The Barcode Bandits
Getting to know South Africa's most wanted Punk Rock Outlaws...
The Barcode Bandits are an alternative punk rock band formed in 2012 in South Africa. The band consists of Ryan Zimbler (Lead guitar & vocals), Marc Barclay (Drummer & backing vocals) and Neil Hamilton (Bassist & backing vocals) each bringing their own unique energy to the band resulting in an explosive onstage performance they quickly infects audiences.
The band do not follow a typical song writing path, and why should they? They have said that music has been the best medium for them to express their views and feelings which comes through in their songs. This is one band that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with the relentless riffs complimenting the verses perfectly, before launching into choruses which shift into higher gear, before slamming us back to earth.
The bands 2017 EP “I Don’t Want you to…” saw them charting in the top 10 of many South African radio stations as well as internationally and since 2019 they have been churning out singles like “Save our Souls” and “Our World”, 2 singles in which you can clearly spot their Greenday influence. Other influences include bands like Sum 41, Tool, Chevelle, System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine and Rock Gods, AC/DC and Metallica. The band released their first official music video in 2019 titled "Save our souls", a powerful song that exposes the impact that gender based violence has on this world.
They have shared the stage with acts such as, Francois Van Coke en die Gevaar, The Hellcats, Jack Parow, Mi Casa, Jeremy Loops, Shortstraw, Wonderboom, Jasper Dan, The Black Cat Bones and International US touring artist, Brett Newski as well as performing in some of South Africa's most iconic rock clubs. The band manages to draw their audiences in with each song merging into the next but somehow manage to keep each song a unique experience with each song sounding unique.
2020 saw the Covid-19 pandemic affect the entire world, halting all live music performances and causing the death of many smaller bands, however the Bandits put their heads down and started working on new music and also recorded a new video for their upcoming track "Devil on my shoulder" which is set to be released later in 2021.
The Barcode Bandits are part of the new rock movement in South Africa and driving the new age of rock music, taking the torch over from some of South Africa's veteran bands and inspiring a generation of future rock acts.
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