By Marley
21 years and still rocking, still speaking as a generation to the next generations, still raising the questions that no one dares to ask out loud. Fokofpolisiekar (FOPK) has become a household name in South Africa like All Gold Tomato sauce and Spur ribs. Still kicking ass and still taking names.
What I can tell you about FOPK that you already don’t know? How these 5 guys in Bellville decided lets start an Afrikaans rock band and end up with the name? To cause so much riff in the Afrikaans community that ripped it into two sides – against and with. Bible bashers that pulled all the stunts to shut them down. Mainstream media was not allowed to use their full names. Even here in good old Nelsparta, people banned their children from their shows at Blue Moon, yet a thousand more would show up.
There is no other band like FOPK, many have tried to be. Many have been inspired to become and some will be spoken from your lips. To this day, I am a rock ‘n roller to my DNA core. Somedays I will play FOPK so loud I think my neighbors two streets down have laid complaints. I couldn’t care, if the music is good. Or how does the saying goes “Harde negatiewe musiek het my lewe gered”.
FOPK released their latest album “Dans deur die donker” late in 2023 and it’s been playlisted around the world on fans streaming channels. “Word wakker word groot” is a firm favourite and if you love the good old punk days, then this album should be on your list. Good news is, FOPK is on their way to Nelsparta for the Woofstock 2024 show on Saturday 31 August at Mustangs, The Dancing Place.
Small Town Music had the chance to ask Wynand Myburgh a few questions. From keeping fit to pets to favourites on the new album “Dans deur die Donker”
STM: 21 years old – Did any of you guys expect to still be “jolling” together as Fokofpolisiekar
back when it all started?
FOPK: No way! We are super blessed to be able to still play together as the original line-up. I don’t think anyone that starts a band thinks this far into the future. When you start, your focus is on micro-goals and the main goal is to try and make/play music for a living. Once you have achieved that the focus is on sustaining. Most bands don’t last for more than a few years.
(photo by Small Town Music)
STM: “Dans deur die donker” album was released late last year and one of my ultimate favourite songs is “Word wakker word groot”.
FOPK: I got the feeling of the old punk days. I also love “Word Wakker”. “Ek voel so klein”, “Die gees
van Fokof” and “Goue drol” are also up there with “Word wakker” for me personally.
STM: I want to know – in 2003 we as Afrikaans kids had a lot against us (in a way we still do), now 21 years later where does the inspiration come from to write the songs for “Dans deur die donker” album?
FOPK: Hunter is the main lyricist and have the ability to observe and put that
what he sees into words. But in a clever way by raising questions, stating the obvious, etc. and in a very poetic way. When we start working music, we hang out a lot and a lot of Hunters ideas gets sparked from our conversations. I think he and us are influenced by everything around us. It is pretty much the same as in 2003, but then at the same time completely different.
(photo by Small Town Music)
STM: How do you guys deal with getting older? Is it yoga? Tell us its drinking Jagermeister?
FOPK: I think each of us deal with it differently. Almost all of us are fitter now than in the early years from doing daily exercises. When we were younger exercise was not on our daily to do list.
Snake keeps himself young with healthy diet of Fokof Lager and Johnny does not age. Hunter, Francois and I need to work it.
STM: The FOPK brand is still rebellious; I was stopped in our local mall here in Nelspruit by a tannie who complained about my FOPK t-shirt. Do you still get people telling you guys off due to your name/music?
FOPK: Not in our bubble, but I am sure it still happens. As with you in the local mall.
STM: Most of the kids going to a FOPK show have been raised on your music, the rebellion Afrikaaner is now parents to teenagers. Do you feel that you still have a connection with this age group as you did with their parents?
FOPK: Yes we do.
STM: This question is to you Wynand – how the hell do you get it right to kick your legs as high as you do – asking for all over 40-year-olds.
FOPK: It is mostly genetics. I’m naturally supple. These days I do stretch a lot, but not to be able to jump and kick on stage. If I start my day with a good stretch session, I always feel 10 years younger. Get on all fours and start stretching people!
(photo by Small Town Music)
STM: What is the most interesting place you guys have played a show at?
FOPK: It was in the middle of Gauteng winter on a piece of land somewhere out in Brakpan.
The bar area was inside a mine and there were huge bonfires outside as it was a minus 0 degree winter evening. I cannot remember much, but it was weird. We still have photos of us in the bar area….somewhere.
STM: What I love about you guys is that you constantly come up with merch we as fans didn’t know we needed – like the lyric book. How has it been received by the fans (and is there anything left)?
FOPK: The lyric book idea has been coming for a while. With the release of “Dans Deur Die Donker” we decided that it was the correct time to do it. People love it and yes, there are still available from our online store: Fokof.store or people can get one at our shows.
STM: FOPK is on the lineup for the Woofstock 2024 lineup here in Nelspruit on 31 August 2024 – how many pets do you guys have in the band?
FOPK: 6 dogs and 1 cat! Johnny has a pavement special and a Yorkie. Francois has a golden retriever. Hunter’s got a Dutchhound. Snake has a cat and I have two Frenchies.
Thank you Wynand for your time and amazing answers, I will definitely look into stretching before your shows. Do you have your Woofstock 2024 tickets yet? Get them online via TixSA or at the door, they’ll be on stage with Loufi, Martin Bester and band, Sunset Sweatshop and Pieter Marcato. Also, download the new Fokofpolisiekar album “Dans deur die donker”
