GAGE Touring the USA!!

The “Kick Ass” South African Rock Band headed by Jason Horseman announce yesterday that it signed to Mahvrick for marketing and distribution globally. GAGE (www.gage.co.za). When we first heard the band we knew they were something special. They recently booked a major festival, South Africa’s biggest of the year. “We call them kick ass. The lead singer Jason Horseman, Plays drums, delivering intense lyrics and a solid baseline which is backed by Bassist Russel Nathanson and Llewllyn Burger, guitar,” Says Pramo Virk, Mahvrick International.

Mahvrick is aggressively pushing the band for tours, as well as film and television placements.

Mahvrick owns in a division of Global Universal a well known film production and entertainment company based in Hollywood. Its clients have over 250 million records sold worldwide. “Gage is something special. Once their record is released domestically our staff and partners will push the records for tv, commercials and film. Gage is currently working on songs for a trip to the United States that will incorporate performances for US troops who were wounded during war times.

“Break the Silence” Gage’s debut US album is being repackaged and produced by Oliver Del Camino for a US release this summer. Mahvrick will distribute the album worldwide to retailers and mobile carriers in more than 170 countries.

About Mahvrick

Mahvrick (Rich Mahee backwards) headed up by former private investment banker, has strategic business relationships with major service providers in the news, music and video distribution industries. Mahvrick’s client’s have over Two Hundred and Fifty (250) million records sold worldwide in both rock and urban genres. Mahvrick owns a joint venture entity with Global Universal to raise global awareness, fund, and distribute content from individuals as well as budding stars who want a part in a music video, commercial, DVD or a Film produced by Global Mahvrick and its clients or partners.

GAGE is a three piece pop rock band with the following members:

Jason Horseman        Lead Vocals and Drummer
Llewellyn Burger        Guitar and Backing Vocals
Russel Nathanson      Bass

Blood, Sweat & Drums – Written by B. Groenewald

If ever a prize is presented for tenacity and patience, Jason Horseman, the force behind the band GAGE must definitely be considered as a contender.

Jason’s journey in music started at a very young age; his mother’s pots and pans needed to be replaced at a regular interval as he played on them relentlessly!

Music was in his genes, having a father who used to sing and play in his own band, in and around Kimberley. His father’s band opened up for bands in the 70′s such as Hawk and Tidal Waves. Jason tagged along and this is where his love for live music was rooted.

His father bought him his first vintage drum kit at the age of eight and from here Jason was hooked, practising for hours every day and playing along to his favourite records.

During his high school years some of the slightly older musicians in Kimberley heard Jason play and he was asked to join Steel Roses that was founded by Trevor Ou Tim.

Jason decided a couple of years later that it was time to spread his wings and he started up his own band called Dead Lizzard Club. The Dead Lizzards wrote their own songs and got to release a 5 track EP titled Natural Order. They managed to get some of their songs featured on Barney Simon’s Buzz Bin on 5fm, a DJ that focused on developing South African rock music.

During the early 90′s rock bands like Jackhammer, Sugardrive and Springbok Nude Girls played in Kimberley. These gigs were organized by Barry Groenewald and he arranged for Jason and his band to play the support slots when these bands visited the city.

A powerful, unique and energetic drummer, Jason was always willing to learn and never shied away from challenges. It is this tenacity that has seen him through difficult times, especially as there are not many opportunities for musicians in Kimberley and the Idols fame-in-a-minute was not the big thing on television yet.

Jason developed a very individual style of drumming and it is evidenced by his hard hitting rock grooves. If there is one drummer whose style you can compare Jason to it will be Dave Grohl of Nirvana fame.

During 1999 Jason was offered an audition with Sunways after Groenewald spoke to the drummer Barry van Zyl who happened to be playing shows in Kimberley with Wendy Oldfield. Jason was asked to try out and was one of more than 50 drummers that were auditioned. Robbie Boake gave Jason the job in Sunways and the three piece band set off on a number of national tours. Sunways played the Rand Easter Show, Oppikoppi, Splashy Fen, Southern Cross and Woodstock. They were also featured on television including Kyknet, Draadloos and Ktv. Sunways played 90 gigs in the first year and then set their sights on touring to Northern Ireland and London. Upon returning to South Africa, Sunways was awarded the coveted titles of Best Rock Album and Best Live Act at the SAMA Awards in 2002.

Musical differences saw Jason leaving Sunways during 2002. He moved back to Kimberley and continued to play with various bands including a jazz outfit called Brothers from the “Y” featuring Mark and Ian Buchanan.

During 2007 Jason formed a new rock band called GAGE and they released their début album, Empty Spaces in 2010. The album was produced by the legendary Peter Pearlson and is available at music outlets such as Look & Listen, Top CD as well as for download from various reputable sites such as iTunes and Kalahari.net. GAGE signed deals with Sony ATV Music and Next Music.

“Fall” a scar reggae track from their first album Empty Spaces was included in a Sony/ ATV compilation along with tracks by Arno Carstens, Aking and Freshlyground that was sent to Sony in New York during 2010 to showcase the best of what Sony Africa had to offer.

GAGE is currently busy recording their second album titled “Break the Silence” at The O Studio in Johannesburg. The second album is due for release early 2013