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Metal Bass in Your Face: |
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How long have you been playing the bass? I got my first bass when I was 14. I really only started playing seriously when I left school. I guess you could say I had a lot more practice holding the instrument than playing it (laughs) How did you get started? My parents are really very supportive of my flights of fancy. They got me my first guitar… yes…that other instrument.. (laughs) & amp at age 14. I had been plodding along for a few months when I saw and heard the late Cliff Burton (Metallica’s 2nd bassist). He had a really cool style & personality that for me totally outshone the guitarists…even Kirk Hammett! An instrument that had not existed before that moment shouted “PLAY ME!!!’ Needless to say soon after I got my first bass guitar. What gear are you currently using? My main instrument is a Cort 5 string fretless (adore it to bits) with Elixir strings. All that dodgy intonation goes through a Crate 116/160 (???) Watt amp and a Warwick 4x10 cab. I also use a Cort artisan 4string fretted – though mainly for self indulgence, not really for playing live with DR’s. What have you been doing for the past five years? Musically, I met up with the rest of Misericord about five years ago. During that time I studied Graphic Design, later going on to web development, which is now my official ‘day’ job. I have to support my habit (laughs) What is your favourite band or solo artist? All of them (laughs) Special mention though to bands like Carcass (totally love their British humour & their unique take on music); At the Gates & few other Swedish death metal bands; Metallica (give or take a few); Death (one of the few metal fretless players); Cynic & Atheist (another tragic end to a promising bassist - Roger Patterson). Having said that I’m blown away by JS Bach & other yesteryear giants (read Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Guilliani etc). At the moment I’m discovering people like Miles Davis, Weather Report, Keith Jarrett. They just keep popping up from everywhere & every style! If you find out that an unknown rich uncle remembered you in his will and left you a hell of a lot of money, what gear would you buy? I think at the moment the equipment I have is pretty much where I am musically. Very expensive guitars/equipment would be lost on me (ask me in a few years maybe). I wouldn’t mind helping others who might not have an opportunity to play the instrument. Bleeding heart aside I wouldn’t mind an acoustic fretless though… What recordings have you played on? Re-phrase “ What recordings have you tried to play on “ The Misericord demo cd. Also a track for the “New Breed 3” metal compilation (out soon, available at all good music shops etc etc). I helped out Tyburn for a while and had the opportunity to record some tracks with them. What has been the high point in your career? Meeting the rest of the band. We got our demo reviewed in Metal Maniacs (I’ve been reading that since my teen years - that was a real good feeling). And coming soon (in March) we are supporting The Haunted from Sweden. This has been pencilled in as another highlight... And low points? Aaah, there goes all that therapy straight out the window. I don’t think the bass would mean so much if it was easily come by. So yes there have been days when you think “why the hell am I even bothering?” but then… You’re busy jamming away, with good friends and remembering the reason why you love what you do. Take the smooth with the rough and all that Any advice for young bassists or other musicians trying to make it in the metal world? Enjoy what you do…everything else is a bonus. Blinkers only work at Turfontein. What are your current objectives with regards to the bass? Technically: Intonation, sight-reading, being able to compose full & coherent musical thoughts. Overall: To continue my quest to add or at least continue the great art. What are your thoughts about the S.A.B.P.C & how could it improve? As they say birds of a feather…I like the idea of being able to hang out with other bassists from all walks of life. I’ve just recently tuned in so…maybe an idea would be to provide bass resources such as who sells, who repairs, who plays, who teaches, how to take proper care of you bass & yourself (hearing issues, playing injuries etc). And then, what Nick called “Shameless self-promotion”: We’re playing at the SixPack in Edenvale (just below the Doors) on the 1st March with Sacrifist. The WitchFest 2003 tour (w/ the Haunted): Misericord, Tyburn, and Sacriphyx (CT) – 5 March 2003 (Wednesday) - The Mercury (Ex - The Jam), Cape Town. 7 March 2003 (Friday) - Burn, Durban. 8 March 2003 (Saturday) - The Doors Nightclub, Johannesburg. Check out www.misericord.com for more details and life in general. |
