Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
Group Members: Arno Carstens
All Music Guide:
Originally consisting of Arno Carstens (vocals), Theo Crous (guitar), Arno Blumer (bass), and Francois Kruger (drums), the Springbok Nude Girls have gradually become one of the hottest rock bands in South Africa, with their work now beginning to be recognized in England. The band's lineup is filled out with the addition of trumpeter/keyboardist Adriaan Brand. The band plays an intriguing mixture of straight-ahead rock and more experimental material that sees Brand's trumpet work out front for extended solos that as often as not delve into jazz areas, giving the band a memorable sound. The distinct nature of the band's music, coupled with extensive touring, festival appearances, and regular CD releases, has resulted in their signing with Epic Records in South Africa, and several hits, including "Genie" and "I Love You." Their second album, Afterlifesatisfaction, was released to great acclaim in May 1997, after which the band embarked on several more tours, including one taking them to England. Their first album, originally released by the band, was picked up by Epic. Although the band took a break from performing and recording in 2001, they ultimately reunited and released Peace Breaker in 2007.
Wikipedia:
The Springbok Nude Girls (a.k.a. the Nudies, or the Nude Girls) is a rock band from Cape Town, South Africa.
An alternative rock band, the Nude Girls introduced punk, ska, acid jazz and metal into their songs, introducing a new world of music to the youth of South Africa in the early 1990s.
They played their first big gig in September 1994 in Stellenbosch. Since then, the Nude girls have toured extensively. In 2000, the band received a South African Music Award for Best Rock Album (Surpass The Powers). The Nude Girls were voted the Best South Africa rock band in a poll conducted by South African radio station 5FM.
Break up (and reformation)
In 2001 the band announced an indefinite hiatus. However, in 2006, a blog entry on drummer Francois Kruger's site informally announced their reunion. Their reunion coincided with the return of trumpeter Adriaan Brand. Their first new album in four years, Peace Breaker, was released in March 2007. The Nude Girls performed as the opening act for U2 in Cape Town during their South African tour in February 2011.
After the split
During the band's hiatus Arno Carstens formed a new band, Nu Porn, and also launched a successful solo career. In 2006, he won a SAMA award for his solo album The Hello Goodbye Boys, which was named Best English Adult Contemporary Album.
Guitarist Theo Crous went on to form the Afrikaans alternative band KOBUS! (also known as K.O.B.U.S!) with Francois Breytenbach Blom, ex-vocalist of South African heavy metal band Voice of Destruction. They have released three albums: kobus!, 100% Skuldgevoelvry and SwaarMetaal. Crous is also the music producer for Prime Circle, The Parlotones, Aking, Fokofpolisiekar, Karen Zoid and has collaborated with many acts such as Mafikozolo, Malaika and Loyiso Bala. Crous played live with Chris Cornell (of Audioslave and Soundgarden) at Mycoke Fest 2009.
The band got together once again in 2011 on the Isle of Wight to rehearse and record tracks for a new EP. The release appeared in December 2011 as Apes With Shades and was supported by a South African tour with Van Coke Kartel. The song Weekend was lead single and was accepted onto the 5FM playlist.
