LESLIE LOW — solo + Humpback Oak + The Observatory


INTRODUCTION
I’ve been a bedroom musician these last few years, releasing solo music on my Bandcamp page. In the past I’ve been fortunate to be a part of Twang Bar Kings, Humpback Oak, The Observatory, Hanging Up The Moon, Piblokto, ARCN TEMPL and Magus. Been playing the guitar for about 33 years and still learning.

PLAYING STYLE
Mostly rhythm and open-tuning finger-picking. Mixture of acoustic and electric. I think my playing style was formed listening to a lot of Neil Young, Sonic Youth, Nick Drake, Lou Reed and The Beatles. More importantly, the bands and musicians I played with these past years have influenced me a great deal. So it’s quite a mixed bag. Don, Simon from Twang, Oak guys, Obs’ members past and present, Concave blahts. Somehow, I must have absorbed some of their techniques experiencing their musicianship in the flesh. Something happens when you play together for a while.

I don’t really have a warm-up routine other than running through the songs before recording or performing. Practice basically. Sometimes I’d do a bit of random scales or finger exercises just to get the blood moving and to battle the nerves.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
My main guitar now is a Martin Acoustic 0015M. Mahogany wood has that darker sound that I have always gravitated towards since my Humpback Oak days.

I also have a Fender Telecaster ‘52 (American Vintage Reissue Series) and an Epiphone Century E422T hollow body for electric tones.

I always liked the Tele sound. Thin sounding but extremely responsive to touch. Magus’ Sun Worshipper was recorded mostly with a vintage Tele that the studio had. I was a fan after that session. It’s been my main electric guitar since I got it in 2018.

I toured a lot with an EGC-500 (Electric Guitar Company), a heavy aluminium-bodied electric guitar which I acquired for playing Magus stuff. It ended up being the main guitar used for The Observatory from 2009 - 2016. It had a custom pickup configuration with a humbucker on the neck and a single coil on the bridge. It has seen quite many places and still has sweat stains and grime from the tours. It sits in my store room these days.

Before that, I went through quite a few guitars during my Humpback and early Obs days. But might be too long of a list to get into here. :)

OTHER EQUIPMENT
I did have a love for gadgets in the past. These days, it’s mostly what I was using during my last years touring with The Observatory. Just the usual overdrive, fuzz, delay, echo pedals. I like stacking different overdrive pedals to get a variety of tones and breakup. Echo and tape delays are always a joy to play with. I have a small Fender Princeton and a Blackstar amp. Lately though I have been using software amps and effects for recording just to reduce my volume footprint.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Always inspired by their rhythm and feel. Shah Tahir, Chris Ong, Syed Ahmad, Victor Low, Bani Haykal, Sean Lam.

PHOTO ABOVE
Epiphone Century E422T - I was looking for an affordable hollow-bodied guitar. And I chanced upon this one pickup Century. Lately I’ve been using it in conjunction with the Tele on recordings on Sand and Blood Red Pale White. Its thick tone contrasts well with the Tele’s thinness.
 
 

RAZOR BAR RAZIN — Mortal Flower


INTRODUCTION
I'm the guitarist for the punk rock band Mortal Flower that was formed in the later 1980s. I joined the band replacing the original guitarist. I also played with a few other bands during the early days but we didn't last long. We had a long haitus until we got back together in 2018 for the release of our delayed full EP that we recorded in the 1990s.

PLAYING STYLE
I'm greatly influenced by the British metal scene of the 80s. My early influences were Scorpion, Iron Maiden and Search (from Malaysia). I had a couple of friends from school that also inspired me to play better. I don't have a particular routine. It's just pick and play and find songs that I enjoy playing.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
Ibanez, Cort, Hamer, and currently Epiphone. Most were direct purchases from guitar shops. There were no online shops in the 1990s, so a trip to Swee Lee, Yamaha and City Music was a must and also some shops in Peninsula Plaza.

