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  • The Best Cape Town Shredder Ever

What's the best Cape Town shredders ever? I read very little here about awesome local players here on this forum. I also think that, just like the USA, we should honor our best local shredders and make others aware about them otherwise we will never have a history of great rock players. I have seen all of the shredders included here with the exception of Louis Greef and they have all blown me away. Here's my all time favorites list in no particular order:

1. Louis Greef - Omega Limited (Tchaikovsky 1 was a groundbreaking single around 1970 and astounded all local players)
2. John Mair (R.I.P.) - The Sweatband (The album "No Sweat" around 1986 was a great example of an awesome shredder)
3. Andre Meyer - Factory (Released only 1 album "Industrial Rock" around 1988. Unbelievable playing by a little known local guitarist)
4. Nico Burger (R.I.P.) - Slap 'n Tickle, All Night Radio ( Another unbelievable player who died prematurely but who set everything on fire when he played)

Feel free to add your 10cents worth and let me know about the whereabouts of these guys and whether they're still playing.

John Stewart. (age 47)

Cape Town.


I am going to try to get the recorded material together of the guitarists I mentioned and make it available for downloading (I don't know where yet! Maybe Facebook ? Anyone?)
I have most of the stuff already!
    Interesting...
    Do any of these guys have any album's available to listen to or preview on the net?
      Hope I'm not missing the topic:

      Neil Bezuidenhout - Moment of Clarity. It is always a pleasure to watch this guy play!
      Anton de Villiers - The Warinsane. I have know him for years, if I had 1% of his guitar ability I would have been a better guitar player!
        +1 Louis Greef SA answer to Jimi Hendrix
        +1 John Mair, my first guitar student - he learnt to shred from Kenny Silk anyone know where he is today?
        Another one I havent seen for years is Jethro Buto? (spelling)

          Not sure if he classifies as a shredder but Mauritz Lotz is also an amazing guitarist.
            Yes I was wondering myself what you guys define as shredding because IMO I wouldn't have defined John Mair or Louis Greef as shredders more as just excellent guitarists
              Hi everyone,

              This is very interesting and a great forum.

              Yes, I know of Maurice Lotz. I have seen him on television and performing with Mango Groove earlier this year in Paarl at a concert. Great session guitarist. He would be on my national list of awesome shredders, however, since I am a born and bred Capetonian I am going to mainly refer to local guitarists who have recorded exceptional guitar orientated rock music.

              René - I am so happy that there are others who remember Louis Greef. I have heard rumours that he is not doing well these days and suffer from mental illness. (I could be wrong) I happen to have an excellent copy of Tchaikovsky 1 and I would love to make it available for anyone to download. I just don't know how yet. Any ideas?

              Jethro Buto - Another awesome guitarist. I saw him perform at the Three Arts Theater in Claremont as part of the Cliff Richard's backing band during the 1980's sometime. I can't remember exactly? Any recorded material? Bands? The name Backtrax somehow comes to mind.

              Neil Bezuidenhout - A new name to me. I'd like to know more about him. Age, etc.

              In Cape Town there have always been 2 geographical locations with regards to everything - The Northern Suburbs & the Southern Suburbs. (I am from Durbanville) Louis Greef, Andre Meyer & Nico Burger were from the Northern Suburbs and John Mair was from the Southern Suburbs. I am almost tempted to say that the better guitarists were from my side of the world but got less exposure but I'd rather not!

              During the 1980's the Stellenbosch area was a hotbed for classic rock music (yes, I am a classic rock junkie) and bands like Factory, The Sweatband, Slap & Tickle, eventually All Night Radio etc were legendary bands and we followed them around gigs like The Akker, De Balke, The Koetzenburg Hotel and gigs held at what eventually became upmarket wine estates.

              John Stewart
                René,

                You're probably right. Shredder isn't the right word. I remember these guys as being innovative, exciting, hot & fiery live guitar players who was a thrill to watch.

                Phenomenal players - indeed!

                John
                  CDee wrote: Not sure if he classifies as a shredder but Mauritz Lotz is also an amazing guitarist.
                  +1

                  Not a shredder at all, but Ken E Henson (RIP) was awesome.

                  SA born but not here anymore is Trevor Rabin. Though he kept it fairly decent in Yes, he does some serious shredding on his life in LA album.
                    22 days later
                    inflames wrote: Anton de Villiers - The Warinsane. I have know him for years, if I had 1% of his guitar ability I would have been a better guitar player!
                    Anton is good but he can tighten up a little bit ?

                    EDIT: I'm gonna add Charles Knighton-Pullin. (can't find his video)
                    And Ben to the list. He's clean and tight, no string burps or string farts when shredding and is pretty consistent.
                    http://www.myvideo.co.za/video/ben-badenhorst-solo-guitar-part-one

                    [dick/rant >☹]A lot of "shredders" (in CT at least) think that picking fast with your right hand and moving your fretting hand's fingers fast, is shredding. Incorrect. I've seen it a million times (+/-) guys that try to do this and hope to hit some notes and show off and most often don't hit any.
                    If you're not hearing the note, you're not picking it ? [/dick/Rant >☹]
                      I agree with Dean here. Same around here in Joburg. Bunch of guitarist moving as fast as they can and hitting absolutely nothing. And it sounds like crap in any case. Really quite lame.
                      There is more to a solo than trying to show off and/or speed...
                        9 days later
                        johnst wrote:Neil Bezuidenhout - A new name to me. I'd like to know more about him. Age, etc.
                        Neil is a good friend of mine. He's 26 from Durbanville. You can hear him here: www.momentofclarity.co.za.
                          11 days later
                          Being a blues lover myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the guitaring of Willem Fourie with the Low Down Blues Band
                          some years ago. ?
                            Hey Andrew, if u move to Cape town u could be listed here aswell......... ?
                              I managed to catch MOC at the eye of Horus, and what I heard the leads were actually pleasurable to listen to hehe.

                              Their recordings are tight but don't really do it enough justice though.
                                Going to c them on the 31ste at M4A, ya live is a different story to recordings but i really like their stuff!! Going to form an opinion on the "shredding" when i c them live - but what i heard it`s not really shred, he is just a good guitarist.But speed he def can do....
                                  4 days later
                                  My vote would go for Francois(Flapper) from Mind Assault, I think he's one of those good old school metal shredders that also plays with a lot of passion, not just speed, although he can obviously do that too. Good to see CT has its share of shredders too.
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