Springbok Nude Girls Theo Crous

Springbok Nude Girls lead guitarist Theo Crous live on stage during a Nudies concert. Image: Supplied

#MusicExchange: Rapid-fire Q&A with Springbok Nude Girls’ Theo Crous

The legendary Nudies will be performing (live and livestreaming) on Saturday 31 October to launch their new single, ‘Rolling Thunder’. We chatted to the band’s lead guitarist and producer Theo Crous.

Springbok Nude Girls Theo Crous

Springbok Nude Girls lead guitarist Theo Crous live on stage during a Nudies concert. Image: Supplied

As one of South Africa’s most decorated and applauded bands of the last 20-plus years, Springbok Nude Girls’ work ethic has never ever waivered and Rolling Thunder is audible proof of that.

“In the face of adversity, we either falter or adapt,” lead singer Arno Carstens shared. “Rolling Thunder is a declaration of determination ‘like a bulldozer, like rolling thunder’.”

The music video, directed by South African artist Lionel Smit, premiered on YouTube on 23 October 2020.

Catch Springbok Nude Girls live and livestreaming here

Springbok Nude Girls
The Springbok Nude Girls will be performing at a live and streaming show on Saturday 31 October. Image: Supplied

The Springbok Nude Girls — will be streaming a performance in front of a live audience on Saturday 31 October, for Halloween, and again on New Year’s Eve 31 December 2020.

The event will be filmed in front of a live audience at The Daisy Jones Bar at OMG, Summerhill Wine Farm, R44, Stellenbosch. For more information, phone 083 976 9471.

31 October 2020 – Halloween: Tickets cost R150 for the live stream and R250 to be a part of the live audience and are available now through Webtickets.

31 December 2020 – New Year’s Eve: Tickets cost R150 for the Live Stream and R450 to be part of the live audience and are available now through Webtickets.

The performances will be available on-demand for 72 hours after the event. Group bookings of 10 or more receive a 20% discount.

Thunderous applause for Theo Crous

Apart from being the lead guitarist for the Springbok Nude Girls, Crous has produced and engineered more than 60 studio albums over the past 25 years. Singles from these albums have reached the top 10 on various national and international charts.

Of these, 35 have been nominated in different categories for South African Music Awards (Samas), with eight having won the prestigious music award. Eight albums have also reached gold status, four platinum status and two double platinum status.

Theo Crous Bellville Studios
Theo Crous on a roll in Bellville Studios. Image via Instagram @theocrous777

The multi-talented Crous has made guest appearances on many albums and played live with international acts, such as INXS, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Chris Cornell and The Offspring.

In 2011, Springbok Nude Girls supported U2 on their 360 degrees tour of South Africa. They also performed at Nelson Mandela’s 80th and 85th birthday celebrations in Johannesburg.

Crous is also a member of the award-winning metal band KOBUS!, who has performed with Manowar, Alice Cooper and WASP at Magic Circle Festival in Germany.

Watch: Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Theo Crous on stage

The South African caught up with Theo Crous:

The new decade means… 

  • Challenges
  • Awareness
  • Kindness

Fame is about… 

A responsibility to the people that love your music.

Retirement will happen when… 

Probably when I die (ha-ha!). Not sure, being a musician is kinda like being a medical doctor. There’s no real retirement age.

I don’t do… 

Alcohol or drugs. I do like them, but I don’t do them. I tried my best to be successful at taking drugs, but it never worked out (ha-ha).

What does music mean to you? 

Communication. 

Theo crous
Theo Crous. Image via Facebook @Karen Zoid

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work? 

Making people happy.

Any funny moments on stage? 

We once played an Easter show in JHB where Arno tried to moonwalk and proceeded to moonwalk off of a three-meter-high ledge.  

Your heroes? 

Elvis Presley.

Which living person do you admire most and why? 

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. He developed the psychological concept of Flow and developed the systems model for creativity. 

What is your most treasured possession?

My Fernandes Telecaster. It was my first proper guitar and was stolen at a Nude Girls gig in the mid-90. Subsequently, our drummer found it hanging in a music shop in Parow and I ended up buying it back.

It’s your round what are you drinking? 

Espresso, or water. I know I know… but what do I do (ha-ha)?

Dream gig to do? 

I would have loved to see Elvis perform at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. I’d also love to see Ween again. I saw them perform in the 90s, but would love to see them again.

What makes you stand out? 

I’m not sure if I stand out? 

Nicknames? 

Crous, Sourcrous, Doorsie, Dude, Nunie.

If you were not a musician, what would you do? 

Pro surfer. I’m not a very good surfer, but I cannot think of a better job.

Pick five words to describe yourself. 

Loyal, funny, confused, up, down.

What are your five favourite SA albums of all time?

  • Die Fluitende Predikantsvrou
  • Eet Kreef – Johannes Kerkorrel
  • The Fields – Paul E Flynn
  • Bloed, Sweet en Trane – Van Coke Kartel
  • Lead Role in a Classic Horror – Southern Wild

Greatest movie ever made? 

The Big Lebowski 

What song changed your life?  

I Just Can’t Help Believin by Elvis Presley (Live at The President Hotel, Las Vegas, August 1970).

Who do you love? 

Michelle, Louis, Lisa Marie and Darragh.

What is your favourite word? 

Main.

Favourite fashion garment?

My Puma plakkies.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means:

Main! The common slang in the Northern suburbs, which means, I’m doing well. Here’s an example: How are you, dude? Answer: Main! Or F#kken main!

Other uses include: Awesome or bef#k. Also used in conjunction with other words like f#k: Example: F#kken main!

‘Dik main’ with Francois van Coke:

View this post on Instagram

Dik main!!

A post shared by Theo Crous (@theocrous777) on

Top of your bucket list? 

Surfing Hawaii.

Your greatest achievement? 

Being sober.

What do you complain about most often? 

My life!

What is your fear? 

That my children die before me.

Happiness is…

Surfing, golf too, but it can also suck balls. It’s the worst! I love it, but I hate it. OK forget it, let’s go surfing ;-).

On stage, I tend to…

Shake my head uncontrollably.

The best life lesson you have been taught? 

Meaningful relationships are what life is about. Don’t spend time with people you don’t like.

Do you get worked up whilst watching a sports game on TV? 

Not much, unless the Springboks are playing.

Where would you like to be right now? 

Bilou Beach, Mentawai Islands.

Do you do charity work and if you do –what do you do? 

Most recently, I did some work for a soup kitchen during the lockdown.

Wishes and dreams? 

I wish we could stop being so divided. Everyone is different. No one is the same, but we all want the same things. We want to feed our families and raise our children. I wish we could embrace our common purpose and accept that we are all different.

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