SA drummer tells us what it’s like to join mega UK band on comeback tour

Cape Town – South African born drummer Cobus Potgieter is living proof that dreams do come true.

A self-taught drummer and YouTube sensation, Cobus, 29, recently got invited to join one of his favourite bands of all time, UK rock outfit Busted, on tour.

After pursuing solo careers and other projects for many years, Year 3000 hitmakers Busted announced that they will be reuniting for a comeback tour at the end of 2015.

Documenting every moment of the whole experience so far, Cobus took some time out from what he calls "crazy long days" to tell us all about it.

"I’ve been listening to Busted since I started drumming as a 16-year-old back in 2002, so to be able to join them on this monumental reunion tour is nothing short of a dream come true," Cobus told Channel24.

I'm going on tour with Busted! Surreal, man. Seriously. I started listening to these guys right when I stared playing drums 14 years ago, learnt all their songs, absolutely LOVED both their albums. Now having tracked some songs on their new album and spending long days in the rehearsal studio with them here in London before going out on the upcoming Arena tour.. sheesh. Just surreal. So thankful and SO excited for the show we're putting together! IT'S AMAZING. Get tickets at Busted.com, I'd loooove to see some of you guys there!!

A photo posted by cobuspotgieter (@cobuspotgieter) on Apr 25, 2016 at 2:20am PDT

For Cobus, there have been quite a few "is this really happening?" moments while jamming through some of his favourite Busted tracks.

"We’re having such a blast jamming along to the old tracks, as well as working on a few new songs ... I’m just trying not to fanboy too hard," says Cobus.

Born in Carnarvon in the Northern Cape, Cobus grew up in Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape where his drumming journey began while attending Nico Malan High School. From making YouTube videos in his bedroom and being the first drummer of Afrikaans band Glaskas, to having the opportunity to work and record with Busted, it has truly been a dream come true for Cobus.

"I worked with the guys in LA on recording some drums for the new album, and as a longtime and hardcore fan of Busted, working and recording with Charlie (Simpson), Matt (Willis) and James (Bourne) was an absolutely surreal full-circle moment. I’m so proud to be a part of the album and of this tour," says Cobus.

#tbt to my first band ever. We were called Glaskas (directly translates to "glass cage"). Our conservative middle class version of teenage angst was at full blast and we wrote Afrikaans and English rock songs and played them at school dances and had so much fun. I think I was about 17 when this was taken. My kit was a frankenstein-kit of whatever I could get my hands on.. I made that tom stand from a bicycle stand I had left over after selling my bike to buy that ugly yellow/brown drum set, which was my first. I distinctly remember the feeling when a groove fit with a riff for the first time.. how exciting and new that felt. This experience was no less significant than any project I've ever been a part of. We weren't successful but we were stoked, we made music we liked and it was a borderline euphoric experience. I love how simple that is! This is a good reminder that we play drums to eventually play music. Almost no musical instrument is a solo instrument, we play together. Whatever rad pattern or groove you write alone in your practice room, should ideally end up in a song you write and perform with your friends. And sometimes (often) if it's fun, it's enough.

A photo posted by cobuspotgieter (@cobuspotgieter) on Apr 7, 2016 at 5:28pm PDT

Cobus is also documenting his experience on his YouTube channel. Watch the first episode here:

The Busted tour kicks off tonight in London at The SSE Arena in Wembley. For all their tour dates visit the official Busted website.

Follow Cobus on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.