The concept of DNA Strings started taking shape at the end of 2000 in the small town of Stellenbosch , Western Cape . It started when Adriaan de Beer and Danie Kotzé started playing together at weddings and other functions. They were both living in Dagbreek, a residence at the University of Stellenbosch . They started out as D&A Strings, using the first letters of their names to make a clever pun.
In the beginning of 2001 the band changed to DNA Strings with the addition of Flippie du Plessis to the band. Adriaan and Flippie new each other from their days spent on holiday at Buffelsbaai close to Knysna where they worked together as barmen en made noise beside the fire at the beach parties.
Flip bought a djembe at a Stellenbosch street vendor and on his way home on his bicycle with the drum on his shoulder he passed Danie and Adriaan, they asked him to join them for a jam and the rest is history. They jammed on a Tuesday and their first gig was played on the following Thursday, opening for Jakkie Louw at a local pub called Bohemia . The crowd seemed to like the music and Bohemia asked them to do their own show on the Saturday. From then on it just snowballed and a new band was born.
Later in 2001 the band hooked up with bass player Mike Lyster, formerly of The Led. The band felt they wanted a bigger sound and the next step was to get a bass player. Mike gave a new dimension to the music and contributed heavily in the development of the band’s sound.
Somewhere in 2001 Danie was trying to study in his flat when he was disrupted by a band practicing somewhere in the block flats. When he went to investigate he met Iwan Kemp, the drummer who was lifting the ceiling. Danie kept contact with Iwan after that meeting and a few months later, when Flippie could not play due to exams, Iwan was asked to join if he wanted. A new dimension was opened in the music that night that could not be closed again.
When Mike decided to follow his photography career with more vigor DNA needed a new bassist. Through a mutual friend Flippie met Jacques Steyn, a creative multi-talented musician. He asked Jacques if he wanted to come just for a jam and check out the band in the beginning of 2003. Upon hearing Jacques playing everyone took a few minutes to drool in awe and then the guys wanted to know when he could tour with the band and if he’s available to play. Jacques was a bit taken back because he thought it was just a jam and not a audition. In the end after everybody relaxed Jacques decided to give it a go and at the beginning of 2003 the 5 piece in it’s current form performed the first time at a rock festival at the university of Stellenbosch . The gig went very well and the addition of drum and bass worked very well.
When DNA Strings was invited to be part of the main festival at the Klein Karoo National Arts festival at Oudshoorn they decided to make this the final test for a DNA Strings consisting of 5 members.
After a very successful KKNK Jacques and Iwan decided to join the band on a permanent basis and the DNA Strings in it’s current and final format was created.
El Mariachi (Desparado)
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