Jax Panik

[1] When the founding members, Jacobus van Heerden and Johnny de Ridder, wanted to create a mock pop star/group against all the traditional rock bands that ruled South Africa at that time.

Back then he refused to play live, only distributing music online, making use of fan content and using social media/networks to promote himself.

[citation needed] By 2007, the first album Cigarettes & Cinnamon was completed and in 2008 released independently in South Africa.

Throughout 2008 tracks like Hit or Miss, Cigarettes & Cinnamon and Russian Roulette did well on regional and campus radio stations, even reaching poll spots on charts.

In mid-2011 it was decided that only the Jax Panik DJ, Deon van Zyl, wears the mask at live performances.