Friends still around

LOCAL band Friends Band’s explosion into the showbiz industry has been quite an uphill task for the four-year-old group, comprising elderly members who have had their fair share of experiences in the fast life of the industry, writes Senior Life Reporter Peter Matika.

In an explosion of musical fusion that has spanned from Bulawayo to Harare and beyond, the band, although rarely recognised, has managed to play a distinct role in setting history and pace for younger bands.

Sunday Life managed to track the band last Saturday at Safari Bar, where they displayed a distinct performance, fusing rock, jazz and contemporary afro pop music that intertwines funk with Zimbabwean folkloric melodies.

The band comprises five members, three of them mature, namely Ebba Chitambo (drums), Godfrey Khumalo (Keyboard), Julius Phiri (Guitar), David Mabhena, 21 (Bass Guitar) and Zinzi Majola, 25 (Vocals).

“It hasn’t been an easy road and many can attest to that. We play a fusion of music; we can’t really say we play a certain genre of music as we like to fuse the music. Presently we are working on a project that we hope to release before the end of the year,” said Ebba, stating that this would be their very first project as a group since inception.

Ebba mentioned that the group had been established through a mutual understanding of members from old and defunct groups.

“We knew each other from long back, as we were in the same industry although playing for different bands and groups. We all had a unique appreciation of music and I guess that’s how we have managed to remain a unit,” he said.

Ebba also said they followed a systematic practice routine, which they religiously followed to keep them at the top of their game.

“We have a strict routine which we follow. We practice four times a week and start performances on Friday. We do this to keep our music clean, fun and magical,” he said, also noting that they had since begun incorporating younger musicians to the band.

“We are introducing younger members to the band with the hope of nurturing them into distinguished musicians. Not only are we focusing on turning them into unique musicians but we want them to have an appreciation of good music, seeing as many youngsters these days are more into rap and that’s not real music.