Formed towards the end of 2003, Gordons Suitcase originally comprised of Rainier Prins and Illimar Neitz on guitar, Malcolm Ross on bass and Jako Loots on drums.
Peter Angelopulo has replaced previous guitarist & founding member Rainier Prins since August 2006. Peter started playing guitar at the age of 12, and after studying music at high school, he went on to attain a National High Diploma in Music at Pretoria Technicon. Peter has been involved with various other projects in the past, and also teaches guitar at the Sibikwa Arts Academy in Benoni. His influences include: Santana, Jeff Beck and John Schofield.
Illimar Neitz does his grooving on VOX guitars powered by Hiwatt (Maxwatt) and Marshall amps and his o-so-faithful (almost classic) Boss ME30 multi effects floor unit. Illimar's guitaring contributes an overwhelming element of versatility to the music: playing sweet melodies, hypnotising guitar riffs as well as ambient effects. Hailing from the acclaimed hard rock outfit 4 Ounce Freedom Illimars passion for the heavier side of music (Rammstein, Faith no More) now also allows for more subtle additions to his musical library with the likes of Pat Metheny and local authority on guitars, Steve Newman. Illimar also plays for up and coming local voice, LUNA and for the melodic folk rock meets funk band: Ménage à Trois.
Malcolm Ross slings a Hohner Jack 5-string bass that he drives through a Behringer head and 2x15 speaker cabs. No added effects here just the true tone of his basic rig produces the sweet sound that he prides himself on. His experience stretches from a wide selection of styles, being involved in everything from pop rock bands (This Way Out) to bands with a more mature an spiritual approach to music. Malcolm has completed his studies in contemporary music at the CCMC school of music and goes on to compose the melodic basslines that are at the root of the bands music. He also shares a liking for the finer things in life
Jaco Loots draws from 10 years of experiece, having started with percussion in 1997 and later moving on to the drum kit. He brings a wave of experience to the party, having played his part in the success of established groups such as Duusman and Scicoustic as well as several other session and guest appearances. Besides Gordons Suitcase, he is one of the founding Ménage à Trois members and frequently makes guest appearances for Scicoustic. Jako draws from extensive experience in both teaching and playing the djembe & drum kit, and he bashes away on a Tama Rockstar Kit with Evans heads. His hardware rig consists of a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide double kick pedal, Iron Cobra Hi-hat stands Zildjan Custom cymbals and hi-hats. Jakos favourite bands include: A Perfect Circle, Tananas & Urban Creep.
Influences
Tananas, A Perfect Circle, Urban Creep, Pat Metheny, Steve Newman, Santana, Jeff Beck, John Schofield
Sounds Like
something completely different to everything else.
..
THE GORDON'S SUITCASE DEBUT ALBUM "GOOD GIRLS LIKE GOOD MUSIC" - DISTRIBUTED BY LOOPHOLE MUSIC - IS NOW AVAILABLE IN MOST RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE AS WELL AS ON WWW.ONEWORLD.CO.ZA
BE SURE TO PICK UP YOUR COPY!
To order a copy, please contact management@gordonssuitcase.com or visit the Gordon's Suitcase website: www.gordonssuitcase.com
GOOD GIRLS LIKE GOOD MUSIC REVIEWS
Dangerously hypnotic, this is no ordinary walk in the park. This is a dramatic ramble, a sophisticated scramble over slopes of sound. Curl your toes into these absinth scented shoes.
Overtone Magazine
Poignant, worldly and always with an ever-present and truly magical ambience, each song takes you on a different but equally amazing journey. These are stories emerging from a well-worn travelling suitcase stories telling of exquisite experiences that leave you in a state of oriental bliss. They offer movement, emotion, originality and the opportunity for each listener to relate to the music on their own personal level.
- Music Maker Magazine
Gordons Suitcase have their feet firmly on the ground and are ready to take the South African Music industry by storm.
- SA Music
I've been waxing lyrical about Gordon's Suitcase, who I've been hearing great things about. I finally got a copy of the album, and I've got to tell you that this jazz outfit are undoubtedly one of the best of the genre I've heard for a long time in South Africa!
