Crash Test Dummies on tour plus music reviews
The Canadian rockers hit SA shores this month. We catch up with frontman Brad Roberts
The alt-rockers, best known for their massive ’90s hit Mmm Mmm Mmm, perform this month in Pretoria and Cape Town where they’ll be joined by local acts a King, Bed on Bricks, Wonderboom and Adventure Man. We spoke to the band’s eccentric singer, songwriter and guitarist, Brad Roberts – yes, he of the unique bass-baritone voice – about coming out of retirement and more. What can fans expect? “Good old hits from God Shuffled His Feet [their hugely successful second album released in 1993] with a sprinkling of new stuff to boot.” You’ve visited SA before – what stood out for you? “Swimming with penguins and paying for our car to be ‘protected’.” Your hit Mmm Mmm Mmm is an iconic song. What inspired it and will you be playing it? “I play it at every show, never fear. Many things inspired it but mainly the hummed chorus, which occurred at a moment of divine un-inspiration.” You spoke about retiring five years ago. Is that still on your radar? “I’ve come out of retirement to play in South Africa!” (Turns out the band only get together for special occasions such as a tour or concert.) Over the years the band have put out many albums – the last being 2011’s Demo-litions – and experimented with various sounds. How would you describe your sound now? “Retired. We sound retired! Ha!” What inspires your songwriting these days? “Donald Trump.” What’s currently on your playlist? “I only listen to classical music on our local radio station. I gave up entirely on the 20th century.” Who would you love to collaborate with? “Joe Jackson. Oh, wait, I did collaborate with him!” What do you consider to be the toughest challenge facing singers today? “Autotune!”
The band will perform in Cape Town at the Hillcrest Quarry in Durbanville on 17 February and at Pretoria’s National Botanical Garden on 18 February. Tickets available from Computicket.