Wickhead

Wickhead is a band from Johannesburg, South Africa formed in 2000.

Overview

The band released its first album, If It Hurts It's Healing , in 2004 independently and is distributed through Sony BMG. Following the success of singles “ Anthem ”, “ Make Your Mind Up ” “ Free ” and “ Unplug ” Wickhead was nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Awards) for Best Rock Album in 2005. “ Phat ” gained Wickhead international exposure when it was used as the soundtrack for the Crazy Monkey inserts, aired in Africa , Asia and Europe on MTV.

Following the devastating Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, the band recorded “ Split Second ” featuring guest vocalists: Tripwire (Pestroy), Hanu de Jong (The Narrow) and Andrew Maskell (16stitch). All proceeds from the song were donated to charity. “Split Second” went on to become the # 1 SA song of 2005 on TUKS fm and charted at # 3 on their international 2005 countdown. (The song is now available on Wickhead's new album, A Crush on Revelation . See below.)

The band headed back to the studio in June 2005 and spent the next three months recording tracks for their second album, A Crush on Revelation . After mixing, the album was sent to Florida , U.S.A. and mastered by Bob Katz at Digital Domain. “Bright Lights Boulevard”, Their first single off A Crush on Revelation has already reached No 1 on the Top Forty Charts of both TUKS FM and UJ FM. This album went on to gain the band two Awards at the 16th annual LA Music Awards, for Best Hard Rock Album and Best Hard Rock Single.

Production for the 'Sexita Chiquita' EP started late 2006 and combines aspects of both previous releases, the album was the first with new drummer KJ Forde and was released early 2007.

WICKHEAD have since relocated to Los Angeles and are currently in studio for a new release which will feature new songs and some reworked older material.

Notable performances

Wickhead were nominated for the vodacom4u award for Best Live Performance at Woodstock 2004 in front of 10,000 people. This performance was recorded through seven multi-cameras and released on DVD format distributed through Sony BMG Worldwide. It also includes: music videos, live footage and interviews with the band members.

Mid 2005, Alter-Ego Records invited Wickhead to perform on Mode of Obscurity, an SA tribute to Depeche Mode. The band recorded their version of “ Waiting for the Night To Fall ” which subsequently reached #4 on the TUKS FM chart.

November 2006: Wickhead won awards at the 16th annual Los Angeles Music Awards. The awards incorporate independent artists from around the world who do not have record deals. Wickhead were nominated for three awards and won 'Album of the Year, Hard Rock' as well as 'Single of the Year' for their hit "Bright Lights Boulevard." (source The Star1 16 Nov 06)

April 2007: Wickhead were chosen to play alongside the likes of Evanescence, Staind, 3 Doors Down and Hoobastank in the Johannesburg My Coke Fest concert

July 2007: Wickhead relocate to Los Angeles and sign a distributioin deal with independent record company Mozambique Records.

Wickhead plan to record their debut international album between August 2007 and November 2007 in Los Angeles, before returning to South Africa in December 2007 for Woodstock 9 before releasing their international debut.

Members

  • Bronic Bednarek: Vocals
  • Randall Knight: Guitar
  • Mark van Heerden: Guitar
  • Jason Meintjes: Bass
  • KJ Forde: Drums

Discography

  • Bit by Bit (EP) : 2003
  • If It Hurts It's Healing: 2004
  • A Crush on Revelation : 2006
  • Sexita Chiquita (EP) : 2007
  • Various compilation contributions