OTHER EQUIPMENT
Fender, Peavey, Marshall, Zoom H6N, Boss ME-25 and some Boss pedals.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
AWOL, KIM, Opposition Party.

PHOTO ABOVE
Here is my current guitar, Epiphone Goth SG.
 
 

EMILY SERA — Coming Up Roses


INTRODUCTION

I am the front woman of Coming Up Roses, I play the bass and sing. I first picked up the bass in 2018 and haven’t stopped playing since. :)

PLAYING STYLE
I would say that I more often than not play the bass without a pick and I am often inspired by punk or rock bands in terms of my sound. My creative approach is to always serve the music first as opposed to forcing myself to include certain techniques. Some of my favourite bass players include Theo from Alice and Josh Paul from Daughtry. My warm up routine includes just playing the open strings and playing scales.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
I love Precision Basses for their fat and punchy sound. I recently bought a Fender Player Precision Bass which will be my main bass but before this I played a Fender Mustang bass.

OTHER EQUIPMENT
I have a pedalboard that includes a TC Electronic SpectraComp, a Korg Tuner, an EBS Bass Overdrive and a Boss VE-500 that I use for vocal effects live!

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS/BASSISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Adriel from The New Modern Lights, Hui Jun from Cues, Ashwin from Knightingale and Ginette from Astreal.


GINETTE CHITTICK — PsychoSonique + Astreal


 
INTRODUCTION
I've been playing for 28 years, since I was 16. I was a founding member of punk band PsychoSonique and have been with Shoegaze/Dreampop band Astreal as singer and bassist since 1997. We released an album titled Light in 2017 and played Laneway festival that same year and then 2 more Baybeats after that. We hope to put out more albums in the near future.

PLAYING STYLE
One of my main inspirations is Simon Gallup and I'm devastated that he's left The Cure again! Before hooking up with Astreal, I'd only ever wrote one measly song in my entire life. And it was a ridiculously titled song called I Don't Give A Damn in my time in PsychoSonique. With Astreal, all the songs since our second album Fragments of the Same Dead Star have been co-written by me, but I don't write songs on my own. There's nothing like the collaborative process of writing songs with your best mates and I wouldn't have it any other way.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
My first bass guitar was a beat-up Jazz Fender that I bought on the cheap. Then I custom ordered a handmade Flying V from an artisan from Bandung Indonesia and it was heavy and much too large. But it was neon pink, featured mother-of-pearl inlays and my name emblazoned on the headstock. Last I heard, some guy bought it from someone else who had bought it from me and it's still in its original condition!

I soon sold that and customed another one in neon blue but shorter this time to fit my diminutive size. Still heavy and to be honest, I don't think there'll ever be a bass that will look like it fits my height and frame, so this is the best I can do. It's lovely though, very hardworking and takes accidental bangs and slams really well. I have been thinking of spraying it white, but I've been advised against it.

OTHER EQUIPMENT
In my stompbox lineup I've got my long suffering Boss OD-3 Bass Overdrive for that delicious crunch, my trusty Ibanez PM7 Phase Modulator and MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz.

OTHER LOCAL BASSISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
My amazing friend and fellow pick-using bass player Linda Ong of Lunarin. Her precision often leaves me slack jawed. I'm also a fan of Emily Sera of Coming Up Roses, she's such a joy to watch!
 
 
 

KEVIN MATHEWS — Watchmen + Popland + solo + The Fast Colors


INTRODUCTION
Singer-songwriter with Watchmen, Popland and solo. Also singer-guitarist with The Fast Colors, a classic rock tribute band. First learned how to play guitar in the mid-70s, have been an active musician for about 45 years.

PLAYING STYLE
Am basically a chord guitarist and I mainly play my own songs which are built up from progressions. Since learning the guitar as a teenager, I have found guitar playing to come naturally - I try not to think too much about my process.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
Never really owned a guitar of my own. Was lucky to get hold of Gibson guitars for a period of time and they are top quality.

