DANIELLE LE PLASTRIER & NATASHIA HUDSON

Perdeby recently got a chance to catch up with the guys from Cape Town-based act, Ashtray Electric. Winners of MK’s Best Newcomer in 2009 award, and their first single The Swing reached No. 1 on TuksFm SA Top 10. Their indie music is mostly about ‘love, sex and nostalgia’.

What has been your best gig so far?
Rudi: I would say Oppikoppi Easter, a show we did with kidofdoom at Tings`n Times and another with Zebra & Giraffe at Klein Libertas in Stellenbosch.

If you were in charge of a festival, which five bands would definitely be performing?
Andre: Tidal Waves playing at sunset, followed by Isochronous, aKING, New Holland and kidofdoom
Rudi: Editors, Sigur Ros, Muse, Interpol and Chris Isaak.

Do you have any quirky/interesting talents that are non-music related?
Reg : I use to be an air traffic controller and I can do some card tricks. I also do location consulting for the film industry.
Rudi: I don’t think so… Oh, I braai quite well.

If your music was a film, who would be the lead actors?
Rudi: Johnny Depp, Adrian Brody and Megan Fox.
Reg: The lead actor in Pushing Daisies

Do you have any pre-gig rituals?
Reg: A bit of a warm-up always occurs about an hour before the show. A couple of Jagers also go down…
Andre: Trying to keep Reg sober…. Haha.

Your most embarrassing stage moment?
Andre: Very drunk in George, I fell off the stage. I sat on the fl oor and tried to keep singing. Ouch.

What did you want to become when you were growing up?
Andre: Always thought being a stunt driver would be cool…
Reg: An engineer.

Fat girls in skinny jeans. Comments?
Andre: I’d rather see them in skinny jeans than high heels…that’s the worst. The muffin foot effect.
Rudi: I have a few comments but saying it here would kill my chances with fat girls in skinny jeans.
Reg: I love fat chicks.

Why not be ‘smoorverlief’ alongside this awesome band and go check them out at this year’s Oppikoppi. But if you are keen to watch their gig a bit closer to home, they will rock out at Tings`n Times on August 20. Cover R30. For more info check out their webpage at www.ashtrayelectric. co.za.