One of the hottest South African bands of the 1980s, Ella Mental, are getting together for the first time in nearly 40 years. Ella Mental Reunited will take place at the Camel Rock in Scarborough on 10 December 2022 from 6pm to 8pm.
Heather Mac, Tim Parr, Herman Eugster and Adrian Levi were the original line-up formed in in early 1983. They released their first EP which debuted the single Pressure, which was followed by See Yourself (Clowns) in late 1984, on the debut album Uncomplicated Dreams. Other fave songs by the band include Magic Mother, Clowns and Wet Washing.
Centering around theatrical vocalist Heather Mac and guitarist Tim Parr, Ella Mental toured extensively, bringing an entourage of stalwarts with them, lugging PAs and props and lighting rigs on a shoestring budget. The fans were out there, and Ella Mental was committed to making it to their towns; from Bloem to Upington, from Cape Town to Plett, from Margate to Verwoerdburg.
The band produced three more singles: Song for Jenny, 30 Million Lonely People and Madman, (which was banned because it wagged a finger at Die Groot Krokodil, better known as P. W Botha, a man not known for his tolerance of criticism).
Time to leave …
At this stage bassist Adrian Levi was playing “duck’ from the Military Police, who wanted to secure his services for the protection of the country from the “swart gevaar”, and overseas looked a lot more inviting. Heather and Tim had a new child and they both had dreams of cracking the Irish market.
The group left for Ireland in 1986, set up a home and starting rehearsing for their big break. After a year overseas, Adrian returned to South Africa and drummer Herman Eugster returned to his home in Switzerland. Tim and Heather were eventually signed to Warner Bros. after playing at the Marquee Club in Soho. An album was recorded, but was never released in South Africa. Eventually both Heather and Tim returned to South Arica to pursue individual musical interests.
And now Ella Mental are back together for their special Camel Rock gig. No pressure, guys – but we’re seriously looking forward to this!
What: Ella Mental Reunited
Where and when: Camel Rock, Scarborough on 10 December 2022 from 6pm to 8pm
Tickets: Quicket
Update: Ella Mental Reunited will also be at Die Boer Teater in Stellenbosch on 12 December, Die Koelkamers in Paternoster on 16 December, and the Karoo Art Hotel in Montagu on 17 December 2022.
WS
