Super bok...

I learnt a new word a few weeks ago, and while it was a rather under-stated explanation related to the event, it has never-the-less stuck in my brain!

The word is 'bok', to be used as an expression of something which is super cool. As in, "Ja, that's bok!" 

'Bok' is also the name of a group of guys who put on the pop-up music event on Spin Street in Cape Town a few weeks ago. In a non-music venue, there was a second-hand clothing sale and a small balcony, a selection of basic beers, plus rum and coke. In line with the stripped back set up, they'd even made a budget sign out of brown paper!

A bunch of guys having fun by creating an afternoon gig, in an unusual setting, with good bands, just because! Now that's bok in my books!

Other variations that come to mind are 'bok befok' and 'super bok'. And besides being a Portuguese beer sold at Nandos in the UK, I think super bok could have some traction in our local is lekker lingo!

Then there's the rugby world cup. South Africa's Boks are super bok for having won all their games to date! And much like the comraderie in rugby and sport, Cape Town band The Rescu recently spoke about their desire for a similar music culture of support and allegiance to develop in SA! Patriotism in SA music, supporting SA music regardless... hell yeah!

To me this would be going to gigs where you don't know what to expect (much like watching Japan v Canada, as unfolded yday in an interesting 23 all draw) or trying out new mixes of bands (like going to watch SA v Namibia even though you'd usually support a SA v Wales game) and also viewing each performance as a 'match' in that players have good days and bad days, perhaps even recognising a certain muso as the MVP of the gig!

So this concept of a developing a music culture is an easy one to start... It begins with a shift in mindset. Are you up for the shift to encourage national support and appreciation of SA music?

And on that note, if you spot a band called Supercancer, make the effort to see them soon! They were one of the bok event bands. Whooooaaa! Bok befok! Super bok!

(And while we're on about what's musically hot, later that same bok night we got to see Desmond & the Tutus at Assembly (and I just love their Facebook logo - their name in toast).

Now these Joburg guys are no newbies and are already well liked (I was their most recent 3,770th fan today!) But if you haven't seen them yet, add it to your bok bucket list!

In comparison, I was Supercancer's 370th fan - so a band with 10% of the fans of Desmond - for now! (And FYI - Bok van Blerk has 10 times the fan base of Desmond, with 37,323 fans!)

• Supercancer: 370 fans (Super bok!)
• Desmond & the Tututs: 3,770 (Jozi bok befok!)
• Bok van Blerk: 37,323 (100% bok hahaha)

ZAmmm! shall return with more Facebook fan counts and other such useful facts in the near future!

Rock on all things super bok!
x