Andy Brown & the Storm
Biography -- Discography

Biography

B: 1962

Like many other Zimbabweans, Andy grew up in rural Zimbabwe and only moved to the big city to pursue an education. While in Bulawayo, he created his first band, Impact. A later move to the capital, Harare, would see him work with many different bands, including Grabb and the Rusike Brothers.

Andy joined the band Ilanga in 1986. Fornted by singer Comrade Chinx, Andy played lead guitar. Ilanga had a successful life-span, producing two albums, 1987's Silver and Gold, and 1988's Visions Untold. Their crowning achievement came when they graced the stage alongside Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, the Bhundu Boys, and Youssou N'Dour at the 1988 Human Rights Concert in Hahare. Although both Andy and Chinx left the band in 1989, Ilanga continued to record, releasing a solitary album under songtress Busi Ncube.

After leaving Ilanga in 1989, Andy pursued a solo career. He formed Andy Brown and the Storm. The band has been performing and recording together for the last 13 years. Their popularity has grown in Zimbabwe, and have risen to become one of the country's top acts. The Storm's music doesn't fit a certain category; songs include a variety of instruments, from the standard guitar-bass-drums of a rock act, to horns, and the traditional mbira. The band has also toured abroad. Andy latest release, Hondo Ye Sadza, was recorded in Germany and the Ivory Coast.

Andy has had a love-hate relationship witht he Zimbabwean government. He had once been such a strong opponent of the ruling party that his band had been kicked out of the government's ZBC studios. However, he has recently become a ZANU-PF activist and has come out in support of the government's controversial land invasion policy. According to the Media Institute of Southern Africa, he has received government funding and has performed at state functions. He has reportedly threatened a popular music journalist with death for supposedly defaming his band and the government.

Andy is currently married to Chiwoniso Maraire, a female Zimbabwean singer. They have one child.

Afropop Interview
Mapfumo has no sympathy for partisans >> Daily News (11 Feb 02)

Dicography

Tongogara	ZMC	2001
Hondo ye Sadza (Sadza Wars)	ZMC	1999
Harare	ZMC	1998
Tigere (We Are Well)	ZMC	1997
Let the Children Play	ZMC	1996
Gondwanaland	ZMC	1995
Feed Me	ZMC	1991
Chimvuramabhwe (Hailstorm)	ZMC	1990
Storm	ZMC	1989

Tigere

Released: 1997
Label: ZMC
Format: CD
Running Time: 12 tracks.
Stocked by: Natari, Zimsounds, Stern's

Tigere, which translates to "We Are Well" from Shona, is Andy Brown's 1997 release. Once again, Zimsounds has it at the best price.

Hondo Ye Sadza

Released: 1999
Label: ZMC (Domestic), Soulshine (International)
Format: CD
Running Time: 9 tracks.
Stocked by: Natari, Zimsounds, Stern's

Hondo Ye Sadza, the "Sadza Wars", is the latest album from Andy Brown and the Storm. The album features a range of instruments, including horns and the mbira. Recorded in Germany and the Ivory Coast. Once again, Zimsounds has it at the best price.

Tongogara

Released: 2001
Label: ZMC
Format: CD
Running Time: 11 tracks.
Stocked by: Zimsounds

The Storm's latest album has taken a full turn politically, coming out in support of the Mugabe government. The album is titled after a former ZANU-PF commander and the songs supposedly support the government's farm invasion policy. Brown collaborates with veteran musician Stella Chiweshe and Chiwoniso Maraire, his wife, on two songs.