Johannesburg Episodes

We sit down with Christine & Paul of All This For Nothing, South Africa's longest-running progressive punk rock band. We hone in on vultures in the music industry, the band's upcoming album Nothing Is Punk Anymore, what it actually takes to build a "no-skip" record, how to pick the perfect lead single, why they left Spotify and what it's cost them, and how album releases have changed since 1998. We also talk about the homogenisation of the alt scene. #southafrica#southafricanbands #...

On this episode we take a look at what Shinesh has been up to since his departure from Lefokolodi. He also breaks down the reason behind his departure from the band and how things stand between him and his former band mates. Shinesh gives his honest take on South African artists uploading music on Spotify, and gives us a first hand look at two of his latest projects, Violent Frogs & Oversharingmusician. #SludgeUnderground #SouthAfricanBands #SouthAfricanPodcast Violent Frogs: - Music: https://...

In this episode we sit down with Vince & Sean to unpack their latest single, The Omnificent. We look at the concept behind it, how it came together, and what the band was aiming for with the song. We also look at whether music videos still matter in 2026. The Omnificent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyw0VImHfEM&list=RDkyw0VImHfEM&start_radio=1 Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s somet...

*Disclaimer: This episode is a little late and some of the events mentioned have already passed. This week on Sludge we Introduce our newest host Rowan, joining Marcel for the first time on the May episode of GroundUp. They dive into the wave of AI generated posters, music, and art that has the Cape Town scene divided. We're also proud to introduce SAHARA, the South African Heavy/Alternative Release Archive, a project Rowan and Meagan have been working on behind the scenes, aimed at d...

Your monthly GroundUp for April is here! The segment where Nasiphi and Marcel cover whats been happening within the local music scene. From events like the @GhastZA National Breakdown tour or the @WalkTheseSkiesOfficial Pray For Cyanide show at Railways to upcoming shows like Devilnest's Venom at The Werehouse and Misty Waters Music Festival. They look over some of the new release's from the likes of @moshmallowband and @ManAsMachineTV Nas and Marcel get into a discussion about The Doors com...

This week Marcel sits down with Vulvodynia guitarist Luke Haarhoff to chat about the band and where it's at. Dropping into what's on everyones mind, the open auditons to be Vulvodynia's new vocalist. What are they looking for? Who will take the role and finally free Lwandile from his unending side quest? We get into some tour stories and some of the wildest experiences the band has had, from a close call in Turkey to a wholesome experience in China. Luke also fills us in on Arson Theory, a ne...

After two decades of silence, Plum made their comeback in 2025, and they’re louder, wiser, and ready to reclaim their place in South Africa’s alternative scene. In this episode, Nasiphi sits down with Warren to unpack the band’s return, the underground legacy they left behind, and the fire that brought them back together. From wild 90s gigs to their current and future plans, this is Plum like you’ve never seen them before! #PlumReturns #SouthAfricanBands #BandComeback #MusicPodcast #SceneStori...

February was jam packed full of highs and lows across the South African alternative and metal scene, we're breaking it all down! On this episode, Marcel & Nasiphi recap the month's biggest stories: The cancellation of Calabash, the success of Emalyth Fest, and the latest releases from Sonder The Africanime, Mouse, and Lucy Kruger. We're also joined by Myke Taylor of Devilnest/Your Cynical Sanity, who gives us a recap of their Durban show featuring heavyweights DOOMTRIGGER & No Closure. It does...

Step into the mind of Sunken State frontman Dwayne Hees in this unfiltered episode of Sludge Underground. We look at his journey, having grown up in an Afrikaans household in Rustenburg, starting out as a vocalist before even touching vocals, and his pre-Sunken State days with links to MoshMallow bassist Reinhardt. Dwayne talks about how he met Mat Swanepoel and how Sunken State's OG lineup was formed. The episode also looks at Dwayne's nuanced views of cancel culture within the South African ...

What really happens after Wacken Open Air? In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges South African bands face after representing the country in Germany, and why breaking out internationally isn’t as straightforward as it seems. 🎤 We put YOUR questions directly to Sash, giving you the answers you’ve been waiting for. Plus, we explore what Emalyth and the Wacken Metal Battle South Africa have lined up for 2026, and what it means for the future of heavy music in South Africa If you’re pas...

Join the boys as they look back at the best South African band releases and events of 2025. From memorable gigs to standout music releases, they highlight their favourites and share a glimpse of what's coming in the remainder of 2026. #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanPodcast #SouthAfricanBands #SludgeUnderground Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and...

