Beach Party is gaining momentum after their entry to the local music scene. This five-member crew, consisting of Andy Islands on organ, Danny Video on guitar and vocals, Makkie Summers on bass, Black Irish on drums and Big Daddy D on guitar, have been performing together in Cape Town since February 2011. Rolling Stone met up with the guys in anticipation of their performance at Rolling Stone Weekend, to discuss their identity, their creative process and to see where they've been and where they're going.
How do all the individual members in the band's identity differ from that of the group identity?
They all contribute to the group's identity. The people we are make us the group we are. We're kinda like the spice girls... Our differences make our group identity. Makkie is Posh Spice. Big D is Sporty. And Black Irish is the ginger one.
What comes first? The lyrics or the melody? Educate us on your creative process.
What comes first? Usually beer, in every situation. It lubricates our creative process.
The weekend where you worked with Mike Zietsman (rapper from PHfat), how was this for the band's development?
It was a great experience, really cool working with the people from Cape Audio, super friendly dudes. And Mike knows how to push us, which is good because we're a lazy bunch. And it was so legit, pre-amps, compressors, so many fancy things we would probably have not had access to if it wasn't for Mike and Richard Harriman (Engineer).
How did you end up working with Dylan Culhane and Riordan Allen to make a music video for "Water"? Enjoy it?
Rio was looking for a band to use his rad new camera on, contacted us and we were obviously keen. It was great, funnest video shoot we have done. We basically just ran around Cape Town being silly... Dylan and Rio were rad to work with, such talented dudes.
Besides at the UCT Fresher's Braai where Danny nearly climbed onto the roof and later dived into the crowd, and a time at Assembly where half the band ended up with no pants on, what is the craziest thing you've ever done on stage?
We recently played a show at Zula and started moshing with each other on stage during the last song...ended up breaking half our instruments, had cuts and bruises everywhere, ended up on the floor and at the end the audience were like: "What the fuck are these people doing?"
Passions and ambitions? We get to see you at the Rolling Stone Weekend in September. Rocking the Daisies later this year. What else can we expect from you? Where can we catch you performing?
We're releasing a new EP called For Now We're Young quite soon which is gona be rad. Keep an eye out on our facebook and twitter to find out about the launch.
Finally, and most importantly; you're shipwrecked on a desert island (Won't make some joke about you guys having a beach party). Who gets sacrificed first?
Johann. He's our honorary 6th member. He works for the government.
You can see Beach Party live at the Mercury and Shack complex at Rolling Stone Weekend between 14 and 16 September in Cape Town. Here's 4 of the other acts, another 4, 4 more and the DJ's that will also be performing at Rolling Stone Weekend.