Ballito’s rock ‘n roll doc
Durban rock band Gangs of Ballet's bass playing rocking as a local chiropractor.
When you see a successful rock band jamming on stage, you expect they are rolling in money, hanging out with celebrities and having a party every other day.
Which is why it is so refreshing to find a musician who also has a successful working career besides entertaining crowds in smoky night clubs and concert venues.
Durban-based alternative rock band Gangs of Ballet has already made their mark on the South African music industry, but you would not guess that the band’s bassist earns a modest income as a doctor.
Hardus de Beer studied chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology and works at the Back2Life chiropractic centre in Ballito with Dr Guy Bower.
“My dad actually wanted me to do engineering because there are lots of job opportunities and I was leaning towards civil engineering, but after getting some work experience I realised it was not for me,” said De Beer.
After going to a chiropractor himself, he was interested enough to find out more and decided to study at DUT directly after school.
He started playing bass for Gangs of Ballet in his last year of studies.
“I recorded my parts for the Yes/No/Grey album in Johannesburg two weeks before so I could come back and finish my thesis in time!”
After he qualified, De Beer had to find a chiropractic practice where he could start build a name for himself, but that would also allow him to travel a lot when the band goes on tour and be able to commit to band practice three times a week.
He started out with Dr Justin Henry in Malvern near Queensborough. Then he joined Back2Life in Ballito, even though he lives in Durban with his wife.
“I love working in Ballito. It is such an amazing place and I have a lot of mates here.
“The people in this town are really cool and I love working with them.”
De Beer said he could survive by only committing to the band, but made a decision to keep on building a reputation as a chiropractor.
He is working towards having his own practice one day, but Gangs of Ballet is the priority for now.
“You have got to work towards something. We have discussed it as a band as well, that if the day has to come where the band could no longer play, then you need something to fall back on.”
Playing in a rock band is not all about fame and fortune anymore, but some hard work and realistic planning too.
So next time you see Hardus de Beer slapping the bass for Gangs of Ballet, you too will have some new found respect for this Doc.
