The Barcode Bandits Talk To Fanbase Music Magazine About Their New Album Recoded, Where The Band Is Today In Their Career, & Recording An Album With A Live Audience And The Fans In Mind
The Barcode Bandits are a band I have been a fan of for many years, and I have seen them go through a lot over the years, both good and bad, experiencing highs and lows. This includes playing awesome gigs with Jasper Dan and Jack Parow, as well as saying goodbye to some band members. The band have just released a new album called Recoded. This album is a very important album because it kind of speaks of all the band has been through and the way forward. I enjoyed doing this interview with the band.
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Hi Barcode Bandits, welcome back to Fanbase Music Magazine! Can you remind our listeners where the band is from and how long you’ve been going?
The Barcode Bandits: We’ve been tearing up the Gauteng scene since 2012 — that’s 13 years of pure, unfiltered rock ‘n roll mayhem! From the East Rand to the West, Pretoria to Edenvale, we’ve been kicking ass, stealing names, and lighting up stages across the province. Even though we’re based in different corners — Edenvale (Ryan), Pretoria (Marc), and Roodepoort (Neil) — the energy is always locked in. The fire’s still burning, and we’re just getting started.
Your sound has changed over the years from acoustic rock and grunge to a more electric sound. Can you tell us how the transition happened?
The Barcode Bandits: When we first started out, we had the idea that an acoustic setup — guitar, drums, and a hollow-body bass — would get us into more venues and help us book more gigs. But the truth is, we were way too loud and energetic for that mellow setup! Even unplugged, we were rocking out like maniacs. Eventually, we realized the instruments just couldn’t keep up with the chaos we were bringing to the stage.
So we made the call: ditch the acoustic, crank the distortion, and go full electric. Around that time, Neil joined the band, and whether it was coincidence or fate, the sound just clicked. The transition wasn’t just about volume — it was about matching our raw energy with the right tools. And honestly? We’ve never looked back.
Can you tell us who are some of the bands and musicians who have inspired you in your career?
The Barcode Bandits: Our influences are a wild mix — and that’s exactly how we like them. We’ve always been drawn to high-energy, emotionally charged bands. That blend of raw emotion and explosive sound helped shape our early identity. Ryan’s been deep into Falling In Reverse lately — their chaotic fusion of rock, metal, and rap is like musical adrenaline.
Neil brings a more alternative and classic edge with bands like Placebo and The Smiths, adding depth and contrast to the chaos. And Marc? He’s all about the local legends — we’ve got mad respect for bands like Jasper Dan and Scream in Colours. They bring serious energy to the stage and are just solid humans to gig with.
Each of us brings our own flavour into the mix, and together it creates something uniquely Barcode — loud, honest, and always evolving.
How long has each band member been doing music?
The Barcode Bandits: Between the three of us, we’ve racked up decades of experience — and every one of those years has shaped the sound you hear today. Neil kicked things off early, jumping on a piano stool at the age of eight and never looking back — that’s over 40 years of musical exploration (and yeah, he’s feeling it on his knees now 😄). Marc’s been behind the kit for around 27 years, and he still treats every session like a chance to learn something new. As for Ryan, he picked up a guitar at 14 thanks to a school course and an old acoustic lying around — once he learned four chords, it was game over. The obsession hit hard and never let go.
We’ve all come from different musical paths, but together, we’ve built something that’s more than the sum of its parts.
Neil, although you have been in the band for a few years, you are the newest bassist to join the band, can you tell us how it happened that you joined the band and how it has been so far playing with Ryan and Marc?
Neil: It’s been seven or eight years. I joined the band initially as a session fill-in for a show, then Jerry joined the bandits full-time on the bass. Once he’d left, Ryan & Marc asked me to come and join the band permanently, and here we are! Playing with others has been rewarding for all of us, I think. We have great chemistry, whether on stage or in the studio.
Neil you also part of No Regret, how do you go between the bands?
Neil: I practice with both bands, and very often gig on the same stage as The Barcode Bandits, so it’s easy. There’s no animosity between either band, I’m just a band slut. No Regret has a completely different sound to The Barcode Bandits, so I’m often juggling genres.
You’ve just released a new album called Recoded. What can you tell us about it, especially considering the journey it took to get here and Neil joining the band?
The Barcode Bandits: Recoded is more than just an album — it’s a full-circle moment for us. Back in the day, we dropped two EPs (Shut Your Mouth and I Don’t Want You…) that were raw, rushed, and full of youthful energy. We were amped to get our music out there, but we didn’t give those tracks the time or attention they truly deserved. They didn’t capture the chaos, the sweat, or the soul of our live shows.
Then Neil joined the band, and everything shifted. The chemistry clicked, the rhythm evolved, and the songs started to take on new life. Every gig and rehearsal added layers — crowd chants, call-and-responses, Marc’s iconic “Say it! Say it! Say it!” moment — all of which were missing from the original recordings.
