Ripcord | Cape Town Rock Band | Band Member | André du Preez

band member | andré du preez

I play the bass and bring the groove/funk to the band. During the day I am a software developer, writing code for websites like Ripcord. Afterhours I dabble in yoga (practicing and teaching), play music and have been known to throw my body out of functioning aircraft with wreckless abandon...better known as skydiving, hence the name of the band! Yes, that is me in the picture skydiving over Cape Town.

Nicknames:

Bassie, Punk

General (Hometown, growing up, etc):

Grew up and went to school in the Northern Suburb of Cape Town. Only in my later years did I slowly migrate deeper and deeper into the Southern Suburbs, currently finding myself living in Muizenberg.

Musical Background:

Started playing bass when I was 20 years old for a garage band, making more noize than music. After a while I figured out it was actually possible to make something more musical come out of my bass guitar. So I left the noize behind and persued more interesting musical avenues. Played in a few grungy band, but never played any gig doing that. I finally auditioned for a modern 90 rock band, and things started to go on the up and up. Played a lot of the festivals around the Western Cape during that time and also got a single onto Radio 5, which was played daily around lunchtime for a month. Left the band to go skydive professionally, which I did for 4 years fulltime, and then after returning to South Africa, hooked up with Jacques at a dropzone (skydiving facility), where he mentioned they need a bassist. And that is how I joined Ripcord.

Favourite Bands/Music:

DJ Tiësto, Armin van Buuren (ok, so I'm a progressive trance-head), Audioslave, Dave Matthews Band, Jamiroquai, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, Live, Metallica, Nick Warren, Paul Oakenfold, Paul van Dyk, Pink Floyd, Queen, DJ Sasha, Sharam, Sting, U2, Beatles, Crowded House

Favourite Book:

Light on Yoga, Going Deeper

Favourite Movie:

300

Hobbies and Interests:

Skydiving, Yoga, Music, Food, Photography, Videography, Philosophy

Favourite Quote:

If you wanna be dumb, you gotta be tough!

Favourite Colour:

Redyellowbluewithasplashofsilver (my skydiving jumpsuit)

First Rockstar Moment:

Playing in front of 5000 people at the Wingerdrock Festival in 1998.