No Friends Of Harry

The South African Rock Encyclopedia > Rock Legends > 1980s / 1990s / 2000s > No Friends Of Harry

Legends Of South African Rock

No Friends Of Harry (L-R): Ian Wiggins, Annette McLennan, Rob McLennan, Dave De Vetta

Biography

No Friends of Harry was a South African gothic/alternative rock band from Johannesburg who were active in the 1980s and 1990s. Formed in 1986, they are recognized as South Africa’s first Gothic rock band and are considered the country’s most influential alternative/goth band.

The band gained prominence through heavy rotation on radio, primarily on Barney Simon’s Shadow Show on Radio 5, and constant live appearances. They released three albums on independent South African labels, establishing themselves as pioneers of the local alternative music scene during a period when international-style rock was still emerging in the country.

The band broke up in 1998, shortly after which EMI Records released a compilation album. Throughout their career, No Friends of Harry remained fiercely independent and helped define the gothic and alternative rock sound in South Africa during the late apartheid and early post-apartheid era.

Discography

Singles

The Present Has Passed / Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones cover) (1988)
Present Has Passed (Re-Mix) / Cold (Re-Mix) (1990)
Fade Away / The Price You Pay (2018)
Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) (1991 demo) (Neil Young & Crazy Horse cover) (October 2025)