- Leon Economides, The Rockit Scientist
Gordon's Suitcase is anything but an average band and the 13 tracks on their debut album run the gamut from laidback jazz-like noodlings to classic rock riffage, hip-hop-influenced sampling-and-scratching mayhem and wild acid jazz improvisations. The decision to be a purely instrumental band could hamper their chances of making a big commercial splash, but what it does allow for is a freedom to experiment that most bands can only dream of. Thinking outside the box has already made Gordon's Suitcase a very good band. If the form continues it may just make them a great one.
- Craig Canavan, The Weekender
INDEVELOPMENT: GORDON'S SUITCASE ANNOUNCES NEW GUITARIST
Friday 11 August marked Peter Angelopulos first gig as an official band member of the popular jazz-rock-fusion band Gordons Suitcase. The Pretoria-based band performed alongside the prestigious Jonathan Martin at Zanzibar following the abrubt resignation of previous guitarist and founding member Rainier Prins a mere week before.
Rainiers resignation came as a shock to us, especially after the wonderful success we had at the launch of Good Girls like Good Music at the beginning of the month and the positive feedback we had already received on the album. says manager Jessica Schnehage. Rainier had quit 2 days after the bands CD Launch at Tings and Times, stating that he could not do it anymore.
A new guitarist was needed immediately especially with previously confirmed gigs looming ahead, including Aardklop in September and various corporate shows. The band did not hesitate to get Peter involved - he had played with the band a few months before in the event of double-booked gigs from Rainiers side, and it was already established that he definitely had something special to give to the music.
We were determined not to let Rainiers decision stagger the bands momentum.
Peter Angelopulo started playing guitar at the age of 12, and after studying music at high school, he went on to attain a National High Diploma in Music at Pretoria Technicon. Peter has been involved with various other projects in the past, and also teaches guitar at the Sibikwa Arts Academy in Benoni. His influences include: Santana, Jeff Beck and John Schofield.
One thing is clear, Gordons Suitcase will never be the same again. We do not deem this to be a bad thing.
To quote Maynard James Keenan: I cant imagine why you wouldnt welcome any change, my friend.
With Peter on board, the band will be able to benefit from a fresh creative influence and a healthier atmosphere in which to create their music something which will definitely play a role in the development of new material from these musicians.
BREAKING NEWS
Rainier Prins, the guitarist of Gordon's Suitcase, has officially quit the band. Two days after the CD Launch. Whether this is a surprising turn of events, or not, is uncertain at this stage.
We would like to ask all those who have supported us in the past - and most recently, at the launch of our debut album "Good Girls like Good Music" on Tuesday - to please get behind us during our time of need. This will only be a temporary obstacle in the bands progress, and we will strive towards keeping the tunes coming out to you. Your support means very much to us.
We would especially like to thank everyone that was at the launch to celebrate our first release with us. The evening was a wonderful success, and left everyone in good spirits and with silver notes ringing in their ears. Your appreciation of our music is what has kept us going. And we intend to keep filling that Suitcase with more mysteries. Gordon will take care of it. ;-)
We will keep you updated on further developments. Until then check out our album, which will soon be available in CD stores nationwide.
Peace and Respect to all of you,
Gordon's Suitcase
www.gordonssuitcase.com
Gordons Suitcase creates restless, ambient soundscapes, using the familiar configuration of bass, drums and guitars to create their unique instrumental compositions.
The bands creative energy has led it from combining jazz standards and originals in its sets to playing only its own original music. Unafraid to experiment, guest artists are invited to consolidate and deepen the music using different instruments including percussion, the violin and the horn. The continued development of the bands sound will also be sure to take it down many interesting creative twists and turns in the future.
Although influenced by jazz, the music fuses to incorporate a diverse array of genres and styles. Each musician also contributes their own unique style and interpretation of the music, and skilled improvisation on the guitarists parts always ensure the unexpected. The result is an eclectic blend of musical genius that continues to wow audiences.
