'Shine' was recorded in 1997 at the tail-end of a demo session for the Karma album 'One Day Soon.' Truthfully, we were just making it up as we went along...and having fun with a song that was very much still an idea for me. While the track never made it onto the final list for 'One Day Soon' - this demo recording was later featured in the movie 'Swansong for Charlie.'  Thought I would share a little Henry Ate memory with you all - enjoy. 

Henry Ate - Shine

"The Stranger" was recorded at the SABC in 1997 as part of the ONE DAY SOON demo sessions. 

The Stranger

After years of playing 'Just,' we started messing around with 'remixes' and reinterpretations of our own, more than anything - to keep us entertained. This is a recording from '97 of one of the many versions Henry Ate performed of this song. 
(Karma Swanepoel, Julian Sun, Brendan Ou Tim, Max Mikula, Peter Cohen)


Just (Dub)

"Shut Up I'm Thinking" was always a favorite at Henry Ate shows - for the audience and the band.  We never recorded this track for an album - probably should have - but fortunately, I found this recording from a live performance at the SABC. 

Shut Up I'm thinking

Julian and Karma recorded this track in 2002 at the SABC, during an acoustic demo session with Neal Snyman. Unfortunately, this is another Henry Ate song that didn't make the cut for an album...but who knows, maybe one day it will. 

Tide

In 1999, I recorded an album called SUM OF ME, with Willem Moller at Sharp Street Studios. EMI heard the work and signed me that year. The SUM OF ME sessions were transferred to the SABC and I began working with Peter Pearlson. Some of the songs Willem and I had worked on found a home on the album TORN AND TATTERED - "Don't Matter" was not one of them. This version of the song is one of the rough mixes from the sessions I did with Willem. 

Don't Matter

"Falling Backwards" was recorded in a day at Darryl Torr's studio in Edenvale sometime in  1999. 

Falling Backwards

I wrote this song, rather late one night, as a birthday gift to my drummer's wife Gen (hence the title). Henry Ate started performing it shortly thereafter as an encore and lullaby to say goodnight to our audiences. This recording—as you can hear from my tired voice—was done at the end of a two-day recording session at the SABC in 1997. 

Gen's Lullaby

This is a super rare recording of 'The Whistle Song' played by the folks who wrote it: Jules, Peter, Max, Brendan and Karma. Henry Ate closed out pretty much every show in '97 through '99 with this tune, much to the delight of bouncing crowds. 

The Whistle Song

Rarely was "She's Alright" ever played live. This live recording of Karma performing the song at the Bassline in Melville sometime in Dec '04 may well be the only one in existence. 

She's Alright

super old-school! you'd have to have seen Henry Ate jamming at 206 Live circa. 1996/97 to remember this track...

This version of "I'm Tempted To Stay" was recorded live at the SABC in 1997 during the demo session for the album One Day Soon. 

I'm Tempted to Stay

In early 1997, Henry Ate did a live broadcast performance on 94.7FM. The show took place at the Blues Room in Village Walk. This recording was done by a fan—holding a tape recorder to their radio. As far as we know, this is the only copy of this unplugged arrangement of the band's #1 hit single. 

Long-time friend of the band and incredibly talented photographer, Sam Alberts took this shot of Brendan Ou Tim, Karma and Max Mikula in circa. 1999

Popular tracks by Henry Ate