Biography
Serving Suggestion is an indie rock band from South Africa consisting of brothers Tim Smal (vocals, guitar) and Nic Smal (drums), with Dave Jacka (bass) ('00-'04), and Drew Maunder (bass) ('06-). They formed in 2000 and were known for their catchy, pop punk anthems and energetic live shows. In later years, their style change to a more alternative rock sound.
The band first played under the name "Serving Suggestion" in mid-2000 at the Claremont Civic Centre in their hometown of Cape Town for a high school band event. In late-2000, they played at The Newsong Festival in Hartenbos, and in 2001, they opened for Peculiar People in their hometown suburb of Pinelands, co-inciding with the release of their first demo "Walk Free". From 2000-2001, the band was still finding their feet and had a number of different members including Glenn Johnson, Blaise Thomson, and Bruce Thwaits. It was only in early 2002 when Dave Jacka returned that the band started to take shape as 3-piece pop punk outfit.
Serving Suggestion released their first 5-track EP "What's In A Box?" in September 2002, with the radio single "Grateful" charting on local stations. "Grateful" was also featured on the Newsong Festival 2002 compilation, with their performance at that festival cementing their name on the South African music scene. "Got The Time" was also a firm favourite off the EP, and played on Barney Simon's show on national radio 5FM. The band toured in support of the new EP, gaining firm support along the east coast, with a memorable show at The Tin Roof in Knysna in December 2002.
The band went back to the studio in July 2003 to record "Try Whistling This…", their first full-length with producer Anton Van Schalkwyk and engineer Paris Lucas at Paris Studios in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. The new album was released in September at The Newsong Festival 2003 and received well by fans. Serving Suggestion continued to tour in support of the new album.
In 2004 Serving Suggestion appeared in a television commercial for Cell-C (mobile telephone network). The commercial saw them driving their tour van on the road and listening to the radio. They then celebrated when they heard their song "Grateful" on the radio.
October 2004 saw the release of a limited edition single "The No_bob Song" which was written about a stuffed plush dolphin called "No_bob". The song was humorous and had more of a jazzy feel to it, with the inclusion of the saxophone. A small number of fans were brought into the studio to chant at the end of the song. "The No_bob Song" quickly became arguably their most popular song, with crowds chanting "No-bob!" regularly at their shows.
Bassist Dave Jacka left the band in September 2004 and was replaced by Simon van Wyk, who worked with the band on their next EP "Community", which was written in late 2004.
2005 saw the release of a new Serving Suggestion EP "Community", which was produced by long-time friend Anton Van Schalkwyk at Beatroute Studios in Cape Town. Described as 'pure rock and roll' with driving guitar lines, catchy hooks and machine gun drumming, their latest effort is bursting with melodic emotion. "Community" was a departure in sound from their pop/punk roots to a more alternative/indie rock sound, influenced by a number of American bands such as Anberlin, Number One Gun and Mae.
Drew Maunder joined Serving Suggestion in 2006 and toured with them in support of "Community". In May, they played on the "Get Up And Go Tour" with New Altum and in June, they did a US tour with memorable shows in Texas with Last Tuesday, in California with Dogwood, and at Cornerstone Festival in Illinois.
The band went on hiatus in late 2006 and re-united for the first time in 2015 for the Tenth Anniversary of their record "Community".
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