In a country of contrasts and factions on many levels, the Alternative Community is one with its varied sub-genres, which at a glance seems too small to be mentioned. On the contrary.
In this landscape of Alternative minority-pools (with a wide range of different thinkers) there seems to be a further division - but the time has come for Alternative groups to stand together with a unified voice. We don't need self-serving, opinionated politicians to speak for us, we can do so ourselves - and one of our most powerful instruments is Music.
This hard-edged collection speaks in one of our 11 official languages, and simply cannot be denied - even if the press, radio and TV often turn their backs on this kind of music.
Slowly but surely the perception of Afrikaans-speaking musicians that you need to sing in English (to hopefully have a crack at making it abroad) is shifting. In any case, this type of music will not sit beside, cheap, cheesy drivel on the airwaves (in whichever language).
If your musical taste falls within the parameters of Alternative Rock, Metal, Hardcore, Grindcore, Industrial and Electronic adventures, then your prayers have been answered. If the abovementioned genres are strange to you, consider this the first lesson in your musical education.
What you will experience is an explosive mixture of South African legends and pioneers, new blood, SAMA-winners and -nominees, as well as unreleased and exclusive cuts & remixes especially recorded and presented for this collection. It includes the San Francisco/Tokyo group Conquest For Death (who do not understand a word of the language, but recorded one of their songs for us in Afrikaans); Lion's Pride from Belgium (with a Flemish songs very close to our language); an exclusive remix from Somerfaan; as well as several tracks available here for the first time on CD.
This collection will be incomplete without SA Metal Godfathers Voice Of Destruction (V.O.D) with the first ever heavy Afrikaans song, the legendary JMSP (written in '92, and recorded in '95). Another unique occurrence is the virtual reunion of the original Battery 9 legion, in the shape of related projects, including Breinskade, Somerfaan, Helsinki, and of course Battery 9 itself.
Amid all the men, there is also some beauty in the dominating shape of Terminatryx.
This album is not only a timeless Alternative collection bound to serve up countless hours of repeated listening pleasure, but is also a platform where listeners get exposed to the unique batch of musicians of whom they may not have been aware. So, if the undeniable music on KOPSKOOT! tantalize, incite, or excite you, do yourself (and the hardworking artists) a favour - buy their albums, attend their shows, contact them, and spread the word. You won't be disappointed.
The shelves are littered with dance "hits" volumes, and the repeated regurgitation of old compositions. Finally there is a CD collection where you won't feel embarrassed taking it to the counter, or will have you blushing when it's playing full-blast in your car or home.
Amid false prophets, conniving money-makers and chancers, true colours can be spotted from afar by a trained eye. This dynamic Alternative collection of dynamite sticks is not only true and original, but will blow both the heads off those who will no doubt attack it, as well as those who will take to it effortlessly - with one hell of a HEADSHOT!

- Paul Blom (November 2008)

VAN COKE KARTEL - Algehele Kontrole
(Alternative Rock)

Van Coke Kartel is Francois van Coke (Vocals and Guitar); Wynand Myburgh (Bass) and Justin Kruger (drums). Since the release of their debut album in November 2007, Van Coke Kartel has exploded onto the SA Music scene with sold out shows and raving reviews. Their self-titled debut album won a VAMT Award 2008 for “Best Afrikaans Rock Album” and was also nominated for a SAMA 2008 in the category “Best Afrikaans Rock Album.” Their second album “Waaksaam en Wakker” was released in October 2008.
In 2007 Fokofpolisiekar decided to take a deserved break. This break period gave Van Coke and Myburgh the opportunity to express their mutual musical interests and the two started writing songs together. With Van Coke on guitar and Myburgh on bass the two created rock songs that told the stories of their lives and their experiences over the past years. Stories of endless parties, binge drinking, fights, the connection they have with close friends and living in Cape Town.
Justin Kruger is no newcomer to the family. He stood in for Jaco ‘Snakehead’ Venter (Fokofpolisiekar drummer) after an accident in 2006 in which Jaco broke his arm. Justin also recorded with Fokofpolisiekar on the first ‘Swanesang’ session in March 2006.

http://www.vancokekartel.co.za

INSEK - Satan Is Liefde
(Grindcore)

Insek played their first live show on 1 April 2005. It originally started as some rough ideas and songs that Christo Bester (Bass/Vox) assembled after the split of his previous band - South African grinders - Groinchurn in 2001.

