Monday Morning Justice or MMJ started as a solo folk punk project in Middelburg, Mpumalanga... A very conservative, religious and racist town to be playing fast atheistic folk music with political undertones. Now with a full band backing up a snot filled collection of very intricate punk rock songs, with heartfelt lyrics. This is a must listen to album.
"But can you find a better friend
than one who helps you jump the fence,
looks out when you slash their tires,
burns a flag when you're cold and tired
A brother, a sister, an open hand
mother can you understand we live a life we've never owned
So whisper softly sabotage
and wither slowly this visage.
Now we know the blood of kings
is spilled as easy as those who sin
Shape this country into land
and share it with your fellow man,
there are greater uses for this fire
but none as great as to burn their empire!
Salute!
The fathers who brought us to a land where
the children scream: "Why?!!!"
As I awake with a skull in my hand
Betray all that history has written
Now that their aren't any statues left,
to obscure the view I hope we see thee embers
of our burnt brothers who cross borders
Now that there aren't any lights on nowa' days
I hope we notice their...
I hope we notice their...
I hope we notice their hue"
Folk, Blues, Ska, Punk out of Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
"Powerage was one of the first punk bands to come out of South Africa, with songs against apartheid, the a.w.b., and everything that they saw wrong in the world. Through the time Powerage was together the line up changed several times. This is definitely one of the bravest punk bands to have come out of the 80s" - Last FM
"Power Age formed in Durban, South Africa in June 1981. The first line-up was Spike-vocals, Brett-guitar, Brian-guitar, Dave-bass, Mark Pills-drums. The first gig was on 3rd October 1981 supporting the Gay Marines. It was their first encounter with the police as well, as Spike got taken in, because some policemen didn't like his pink mohawk. In June '82 Spike arranged a benefit show and 6 punk bands played. The show was a great success. Straight after this show Brian and Dave left. Midge joined on bass and it proved better with one guitar, so it was kept to a four piece. In November '82 Mark left to go live in England. Rubin Rose (previously from South Africa’s first punk band Wild Youth and later Warspike) replaced him immediately and the band really started moving. .. .. In April '83 they put out their first 7" vinyl release ‘World War 3 / Vengeance of Youth’. At the same time Midge left the band due to musical differences. The band was stagnant for 2 months until Paddy joined on bass. He was a good friend of the band but had never played before, so it was like starting again. In '84 the 2 songs off the first 7" were released on the UK compilation LP ‘Beating the Meat’. At this time in Durban (and the whole of South Africa) the scene was virtually dead - Power Age were the only punk band. In June '84 they played the ‘Punk '84’ show with new bands Wild Justice and State Control. It was a fantastic success and the owner of the venue let them run it for punk shows. Things went well and a good number of bands sprung up and the scene started moving. In June '85 they put out a C-60 tape ‘Who Are You?’ - one side studio, the other live and also succeeded in getting a track ‘System’ onto a French compilation EP entitled ‘Single Ticket to Paradise’. November '85 saw the release of the now legendary 4-track EP ‘Stop Apartheid’ in France by Neg-FX Records. In May '86 the band put out another C-60 tape release ‘Ripe for Terror’. At the same time they did a benefit show for a friend in jail. The venue owner somehow heard that it was a benefit for the ANC, and called the police. The police came, smashed up the gig and it was over. Luckily no one was arrested. .. .. Then the saddest moment came... Rubin quit the band in June '86. He had warned he might have to leave due to mounting pressure from his bosses. Peter then joined on drums, but couldn't play, so the band were stagnant again for 3 months. In February '87 they put out the 2 song 7" tribute to Rubin ‘World Today / Waiting for the War’ (recorded in '84) on their new label Power Noize Records. At the same time Peter left to play with Screaming Foetus and their good friend Choppy replaced him. In April '87 Power Age released a 5-track EP entitled ‘The Last Dove’. June '87 saw the release of the EP ‘Backlash’, a split EP with New Zealand-band Compos Mentis released on Out Of Order Records as well as one track ‘Eat Wheat Not Meat’ on a USA compilation LP entitled ‘The ALF Is Watching And You Can't Escape’. .. .. Having played only 77 shows in their 7 year existence Power Age played their last show on the 29th of July '88 . This show was recorded and made available as the ‘Live in Durban’ LP... .. ..
Members Those who served 1981 - 1987: .. .. Spike - vocals .. Brett - guitar .. Brian - guitar .. Dave - bass .. Midge - bass .. Paddy - bass .. Mark - drums .. Rubin - drums .. Peter - drums .. Choppy - drums .. .... ...." -Myspace
A.W.O.L. (Absent without leave.) were a 4 member band from Johannesburg, ZA
They played hard hitting Chaos/80s Hardcore Punk and built up quite a following.
They recorded one album named 'another pawn please' and were beginning work on a second album in 2009 when the band came to an end due to Jonathan Way's suicide. Jonathan Way (D-Beat johnny) was an amazing artist and musician and above all a kid with a really big heart. This Blog is dedicated to him.
Members:
Jonathan Way -Drums (Solitary Confinement)
Damien Martins -Guitar/Vocals
Kyron Currie / Chris Linde -Bass
Michael Way -Guitar/Vocals (Solitary Confinement / Sloppy Folk)
