In the course of years that you don’t realise have passed, you make bonds. For musicians they happen in rehearsal rooms, after-gig bars, back stage at festivals, over interview tables, green rooms and even tour buses. Those bonds are often closer than we imagine to describe them, and when we are faced with tragedy, they come to the fore – overwhelmingly and without warning.

I know many, many people who are devastated this morning by the news that Garth McLeod was killed in a motorcycle crash. I am one of them. I was alerted via direct message from one of Sugardrive’s close confidantes, and as reporter, it would be my job to confirm the story before running it.

Difficult under circumstances where you don’t know those concerned. Terrifying if you do, as was the case with Garth. And when I placed the call to Wonderboom frontman Cito, all I could ask was whether he could confirm it. Cito was standing at the scene of the accident at the time, and when he actually said the words, I found I couldn’t continue the conversation. I think he realised this, and quickly mentioned that a statement would be forthcoming. I thanked him and hung up the phone.

Garth McLeod was a friend to all he met on or behind the stage. He was as hard a drummer as he was a pleasure to be around. His work with Sugardrive is already regarded by fans as some of the best this country has ever produced. With Martin Rocka and Wonderboom he was equally revered.

In this time, my thoughts – and those of my colleagues and friends in the music scene – are with Garth’s family and friends… with the lads from his bands Paul, Gavin, Cito, Martin… with the Cape Town crew Sean, Artur, Lorne… everybody whose life he touched with his friendship.

For this and so much more he will be missed. For this and so much more I know I am allowed to say on behalf of the Cape Town “massive”… Thank you, Garth. You will live in our hearts and minds forever. RIP, brother.

In other news, congratulations to Third World Spectator who have won this year’s annual Sing ‘It competition. They will be be recording a music video worth R50 000 as part of their prize.

Check out the RS Podcast that launches today, featuring Miles keylock, Gazelle and DJ Invizable chatting about music, politics, and everything else.