About
BLK JKS are a South African four-piece consisting of members Lindani Buthelezi (guitar), Mpumi Mcata (guitar, vocals), Molefi Makananise (bass) and Tshepang Ramoba (drums). Buthelezi and Mcata grew up together in Johannesburg's East Rand and formed the band in the early '00s. After gigging tirelessly around Johannesburg, the group made only its second stateside trip ever to record its debut, After Robots, with Secret Machines' Brandon Curtis. Fusing the musicians' shared love of prog, punk, South African kwaito, dub and about a dozen other sounds (including those of the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble), the resulting album was released in September 2009 on Secretly Canadian to much critical acclaim. BLK JKS proceeded to tour small clubs around the world, where they blew the minds of pretty much any crowd that saw them.
- Garrett Kamps
