Tings an’ Times

There is absolutely no doubt that Tings an’ Times played a massive role in many Pretoria based musicians and music lover’s lives

Personally I had many birthdays there, played shows there (very fucking long ago) booked shows there, accidentally got engaged there and ate more than my body weight in chicken livers. It was like a second home for many people and a very important spot for musicians.

Our good friend Carl Maderthaner put together this dope playlist for us, showcasing some of the shows they had and the irie tunes that made Tings what it was and also the stories behind it all.

“1. Bob Marley: 3 Little Birds (Bob has always been a legend and inspiration, he is the king. Waiters were asked in their test who the king was as well as his middle name- Nesta)
2. Burning Spear: Mek we Dweet (Winston Rodney is Burning spear,he was painted on the Tings gents toilet door by a Tings stalwart, Dawn, right in the beginning, that door became an art piece on the wall after moving from the original premises)
3. Eek-a-mouse: Dip ’em (not many people know the artist, he was introduced to Tings by the guys at the iconic CD shop in Hatfield- Seedy’s)
4. Peter Tosh: Bush Doctor (Tings family members started singing along to this back in the nineties when Dagga was apparently Gagga!)
5. Doe Maar: Nederwiet (Dutch reggae band who inspired my closed corporation’s name- Nederwiet cc! Dutch weed!)
6. Tidal Waves: Kia Ora (Tings was inspired by reggae music and Tidal Waves was a Tings favourite performing live at all three venues over the years)
7. Scicoustic: Assassin (Also a Tings favourite and a constant live performer at all 3 Tings)
8. Bed on Bricks: Funny (One of my personal favourite live acts at Tings as well as Oppi koppi and other venues, shit hot tight pros who used to rock the first Tings as Sons of Trout way back)
9. Boo!: Lucki (I recall Ampie Omo pleading with me to give this new band performing “Monki Punk” a chance in 1997- never looked back- love them!)
10. Felix Laband: Donkey Rattle (We played this catchy recognisable tune every day and were lucky enough to have him perform at one of our epic birthday parties)
11. 340ml: Midnight (Many legendary performances at Tings)
12. Max Normal: Hazel’s Joint (Brilliantly talented Watkin Tudor Jones or Waddy now known as Ninja. I had the privilege of accompanying Max Normal to Pukkelpop in Belgium where they rocked the stage 3 times and Waddy got Nelly Furtardo to join him for a track. Also known for crowd surfing/walking on all fours upside down on the ceiling in Burnett street from the stage to the front door numerous times to the delight of the crowd. Max Normal also packed Tings for their last ever gig)
13. Die Antwoord: Enter the Ninja (To actually think that when Waddy phoned me to tell me that he was no longer Waddy but Ninja I had to take a lot of convincing to give Die Antwoord a gig! He guaranteed me a full house on a Sunday afternoon citing their online presence as huge. Wow, the turnout was enormous! Played a few more gigs for a R30 cover door deal!!! And a few months later they exploded onto the international scene. A phenomenal artistic genius)
14. FuziGish: Secret Police (The one memory that sticks with me was when they performed at Waterglen and Tings was so packed that people stood in their droves outside watching Fuzi from the parking lot. We only did unplugged shows on a Sunday afternoon at that venue and I will never forget Will Bishop’s honesty in his E-mail prior to the gig saying that they would perform “Unplugged-ish!”)
15. Fokofpolisiekar: Antibiotika (Great musos that rocked that little shop in Burnett street! Jam packed first gig that ended slightly prematurely due to a drink being knocked over the sound desk I recall)
16. Johnny Clegg: Great Heart (Great heart great man, never performed at Tings but we loved playing his legendary tunes)
17. Anjelique Kidjo: Agolo (Superb artist from Benin whose music we played at Tings from day one)
18. Cake: It’s coming down (This bands music was introduced to me by Ampie Omo)
19. The Cure: The Lovecats (My favourite band from high school so I digged playing it at work!)
20. Damian Marley: Welcome to Jamrock

Zop, I hope that’s cool, feel kak to leave so many others out! Special mention should go out to 3 top late great musos I shared a spliff with: Gito Baloi, Uncle Syd Kitchen and Oom Piet Botha. I also have good memories of Paul with Southern Gypsey Queen.”

If you were a Tings regular this will take you way back to many good times🤘🏻Thanks Carl

Tings an’ Times Playlist > https://cutt.ly/DydOpBE