Some of you might have forgotten, but back in 1996 South Africa Pop / Rock act Henry Ate achieved national success with the release of their debut album “Slap in the Face” The album featured the hit singles “Just”, “Hey Mister” and “Henry”. Success came like a tidal wave and the young waif-like lead-singer Karma was swept into a fury of press and public adoration.
I still remember hearing these songs for the first time on the radio and seeing Henry Ate perform the first time in 1998. I vaguely recall sitting on the floor and watching them in the old Tings ‘n Times in Hatfield and seeing them perform at Oppikoppi in 2001 (at Fountains Valley). They are without a doubt of my favorite South African live acts of all time.
1998 saw the release of “One Day Soon”. Four consecutive singles from the album all entered the Top 10 – “Dr Pepper”, “One Day Soon”, “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Seconds Count”, and the album won Pop Album of the Year at the South African Music Awards. In 2000 Henry Ate released “Torn & Tattered” featuring the hit singles “Madhatter”, “Saints & Sinners” and “Prayer”, whilst 2002 saw the release of their greatest hits album “Henry Ate – 96-02 The Singles”. Lead-singer Karma moved to the USA in 2003 and started working as a solo artist under the name Karma. Based in Los Angeles, she quickly became a popular attraction at live performance venues throughout Florida, California and New York and the UK where she travels frequently.
The last time I saw Henry Ate / Karma live was in 2008 when they played at Oppikoppi Easter 2008. It was the first time that I saw them perform in 5 years at the time. I can’t believe that nearly 4 years has passed since the last time I saw them perform.
Great News for Henry Ate fans (like me) in South Africa is that Henry Ate and Karma will be in South Africa in April 2012. In support of the tour, Karma has released her stunning new single “Guess Again”, hit the play button below this paragraph and have a listen:
You can catch Karma and Henry Ate at the following venues around South Africa in April 2012:
- Thursday 5 April @ Club Al Capone at KKNK (collaboration with Wendy Oldfield).
- Friday 7 April @ Kaktus Oppi Vlaktes at KKNK
- Wednesday 11 April: Dorpstreet Theatre, Stellenbosch
- Thursday 12 April: Seaside Blues Restaurant, Melkbosstrand
- Friday 13 April: Tanz Café, Johannesburg
- Monday 16 April: Barnyard Theatre Menlyn, Pretoria
- Tuesday 17 April: Aasvoëlklub, Bloemfontein
If you are a fan of Henry Ate and Karma and good SA Music, do yourself a favour and get your butt down to one of these gigs.