Ramfest 2025 was everything we’ve been waiting for. From Bongloard’s wild energy and Sunken State’s chaos (gorilla suit included), to Jack Parow proving he absolutely belongs on a heavy lineup, this festival was a full-on celebration of South African alternative and heavy music. Not everything went smoothly, sound issues hit hard during Vulvodynia’s set, but The Narrow and Facing the Gallows brought things right back, setting the stage for an unforgettable headliner: The Devil Wears Prada. For ...

Johannesburg boys Sunken State have a chat with Marcel about their highly anticipated EP Hunting Ghosts, Finding Demons dropping on the 18th of July. Join in as they dive into their process, the story behind the Ep, and the direction the band's moving in. We also touch on their inclusion for the 2025 Ramfest lineup and their thoughts abut sharing the stage with The Devil Wears Prada. 💬 Drop your thoughts on the band in the comments! 🔔 Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more chats...

In this explosive interview, we dive into how Alana Britz became the digital force behind Emalyth, Metal4Africa, and Wacken Metal Battle Sub-Saharan Africa, helping shape the online identity of Africa’s loudest metal festivals. Lana opens up about: - How she got into running social media for metal institutions - Emalyth’s approach to booking bands and scouting talent - Whether bands need a polished EPK to get booked - Her thoughts on allegations that Wacken Metal Battle favours South African ac...

Pretoria boys No Closure recently made it onto the Ramfest lineup consisting of headlining act The Devil Wears Prada in South Africa. We chat about the metalcore/hardcore scene in Pretoria, the diversity in South African live shows, and get their response on what was said about the members during the Lower Hollow episode. #bandinterview #noclosure #southafricanband #southafrica #southafricanpodcast #pretoria Shot & Edited by Nasiphi Zwane Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and hig...

Marcel has a chat with Seb and Dylan of ⁨@indiedogband⁩ Join in as they chat about the bands love of touring, the stories behind their music videos and their dream to become the best rock band in the world Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for list...

EP392: We're chatting to Ashley of Lower Hollow on this episode. We're looking at where the band started, band member departures, the future of the band, and more. #sludgeunderground #southafricanband #lowerhollow #southafricanmetalheads Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today! Help us continue making great ...

EP380: The 2025 Wacken Metal Battle South Africa is underway. Here Marcel catches up with the winners of the second heat Walk These Skies. They share their thoughts on their win, the show, and the prospects of potentially representing South African metal in Germany. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today! He...

EP379: In this engaging interview, Qü shares his thoughts on whether Johannesburg remains the entertainment capital of South Africa and discusses the impact of social media on emerging artists. We look at the challenges faced by event promoters in supporting South African musicians and the decline of live shows. Qü also reflects on the albums having a long life span and considers this a dying art. We end off with Qü's plans for the rest of 2025. Get yourself a copy of Qü’s Vinyl here and chec...

Marcel had a chat with two members of one of South Africa's newest up and coming bands. Sam and Matt detail the origin of the band as well as their extensive history within the scene. From the days of Tempo's, Thornsfest, and woodstock to present day Emaylth fest Sam and Matt reminisce on days past but also share hope in the direction the scene is moving and growing. Share some of your thoughts about venues and fests you miss and new things you're excited about. Find Fading Grey here: ...

EP373: Starting off 2025 with a bang Marcel dives into the age old question of is heavy music dying out in South Africa. Listen in as he shares his thoughts from being a part of the scene as well as interviewing dozens of local metal bands. Check out our merch here: https://sludgeunderground.store/ Intro track: ‪@facingthegallows‬ Intro Footage: ‪@notrussellcrow‬ Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies...

EP370: In today's episode Marcel has a chat with arguably one of the most influential people behind the South African music scene. From post-show videos to music videos NotRussellCrow has helped capture an era of the South African music scene. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today! Enjoyed today’s episode? ...

EP365: Sean and Zainab are two experienced media professionals who have started Midnight Eneregy to fill a gap in the South African scene. Join in as they chat about what they can do for artists, music videos in the making, as well as the upcoming Wacken 2024 mini documentary. Check them out here: @MidnightEnergyProductions Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener....

EP360: On this episode we get valuable insight from Wessel, the creative mind behind Dystopia, who opens up about the trials and triumphs of running a music blog in an ever-evolving digital age, and how SEO and historical archiving play a crucial role in preserving musical heritage. We also tackle the strategic balancing act that bands face between local gigs and festival appearances. Discover the pros and cons of each and learn why maintaining a strong local presence is as crucial as aiming fo...