Poignant, worldly and always with an ever-present and truly magical ambience, each song takes you on a different but equally amazing journey. These stories tell of exquisite experiences that leave you in a state of oriental bliss. They offer movement, emotion, originality and the opportunity for each listener to relate to the music on their own personal level.
Throughout the bands career jazz standards have remained a passion and favorite to perform with jazz sets ranging from popular songs such as My funny Valentine, Take five, Foggy day, and Autumn Leaves to more up tone interpretations of Stolen moments, Blue Monk, Memphis Underground and All blues. These jazz-favourites are often performed at events, corporate functions and weddings.
Formed towards the end of 2003, Gordons Suitcase has performed over a hundred and fifty shows including the oppertunity to open for Afrikaans artists such as David Kraamer and Anton Goosen. Not surprisingly, the versatility of the music reflects in the diversity of the audience and fans. Gordon's Suitcase has played gigs in a variety of different venues. Weddings, corporate functions and art galleries. Cool Runnings, Tings & Times and Sidewalk Cafe. The 2005 White Horse Sessions and 2006 Levis Original Music gigs. Family fleamarkets, townships, Aardklop and (lest we forget) Oppikoppi - for the fourth time to date. The band also embarked on two very successful Cape Town tours in March/April 2005 and December 2005.
Gordons Suitcase has released their debut album "Good Girls like Good Music" through Wolmer Records, to great acclaim from both the media and the public. The album is a must for every intelligent music lovers collection and features 13 full length tracks and a selection of well-known guest artists including Ampie Omo (Boo), Piet Botha (Jack Hammer) and the legendary Greg Georgiades.
Bridging the gap effortlessly, it is clear that their music appeals to a wide variety of different age groups, cultures and musical tastes. Gordons Suitcase satisfies the undercurrent of yearning for experimentation and originality in South African music as if it is the most natural thing in the world.
DA UPRISING HAS BEGIN!!! OUTTIES, STEKKIES, LADYS AND GENTS BIG IDEA WILL BE RECKING IT AGAIN LIKE YOU KNOW ONLY THEY CAN AT THE UPRISING FEST @ DA WAVEHOUSE IN GATEWAY! COME ALONG! BRING A FRIEND, A BONG AND YOUR BEST STASH OF WEED. BUT PEOPLE PLEASE MAKE SURE ITS A NUMBER 1 DP!!! CAUSE WE ONLY SMOKE IF ITS POISON!!! POISON POISON POISON POISON POISON!!!!! DURBAN WORLDWIDE ITS DA NUMBER 1 CHOICE MAN!!!
Bliksem. Julle set was YSTER by die Blues & Jazzfest Vrydagaand. Dit was absoluut BEFOK om julle weer te kon hoor - en ja. Daar val die closet groupie al weer uit die donnerse kas.
My company Vu Azul is hosting a huge Swim Sale to Splash into Summer, there's something special for everyone:)
Keep in touch Andrea
p.s. If you left your feedback at the "Vu do you love" link about the new new store layout, thank you so much, it means alot to me, let me know if you will need more time to use your thank you gift.
Thanks for being a buddy of Wicked Bands! Enjoy this free, bonus download (hope you love big, rock ballads):
www.wickedrock.co.za/free.mp3/N.I.P._Run.Away.From.Me.mp3 (paste into your browser). For more in great music news, sign up at the new www.WickedRock.co.za. Thanks.
I just want to thank you all for accepting my friend requests, dealing so kindly with my endless spam, visiting my pages, and generally being such wonderful lovely people.
Special thanks to all of you who supported me by buying my new album in advance. Your support made all the difference and I raised enough to cover all the production costs of this new album.
You are all brilliant, and those of you who brought the album have been included in the thank you section of the album artwork.
The 'Hay Day' Album has now gone off to the printers and so you should be getting it in the post in a couple of weeks.
If you would like to buy your copy of the 'Hay Day' Album visit my pages and you can use our secure payment system. We will post your copy anywhere in the world.
