This album is packed with kick-ass, individual songs like 'Judgment Day', 'Bitch' and 'Slave to That'. Why 'Princess' as the title track?
Because the Lord of Darkness Himself decreed it be so… (that's Ashton Nyte, my label manager!)

'Princess', like all your other albums, has that magnificent, distinct 'Rock Bitch' feel to it but it also has a much more 'evolved' edge to it than your previous albums. What was the inspiration this time around and what would you say gave it the edge that it has?
Basically, my producer (Jon Buckley) and I decided to go heavier, rather than sell out - since our beloved national youth station probably wasn't going to play us anyway.

In one word, how would you sum up this album?
Consummation.

In 'Happy Birthday' you approach quite a sensitive subject… Why did you decide to do so?
For the same reason I wrote the song 'No Warning'… a real life story of just how bad the crime in our country is touched me deeply. I'm just a musician, but maybe someone who can do something about it will hear the song and be inspired.

'Save Yourself' is also a very controversial song with a loud and clear message and has an 'anthem status' to it for most musos in the industry… tell us a bit more about your views that you air in the lyrics?
This song is dedicated with love to my fellow South African musicians. The system is designed to keep you down. No one is going to help you, so you have to 'Save Yourself'.

We see you've got a steamy new drummer, tell us a bit more about your band and the new member?
Well yes… I'm rather fond of my new 'baba', hehehe… in fact, I think I might marry him shortly! Apart from his other attributes, he actually is a kickass drummer! The other members are my totally AWESOME, loyal "B.A.N.D." guys: Martin Labuschagne on bass, and Charl Broodryk on guitar. (They both know that Ma is baie lief vir hulle!) Occasionally our producer, Jon Buckley, joins us on lead guitar - and he's totally sick!

You've been crowned as the 'Queen of Rock' and rightly so! How does it feel to be regarded as 'Rock Royalty' in South Africa?
If I am, as you say, the Queen of SA Rock, I'd like to think that I'm a benevolent monarch - giving back to the industry as much, if not more, as it has given to me.

How has 'Princess' been faring on the SA charts?
It hit number 1 on the UJFM SA top ten chart AND entered the TuksFM SA top ten chart within 20 days of the album launch!!! It has since been roaring up the 94.7 hot thirty chart and all I can say is WOW!

Was it a big surprise for you when the title track was play-listed on 94.7 of all stations?
*falls off chair… without tequila*

Should we be watching the box for any music videos?
The 'Princess' video has already been flighted on eTV and been sampled to the other stations. Keep your eyes open for it - it kicks ass! Or *heh* you can watch it on this website! ;-)

Before the launch of 'Princess' you'd been off stage for about a year and a half. Are you enjoying being back in the limelight and being so close to your fans once again?
Absolutely - they always buy me lots of Tequila! Seriously… I really missed the fans and I missed playing with my dudes. It's terrific to be back. A lot of work, but terrific. :

What is your favorite song on the album and why?
I'm royalty, so I am choosing three!... First, 'Save Yourself' - musically, I think it kicks the most ass and expresses my discontent pretty well. Second, 'Slave to That' because I enjoy it's "deep South" detuned feel. And 'Last Chance', because, in terms of the lyrics, it took a lot of courage to write.

Any idea on what the next single for release would be?
That is up to the Lord of Darkness!

You've gone with Intervention Arts for this album. Tell us more about this decision?
I like the Lord of Darkness! He's a paragon of integrity, the epitome of virtue, a man amongst men, and an in-yer-face rock artist I really respect!

The launch of 'Princess' was followed shortly by the launch of your brand new website. And your e-mag THE 'ZINE has become a legend in the SA rock community, with everyone feverishly checking their emails at the end of the month for the next issue. Will THE 'ZINE also see a revamp like your new website?
That depends on my webmistress, Michelle Smith (sadrummer.com)… hopefully she liked the chicken a la king I made her!

