History / The 1990’s
 
If the previous decade had been one of State oppression, the 90’s kicked off wonderfully for all in SA with the release of Nelson Mandela from prison after 27 years incarceration. This “gesture” on the part of Government led eventually to the 1994 General Elections that saw the creation of this country’s first democratic situation in the formation of the Government of National Unity. The euphoria was tangible as it brought about a freedom of association and cultural interaction that many had been hoping and striving for.

Although Folk Festivals had gone on during the 80’s, they were now joined by Festivals springing up around the country, imbued with the spirit of camping. This setting helped shape a culture for outdoor music, crowds, inter-mingling of different races; all substantiating and trying to come to grips with change that seemed to come so suddenly for many. The first of these Festivals was the Splashy Fen event of 1990 at which Syd Kitchen played. This event has since become an annual happening, growing as it has, with International acts and several stages. Others have followed; many in fact; to the point that there are now several dozen annual events that range in size from the odd thousand people to crowds like those seen at the Oppikoppi Festival in Gauteng where attendances of 15000 are not uncommon.

Significant events for Syd Kitchen in the 1990’s include:
 
1991:
• Appears at the Splashy Fen Festival with Dave Tarr and Steve Newman and solo at the Four Winds Festival in Port Elizabeth.
• Tours the Cape with THE FLYING SOMBREROS.
• Produces albums for both Mike Smith and Gladys Shelembe.
• Tours Swaziland with MIKE SMITH BAND.

1992:
• Plays the Red Hot Jazz Festival at the Natal Playhouse with THE FLYING
SOMBREROS.
• Appears at the Rustler’s Valley Festival in March, Splashy Fen in April and the
Grahamstown Festival in July.
• Third Ear Music release “Warts ‘n all”.

1993:
Appears at Splashy Fen in April

1994:
• Enrolls in the University of Natal’s Music program.
• Plays at Splashy Fen in April.
• Appears with American singer/songwriter Shawn Phillips at his University of
Pietermaritzburg campus concert in June.
• Plays “Guitars For Africa” at the Natal Playhouse.

1995:
• Releases “City Child”.
• Plays Splashy Fen with Dave Tarr.

1996:
• Appears at the Barleycorn Festival in Cape Town in March
• Plays Splashy Fen in April.
• Reforms the “new UTENSILS".
• Tours Gauteng.
• Awarded BA (Music) Degree cum laude.

1997:
• Awarded BA Hons Degree cum laude.
• Appears at the Splashy Fen Festival solo.
 
1998:
• Tours the country with Steve Newman.
• Plays the Oppikoppi Easter Festival as well as their main Festival in August. 
• Appears at Splashy Fen with THE FLYING SOMBREROS.

1999:
• Forms AMAKOOL and releases the EP “Amakoologik” through Wildebeest Records.
• Tours Kwazulu Natal with Steve Newman and Greg Georgiades
• Play concerts in Gauteng.
• Appears at the Splashy Fen, Southern Cross, Oppikoppi and Grahamstown Festivals with AMAKOOL.
• Plays the New Millenium Concert in Durban Harbour with JOHNNY CLEGG and others.
<< Back to History