Taxi Violence Release Highly Anticipated Sophomore Album

Cape Town's very own rock 'n rollers release new album, 'The Turn'

August 2009 saw the release of one of 2009’s most anticipated albums. Cape Town’s resident rock 'n rollers, Taxi Violence have released their sophomore album, entitled 'The Turn'.

Three years after the release of their debut album the band is finally back. The band describes the road to the conception of the album as difficult. “The last 8 months have been quite a turning point for Taxi violence, we had to make big sacrifices and we dealt with a lot,” says guitarist Rian Zietsman, “ we’ve dealt with loss and parting ways with our ex manager and bass player. We needed to tell that story in the new album.”

The band describes their current sound as epic, sleazy blues infused rock. The beats are melodic and unconventionally catchy with positive, yet dark undertones and the songs depict stories of addiction, parting ways, betrayal, perseverance and new beginnings.

Although there is no outright theme to the Taxi violence album, the band acknowledges that an overall theme is apparent in the music and just developed naturally.

Drummer Louis Nel, says the theme fits in perfectly with the tile of the album; “The music is very dramatic, emotional, dark and the stories being told are of new beginnings, seasons turning, leaving the past behind and redemption,” says drummer Louis Nel.

Since getting together over a jam session at a military base in June 2004, Taxi Violence has gone on to stake their rightful claim as one of South Africa's most prized rock acts, rocking crowds, winning awards and gathering a legion of ardent followers wherever their music is heard.

Now, three years later, the almost veterans of SA rock are once again wowing fans with a more mature sound. “There’s been a lot of growth since Untie Yourself,” says Louis, “There’s a lot more focus to the type of songs we do now. In the beginning, with the first album, you’re still finding your feet when you’re making an album. We needed to define a sound. With this album we’ve learned a lot, we are better prepared this time.”

Despite the serious undertones of the new album the boys are by no means dark and sombre characters. When asked who inspires them and what album they would like to be able to take credit for they quickly pipe up “Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice baby! He made so much money with that album and he wasted it on pants.”

The band will be touring South Africa in support of their new release and in October will head to Germany for a 20-plus date tour.

The German tour is going to be an eye opener, said Riaan, “We’re basically starting all over again. There’s a big rock music scene there so we’re excited.”

Despite their jet setting there’s no place like home for these Cape Town boys, the band are Proudly Capetonian through and through. “I love Cape Town, the serenity of the place, Say Louis, “Living near the sea is amazing. I grew up near the sea so if I had to live inland I would go crazy. Cape Town is in my blood,” he gushed.

Taxi Violence is George van der Spuy (lead vocals), Jason Ling (bass), Louis Nel (drums) and Rian Zietsman (guitar and backing vocals).

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Watch Taxi Violence's new video - Devil 'n Pistol