By this time we had been performing as a trio with the addition of Dbot on bass guitar. In October 2022, while Bas was in remission,we were able to do some shows in the Netherlands. During that time we were making plans as a band about how to approach the writing and recording of the next album. I had intended for all three members to contribute more than in the past. I really felt we were becoming a strong unit with this lineup and we were all looking forward to the future. We were able to secure the support slot for Front 242. Everything was looking positive until Bas’s cancer reemerged and there were complications. As the date became closer, we realized he may not be fit enough to join us on stage. But we never expected he would not be there with us in some way, even if it wasn't for the whole set. Through conversations he had made it clear that no matter what happened he wanted us to continue on with the band. Shortly before the concert he unfortunately passed away and we were devastated. I was able to move my flight up and attend his funeral which I felt was very important to pay my respects to a dear friend and bandmate. Personally for me it was the hardest and most surreal gig I have ever played. I know that bassist Dbot had a hard time as well.We honored Bas by having his drum and cap on stage with a spotlight and the final song of our set was dedicated to him with special visuals as well. I think the performance meant a lot to his friends who were there. For Dbot and I it was the best way we could say goodbye. ‘Conquest 3000’. I had expected his drum to become such an important element of our sound moving forward. With the addition of electric bass guitar and an acoustic drum we were able to create our own sound in the ebm/industrial style which we were proud of. Unfortunately, Bas died in August 2023, shortly before you could play as an opener for EBM-legend Front 242. How did this loss affect Zwaremachine? - 19 - You have more musicians coming from the Netherlands, like Paul K and Marschal B. Tell us how this connection was established and how you came to play with these musicians? I had met Paul K the first time I performed a Zwaremachine show in Europe since he was friends with Kitty and one of his bands was also on that show. We became friends at that time and stayed in touch after that. Marshal B and I met at a Zwaremachine concert shortly after the Front 242 gig which he had attended. He had recently joined Vuduvox on electronic percussion at the same time that I was trying to figure out the lineup and instrumentation for the band moving forward. We discussed having them both join Zwaremachine and performed for the first time together in February 2024 billed as Mach FoX. But we were doing a set of Zwaremachine songs to feel out this lineup. Luckily they decided to join the band and we have been working www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be
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