Biography
Bandmembers:
André Pienaar – Vocals, guitar and keyboards. Rudi Cronjé – Lead guitar and backing vocals.
Regardt Nel – Bass and backing vocals.
Rupert Nel – Drums.
Winner of the MK Award 2009 for Best Newcomer, Ashtray Electric, brings you a fresh new sound that is a delicate mixture of foot-tapping beats and rolling riffs. Not adhering to commercial beats, Ashtray Electric is taking the SA Music Scene by their very own handshake of music that is inspired by a large selection of musical styles and genres.
Ashtray Electric launched their debut EP “The Dave Sessions” on 19 October 2007. They were spotted by Levi`s Original Music and performed at a high profile Levi`s Young Guns event in Cape Town in June 2008.
Their first single “The Swing” reached the no 1 position on Tuks FM`s SA Top 10, as well as the no 3 position on the Tuks Fm Top 40. a Video of “The Swing” reached no 3 on MK`s Top 10 Chart.
In 2008, Ashtray Electric recorded a new single “Quite Overstared” for the Bellville Rock City compilation that was released by Rhythm Records in December 2008. “Quite Overstared” was playlisted on campus radiostations nationwide and reached the no 1 position on Tuks FM Top 30 and no 1 on Tuks fm SA Top 10. The video of “Quite Overstared” reached no 1 on MK Top 10 and is also playing on MTV Base.
Ashtray Electric released their first full length album “Bonjour” on 29 April 2009. The album consists of 10 new tracks, a 15 minute documentary of the band titled “Lead me to Sea” (filmed and produced by The African Attachment), as well as the video and making of “Quite Overstared.”
The first single on Bonjour “Seasons” has led the way to commercial airplay for Ashtray Electric by being playlisted on Highveld Stereo and East Coast Radio.
“When Sex Becomes a Sport” was playlisted on national campus radio stations and reached no 1 on Tuks FM SA Top 10.
More about the band:
Vocalist André Pienaar grew up in Wellington. He finished his B.Sc degree in Biochemistry at UCT in 2008. Guitarist Rudi Cronje is from Bellville and studied BA with a specialized degree in Copywriting. Rhythm section Regardt and Rupert Nel are brothers and are also from Bellville. Regardt studied sound engineering and Rupert did a course in photography. They have been jamming together for years and both of them have played for various smaller bands over the years.
Rudi, Regardt and Rupert were in the same Highschool (Stellenberg). Rudi met André on a Fokofpolisiekar tour and Ashtray Electric was formed in 2007. Apart from the Nel brothers`piano lessons in primary school, none of the bandmembers have had any formal training in music. André writes the lyrics for all Ashtray Electric songs.
Media:
“Ashtray Electric have potential to be South Africa’s next musical export”
http://rwrant.co.za/2009/08/18/sa-bands-online-links-part-1/
“Ashtray Electric are definitely the coolest new band on the SA scene.”
Joanne Olivier, www.entertainmentafrica.com
“Listen to “Bonjour” because these Bellville rockers are set to make it big and have delivered an awesome debut album that includes and extra bonus disc with an insightful documentary on the band.” Carla Calitz, Cosmopolitan.
“The album is powerful and surpassed all my expectations with its undulating riffs and engaging melodies, it’s a debut album but the sound is undeniably mature.” Jonathan, www.morethanmusic.co.za.
“This new, young indie band has the same energy as Adam and the Ants, the sleaziness of the likes of Slade and the sex appeal of T- Rex. They`re much more than these influences, though, evoking sentiments that are entirely local.” Chris Roper, Best Life.
“Bonjour, Ashtray Electric’s debut full length and the latest edition to the incestuous “Bellville Rock City” crew, is ace. The recording is slick, the songs are well written and catchy and the artwork, album booklet and overall concept and presentation are all super pro” Matt Wilson – www.bluntmag.co.za
“ When I first heard their EP in March, the rolling riffs and Franz Ferdinand-like sounds impressed. But to compare the band with that Scottish band and others such as The Killers and The Arctic Monkeys does them a disservice. Their sound is all their own and André Gideon`s voice is reminiscent of Interpol lead singer Paul Banks. If you buy one South African indie album this year, this is the one to get.” Yolandi Groenewald – Mail and Guardian,
“You have to respect a band that can make "woohoo" work.” – Oddbox,
www.speakerbox.co.za
“Whether they like it or not, Ashtray Electric is in fashion. The group, who most certainly ignite something electric on stage, are another installation in the vein of the Belville Rock City era.” Atiyyah Kahn, Argus Tonight.
“Bonjour is classy and mature debut album.” Ruth Cooper, Bizcommunity.com
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