Captain Stu Gig Review

Captain Stu
Saturday 12 April, The Assembly

Typecasting the crowd proves tricky at first but I am soon able to sieve out a few factions allied in their interests, attire and grounds for attending the gig. Friday night’s decadence seems to have lulled the crowd into a quasi-coma, that and a bit of marijuana, naturally a stipulation for attending a ska/funk/reggae evening at Cape Town’s rising name-dropper The Assembly. The six untailored members of Captain Stu saunter on stage with an unaffected ease about their shoulders and kick up a winning beat for the unfocused mass. It takes a while for them to bite but once they do the subgroups seem to idiosyncratically take pleasure in the simplicity and spirit of the music. Expression of appreciation reveals a liberal continuum ranging from nonchalant head bobbing to maniacal leaping. The inaudibility of lead vocalist Nick Key seems peripheral to enjoyment, boisterousness being fundamental to crowd appeal. With songs comprising of a pinch of choice lyrics belted out ad nauseam, the band’s core intention seems to be that of effortless, unrestrained enjoyment designed to embrace a youth culture of hedonism. James Klopper supplements Captain Stu’s rowdy frontman, Key with equally energetic, rudimentary back-up vocals and guitar while Ryan McArthur provides a solid base. And what would a funk band be without the saxophone? Jon Shaban and Clement Carr provide these indispensables, Carr fleshing it out with some nimble keyboarding. Lastly the backbone of the band, the drums are played by Devon Jones keeping the pulse of the crowd vital. The band seems to have developed itself a solid fanbase, as disturbingly primal enthusiasts ricochet and bark lyrics out congruently, causing novices to cock their heads in stupefaction. The sound recognisably echoes Cape Town’s own Hog Hoggidy Hog, Lee Thomson and Ross McDonald having helped them to record their first album, with a splash of Bob Marley for reggae flavour. Cape Tonians in general have responded well to the relaxed, vibey likes of ska music, making bands like the accompanying 340ml and above mentioned Hog Hoggidy Hog firm favourites in the downtown music scene. Captain Stu itself seems to be cashing in on the popularity of this genre, attracting a wide ranging audience with its casual, laid-back appeal. The audience delights in the melodic escapism of the evening, doubtlessly stumbling home with a spaced out grin on their dials and disappearing into a cloud of herbal escapism.