How long have you been playing Dave?

I only started playing bass guitar at the beginning of 2004, therefore a year and a half more or less. So I guess you can say that I’m still quite a virgin musician, with great aspirations.

How did you get started?

I’ve always loved music therefore about 2 years ago, 2003, I started messing around on my uncle’s ‘dead and buried’ classical guitar. But then…..my friend’s band needed a bassist, and since I had such ‘vast’ guitar experience, I moved onto bass and joined ‘epicure’. I have never looked back since, coz I’ve been too scared!

So there’s been at least one muso in your family. Any others?

I wouldn’t really call him a muso. I don’t think he can even remember how to play. I think it was one of those past times that so many people get into and then fade out of. I really feel sorry for those types of people. My advice to everyone is, “Never give up, Keep on Trying, You’ll get there soon enough.”

Actually my grandfather played piano in a jazz band back in the day. I’m not sure if he played any gigs around Johannesburg. I think it was just a hobby.

What’s your favourite band / solo artist?

My all time favourite band is Incubus. I am hugely influenced by their former bassist, Dirk Lance. However, I am also very much into Sevendust, Nonpoint, Chevelle, and The ‘legendary’ Doors of course. I also appreciate different forms of rock music ranging from acoustic to metal, from Ben Harper to Metallica.

What are the amps and instruments you currently use?

I am currently playing a 5 string Ibanez RDGR605. I also use the Fender Rumble 100 bass amp with a Samson Airline wireless guitar pack and on occasion I hook up a bass overdrive pedal to add some “Grrrr..”

Do the other guys in the band use wireless systems?

Not at the moment. Our guitarist likes to blow all his cash on Booze and Drugs as he feels that the End of the World is near. Then, our Vocalist thinks that a wireless system is a waste of time since he already sweats on stage and ……….. I’ve never heard of a wireless drum kit….

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

WARWICK please!!

What’s your favourite Warwick series? I play a Streamer series II 4 string

Nice!!! I particularly like the Thumb Bass and Corvette series. However, beggars can’t be choosers!

Have you tried any other instruments since taking up bass?

Not full time. I go back to a bit of classical guitar on occasion when I feel like strumming my fingers to a bloody ending. However, my heart is still content with bass.

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

Last five years…. It’s a bit fuzzy. I guess I’ve been doing …. Stuff.

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

Epicure is currently in studio and will be bringing out an EP of 6 or 7 songs either at the end of the year or beginning of next year. So I’m laying down the bass tracks at the moment in studio. However on our website www.go-epicure.com , we recorded a single demo called ‘Mocking Yourself’ where we recorded at the SABC studios. It’s available for download.

Can you tell us a little bit about Epicure

Guy (vocals) and Doyle (drums) are the founding members of Epicure. They used to be part of a rap-core outfit called Eclectic with a DJ and rapper. However, Eclectic only lasted as long as the rap-core movement did. Guy moved from guitar to vocals and recruited young Dick Richards to play guitar. I joined the band after their original bassist left to study at UCT.

We entered the RP Studios/Emerging Sounds Competition last year in July and made it to the finals at Caesars in Boksburg. We were recruited after the first round of the competition by a marketing company but, after a while, things just didn’t work out. I guess sometimes it’s just about Sex and Drugs and not just Rock n Roll…..

We’ve also played in the Global Battle of the Bands, getting to the Johannesburg final and at the moment we’re in the Battle Vir Woodstock Competition, showcasing at the Song Writer’s Club in Newtown.

As for now, the band’s goal for the year is to get an EP out. We’ve been in recording at Circus Studios, as we haven’t had anything to represent ourselves with. However, we’ve still been gigging around the Johannesburg area, mainly, Blues Room, Roxy’s and Voo Doo Lounge, as we feel that gigging is most important.

I’d define Epicure as Hard Rock music. Since we’re all influenced by similar bands, it isn’t really difficult in making new songs as we all have a similar understanding of where we want each song to go.

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

Low point…. I guess the frustration of only having a year and half experience behind me.

And what has been the high point?

Well this one time, we had this gig at the XMAS rock festival at Tempos in Randburg and since it was in December, most of our fans and friends who usually come and support were away. So we just got up on stage and started playing our songs, when the entire crowd who had been seated for all the previous bands before, got up and rocked out for 45 minutes solid, from the start to finish. It was a pure Natural HIGH….

Have you visited the South African bass site www.bassplayers.co.za yet?

Yeah, I checked it out the other day. It looks rad.

What are your goals currently?

My goal is to be a good boy and to play better bass.

What do you get up to when you’re not doing music?