BRONIC BEDNAREK – WICKHEAD

Posted by: Kevin Du Toit

Recently I’ve been fortunate enough to go to a few gigs in Los Angeles where my favorite South African band WICKHEAD have been playing. Bronic Bednarek Lead vocals of WICKHEAD, a driven, passionate alternative rock band that hails from the beautiful yet volatile city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Against all odds they have risen through a challenging time of violent crime, social change and cultural alienation in an evolving country.

It’s a typical sunny day in So Cal and I am sitting with Bronic Bednarek, who you all know as the Lead Vocalist of the kick ass South African band “Wickhead” which by the way is my families favorite South African band, who have moved to Hollywood, California.  Bronic has been busy doing a solo album as well and that is why WE HAD to catch up with him in his Studio City pad.  This by the way is also my first interview ever and being a fan of WickHead I couldn’t wait to get into it with him, so here we go…

KDT156: What made you leave the comfort of your family, fans and SA to hit the streets of Hollywood?

BRONIC: Passion, Ambition, Ego, Courage, Reaching for a dream.

KDT156: Bronic, you seem like an organic person, natural and passionate about your craft, tells us more about where you are right now on your journey?

BRONIC: I’ve evolved so much -- thank goodness! The fire of relocation will smelt anyone into a new being if they don’t give up or return to the history/culture from where they came.

We all sacrificed a lot to reach for our dreams, and I can’t speak for the other guys, but I know part of it was Passion to reach for a dream and the other part was ego/want/need. That last part of me unfortunately destroyed the relationship I left behind in SA -- breaking something I couldn’t fix changed me. I’ve stopped drinking (we were all self medicating to some degree to deal with the pressure), stopped smoking, I’m taking a break from relationships and sex, I’m meditating alot, doing alot Yoga and Pranayama/kundalini and eating really healthy.

In short I’ve found a new peace and joy in my life that I can take with me anywhere.

None of this growth would have been possible or this deep had we not risked it all and flown to LA.

KDT156: Are you currently in a band and if so what’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name?

BRONIC: Obviously Wickhead’s still going (we’re just taking a break), I’m doing solo acoustic stuff under my name ‘Bronic’, I’m touring with a metal band called ‘Eminent’ -- we’re doing a 2 month national US tour, I’m writing a modern, edgy, dance musical and I’m writing Mantra Dance music for one of my teachers Atma Ananda. Keeping busy

KDT156: NICE!  Can you list the name, age, school, and respective instrument of each band member?

BRONIC: Bronic Bednarek, 33, Sandringham High School/Crawford College, Vox

Mark Van Heerden, 28, …, Guitar and Backing Vox

Randall Knight, 28, Bryanston High, Guitar Backing Vox

Jay Hart, 29, …, Bass

KJ Forde, 21, Bryanston High, Drums

KDT156: Mark Van Heerden is a good friend of mine and he just got married and lives in Long Beach, we’re very happy for him.  So how long have you all known each other and how did you meet?

BRONIC: I met Mark in January 2000 so 9 years. I taught Sound engineering for 2 days before I changed jobs and flew to France -- during the first day we met and hit it off and started jamming together. He had just moved up from Pietermaritzburg with Jason Meintjes (Previous Bassist) and Louis Enslin (Sound Engineer).

Mark Van Heerden, Bronic Bednarek, KJ Forde and Jay Hart.

KDT156: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Coming from South Africa and now residing in LA, who are your major influences?

BRONIC: Hard Rock, Deftones, Lost Prophets, The Used, Sevendust, Incubus, Korn.

KDT156: When did you form your band and what inspired you to make music together?

BRONIC: I had a beautiful crazy girlfriend who got me back into heavy music and when I met Mark he said he liked Hed(PE) -- I was amazed he even knew who they were back then and wanted to get the album he had, I said ” I’ve never screamed before but I’ll give it a try!”

KDT156: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?

BRONIC: Nope -- we’re independent at present.

KDT156: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available?  What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?

BRONIC: I always want the best sound quality so I use a shure Beta 87a Wireless Handheld Condenser Microphone. Mark Loves Fender and Yamaha, You’ll have to ask the other guys about their gear fetishes

KDT156: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

BRONIC: LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, portland, Atlanta, London, All over SA. Whisky a Go Go was great to and for us and has so much History! Oregon was great!

KDT156: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

BRONIC: We play all the songs on our latest album most. We bounce between a few set lists but wanna keep it fresh for the fans alot of the time. We’ve played a few covers but change them up alot. We did Thriller last Halloween and Amazing Grace is on our album.

KDT156: Do you write your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

BRONIC: We all write the music together and I come up with the melody, lyrics and concept. all our songs are real, honest and come from some visceral truth that has been experienced even if expressed through a story or poetry. I think after broadening my writing field I would focus alot more on concepts running through an entire album. It began with writing a story for the musical I’m currently completing. I applied that to Eminent’s “Death of the Pilgrim” A journney of self discovery and transcendence.

KDT156: Bronic, briefly describe the music-making process to those who want to come to Hollywood or just get into the music industry?

BRONIC: You gotta love it, treat it like a real job, work hard, take risks and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You need to grow beyond your mind and what you know in order to boldly go where few do, Be it, feel it, live it.

KDT156: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

BRONIC: Our rehearsals are very tight and necessary. More preparation = less mind = more magic.

KDT156: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

BRONIC: I think I/We started off with heart and soul only, when things don’t go as expected or you have less play than imagined you recreate the wheel a few times. We may have overthought a few songs and directions but it all goes into the pot of experience. I think getting the balance between beautiful art and indulgence is a fine line but needs knowing.

KDT156: What has been your biggest challenge as a band and how have you been able to overcome that challenge?

BRONIC: Staying together through financial challenges and relocation to the states.

KDT156: What’s your ultimate direction for your band and are you seeking fame and fortune?

BRONIC: I’ve relinquished control and moved into the “Surfer’s role” instead of trying to make the wave, be the wave or fight the wave I have chosen to ride the wave as beautifully and amazingly as possible. So after having been a bit of a Hitler in the writing process I’m leaving the music side to the band and I’ll ride that musical wave with lyrics, melody and concept. Think it may work a little smoother for everyone involved -- even the audience!!

KDT156: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

BRONIC: Do it!

KDT156: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

BRONIC: Myspace, Facebook, YouTube and iTunes Plus the www.wickhead.net site.

KDT156: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

BRONIC: The Andrus’!! Thank you! Kev Du toit -- you’ve been great. The staff and sound crew at The Whisky! Stephanie and all our other fans and friends!!! Thank you to EVERYONE!! Thank you!!!

KDT156: Any last words Mr. Bednarek?

BRONIC: Namaste -- The Light in me bows to the Light in you.