FROM ROCK 'N 'ROLL TO HARD CORE PUNK - UKZN ...

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strike one as particularly enterprising. The lyrics are, in fact
the main carrier of the message, which together with a simply
constructed melody and a sneering vocal style, make the point of
self-affirmation very clear. The accent used is a rough, cockney
accent, which could be construed as mock imitation of punk and
punk musicians in Britain (such as Johnny Rotten and Joe strummer
who are mentioned in the song).
Wild Youth were interviewed live on radio when they released this
single. Even in 1978, they acknowledged the identity crisis
experienced by rock musicians and fans in South Africa, and
indicated that 'Wot 'Bout Me?' was about this identity crisis.
The interview also confirms their 'do-it-yourself' ethic, which
assured them of complete artistic control. Here is a
transcription of relevant parts of this interview:
Interviewer: Wild Youth are with me in our
Johannesburg studios. They were here to appear at a
concert which was very successful. and the
interesting thing about this group from Durban
consisting of Rubin Rose, Skid Soles and Johnny Teen
is that they play their unique brand of music,
certainly is unique in South Africa, and they've just
made a record - not released through any of the major
record companies - in fact they financed, produced,
recorded and are distributing the record themselves.
I asked Johnny Teen to tell us about it.
Teen: Basically the material is original of course. We
compose all our own material. The only cover versions
we do are of the groups we love overseas, which you
can't hear over here... The single ... we're always
reading about the groups overseas, and hearing them on
the radio. But we feel that we would like to be like
them. We want to be in the same position. We're tired
of just being, you know, the average teenager,
puppets. And I think you know, that's why it's going
down well... when a person in the audience hears that
song, they all say 'what about me?'. Everyone wants to
be something... they can identify with it... it /s
about identity crises...everyone wants to be
someone...and that's what the song's about...
Interviewer: Do you feel a record company would not be
able to improve your success?
Teen: If they gave us a contract on our own terms...