Half Price is a punk rock band from Cape Town, South Africa established in 2001. They are identified by energetic performances and released 3 full-length albums, two EP's, a compilation album, and a split album since their inception.[1] The band have always maintained a DIY ethos, remaining independent until 2016 when they became the first South African punk band to sign with an American digital record label, Punk Outlaw Records.[2]

Half Price
Background information
OriginCape Town, South Africa
Genres
Years active2001 (2001)–present
LabelsPunk Outlaw Records
Members
  • Sober Pete aka Homo Erectus
  • The DFG
  • Emo Mawk
  • Kyle the Machine
  • Mister Willis
Websitehalfpriceband.co.za

History

edit

Half Price was found by Pete and The DFG in 2001 as a punk rock outfit. Half Price play non-profit party-punk[3] , which is a mixture of punk rock, ska & reggae with a focus on having fun rather than making money. They carry the sarcastic leitmotif of music made for people that love to party. They are notorious for their crazy stage antics, embracing the humor and reputation of the concept.[4]

They have played numerous shows and festivals around South Africa, as well as four tours in Europe. They toured Europe for the first time in 2005, and then in 2006, 2008 and 2013.[5] Half Price have shared the stage with acts such as The Exploited, Mad Caddies, The Spermbirds, Leftöver Crack, and Antimaniax.[6] In November 2017, Half Price were the supporting act for the Cape Town leg of the Alien Ant Farm South African tour.[7]

On The Monotony of Monogamy,[8] Half Price recorded a song called "Soccer 2010", about the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Straight Outta South Africa[9] is a compilation album that was digitally released under the New York label Punk Outlaw Records in 2016.[10]

In 2018 they released a split album with Alive at Midnight, another punk band from Cape Town.[11]

In December 2023 they were announced as one of two South African bands to play the world renowned Punk Rock Holiday festival in Slovenia in 2024.[12]

Band members

edit

Source:[13]

  • Sober Pete aka Homo Erectus: Main vocals & rhythm guitar
  • The DFG: Bass & vocals
  • Emo Mawk: Lead guitar & vocals
  • Kyle the Machine: Drums
  • Mister Willis: Trombone & vocals

Discography

edit

Source:[14]

Studio albums

edit
  • Taking Life Seriously (2004)
  • Banned (2006)
  • The Monotony of Monogamy (2010)

Compilation albums

edit
  • Straight Outta South Africa (2016) [15]
  • Bush, Bin Laden & My Mom's Nought (2003)
  • Programmed to Party (2013)

Split albums

edit
  • So Hard it Hurts split with Alive at Midnight (2018)

Music videos

edit
edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Half Price". www.interpunk.com. Retrieved 2016-07-15.
  2. ^ "10 Questions For Cape town-based Band Half Price". Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  3. ^ "Half Price Band Bio". www.halfpriceband.co.za. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  4. ^ Basson, Lauren (March 2007). "Punk Identities in Post-Apartheid South Africa" (PDF). ujdigispace. University of Johannesburg: Faculty of Humanities and Languages. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Half Price". punkoutlawrecords.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  6. ^ Langer, Mike. "Deutschland Tour der südafrikanischen Punk Band Half Price". www.ffm-rock.de. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  7. ^ "Alien Ant Farm Playing at Mercury Live in Cape Town". capetownmagazine.com.
  8. ^ "Half Price release new album and invite their friends along to celebrate by Evan Milton". What's On. Archived from the original on 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  9. ^ "Half Price releases 6th album 'Straight Outta South Africa' | AudioInferno \m/". Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  10. ^ Hlongwane, Sefiso. "Local punk band Half Price signs international record deal". Times LIVE. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  11. ^ "New ska-punk song from South Africa's Half Price". punkoutlawrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  12. ^ "Mean Girls and Half Price set to play Punk Rock Holiday in 2024". www.texxandthecity.com. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  13. ^ "Half Price Band Bio". www.halfpriceband.co.za. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  14. ^ "Half Price Music". www.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  15. ^ "Half Price – Straight Outta' South Africa". punkoutlawrecords.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.