A POPULAR Wild Coast band that includes several veterans of the Eastern Cape music scene have been given the chance to strut their stuff at the National Arts Festival, thanks to a generous cash donation from a mystery fan.
Already a hit at backpackers along the coast, the quirky Synchronised Idiots had no plans of introducing their unique sound to a broader audience – until a fan coughed up thousands to get them to Grahamstown.
"We still can't believe it," burly Coffee Bay crooner Mark Kairuz said.
"A few months back we were jamming out in the sticks for backpackers, now we are playing for bigger crowds at the festival."
He said a mystery fan had sponsored a "chunk" of cash to get them to Grahamstown, even organising their accommodation and a venue to play.
Although up-and-coming South African bands are a dime a dozen at the annual arts festival, few boast as diverse a pedigree as the Synchronised Idiots.
Band members include legendary freelance lead guitarist Kruger Maqhula, who has been in the game for 40 years, veteran jazz saxophonist Mike Qampi, bassist Sandile Quwa and former punk rocker Mike Gatcke.
"Even though I have been in the game so long, I always played jazz, soul and bubblegum sounds, but never rock music."
A cross cultural mix of musical tastes, the band spans generations with 60-year-old Maqhula the granddaddy of the group and 27-year-old guitarist and backing vocalist Nate Cronje the wide-eyed young gun.
"I still can't describe the type of sound we play, but I love it too much," Maqhula said.
The band was started by Kairuz, who runs an accommodation business in Coffee Bay, soon after he met Gcuwa at a local jam venue earlier this year.
"I sent a message out to the universe asking to meet someone to form a band with. One week later my prayers were answered when Sandile wandered into Coffee Bay looking for musicians to jam with."
Over the years Gcuwa, Maqhula and Qampi have variously played with some of the Eastern Cape's best bands as well as top stars like Jimmy Dludlu and Judith Sephuma.
After the chance meeting with Kairuz, Gcuwa – who has since relocated to Coffee Bay – roped in his old jam buddies to join the group.
The last Synchronised Idiot to join was Port St Johns-based drum maestro Mike Gatcke.
Featuring quirky songs penned by Kairuz on the Wild Coast, the Xhosa and English lyrics provide socio-political commentary on everything from life and love to cash.
"Our sound is a mix of everything from township to rock, reggae and everything in between ... it is the sound of the Wild Coast and has proved extremely popular with backpackers and Xhosa people too," Kairuz said.
The Synchronised Idiots are just one of dozens of bands from around the country that flock to the City of Saints to strut their stuff every year – hoping to make it big. - David Macgregor