We knew it was time to go back to the drawing board. So we re-recorded everything from the ground up, not just to polish the sound, but to reflect who we are now. Some tracks are faster, some slower, but every one of them is tighter, louder, and more honest. Recoded is the real deal — a snapshot of what we sound like live, with all the grit and glory included.
Where was the album recorded and what was the process like?
The Barcode Bandits: Recoded was tracked at Oakfields College — our unofficial band camp for years now — with sessions split between their East Rand and Pretoria studios. The vibe there is always electric, and the setup is something special. We collaborate with the Sound Engineering students as part of their final-year project, where they record a full band from start to finish. It’s hands-on, high-pressure, and super-rewarding for everyone involved.
We lay down the tracks live in the studio, giving the students a real-world band to work with, and in return, we get the multitracks. From there, Ryan takes the reins in his home studio, handling all the mixing and mastering to make sure the final product hits hard.
The process is organic but intense — no shortcuts, no rush jobs. Every song was worked through “the mangler” until it felt just right. It’s a true collaboration, and by the time we wrap, everyone — us and the students — is buzzing to hear the final result. Its DIY meets pro studio, and it works like magic.
Ryan, you had a big hand in the recordings of the album due to also working at Oakfields College apart from your vocals and guitar, what else did you do with the recordings of the album?
Ryan: When it comes to mixing for Bandits, I try not to go too wild in the studio. At the end of the day, we’re still a three-piece band, and I want our recordings to reflect that raw, real energy you get when you see us live.
Sure, I sneak in some background textures — things like pianos, strings, sub booms — just to give the track a bit more depth. But I always keep them tucked in the background. I never want to add something that becomes a main character in the song, because if we can’t pull it off live without a backtrack, it’s just not us. We’re not the kind of band that plays to a click and backing stems — we feed off the crowd, we read the room, and that energy can shift the whole vibe — even the tempo — right there in the moment.
When it comes to mixing, I’m a big believer in keeping things clean and punchy. For me, EQ and compression do 90% of the heavy lifting. Get those right, and the rest is just sweetening the deal.
Marc, on this album is some of the best drumming I have heard from you especially on the track Fake , how did you approach the recordings this time round?
Marc: Thanks man, that means a lot for me as I am not a studio or even a recording drummer at all. For me I think it’s been all the mistakes I’ve made in the past on the previous recordings, so you listen to that and when you record you go and make sure you don’t make those mistakes, rather go back and fix it on recording day than trying to fix it in post-production.
When listening to the album — especially tracks like Shut Your Mouth and Let Me Breathe — it feels like they’re built to explode live. Did you have that in mind when recording?
The Barcode Bandits: Absolutely — that was the whole mission behind Recoded. These songs have lived a second life on stage. Over the years, they’ve evolved with every gig — tighter rhythms, crowd chants, Marc’s wild backing vocals, hand claps, and those raw, unpredictable moments that only happen live. We knew the original recordings didn’t capture that energy, and it was time to fix that.
We approached the studio with one goal: make it sound like you’re front row at a Barcode show. We kept the live feel front and center, but also took the opportunity to layer in some extra textures — keys, guitar overlays — just enough to elevate the sound without losing the grit. It’s still us, just with a bit more polish where it counts.
So yeah, when you hear Shut Your Mouth or Let Me Breathe now, you’re hearing the version that’s been forged in sweat, noise, and crowd chaos. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
How long did the album take to record?
The Barcode Bandits: Recoded took about a year and a half to fully come together — and yeah, it felt like a long one! But we weren’t just re-recording old tracks; we were also deep in the creative trenches working on our next album at the same time. While Recoded was taking shape, we managed to fully track six brand-new songs and have another six in the pipeline. So it’s been a wild juggling act, but the creative momentum has been unreal. We’re proud of how far we’ve come — and even more excited about what’s coming next.
Will the band be releasing new music soon?
The Barcode Bandits: Oh yeah — new music is definitely on the way! After wrapping up Recoded, we took a step back and rethought how we want to release music going forward. Albums are great, but we found that only a couple of tracks usually get the spotlight, while the rest — some of our personal favorites — get buried. That didn’t sit right with us.
So we’re flipping the script. Instead of waiting to drop another full album, we’re going to release singles regularly — one banger at a time. That way, every track gets its moment to shine, and we keep things fresh and unpredictable for our fans.
We’ve already got two new tracks locked and loaded:
“Better Days” — our happiest, most upbeat jam yet, with acoustic guitars and punky vibes.
“Punch the Clock” — a heavy-hitting, riff-driven beast that brings the metal energy full force.
Thank you for doing this album! Do you have any last messages for our readers?
Ryan: Support local music, people! The big radio stations are just spinning the same old overseas hits on repeat, but right here on our doorstep, we’ve got crazy talented musos who are ready to blow your mind — they just need your support to shine. And hey, Duzzy — massive thanks for always riding with the Bandits and being part of this wild adventure with us. We couldn’t do it without you!
Marc: Thanks for all the years of love and support, we appreciate it
Neil: keep the scene alive and keep supporting local music! And a massive shout out to you Duzzy for all that you’ve done for the scene all these years.
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