Besides the big festivals and loud rock shows, the band also played many unplugged / acoustic shows. Realising that there was a demand for their unplugged sound, the band went into pre-production at Kill City Blues Studios with the aim of recording an unplugged album. Once they were ready to record, the band teamed up with Brendyn “Rusti” Rossouw at Heritage Sound Studio in Cape Town. The album was mixed by Neil Snyman and mastered by Rogan Kelsey. Songs were taken from the albums, Untie Yourself and The Turn. They were completely rearranged, with pianos, strings and harmonica added to the production. The album included three new compositions: the title track, Long Way From Home, Blue Song, and Between The Heavens and the Deep Blue Sea.

It was during this time that George’s father, Hubert passed away. George penned the lyrics for Between The Heavens and the Deep Blue Sea in honour of his dad, and the band dedicated the album to Hubert van der Spuy.

Unplugged: Long Way From Home was launched in September 2011 at the Iziko Planetarium in Cape Town to very positive reviews. The album would go on to receive two South African Music Award (SAMA) nominations in 2012. One for ‘Best Rock Album’ and another for ‘Best Group / Duo’.

Taxi Violence have taken their early material and given us a masterclass in how a band can grow, learn and become best of breed.

Chris Roper

The music video for Heads or Tails (Unplugged) won ‘Best Video Award’ at Wirral International Film Festival 2011. Again, directed by Ryan Kruger. The music video for Unholy (Unplugged), which features model / actress Tanit Phoenix, was directed and filmed by Jason Falkov. It received an MK Music Award Nomination.

In 2013, the unplugged version of Devil ‘n Pistol was used in the feature film Spud 2: The Madness Continues, starring John Cleese.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Went Down to the River
2. Devil ‘n Pistol
3. Unholy
4. Long Way from Home
5. Waking Up
6. Blue Song
7. Heads or Tails
8. Between the Heavens and the Deep Blue Sea
9. No More No Less
10. The Turn
11. Venus Flytrap
12. The Mess
13. Untie Yourself