SHIT AIN'T LIKE THAT! A TRIBUTE TO ANTON MARSHALL.

I wonder what it would be like...
If musicians were appreciated for their talent and worth...
If the constant slog and struggle were somehow worthwhile in the end...
If the years of blood, sweat and tears, of anger, frustration and emotion-draining effort were somehow equaled by the euphoria and the adulation only the lucky few experience...
But you see, I live in Cape Town, South Africa, and unfortunately...

I'm still lucky enough to be able to ignore the negatives to a large degree, but I see how even the staunchest optimists are worn down by the general "lack" and overall disappointments that plague local music and musicians. For every great performance, for every moment of exhilaration, there are countless hours of effort, too many disappointments, too many defeats, too many no shows, too many reasons to let it get to you. We don't do it for the money, you may believe me when I tell you that. But even the most passionate player will eventually call it a day. If only we could all carry on forever.

It is my profound privilege to perform alongside a legend as he bids a final farewell to a life of live performance. On Wednesday evening Mercury will play host to Anton Marshall's swan song, as he caps a distinguished career with one last hoorah! And what a hoorah it promises to be!

SONGS WE MADE FAMOUS - IT'S A BLACK THING. A rollercoaster romp through such awesome artists as Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Chuck Berry, Lenny Kravitz, Sly & The Family Stone, The Isley Brothers, Skunk Anansi, Thin Lizzy and many more! Oh, and a little known act Ice-T brought to life some time back called Body Count. If you think you can stand the heat, I graciously invite you into the kitchen...

Alongside other contributors on the night such as Nic Roos, Cami Scoundrel, the legendary Farrell Adams, Stuart Scott, and Damian Staz, is another luminary who has decided to call time on his own illustrious stage career. The grumpiest git never to goth... Art Pereira, drummer extraordinaire, will be hanging up his sticks, and more's the pity.

So please join us as we give these lads the worthy send off they so richly deserve. If not for the wide-eyed, face-melting entertainment with which you will be assaulted, then for the undoubted grand ol' time you are sure to have. And to pay your respects. The music you so take for granted would not be so freely available if it weren't for the tireless efforts and dogged determination of people like Anton. We pray that we see the likes of him again. Soon.

Bring tissues.

Spread The Love. C'mon, C'mon, Make Some Noise!