Oh, ho, ho it's Majik!

August 06, 2019

Oh, ho, ho it's Majik!

A gig at Schivas Rock in 2013 Design by Free Left Turn "Yes it was how you would imagine it" - Jan Vakansie

Ruff Majik is probably one of those familiar names you've been hearing recently. So they are playing one of their last shows in South Africa. It has truly been a while. When was it last time they played SA? Oh yes, 70's fest was a big 2019 highlight and I cannot wait for next year. Now go quickly put on a Majik-treffer from The Bear album. Try not to get too distracted by the insane artwork, pick one, and come back to read the rest of the story.

Back yet?

Go queue just one more from their latest masterpiece, Gloom & Tomb.

Okay, I promise to stop. The first time I heard The Bear I remember telling my friend that we have to watch them live. I remember lugging myself alone to New Moon one night to go watch a show. One of the best decisions I am most proud of in life. Just remember to go to a pharmacy and buy a cheap neckbrace and some pain killer to ease the next day.

Rubber is the genre if you and your friends are still arguing over whatever genre you definitely think it is.

Speedy, slow, all over the place. It really is not easy to get a grasp on what is happening in front of you when you see them live. Yes, the genre may not be for you. However, the way they attract and make a crowd move is something to behold. The riff worship is in session.

Despite this heavy brutal looking band you should beware of the fondling whenever in their presence. It is sad having to say goodbye. We as a scene should be proud that we have talent that represents our beautiful country overseas. They transcended across waters even before they could traverse them. Go watch some live videos to get an idea of how much they blow up a stage for the lucky foreigners. So they are playing Railways on the 7th of September. I'm trying some brainwashing techniques here. Blink twice. Is it working?

You would notice that this article is not going to be the usual Q & A. Go do it at the show. Just give them time to catch their breath after the set before your Spanish inquisition begins. First, give them a good SA farewell. I think the best way to give someone a good SA farewell is to steal all their shit and cut their power at the moment. Don't do it. Give them a hug say "die bok sal sorg" and walk slowly in reverse without losing eye contact.

Secondly why have you not bought your ticket for the 7th of September. Dystopia presents Something Wicked This Way Comes. DO IT.

You save like R10 by buying online. R10 goes a long way.

Ruff Majik? From PTA?

I remember playing Western Death Kvlt on Soundcloud for the first time yapping to my one friend that I will track them down and watch them live before I die. Little to my knowledge two of the members bumped my friend over Tyla’s pedalboard at a Math show one cold night at New Moon during a Heinekin shower moshpit.

They’ve moved up in the world and it makes me proud to be a witness to their journey. From humble beginnings playing shows at small gatherings and growing up in Lydenburg to sharing a stage with the likes of Ty Segall, Sleep, Truck Fighters later this year at DesertFest, Ruff Majik never ceases to desist. Johni Holiday, Jimmy Glass and Ben Manchino Booysen, you may have seen these names pop up on your social somewhere. They are the core trinity that is Majik.

Spot the Muff Rajik

The one thing about this band is the crowd of people they attract. Good people in fact. The best people I have met in my entire life to date. It is as though everyone they touch or that listens to their music is like some distant relative you connect with in some weird way. Interesting fact, each of the members can locate your nipple with a single touch. Ask them the art of nipple triangulation and they’ll be happy to teach you. They don’t kid around they get straight to the point at a show. No funny business, a lot of teasing and riffs that will make the cops raid the place only to hold the soundy at gunpoint yelling "DON'T STOP AND TURN UP THE FUCKING VOLUME!"