Skinflint rock band aims high

MAUREEN ODUBENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday November 27, 2007 00:00

 

Formed only recently, Skinflint rock band comprises three youngsters - Alessandra Sbrana, 18, Giuseppe 'Juice' Sbrana, 17, and Kebonye 'Raskebo' Nkoloso, 22, who are aiming high.

They told Showbiz that they feel greatly honoured to be asked to perform at such an event, which will coincide with World AIDS Day celebrations across the globe.

While some people associate rock music with negative things like drugs and alcohol abuse, the youngsters want to use their music not only to entertain but to also encourage good moral behaviour amongst their peers, and give hope to those in distress.

The 'three musketeers' are into what is popularly known as grunge rock, having been inspired by the popular international rock band, Nirvana. Grunge rock, which erupted in the 1980s, is a sub genre of alternative rock. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal and indie (West Indies) rock, grunge is generally characterised by heavily distorted electrical guitars, contrasting song dynamics, and apathetic or angst-filled lyrics. The grunge aesthetic is stripped-down compared to other forms of rock music.

Group member Giuseppe Sbrana says their lyrics, express teenage angst, and tries to motivate them to deal with the hardships they come across in life and not tie themselves down in dark corners just because of difficult experiences.

'The music expresses what people go through in life and gives hope to people to get over lifes hardships and move on. It is motivational in nature,' explained, Giuseppe, who writes lyrics for the band.

While the band was formed in 2005, initially consisting of the two cousins - Alessandra and Giuseppe Sbrana, the band recently completed recording their debut album, which is due for release soon. The 12 track album is titled 'Purpose of Music'.

None of the members of the group are new to music - the two Sbrana cousins are children of the two brothers Ivo and Ray Sbrana, of the popular Nosey Road band, a band which can be credited with being one of the first successful rock bands in Botswana.

Having grown up in a musical environment, the two also developed a passion for music. While the two cousins accept that their inspiration came from Nosey Road Giuseppe explained that as a child seeing rock legend Jimmy Hendrix, on stage also played a big part in his decision to become a musician. Apart from playing with the band, Giuseppe does composition, arrangement, and all the other responsibilities that come with recording an album. He is also the lyrics man in the band. 

The latest addition to the band Kebonye Nkoloso explained that he has always had a passion for music. He said he started playing musical instruments at school, chiefly drums and keyboard. The University of Botswana (UB) fourth year BA Education student continued with his passion for instruments at campus where he started to play the guitar as well.

Skinflint explained that they would introduce their debut album to the audience at the Sounds of Hope Music Concert.

The band members reiterated that it is an honour for them to be part of the show, as their aim is to have youth sensitised on life issues, including HIV/AIDS. They further explained that the youth like to go for shows, and that music shows are the best events to catch the youth in large numbers, and that messages about issues including HIV/AIDS are effective when communicated by individuals of the same age group.

The three-member group has Alessandra on drums, Gueseppe on guitar and vocals, and Kebonye on bass guitar.