop rivals like Pulp.
