As a musical entity, Wicked City has been around since 1996, when Ivan Sadler [guitar], Philip Anastasiadis [vocals, bass] and Steve Ellis [drums], then students at UCT, decided to put a punk band together. After a year or so of occasional gigs, the three of them went off their separate ways in search of Aztec gold, the Holy Grail, Odins right eye, and other [mis]adventure overseas and the band entered a rather lengthy hiatus.
Come early 2004, having returned disappointedly empty-handed, they found themselves once again sharing rehearsal space, this time as part of a short-lived cover project with a number of friends, including Tarryn [guitar]. After thrashing out a couple of Wicked City songs during cigarette breaks, the band decided to reform, now with a second guitarist for some long-desired twin-axe mayhem. Heavy rehearsals got underway, only to be rudely interrupted by the theft of Philips bass guitar. Not to be so easily dissuaded from torrid dreams of celebrity recognition at the local Spur, a replacement was found with Helen being swiftly ushered into the fold with promises of small edible treats, petty scandals and a 15-watt amp.
Having resurrected and reworked some of their old material, as well as writing a number of new songs, Wicked City stumbled onto the local scene with a rather nervous gig at the One Ring in November. Since then, theyve gathered up some confidence, played extensively around Cape Town and earned themselves something of a reputation as an enormously entertaining and energetic live act, evolving into something which may be best described as the monstrous marriage of rock, alternative and old school metal, with a sprinkling of humour, casual heresy and playful sensibilities.
In late April 2005, the band recorded a full-length demo amid a plethora of blistered fingers, streams of invectives, copious numbers of Doritos sandwiches and cigarettes, several slapped wrists and one or two roundtrips to the brink of insanity. Which was nice. After licking the nip of success in the RPS Emerging Sounds Battle of the Bands, winning two rounds and a spot in the regional finals [only to be whipped by the almighty Taxi Violence ], Wicked City looks set to assault the local music scene with vim, vigour and Vicks Vapour Rub for Ivan`s long-suffering sinuses.
And now, what with the battle of the bands behind us, being called a fake satanic band on zazone as well as being paired with Kobus for a show at Mercury Live - we are well and truly on our way to endearing ourselves permanently to the masses.
failing that, we're radio-ing in a carpet bombing to obliterate the heathens!
Our album is finally finished - now the cover art argument begins. watch this space. This may involve copious amounts of quake 4 and unreal tournament - dispute resolving tools of modern times indeed.
