Sweat X is two guys, Spoek Mathambo (the black one) and Markus Wormstorm (the white one). At this precise moment in time, Sweat X are the last word in the whole hip-house/new rave/electro-booty funk thing that's so new it hasn't even happened yet. They're South Africa's funnest musical export ever and they're heading out across Europe to play a stack of parties in a town near you.Did new rave filter down to South Africa?
Markus: Yeah, it's come and gone. It was really big during our summer, so let's say November, December, but people seem to be moving on again. That's the thing with Cape Town – the second something's in, it's out.
Spoek: I haven't heard any Klaxons and whatnot but a while back people here started trying to bring back original rave shit, so there was a rave revival. Everyone here just thought it was real funny. After all the coolness of hip-hop, electronica and eventually dead cool skinny jeans and eyeliner indie, things got stupid and rave.We always hear horror stories about the crime situation in SA, like car jackings in broad daylight. Has anything happened to you guys?
Spoek: For a long time I was dumb proud that I never ever got jacked, then one day I was walking back from the library with a girl I know. I was holding her books like the gentleman I am, then out of nowhere these two grimey dudes with knives jump out like ninjas. I was ready to bust out then I remembered I was with the girl and girls can't run… Ever! So I look back and they have a knife to her throat in broad fucking daylight. Anyways, so then I stop and edge back to them and what am I doing at this point? I'm semi-crouched holding the library books like nunchucks. Needless to say I didn't get my shit taken.
Markus: Yeah, if you're into something dark, move to a third world country. Shit happens all the time. I've been mugged, shot at and almost stabbed.What about drugs out there?
Spoek: Different communities do different stuff, really. A kind of speed derivative called Tuk really caught on in the last couple of years. It's dirt cheap. 10-year-old kids were hooked on the shit, rollerblading up a storm! Mandrax was really big when I was growing up. Heroin and coke came through but aren't doing too much township (i.e. black) damage. It's mostly a white thang out here.So, as a black guy and a white guy making music in pefect harmony, what are the chances of you two becoming poster boys for the Rainbow Nation?
Markus: Sweet Jesus, that is so lame…* Sweat X play Computer Blue @ Bar Music Hall, Shoreditch tonight (June 22) then headline Sick Of Nature at the Old Blue Last tomorrow (June 23).
Markus: Yeah, it's come and gone. It was really big during our summer, so let's say November, December, but people seem to be moving on again. That's the thing with Cape Town – the second something's in, it's out.
Spoek: I haven't heard any Klaxons and whatnot but a while back people here started trying to bring back original rave shit, so there was a rave revival. Everyone here just thought it was real funny. After all the coolness of hip-hop, electronica and eventually dead cool skinny jeans and eyeliner indie, things got stupid and rave.We always hear horror stories about the crime situation in SA, like car jackings in broad daylight. Has anything happened to you guys?
Spoek: For a long time I was dumb proud that I never ever got jacked, then one day I was walking back from the library with a girl I know. I was holding her books like the gentleman I am, then out of nowhere these two grimey dudes with knives jump out like ninjas. I was ready to bust out then I remembered I was with the girl and girls can't run… Ever! So I look back and they have a knife to her throat in broad fucking daylight. Anyways, so then I stop and edge back to them and what am I doing at this point? I'm semi-crouched holding the library books like nunchucks. Needless to say I didn't get my shit taken.
Markus: Yeah, if you're into something dark, move to a third world country. Shit happens all the time. I've been mugged, shot at and almost stabbed.What about drugs out there?
Spoek: Different communities do different stuff, really. A kind of speed derivative called Tuk really caught on in the last couple of years. It's dirt cheap. 10-year-old kids were hooked on the shit, rollerblading up a storm! Mandrax was really big when I was growing up. Heroin and coke came through but aren't doing too much township (i.e. black) damage. It's mostly a white thang out here.So, as a black guy and a white guy making music in pefect harmony, what are the chances of you two becoming poster boys for the Rainbow Nation?
Markus: Sweet Jesus, that is so lame…* Sweat X play Computer Blue @ Bar Music Hall, Shoreditch tonight (June 22) then headline Sick Of Nature at the Old Blue Last tomorrow (June 23).