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It’s raw, it’s hardcore, it’s Not My Dog. The hard rock and metal outfit from the nineties is back and delivering in-your-face performances nationwide. They’ve rocked Ramfest and killed it at Seasons Wither. Now, they’ll be returning to sacred ground at Oppi and releasing their brand new self-titled album at the festival. 2011 – the year of the rabbit? Nah, f&*k it – it’s the year of the dog, man!
Band: Not My Dog
Members: Hanu de Jong (vocals), Juan le Roux (guitar), Hugo de Waal (guitar), Lanie van der Walt (bass), Jorik Pienaar (drums)
Genre: Hard rock/nu-metal
Hometown: Pretoria
Why did Not My Dog stop performing?
Hanu: Don’t know… I left the band in 2003 to join The Narrow.
Jorik: When Hanu left we tried to make it work with two other vocalists for another three years, first Albert Meintjes of SciCoustic (which was our sound engineer at the time) filled the gap but ultimately we decided to record the next album False Dog with Dino Giovanoni whose voice was better suited to our genre. We’re still proud of that album today even though it didn’t really take off; the songs were really challenging. Because of the meagre response to the last album and to our live shows in general we realised that we weren’t going anywhere really, and decided to take a break and focus on our other projects.
What was the reason for resurrecting Not My Dog?
Hanu: I felt like NMD wasn’t done with me yet. I left NMD a week or so before we won the SAMA for best Rock album and it’s always felt like there is more petrol in this scrambler.
Jorik: I have played for dozens of bands / projects but none of them comes close to the raw power and energy one experiences on stage at a NMD show. I guess we all missed that so when Hanu said “hy is lus vir die ding” we were all glad to reunite.
What was the response from your fans like when you guys announced you were coming back?
Hanu: Amazing. The memories we helped create back in the day are what brings them back to the shows. But we’ve got a whole new generation of fans pitching up at the shows and downloading our stuff which makes it even more worth it.
What was it like to perform as Not My Dog and The Narrow in one night at this year’s Season Wither?
Hanu: Well NMD and Narrow have totally different members so the only person who had to do both shows was me and I was out for the count afterwards. It’s unreal that I can be in two massive projects with musicians like that. I was thinking, “This is what any performer dreams of… 23 songs and a metal crowd screaming back almost all my words!”
What are the differences in music and style between Not My Dog and The Narrow?
Hanu: The Narrow’s songs you can play on an acoustic whereas NMD… not so much. The Not My Dog boys are all about doing whatever the f@#$ they feel like – so most of the songs are technically, very involved and very dark.
What are your new fans like compared to your older fans?
Hanu: The old fans are all Generation-X peeps. So it’s all about chaos and being hardcore etc. The new fans are very clued up and very hard to impress. But they love a good throw-down none the less.
What’s the thing you miss most about Pretoria when you’re touring?
Hanu: TuksFM and the food from Tings’n Times.
What are the future plans for Not My Dog?
Hanu: We’ll take it one project at a time. Whenever we’ve got something on our chests we’ll put it to music and share it I reckon. [I] would love to tour Europe again with die honde
How has rock and roll, as well as the industry changed since when you guys first started out? Do your prefer the scene now to then?
Hanu: The scene is way more volatile these days. When we started, a band would take a year or so to get recognised and then steadily build itself up to becoming a household name with good solid work ethics and a rock ‘n roll attitude. Nowadays one catchy tune on the web and you are “the next big thing”… until the next band comes along a day later.
What can fans expect from your new album? Has your sound evolved and do you think you’ll attract new fans whilst still pleasing old ones?
Hanu: The new tunes are way heavier and more emotional for me. NMD is about pushing the boundaries and forgetting about commercial relevance. With the old songs I find myself doing them slightly different when I’m on stage. The tunes are still technically very hip, but to relate the power of the song to a new audience one needs to update the delivery.
What are you looking forward to most about Oppikoppi this year?
Hanu: Seeing all my friends again and watching bands from backstage with a cold Castle in my hand.
Who will be responsible for pitching the tent?
Hanu: Chris Kreef! He’s been kind enough to invite us to his palace in the bos.
Are there any other bands you guys are keen to party with and see live at Oppi?
Hanu: All of them! Do you have any Oppikoppi rituals?
Hanu: I try to get a good shower after the show. Showers are few and far between at Koppi and it’s like a “job well done” treat.
Describe the character of Not My Dog, as a band.
Hanu: Stubborn, harde bliksems.
Where can fans catch you performing over the next few months besides Oppi?
Hanu: We’re organising some shows now and will post them online as we go.
How do you guys resolve disputes in the band?
Hanu: Whoever moers the hardest gets his way.
What’s been you best rock and roll moment to date?
Hanu: Kicking out my own tooth while on stage with NMD at Oppi ’99.
What’s your best song to perform life these days?
Hanu: Raging Girl (new tune) and Safari Music still goes down something fierce.
Jorik: Top Fueller
What’s your guys cure for a hangover?
Hanu: Best cure is not to drink… after so many years on the road a hangover simply won’t go away.
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