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History of the band Virtue: The band formed in early 90's with three members, which, consist of drums, bass guitar and lead Guitar. Drums played by "Johnny Brunette" Lead Guitar by "Dewald Swanepoel" - Bass guitar & Lead Vocals by "André Van WYK". Backup Vocals by Johnny Brunette & Dewald Swanepoel. Keyboard parts run by sequencing (Korg Japan). Both André & Johnny played in various gig bands for years with the least experience one being Dewald. Johnny Brunette left the band after 3 years and we got "Elton Craig" as the new drummer for the band.
We played with the new drummer for about 1 year, and thing got rocky for the band and things didn't seem to work well. I the founding member André Van WYK give too much freedom to the members and each one now had his own ideas on various expects of the way directions the band to be and go, we decided to split. I then decided not to form another band as lost of time and hard work goes in to forming a band and getting the band ready for gig's. After about a year I started to miss the type of band and repertoire we did. I got a drummer in by the name of "Braam Van Aarde" which I have worked with off and on over the years. Braam was not as experienced as the other two and also not on the same level as the other drummers. However I decided to go with him as he has been very keen dedicated and eager to learn. It took him about a year to get ready, as he had to learn to play with a click track, acquire new styles, generally improve his drumming up to a 100% on his current level. The Second generation Virtue form, with me André Van WYK on bass guitar and Vocals, Gavin Hooker on lead guitar & Vocals and Braam Van Aarde on drums. After months of rehearsing, getting the band ready and doing gigs we decided to get a female vocalist in. After auditioning vocalist we went with "Alicia Ceronio". We did many gig's for about a year, however thing again started to get rocky for the Second generation. The band split up after about a year mainly because I allow the band to be too democratic and too many leaders in the band too many views etc. I carried on play in various bands and doing gig's some studio work and shows. The big high light for the Second generation, We played the millennium gig at Elephant Hills Zimbabwe. We got TV coverage on CNN. Link to ]  The Current, third generation consist of, Lead Vocals André van Wyk, Drums Johnny Brunette, Lead guitar & Vocals Edwin Hewitt, Keyboards run by Korg Japan. Our Current Booking Agent is Star Dust Music Productions, for more information. Link to e  |
Founder and Main Member André Van Wyk the founder and original member of The Band Virtue.  | I played in gig bands for years, and in various groups. I started professionally in the 90’s; I worked with a band called “NO WHERE OUT” I was recruited by the band and “OFF THE WALL MANAGEMENT” to be the lead vocalist for the band. I learned allot from the band, the way they work, most importantly there repertoire, what really made the band, and how they got the gigs and how they got there following. I played in various gigs and like many other bands out there, struggled with the fact that as an ambushes musician/vocalist I could not really perform with a great repertoire and generally play good music. As the norm would be to play very simple, very basic music for the local market. I came to a crossroads, a split in the road, where I had to decide which path to take, the left or right lane in the fork so to speak, to really decide what I should do, I had to make a decision. The one of which would be to make lots of money and to be famous and play simple music in South Africa and to play for the sake of money and fame. The other option would be to NOT make so much money and NOT to be as famous, however to play internationally acclaimed music which I would need as personal fulfillment and gratification, just generally to pick up lots of experience with various styles which would improve me as a ambushes musician/vocalist. |
The last option to be a better musician & vocalist and enjoy the music I play. I soon realize that “No Where Out” had successfully crossed this barrier with a magic recipe. They played good songs and still have big crowds of people that listen to the band. I soon got frustrated with the band, the fact that I need to push the boundaries even more, as I’m a very ambitious. At this point I realized that “NO WHERE OUT” where holding me back. I decided to leave, however waited for the right moment. The band felt I no longer fit in, they came up with an excuse that I’m suddenly too expensive and they could no longer afford to pay my salary, this excuse fitted me like a glove as I don’t have to be the one to tell them I will be leaving, so I excepted. This part was a bit strange to me as they offered me X amount in the first place; I did not quote or demanded a particular amount from them. I remember saying to them that they must make me an offer, as they asked me at what salary I would join and work for the band, after I went for an audition at “Froggos” in Kempton park, where the band played. I left the band with no hard feelings. The drummer that recruited me, Leon plays for “Mean Mr. Mustered” now, we still speak now and then. With all the things I have learned, from “NO WAY OUT” the band, I soon became a where that the band had lots of potential, un-explored potential, whether this fact was none to them I honestly don’t know. I have tried to point them in the in the right direction, however any advice I gave or offered, got seen as been bossy or a threat or simply trying to control the band. I would honestly say that I think this was the main reason why I been told by the band I don’t fit in any longer. This fact has broad me to made up my mind; which is, there is no future in the band for me. When I finally said yes I would leave, I knew the band would not last very long, based on my observations. I have seen the good and the bad and the mistakes the band made. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge, learned and knew how to even be a better product and band. I decided to start my own group. The first person I phoned was Johnny Brunette, a drummer I played with in a band called “St Duke” which I left for “NO WAY OUT”. I remember Johnny where very up set with me, when I left the band, however when I asked him to join my group, to be part of my new band he said yes, in an instant. Me and Johnny auditioned loads of guitarist and got Dewald Swanepoel as our guitarist. I spend loads of hours with Dewald to get him ready for gigs. He had NO! Gig experience, I made him the guitarist he is today, as Johnny can vouch for this fact. The Band VIRTUE was born. |
Current Venues: · The Band VIRTUE Plays various one nighter gig venues from Tuesday’s through Sunday’s with the exception of Sunday’s being our resident gigs. For the Fans and supporters of The Band VIRTUE, who need to obtain all the relevant, latest gig and venue information, please go to contact details or “Inquiry Form” at the "Home page", or the "VIRTUE Info Page" ranging from telephone number to e-mail information. | We strive to keep the information updated as close as possible to all current and latest Gig Venue’s, however you would be advised to make use of various contact details available on this site, to obtain latest gig venue information. |
| | |  | Sunday's at Hippo's in Boksburg (Club/Pub/Restaurant) 2:00pm ~ 6:30pm Elisabeth rd, Boksburg. |
| | 5th & 6th June The Band Virtue live @ The Carousel Casino and Entertainment World |
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