Thing is, the Buckfevers do a style of music fusing poetry, spoken-word, rock, funk, psychedelia and free-form jazz experimentalism that defies categorisation. So it's hard to even say, "If you like this, you'll probably like the Buckfevers." That's why it's easier to say you'll hate them! Anyone with a commercial taste in music will certainly find them difficult to digest.
They are about as far from the mainstream as it's possible to get. Despite that, they've flirted with actual success. They've won awards for the albums, played Oppikoppi, got their vids on MK. But if, for instance you prefer your frontman actually singing, you'll hate Buckfever Underground. If like hip-hop, you'll hate Buckfever Underground. If you prefer short, concise songs with a verse, chorus, bridge and a planned ending, you will despise The Buckfever Underground.
But if you're in the market for a creative take on musical expression, experimental songs in English and Afrikaans that push the limits of stage convention, and offer visceral reflections of and on South African culture, then we might be in business. If you're open to musical poetry, free-form improvs, jam-band freestyles, an underground, anti-supergroup, and a unique bunch of artists who are on track to become a South African institution, you want to see Buckfever Underground.
The band is fronted by bilingual poetic genius and award-winning journalist Toast Coetzer, often carrying screeds of notes, which he recites over the Grateful Dead-style jams of his collaborators. These include Stephen Timm on drums, another writer and also creating futuristic electro music in bands like Myric Ambre and Polstar. Bassist Gil Hockman is a solo artist in his own right, a neo-folk troubadour who last year was possibly the giggingest performer in the country. Buckfevers guitarist Righard Kapp's style is close to the more out-there efforts of ex-Chili Pepper John Frusciante – during the heroin phase – and he has also produced some super-bizarre solo stuff, including sweet recent album Strung Like A Compound Eye. Pop genius John Savage, erstwhile of Cassette, and Samas musical director, completes the line-up, as he has done intermittently since they were established in Grahamstown in the Nineties.
It's almost like a surrealist Wu-Tang clan, if you think about it. The Buckfevers have been going about 15 years already. They go into hibernation as members refocus on personal projects, then reconvene to put out another album, a video, a tour. It's low-key, DIY in a punk style, and untainted by commercialism. That said, you can buy their six albums at thebuckfeverunderground.com, or download tracks at Rhythm Records, or you can go see them live. Cos they're in a reconvening phase, the okes. A new album is approaching completion and that should mean a few Buckfevers appearances.
They're also visually literate to say the least, which makes their videos sweet watching and their actual albums collectable artefacts.
Without many people noticing, save their passionate fans, these guys have crafted a career worthy of great respect. They do what they do, on their own terms, in a style unlike anyone else. They might not get rich off this, but whatever happens, they'll be doing it with integrity intact.
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