You've been very busy promoting the new album. What other projects are you currently busy with or are you taking a well deserved break after all that slaving away in the recording studio?
I'm always busy with THE 'ZINE - that's a full-time labour of love! Keeping the fans informed of our chart progress and rehearsing with the dudes keeps me busy too. I do have some ideas for a future album or two, but I need to pray to the Lord of Darkness first! (Ashton, of course!)

I can't leave you without a 'Band Bootcamp' question! Any advice for bands that are currently busy in the recording studio?
Try not to etch anything in stone until you've slept on it for at least a week.

Do you play any instruments?
Keyboard and Guitar.

How do you write the music to your songs?
Either Jon will have a riff and I'll add in lyrics or I'll come to Jon with a melody line of sorts, and we'll take it from there.

Who would you say is the most influential person in the South African music industry today?Aka… if you're in a band, who should you suck up to/make buddies with/try to impress/not pick your nose in front of?
erm… Barney Simon???

And who/what do you think South African bands should stay away from/watch out for in the South African music industry today?
Don't assume that a record deal or a management contract is a magic wand. Neither will replace hard work.

Are there any promotional tours lined up for the rest of the country?
Yes, Ashton and I are planning a 'Day and Nyte' tour in the near future… Should be fun!

OK, we all know that Jo Day drinks tequila with the best in Mexico and it's widely believed that she alone supports no less than 3 Cacti-farmers… but does that mean you prefer nachos to burgers?
Actually I prefer sushi… hate saki though - eeuw!

You had the crowd at your feet at the launch of 'Princess' at Doorstock (The Doors, Edenvale) and it looked like you were enjoying every millisecond of it. Do you ever suffer from ego trips?
No, only the people around me suffer from my ego trips!

Talking about trips… tell us about your dream holiday?
Whoa… I'd like to be in LA, watching the recording of the next KORN album. After that, I'd relax by going to the Vatican and searching for the Holy Grail…

So…. tell us about all the juicy perks of being a Super Rock Star and all?
Well, they return your car when they steal it…

If there weren't any consequences… who would you snog and why?
Ray McCauly… just to prove that he is that sort of bloke!

If there weren't any consequences… who would you 'bitch slap' and why?
Ray McCauly… 'cause he is that sort of bloke!

What are your pet hates?
Televangelists, running out of bogroll &/or cigarettes, white chocolate (how can they call it "chocolate" if it's white & tastes like condensed milk???), bands that give an arm's length list of 'influences' in their biogs (as if their name on the same page with their idols makes them look better), CD shops with a separate "South African" section (as if people shop for music by country of origin!), Turkish Delight, marzipan, onions… that's about all - I'm pretty easygoing otherwise!

Do you have any pets?
I had three cats, Bill, Ted and Bogus... Bogus ran away (which was bogus!) and I gave Ted to Jon, 'cause Jon was feeling lonely so I thought he could do with a pussy. I still have Bill - he rocks!

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage? C'mon, spill the beans!
In Bloem… I slipped in a puddle of oil from the smoke machine and bust my ass and my right wrist. This in itself was not embarrassing, but my kind fans gave me a bottle of 'Jo Day Cuervo' as a painkiller and I proposed to the female doctor who set my wrist at the hospital! The embarrassing part is not knowing whether she said yes or not!

Ever encountered a 'way-too-enthusiastic-fan' and how did you handle him/her/it?
There was this policewoman in Durban… I just returned all the jewellery… erm...

What's your 'motto'?
Let the asshole have the last word!

What's your 'theme song'?
'Dragula' by Rob Zombie

What's makes you belly laugh?
Martin's burps, Charl's dry wit, Brendon's tickling… so many things…

What makes you change the channel?
Anything too technical, life is too short!

What makes you want to go sit in the corner and find your happy place?
Injustice of any kind.

What is the best and worse pick-up lines you ever heard?
Best: 'If you're ever going out with friends sometime, I'd like to be included.'
Worst: 'Are you from heaven 'cause you look like an Angel.' *VOMIT!*

What don't you eat?
Red meat or onions.

Your definition of 'ultra awesome'?
Self confidence

Tell us your secret to success.
Perseverance and a steadfast refusal to accept defeat.