Renowned SA drummer and musician Jason Oosthuizen has swapped his drumsticks for an electric guitar as frontman for a new band called Oooth.
Oosthuizen is a past member of celebrated bands Van Coke Cartel and Lost&Found. Oooth's debut album, Who Cares What You Think, was released in November and it will be promoted during a live tour of the Eastern Cape and Garden Route, starting in George on Monday and ending in Port Elizabeth on December 22. Oosthuizen began playing drums at the age of four. He became a household name after joining Van Coke Cartel as their drummer in 2010, and later formed Gauteng-based band Lost&Found with Glen Hodgson from The Parlotones.
He recorded two studio albums with Van Coke and also released two studio albums with Lost&Found. He has done session and live work for Jack Parow, Fokofpolisiekar, Die Heuwels Fantasties, The Narrow and Albert Frost, and for the last four years has been part of the Blood Brothers concerts in support of the Vrede Foundation for young people with cancer.
Earlier in 2018, he created the Led Zeppelin Tribute, Guns ’N Roses & Friends Tribute and AC/DC vs Deep Purple Tribute, taking to the stage with some of SA's biggest music legends to play sold-out shows across the country.
In September, Oosthuizen decided to broaden his musical horizons to singer/songwriter by replacing the drumsticks with a Gibson electric guitar and mic as frontman of Oooth.
The debut single and music video, Hands Under the Table, was released in September and Who Cares What You Think came out on November 2. For Oooth, Oosthuizen has written, recorded and produced most aspects of the project himself.
The multitalented musician launched his signature snare drum range, JO Drums, in July.
The instruments are the first of their kind in Africa with everything besides the skins on them having been handmade from scratch in one place. Oosthuizen also has an apparel line named Oooth Clothing and a signature coffee brand, Oooth Coffee.
Catch Oooth at the following Garden Route and Eastern Cape venues: Monday December 17 at 8pm at Shenanigans, George. Entrance R30; bookings on 044-873-2208.
Tuesday December 18 at 8pm at Plett Barnyard. Entrance R160 to R200; bookings essential at barnyardtheatre.co.za
Wednesday December 19 at 8pm at The Stables, Stilbaai. Entrance R80; bookings on 028-754-6252.
Thursday December 20 at 8pm at Vinyl On Main, Knysna. Entrance R50; bookings on 081- 544-4004.
Friday December 21 at 8pm at Rocking Sports Bar, Jeffreys Bay. Entrance R100; bookings on 082-927-3687.
Saturday December 22 at 7pm at the Music Kitchen, Port Elizabeth. Entrance R70; bookings on 041-364-1964 .