Dimeshift: SA’s Definitely Got Talent

Sergio relives a recent live performance by Dimeshift.

Over the last couple of months, Geoff and I have been chatting over Twitter. Quite often, it’s been mindless banter and giggle-a-minute RTs of anything that has made us laugh like 14-year-old boys who’ve just discovered the sexual connotation of the word ‘hard’.

Anyways, to cut a long story short, Geoff told me about a new band, which he had recently joined, called Dimeshift. Normally, I wouldn’t even bat an eyelid because every time you shake a bush a musician falls out, but since Geoff promised to buy me a pizza – if I came to watch his band – I agreed.

So off I went to the new Cool Runnings in Victory Park, but the journey was not easy. I found myself braving the dangers of Johannesburg traffic, potholes, pouring rain, howling winds, street kids posing as pantomimes, and a girlfriend who threatened to kill me if the rain frizzed her hair.

Eventually, I arrived – safely and without bruises – and finally met Geoff and lead singer/guitarist of Dimeshift, Mo Nortje’. They were kind enough to furnish me with their new album, In One Basket, which had been mastered just that afternoon, and Geoff confirmed that he’d still buy me a pizza – I kindly declined as my mother would’ve probably beaten me if she found out I was taking food from other people (if she isn’t reading this, food donations are still welcome. Please contact our editor, Bret Dugmore, for further information) [ed - I lol'd. Please mail all food donations to my kitchen. Thanks.] .

Finally, at exactly 21h30, the boys climbed up on stage and got into their set. The first 15 minutes of the set was relatively dead, but I blame it on the crowd, who were about as lively as an old age home over New Years Eve. However, the venue soon came to life as the band dropped jaws with their amazing Live-inspired original ‘Fallen Angels’ and covers of Blink182’s ‘All The Small Things’ and The Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’. On a side note, I was also grateful that I didn’t have to hear another cover of ‘Mustang Sally’ – that poor song has been done to death by cover bands, who often massacre it and make it sound like a treffer off of a bargain bin album.

Musically, they were near perfect. I was even more impressed when I found out that the current line-up has only been together as a unit for just under a year. I’ve watched and listened to bands that have been together for decades, but lacked the cohesiveness and chemistry of Dimeshift.

In terms of the stage performance, Mo certainly has a presence that captivates the audience – he’s humble, but also a great, talented entertainer who understands the value of interacting with the crowd. Geoff is just a pure drum machine – I don’t think he missed a beat the whole night as he pounded away on the skins. Now if I could just convince bassist, Kevin Jenkins, and second guitarist, Mark Booysen, to move a little bit more than 10cm the entire set – they’d have a flawless live show. Seriously guys, it’s a rock show, you’re allowed to enjoy yourselves and rock out.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for some decent soft rock, you should definitely check out Dimeshift in the near future. They’re built in the mould of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but rock with the power of Live. Who knows, maybe Geoff will buy you a pizza too.

Recommended for fans of: Mean Mr Mustard, Prime Circle, Watershed, Live and One Day Remains

- Sergio Pereira
sergio@musicreview.co.za
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