Bassist Martin "Basvanger" Labuschagne passed away early Wednesday in Alberton at the age of 35. He had been in a critical condition since 25th September when he was hospitalised with a rare bacteria infection and diagnosed with Septicemia - a disease that infects the blood.

For the past six years Labuschagne had been Afrikaans rocker Jan Blohm's bassist. "He was as much a part of the Jan Blohm brand as me", says Blohm. Labuschagne recorded with Blohm on 7 Jaar, Die Runaway Sessions and his latest DVD Lotus Live.

Labuschagne also played bass for Jo Day, The New Academics, Gents of Leisure and for the European group Red Point Star during their 2009 tour in SA. He also played in a cover band called White Rabbit and recently started a band with friends called Ready When You Are.

Labuschagne was an enthusiastic bass fisher and that accounted for his  nickname, "Basvanger" (an Afrikaans play on words).