LEGENDS OF THE ABELARDE: ABSTRACT EVIL BARBEE
Abstract Evil Barbee had their first gig at Wings in Braamfontein. It was founded with Manik, Cliff and Donovan together with Martin. The name came from Manik’s comic published in Get The Funk Out magazine - Evil Barbie. Due to trademark issues, it was changed to Abstract Evil Barbee. Cliff did the background music, Don played guitar and Manik and Martin did vocals. It was loud avant-garde performance rock with songs like “The Vegetable Song” (anti-Q-Kumba Zoo with the lyrics, “Give us money, we’re pretentious too!”). Later Kerry, Manik’s wife joined the band then their neighbour - Martin’s friend, Andy Igpen on guitar as Don went overseas. They played a couple of festivals, and the band got no cash and were frustrated. Martin was left and advertised in the Star for a girl singer, Kassandra got the job and brought her guitarist boyfriend, Brandon along. The band became goth with ethereal tunes and recorded an album with Damn The Icebergs. Don rejoined - Kass and B left and Martin invited the freshly rehabilitated Marc Presley to join. Reach was the name of the band now and they were great. Marc left without saying goodbye to Taiwan and Martin then played with fans including Plank and the Icebergs. Now Martin and Manik do podcasts together:)…..
Source: Alex Smit-Stachowski
For many years Martin was the resident DJ at the Abelarde, booking the bands, hustling and dealing with the ego’s of the “Rock Stars” of our time. A thankless job indeed … He remains part and parcell of the “Abelarde myth”.
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Tags: abelarde sanction, AEB, art, bands, damn the icebergs, dark, dark wave, Germany, goth, guitar, Legends, music, new age, plank
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Hey Taz, Clifford Swindells also did the backing tracks for some of the AEB songs.
Comment made by Pat on 20080429 @ 0942 BRAVO
Hmmm, youre right. Wintermute. Come to thing of it, didnt Manik Moon also have a hand in there somewhere?
Comment made by Taz on 20080429 @ 1315 BRAVO
Thanks for filling in the blanks Alex. Big blanks. Shows u how much of a “dwaal” I was in behind the bar. Apologies to all.
Comment made by Taz on 20080710 @ 1308 BRAVO