Insek aims to add a new, original flavour to South African music , specifically the Afrikaans speaking market , as a majority of the songs have Afrikaans lyrics. The music style is grindcore and a range of other interesting influences like metal and punk , with a distinct South African flavour - they would like to call the style the "skrop" (The Afrikaans term "skrop" refers to chickens looking for food with their feet or a vigorous cleaning) Topics that are dealt with lyrically, ranges from religion, sex, race and other general philosophical issues.

http://www.myspace.com/insek

CONQUEST FOR DEATH
- Positiewe Houding, Negatiewe Wêreld
Exclusive Afrikaans Version
(Hardcore-Thrash)

Conquest for Death is a hardcore thrash band based out of Tokyo (our drummer) and San Francisco (everyone else). Formed in 2006, we convene every six months to record and tour. In addition to two full-length CDs and several EPs, we have also toured the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Mauritius, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. In these last few countries we were exposed to the Afrikaans languages through our hosts and the bands with which we played.
Paul Blom from Kopskoot! kindly invited us to participate in this compilation but we had one major obstacle – we don’t speak Afrikaans(!). To help, a friend from Cape Town called Craig’s answering machine and translated the lyrics to our song “Positive Attitude, Negative World.” Please excuse our butchering of the language - Craig’s cheap answering machine, combined with Devon’s signature garbled vocal delivery, combined with the speed of the song have made the “Positiewe Houding, Negatiewe Wêreld“ version of this song somewhat incoherent - but we had a great time trying and we are honored to have been asked to contribute to this compilation.

http://www.conquestfordeath.com

SOMERFAAN - Die Spook (Kom Weer)
Exclusive Remix
(Alternative)

Somerfaan is a truly original, award winning electronic artist from Johannesburg, South Africa. He co-founded the industrial band Battery-9 with his friend Paul Riekert in 1995.
They caused a raucous in SA from 1995 – 2000. In 1999 Battery-9 supported Faithless & The Prodigy on their national tours. In 2000, Somerfaan decided to go Solo.
He completed his self-titled debut SOMERFAAN in 2003 which mostly consisted of instrumental tracks. Later that year he was awarded the ‘Best Electronic Album’ by the SABC 2’s annual Geraas Musiek Toekennings award ceremony.
This led to him re-recording the album in 2004 with added vocals. It was released as Uiters Geheim. One of the guest vocalists were the highly acclaimed Chris Chameleon which sang on "Morning is broken". Uiters Geheim became an Indie as well as Critics’ favourite. His official second album, KykOfSyKyk, was released in 2007. Earlier this year KykOfSyKyk won a SAMA (South African Music Award) for Best Alternative Album.
Somerfaan is currently working on his EP named Funky Afrikaner. Happy listening!

http://www.myspace.com/somerfaan

LION'S PRIDE
- 11 of July 1302 (De Vlaamse Leeu)
(Identity-Rock)

Lion's Pride was formed in May 2000 rising out of the ashes of Division 99. The moment a steady line-up was achieved the band decided to continue working under the name of Lion's Pride. The name refers to the medieval Flemish banner and taking pride in cultural heritage, ancestry and tradition, an ode to the patriot soul. The bandmembers are veterans in the scene and have been active in various bands (and still are).

In the late '70s/early '80s bassplayer/vocalist Gunther Theys played in several Oi!, Punk, Hardcore bands such as Capital Scum, No Survivors, Addix. Meanwhile he gained more recognition with the obscure Goth act Danse Macabre and Black/Heavy/Folk Metal band Ancient Rites with which he released several albums. By forming Division 99 he wished to return in an active way to his earliest roots. It took years to find the right people.

Original guitarist Franci, aka Sisse, has been playing in Hardcore, Oi! and Metal bands since the '80s and with Lion's Pride he seemed to have finally found a band where he felt his work was perfectly understood. However in April 2003 the band and Franci parted ways due to personal differences.

Drummer Rony also is a veteran in the scene and has played in various Metal and Crossover bands since the '80s, he helped out several rock bands as a recording artist as well. Both Gunther and Rony are also active in the Heavy Metal band Iron Clad. After looking for a second guitarist for some time, the band was joined by Raf who has his roots in the Metal scene, having played bass in Excess of Cruelty and Aegrimonia and having co-owned a radical Death/Black Metal record label Wood-Nymph Records. In August 2003 Raf and Lion's Pride ended collaboration as Raf felt like exploring other musical fields.

An audition was held and the same month Bastiaan joined Lion's Pride. A session guitarist who has been active in several bands before. The band kept on looking for a second guitar player and by October 2003 the right guy to join the Lion's Pride ranks was found in Sander.

October 2006 Ancient Rites bass player Domingo Smets officially joined the band to replace lead guitarist Bastiaan who had left the band due to a lack of time several months earlier.

Musically Lion's Pride is rather difficult to place as their songs draw influences from such different styles as Oi!, StreetPunk, HardCore, Rock'n'Roll and Metal. Aggression combined with melody, catchy riffs performed with a powerful sound and sometimes even a melancholic touch. Lyrics deal with European history, heritage and everyday life.

http://www.myspace.com/lionsprideflanders