How long have you been playing Brent and how did you get started?
When I was younger my mother sent me to piano lessons at the local church. Can’t say that I enjoyed playing piano at that age but wish now that I had continued. As any child did when they were younger I played the pots and pans in my living room with chop sticks.(Thanks to Mettalica for those hours of pleasurable banging). When I started high school I joined the Scottish pipe band, playing the snare. An instrument that I think may not have been for someone with as little co-ordination as me. I ended up quitting about six months later. But the droning sound of bagpipe’s has never left me, thanks in part to the fact that my stepfather’s family is Scottish. At the age of about 15 I picked a second hand guitar and amp. After many hours of giving the neighbourhood a head ache I realised that I wanted to play an instrument with a bit more power and passion. So I bought myself a bass. That was about 4 or 5 years ago. And the rest they say is history.

What’s your favourite band / solo artist?
At the moment I have many favourite bands / artists. On the local scene I would have to say my favourite artist is Will from Architecture of Agression. I really like his original style of playing and his stage presence is out of this world. After taking a few lessons from him earlier this year I gained a lot of insight into playing with a bit more originality and having more confidence in my ability to explore my options.
On the international scene I would have to say that my favourite is Ryan Martini from Mudvayne. He plays with stuck easy and confidence which I really aspire too. Meeting him at the Download Festival in 2004 was a real treat for me as he was more than helpful and willing to answer all the questions I had. And believe me there were many.

What are the amps and instruments you currently use?
At the moment I play a 5 string Washburn which is starting to suffer from the constant abuse it receives while playing gig’s. I still play the first bass I bought which is a Stagg 4 string. On the amp side, I play a Genz Benz 400 watt valve synth head as I like the amount of power it can deliver. Accompanying that is an Ashdown 4x10 cab which I choose for the high end qualities it posseses. But in hindsight I realise that a 2x12 would have suited my playing style a lot more as the 4x10 doesn’t manage to convey the heavier riff’s I play.

What instruments would you like to have if money were no object?
If money were no object it would have to be a Warwick of some description. Probably a 5 string Thumb. I really like the sound that it delivers. If not a thumb, then I would say a 5string Corvette Double Buck. On the amp side I have always aspired to play an 8x10 Ampeg cab with the STV4 Pro head. Ever since the day I test drove one, I knew it was the amp for me.

What have you been doing for the last five years or so?
I’ve been working on starting a career in the music industry. While living in the UK in 2005 I started working for The White Records but soon realised that they were a bunch of conmen and I returned to South Africa. Other than that I’ve been playing in various bands.

What recordings that you’ve played on would you recommend for listening?
I haven’t really made any recording’s worth listening to but as soon as I release something I will be sure to let bassplayers.co.za know about it.

What’s been the low point in your career so far?
At the beginning of 2006 the band I was playing for (FOETUS) was offered a record deal by Warren from Rock Zone Records. After many promises of a full album and tours we were left hanging. After the disapointment of this, the band broke up and we all went our separate ways.

And what has been the high point?
Playing at the launch of the new Architecture of Aggression CD. It was held at the Capitol theatre in Pretoria and the venue was absoluty amazing. Many thanks to the guys for the opportunity to play. And meeting Ryan Martini from Mudvayne. Realising that your hero’s are not so far from your grasp and that they are normal people like you who went through the same steps to get to where they are now was a big eye opener for me.