Grade 9 GMK RESEARCH TASK

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BLK JKS
by

Stephy Rajagukguk Ms D Chandler

9A
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2 May

2012
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A BRIEF BACKGROUND 1) The band consists of 4 members vocals and guitar by Lindani Buthelezi; guitar by Mpumi
Mcata; bass by Molefi Makananise; and drums by Tshepang Ramoba. BLK JKS (pronounced black jacks) have been categorised as alternative rock, experimental rock and progressive rock. They are signed under the label Secretly Canadian and have been together since the year 2000. The band originates from Johannesburg and has international success in places such as the USA. This band has been reviewed by the likes of Rolling Stone as Africas best new band (Fiery guitars, dark jams: Africa's best new band by Josh Eells, rollingstone.com 2009) and Pitchfork Media. BLK JKS performed at the 2011 Rock al Parque festival in Bogot, Columbia and also, at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Celebration Concert with Alicia Keys. BLK JKS was chosen by the well-known rock band, Thirty Seconds To Mars to open for them on their 2010 concert trip to South Africa, in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Also in 2010, they were featured in a documentary from The Fader called Pitch Perfect and are featured in the 7th episode. In the same year, BLK JKS contributed to the (RED) and Grassroot Soccer Camp soccer & education program in the Kayaletisa Township in Cape Town. The song Lakeside (off After Robots) is featured on the FIFA 10 PC game.

2)

ALBUMS: 2009 After Robots [Secretly Canadian] EPS: 2009 Mystery [Secretly Canadian] 2010 Zol! [Secretly Canadian]

3)

Lakeside by BLK JKS [4:15]

Down by the lakeside The paramedic the rulers head* To nurse a broken legion But where did it all go wrong Happiness is near here and happiness is feared [Interlude tribal sounds] Down by the lakeside There bottles grace heights* Your life flash before your eyes before your eyes But where did it all go wrong Happiness is near here and happiness is feared [Interlude tribal sounds] [Bridge/Ending guitar shredding]

This song is an example of why BLK JKS is so unique tribal samples are incorporated with modern rock sounds and the overall engineering is excellent. To me, its about when happiness is not easily found; almost like people are scared to be happy again; because of their current troubles.

BLK JKS the members

BLK JKS at 2011 Rock al Parque festival

BLK JKS perform with Alicia Keys at 2010 FIFA World Cup Celebration Concert

BLK JKS Mystery EP

BLK JKS in the documentary Pitch Perfect from The Fader, episode 7(2010)

THE BIBLIOGRAPHY
EELLS, J. (2009). Fiery guitars, dark jams: Africas best new band by Rolling Stone. Retrieved from http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/artist-to-watch-2009-blk-jks-20090807 (Accessed 19 April 2012) KATHY. (2010). BLK JKS Play Soccer & Acoustic Set at Grassroot Soccer Camp in Cape Town. Retrieved from http://secretlycanadian.com/blog/2010/06/blk-jks-playsoccer-acoustic-set-at-grassroot-soccer-camp-in-cape-town/ (Accessed 19 April 2012) LUCY. (2010). BLK JKS Featured in New Documentary from The Fader. Retrieved from http://secretlycanadian.com/blog/2010/07/blk-jks-featured-in-newdocumentary-from-the-fader/ (Accessed 19 April 2012) LYSSA. (2011). BLK JKS Collab on Domus Mixtape, available at FADER. Retrieved from http://secretlycanadian.com/blog/2011/07/blk-jks-collab-on-domus-mixtapeavailable-at-fader/ (Accessed 19 April 2012) STEFANIA. (2010). BLK JKS to Open for Thirty Seconds To Mars South Africa. Retreived from http://secretlycanadian.com/blog/2010/11/blk-jks-to-open-for-thirtyseconds-to-mars-in-south-africa/ (Accessed 19 April 2012) UNKNOWN AUTHOR. (Unknown year). BLK JKS. Retrieved from http://www.secretlycanadian.com/artist.php?name=blkjks (Accessed 19 April 2012) UNKNOWN AUTHOR. (Unknown year). BLK JKS. Retrieved http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLK_JKS (Accessed 19 April 2012)

BLK JKS in the documentary Pitch Perfect from The Fader