In April last year I wrote a piece about Fokofpolisiekar possibly calling it quits, and since then South African has been blessed with variations of the winning formula that made the original group so successful with the formation of the Van Coke Kartel and aKing. But it ain’t over till they say its over! And these guys just aren’t ready for that yet!

With the national tour that is currently under-way (it started last night - see dates below) and the release of their latest offering of Antibiotika with 4 new tracks and 8 of their videos, with the bonus of a preview to their upcoming full length movie which is being released later this year, I think its fair to say we have much more coming in the future!

Although Fokofpolisiekar members have not focused on working together as a group in the past year, the band has still performed at a couple of selected shows nationwide. But typical of Fokofpolisiekar, Antibiotika makes it evident that the group still has a lot to say, with their non-apologetic commentary on our current socio-political status quo.

Antibiotika is one of Fokofpolisiekar`s strongest offerings yet. No diplomacy. It’s 100% Confrontational.

“Ek’s net ‘n toeris, in my geboorteland, ‘n gekweste dier in ‘n hok op anti-bio-ti-ka !”

What I find really cool - as can happen easily in this modern age of communication - is that guitarist Johnny de Ridder produced the new album, and he drafted a skeletal frame of each of the new songs and then sent it to the rest of the band so that they could each give their input work on the melodies and lyrics.

The lyrics, which come directly from Hunter Kennedy`s diary, reflect the harsh reality of his daily observations. Francois van Coke co- wrote some of the lyrics with Hunter, and the result is that which Fokofpolisiekar is so distinctively known for: the conveyance of their utmost bare and honest personal insights.

And once again South Africa (need I really explain it?) Theo Crous has had a hand in another ground-breaking album, as they recorded at his Bellville Studios. Who is this man not going to record in South Africa? Damn! Talk about the Papa of Rock!

The Antibiotika CD/DVD combo is very cool. The videos are from 2004 - 2007, and of course with the preview of their movie (made by Fly on the wall) it is going to be a must have for every Fokofpolisiekar fan!

You still have a chance to go and see the guys in action, just make sure you get to one of the following venues:

11 September - Back2Basix, Westdene
12 September - Doors Nightclub, Edenvale
13 September - Pretoria Rugbyklub, Pretoria
19 September - Uitenhage Sport Sentrum, Port Elizabeth
20 September - Assembly, Cape Town
26 September - Witchfest, Durban
27 September - Klein Libertas Teater, Stellenbosch