Southern Gypsey Queen

The first time I heard Southern Gypsey Queen, was somewhere in Pretoria in 2002 as an opening act for blues wizards Delta Blue. I was immediately blown away away by the sheer quality of the musicians on stage. “not your average opening act”, I thought.

From the multi-talented Paul on drums and vocals, ( one off the best kick-drum players I’ve ever seen), to the blistering guitar duals between Gareth (Fender Tele) and Thys (Gibson Les Paul) to the “tiny” Tammy strapped to a massive Fender Jazz Bass, they were all superb.

Since then the band has matured like an ominously good whisky and they are now ready to intoxicate even the most discerning of Rock and Blues audiences. Their latest show starts off with a laid-back, but beautifully crafted acoustic set, designed to show-case their considerable vocal abilities. The contrasting styles and voices of Paul, Gareth and Tammy ensure that there is never a dulling of the listening senses. This band understands the principle of dynamics in music: highs and lows, epic and sparse, loud and soft, salt and pepper; it is all there.

Originally from Molteno in the Eastern Cape, Southern Gypsey Queen is a band of brothers, family and friends: Paul and Gareth are brothers- Tammy is married to Gareth and Thys is their next door neighbor! This special relationship is evident in their music and in their stage demeanor. Although they might be considered still a “young” band, their influences and heroes ( Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, AC-DC, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pink Floyd and Boulevard Blues Band) suggest that they will also appeal to a more “mature” audience. This is NOT a bunch of kids making a noise – This is rock at its best! Jurgen Human. March 2007 Southern Gypsey Queen
Rise Up

The third album from Southern Gypsey Queen is here at last and although they stay true to their special rock & blues sound, RISE UP is also the start of a brand new retro rock fusion style that is unique to this band!

Sweet Vodoo, the second album from this once small town band from Molteno, received rave reviews and was described as true old school local rock. This time around the band surprises with a successful fusion of everything from funk, rock, blues, folk, reggae, R&B, country and old southern gospel into a tasteful, very easy listening music experience. The most refreshing aspect of the album is the use of three lead vocalists and very well arranged vocal harmonies. The quality of the songwriting is complimented by well crafted and contained arrangements. Lyrically the songs are positive and deal with issues faced by young open-minded South Africans. The lyrics are inspiring and consciously written. No teen angst written in rhyme here, just strait forward original music!

The production of the album is of an international standard. Producer, Lanie van der Walt, opted for a very true and open sound. RISE UP has a retro experimental feel without losing the rock edge that everyone knows and love the Gypseys for.

Southern Gypsey Queen has traveled quite far from their humble beginnings and has now played at the biggest national festivals and even toured with Karen Zoid. Their fanbase grows in leaps and bounds on a daily basis because of their awesome music and energetic live performances. They are on their way to stardom.

Experience the retro rock fusion that is SGQ!

Brief History of the Band

1998 - After jamming together most of their lives brothers, Gareth and Paul decide it is time to expand and bring next door neighbour Thys, who was studying classical guitar at the time, into the equation. They name the band, "Bombay Duck."

2000 - After one demo CD and two bass players later the Bombay Duck approach Tammy , Gareth's girlfriend, to join the group. Up until that point Tammy had only ever played cello and sang but in no time she finds out that her true love is playing bass.

2001 - The band changes there name to the Southern Gypsey Queen (the mother of Rock 'n Roll) and records their first self-titled full-length album. The album is recorded in Bloemfontein at Soundsphere Studios with John Smit. The group print 1000 copies of the album and sell all of them out of hand.

2002 - Gareth and Tammy get married and the group go on their first national tour .

2003 - The SGQ get their first big break when promoter, Dagga Dirk Uys puts them on his line-up at the KKNK festival in Oudtshoorn. It is at this festival where the legendary Piet Botha from Jack Hammer sees them playing and offers his help. He takes the group on a national tour with him and sets up a record deal with Wolmer Records.

2004 - After a successful year of touring the group go into the studio with award-winning producer, Lanie vd Walt to do their second album, Sweet Voodoo. The album is released under Wolmer Records and distributed by Bowline Music. The album opens up a lot of doors getting the group on some of SA's most prestigious line-ups like Oppikoppi, Splashy Fen etc. Another highlight of 2004 is being included on Karen Zoid's Summer tour. The band also have the honour of playing at the Gito Baloi benefit concert after he had been murdered. They still dedicate "Souls of Africa" to Gito and his family every time they play it.

2005 - The band relocate to Johannesburg with hopes to further their career. Levis Original Music sponsor the band.

Their first video, "Who we Are" is released and A-listed on MK89, just in time to promote the summer tour.

The band leave our borders for the first time playing the "Kalahari Summer Festival" in Botswana and the STRAB festival
in Mozambique .

2006 - The band pay tribute to Piet Botha at the "Good Friend Of Mine" show in Pretoria alongside top acts like Albert Frost and Valiant Swart.

Finally SGQ decide to go into the studio to record their third album "Rise Up" with Lanie vd Walt.

Just before the release of "Rise Up" the "Song for the Captain" video is released and goes straight to number 1 on MK89 for three weeks.

Southern Gypsey Queen are chosen to be the opening act for American blues guitarist, Vasti Jackson on his trip to S.A.