Nude Red

Johannesburg-based band formed in 1979, originally known as The Other Band. The band was: Dax Butler (sometimes vocals, keyboards, sax), Mick Hope-Bailey (vocals, guitars), Larry Jenkinson (vocals, bass) and Gavin ‘Mojo’ Stevens (drums, vocals).

As The Other Band they released four singles which were ignored by radio.

After a residency stint in Swaziland and Cape Town returned to Johannesburg in 1982 and changed their name to Nude Red. Recorded the album Dischords ‘N’ Dat Chords which the record company refused to release because of some of the lyrics (but now available on Bandcamp).

They contributed the track “Too Much Resistance” to the Shifty Records and End Conscription Campaign anti-conscription compilation album, Forces Favourites (1985).

They broke up in 1986. Gavin Stevens went on to join Mango Groove. Dax Butler went on to pursue a solo career.

Oom Hansie

A mid-1980s studio project involving producer Richard Siluma who recycled familiar tunes with Afrikaans vocals added by his cousin, Lucky Dube.

They released two Maxi singles: “Kaapse Dans” (1985) and “Help My Krap” (1986). “Kaapse Dans” was also released as a single in 1985.

In 2005 an album-length CD, Oom Hansie Kaapse Dans En Anner Hits, was released by Gallo, including previously un-released tracks. A cassette version of the Kaapse Dans EP was banned by the South African government’s Directorate of Publications because of bad language.

Peach

Alan Rosenberg (guitarist and songwriter) formed Peach with Angie Peach (vocalist), Tini Borsis (rhythm guitarist), Penny Borsis (Drums) and Carol Wood-Greene (bass).

Their First single, “A lot of things’, was released in 1980 and went on to perform well in the charts, as did the follow- up single, “Nightmare” released in 1981.

They released only one album (On Loan for Evolution) and despite their South African success in the early 1980s they broke up when it became clear that overseas exposure was closed to them (as a result of the growing strength of the cultural boycott against apartheid South Africa).

People Like Us

Hi-NRG/Euro disc group formed in 1986 in Johannesburg by producers Paul Crossley and Terry Owen. Cindy Dickinson left Syndicate to join the group on vocals.

They released the single “Reincarnation (Coming Back For Love)” in 1985. Their 1986 single “Deliverance” became a big success in Europe. This gave rise to the Deliverance album released in 1987 along with follow-up singles “Restless Lovers”, “Midnight Lovers”, “Hiroshima” and “Fighting For Our Lives”.

Cindy Dickinson left the group because she was being financially exploited. She was replaced by Angie Gold.

Paul Crossley died in August 1989.

A subsequent compilation CD People Like Us was released in 1988, including new songs with Angie Gold as vocalist in addition to mostly previously released songs sung by Cindy Dickinson.

Petit Cheval

Pretoria/Johannesburg based band. Formed in 1984 by Jonathan Selby (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Johan Griesel (bass), Harold Skenk (keyboards) and Francois du Plessis (drums).

Before they recorded anything du Plessis was replaced by Danny De Wet on drums.

They released the single “Magical Touch” in 1984 and then two albums, The Voice of Reason (1985) and The Perfect Gift (1986) along with several singles.

They received considerable radio play in 1985 and 1986 but the band broke up after Jonathan Selby participated in the controversial Bureau for Information propaganda song in 1986.

Pett Frog

Formed in Johannesburg in 1981. Andrew Craggs (guitar), John Leyden (bass), Johno Lloyd (drums), Bertron Mouton (sax) and Brian Little (lead vocals).

They were the house band on weekends at Club Metalbeat in 1981 and in May recorded the EP Mzeza with Gallo. However, it was never released.

In 1982 they recorded a second EP, The Rest which was released. Thereafter John Leyden went on to form Mango Groove.

Phoning Jenny

Durban-based band which formed in 1985 comprising Kevin Flame (guitar, vocals), Simon Fellows (bass), Richard Pullen (keyboards) and Clive Dickenson (drums).

Released the single “Stain Me” in 1986.

Pierre De Charmoy

Grew up in Durban, started a music career after leaving school.

He released his first single “Lonely Heart” in 1982 and his first album, Ovation in 1983. His third single “Live On” in 1983 saw him begin to make a name for himself in South Africa.

He released several singles in the early to mid-1980s and seven albums between 1983 and 1990.

PJ Powers

Singer-songwriter who started out as the lead singer for Durban-based Pantha in 1979.

She went on to join Hotline as lead vocalist but increasingly began to perform as a solo singer, including duets with Steve Kekana (backed by Hotline) while still with Hotline.

She released her first solo album Thandeka in 1985 and followed that with several albums including There is an Answer (1986), Living On Dreams (1988), The Secret’s Out (1989), Thandeka … Back Again (1990), Woman Of Africa (1995), Sondela (2006) and Destiny (2013).

Pocket Lips

A short-lived South African studio project comprising producer Ian Ostrin, Zack Haynes, Sam Wingate and Keith Berel (formerly of Flash Harry and Carte Blanche).

They released the album The Rhythm of Life in 1987 which included the popular single “It’s Amazing”.