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The genre defying New Academics are a Johannesburg based South African band, who have dished out their twisted brand of groove-oriented rock from almost every single club and festival stage in the country since their inception in 2004. 4 years later, with 2 albums and a recent European Tour under their belt, the band has stepped off the beaten path once more as 2009 sees them redirect their sound down more electronically oriented pathways.New Academics was founded by Joe Penn (vocals) and Dave Baudains (guitar) in the balmy summer of '04, way down south of Johannesburg in the tourist mecca of Cape Town. After a brief stint on the coastal scene as a trio (vocals & sampler, guitar and drums), they packed their bags for the big city and wound their way through the dusty Karoo up to the burnt out concrete disco-ball that is Johannesburg. Shortly after arrival, they joined forces with bass playing pogo stick Martin Labuschagne and funk-metal human drumming machine Howie Combrink to record the album “City of Strangeâ€The band came together in studio in early 2008 to record the second album, "The Apple" along with new drummer Brendon Van Rooyen, which was released and toured nationally mid-2008. The album showcases a more mature and focussed New Academics, spread across 12 tracks with varied themes running through the gambit of the South African reality.In late 2008, the band embarked upon an extremely successful tour of Germany and The Netherlands, which included a hi-octane exhibition performance for the Popkomm music industry festival in Berlin. The tour laid solid groundwork for further trips abroad, and the band is scheduled to return to Europe in mid 2009 – on an extended tour of Germany, The Netherlands, and France.With the onset of 2009 came a desire for further musical experimentation, as principle song-writers Joe Penn and Dave Baudains converted the band into a electronic trio, re-uniting with Howie Combrink to return back towards the band's earliest roots. The renovated unit utilises samples and other rock ‘n roll anathema to transform their existing album songs and emerging creations into more contemporary, groove-propelled offerings. The performances remain exciting and energetic, with all vocals, guitars and drums delivered live onstage by the three musicians in a frenetic frenzy of feet and fingers.
