An Interview with

Gareth Langdon

by Martin Simpson

Gareth, who’s originally from Liverpool in England and has lived in Cape Town for the past three years, recently joined the bassplayers.co.za mailing list. We got talking and I sent him a few questions to find out more about him. This is what he told me in December 2007.

How long have you been playing Gareth?

Ooh, let me see... I started when I was seventeen, and I now feel like I'm 100 so what’s that? 15 years I guess?

How did you get started?

My friend and I decided to start a band, only I couldn't play any instruments, and struggled with Chords on Guitar, so just played the notes on an old Electric. My friend told me I should try a bass, of which I had never heard or seen or had any knowledge of! So off I went and bought my first bass... A Hohner LX100B 4 string! Thinking back it was a horrible bass, but it got me hooked onto bass! I've never looked back!

Do you come from a musical family?

Yeah I guess... My Dad plays Guitar and gave me a few basslines to twiddle with when I was first learning. Things like Blues riffs in E and Some 60's stuff. My sister also plays acoustic, and the clarinet. I think I'm the only one who’s really tried to make it into a trade tho!

What’s your favourite band / solo artist?

Erm, there’s so many good bands to choose from... At the moment probably the heavier stuff like Building 429, Audio Adrenaline, Switchfoot, Red, Decyfer Down, Muse, Tree 63, Fevertree, One Day Remains, Singletrack, Spoonfeedas, anything like that really! Anything that can relieve stress with a good blast!

What are the amps and instruments you currently use?

I've used various gear over the years from Trace Elliots to Edens and SWR's. I loved the tone from the SWR Goliath Senior 6x10" with an Ampeg B-2R head! Oooff! I'm currently on a smaller rig... Its a Tech Soundsystems 4x12" folded cab and a Markbass Little Mark II 500w head. The markbass heads have lovely tone, and are ridiculously light at 4kg's and the cab is rather light at about 20kgs!!

Bass wise, I'm currently playing a Custom built Shuker bass 5 string which is quite simply the nicest bass I've ever seen or played! And I've played a lot! I also have a Cort Curbow 4 string fretless, although I'm still trying to master that! I've owned all sorts of basses over the years from Ibanez to Musicman, from Pedulla to Goodfellow, but the Shukers are simply amazing!

What instruments would you like to have if money were no object?

I'd love a few more Shukers, and maybe a Sei bass? I'd also get another Pedulla MVP5! I really regret selling my old one, but the truss rod was stuffed on it so I guess it had to go! I also miss my old MM Stingray 5. It had the Piezo bridge on it and the range of tones and playability was great. Ultimately though I'd love to get a Warrior 10 string (Octaved 5 string) made! I love that octaved tone that pedals just don't seem to give! I'd also get myself an Epifani Rig... Maybe a UL410 and UL115? These cabs are soooooo nice! Not sure what head I'd use? There’s so many nice ones around!

You didn’t mention double basses – would you ever explore that area?

Well, as I said above, I do now have a fretless Cort Curbow, which I'm trying to get into! I've only really played it a little in Church, but I've done ok with it so far! I still wouldn't call myself a fretless bassist tho! But it is fun! I also did a couple of little bits and bobs on upright, but again I'm no specialist! I don't think I've got the finger strength to really play double bass properly?

What have you been doing for the last five years or so?

Well, I've been in Cape Town for the past Three years or so, and so far I've struggled to find any good bands that need a bassist. So I've mainly been playing for the church worship team and doing various little sessions for some events. Just keeping my hand in! I've found myself Photographing Concerts rather than playing at them lately! Before I came out to SA, I was in 3 bands at once. Two Christian rock bands and a charity blues band. I also did several sessions again for other bands, as well as some studio recording (I'm a sound Engineer as well!) The two rock bands had opportunities to tour with other bands like YFriday, but they fell thru at the last minute! Guess it just wasn't my time? I still look to get going in a band, but I have a wife and son to consider now!

What recordings that you’ve played on would you recommend for listening?

Unfortunately, there are no recordings available! Anything I've played on has either not made it too far or been deleted! There’s a few albums I recorded as a producer/sound engineer, but again they are quite rare and hard to track!

What’s been the low point in your career so far?

Quitting three bands at once to follow my wifes bill paying career to Cape Town.

And what has been the high point?

Quitting Three bands at once and Discovering Cape Town! No seriously! This city has such a close Knit community of bands and performers! I've never before discovered such a good sense of camaraderie between bands and players! It’s a good sign, and I think South African Music particularly the rock aspects, have a strong future!

What are your goals currently?

To get back on the circuits! I just love gigging! Big or Small doesn't matter! It’s all about the music and God!! My goal is to find a semi established Christian Rock band and start pushing on doors to see what we can achieve. But my priority has to be a good husband, father and support to my wife and three year old son! They Rock!

Thanks for the Interview Gareth