by Martin Simpson
Some people just aren’t the ‘Interviewing type’!! I asked if I could put some questions to Mel-Funktion’s bassist De Wet Botha and got a short answer response in lovely Block Capitals , which needed quite a bit of re-working . So needless to say, I didn’t bother sending it back to him with some more questions (just making more work for myself). This ‘interview’ is only one notch above the pathetic interview with Werner Ainslie. I hope De Wet is more creative with his bassin’ than he is with his computer keyboard!!!!!
How long have you been playing DeWet?
About four and a half years ago.
How did you get started?
I got my first bass on my 16th birthday and all my friends in high-school either played drums or guitar so I thought, “why not start playing bass” because in my opinion, there’s not a lot of bassists.
What’s your favourite band / solo artist?
Old SA Bands, Not My Dog, Leek, Fuzigish, Pestroy, Stick Up Kid. Also, Deftones, Incubus, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Tool.
What are the amps and instruments you currently use?
I use a Fender Music Master four string and a Benringer
What instruments would you like to have if money were no object?
Ibanez K5 and Harke Stack
What have you been doing for the last five years or so?
I did home schooling and got my Matric at Pretoria college. I finished my DMP course at Emendy college, travelled Europe and am currently playing for Mel Funktion.
What recordings that you’ve played on would you recommend for listening?
Look out for the Mel-Funktion album. All the songs are hot.
What’s been the low point in your career so far?
Due to some miscommunications, I wasn’t able to play Splashy Fen 2005.
And what has been the high point?
Recording the album and playing at Woodstock
What are your goals currently?
To become a very successful bassist and become a professional musician.