OTHER EQUIPMENT
Haha not really. Never bought a guitar, never really bought pedals, amps etc.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Have been lucky to have collaborated with local guitarists Daniel Sassoon, Ben Harrison and Joshua Tan - each one bringing their own unique style to my songs. Always appreciated!

PHOTO ABOVE
With a Gibson that I borrowed. Can't even tell you the model ... so lame haha.

CLEMENT TEH — The Pink Elephants + Mortal Flower


INTRODUCTION

I was first introduced to the independent music scene when I bought BIGO magazine at SKOOB BOOKs. I later formed The Pink Elephants together with friends. We started the Red Records label to showcase the band and other acts. Red Records is still producing albums. Today I am a music producer and musician helping younger acts to put their  material out. I occasionally play bass for Mortal Flower because the original bassist Adrian Ho of Daze is working in China. I work as an architect commercially.

PLAYING STYLE
My playing style I would describe is "in Ignorance". In my early years playing for Christian sing-a-long sessions I discovered the magic chord progression E, B7, A on the guitar. My early guitar influences were Neil Schon of Journey, David Glimore of Pink Floyd, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, and Steve Howe of Asia. I am also a bassist and I like Mick Karn of Japan and Chris Squire of Yes. To date I still can't play like them. I normally only play in Phrygian Mode when doing solos because that is the only thing I know. My introduction to the use of computer-based recording indirectly educated me a little on classical aspects of music. I usually write in midi using piano roll notations. I listen to all sorts of music from Classical to Doom Metal because they are basically the same thing. I am most fond of my Danelectro Convertible 1956 semi-acoustic guitar which is a hollow body made of particle board and melamine laminate, the neck piece is however in solid wood. I bought it because I am a small person and a solid wood electric guitar seems heavy for me. I am fortunate that I have been given guitars from other musicians like Spike of The Raw Fish and Don Bosco of the Twang Bar Kings.  I don't use expensive guitars except for a Goldin ACS which is with Randolf Arriola at the moment. I use a 6 string ShangQue Bass, which is a China-made look alike of a Washburn, when I session play for Mortal Flower.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
When The Pink Elephants started I used a rejected Fender Folk Guitar rebranded as ROYAL because there was a dink on the paint job. Other than the Danelectro and ShangQue, I use a Squire Telecaster given by Don and a Squire girl's Stratocaster from  Spike. I also use a Cort AC200 Classical Guitar

OTHER EQUIPMENT
The effects I usually use are 2 delay pedals and a reverb. I've used different ones over the years and some were borrowed. Occasionally I use a distortion and compressor to intensify the volume. As I don't tour let alone play live, there is no need to have a reliable pedal. My amp is an 80watt Roland Cube 10GX. I have never been a person conversant with effects but of late I have paid more attention to the gesture and texture of the sound of the instruments which provide a deeper dimension to the portrayal of material and evirons.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
I do not know many people but to name a few, Randolf Arriola and Leslie Low. Also Razin Razor, guitarist for Mortal Flower, who is amazing.
 
PHOTO ABOVE
Danelectro guitar

NIGEL HOGAN — The Mother + The Padres + The Endless


INTRODUCTION
Been playing like forever, think I was 13 or 14 when I started. So that’s a long time.

My main bands…

The New School Rock days with The Mother.  1993-95

There’s The Padres (aka the paydays – inside joke, shout out to the boys). 1994-98

Some like the short lived band with my sister Melt named after George and Robin’s fanzine. 1999
 
I enjoyed a new style of song writing with IF - I was more singing than on guitars. 2003

Then there’s The Silence And The Sea (IF spin-off) a band on hiatus for a while now which may do something… soonish.

Bhaskar Subramanian’s Steel City Skies was my favourite, I played bass. Was such a joy being in the back seat for a change, no pressure and pure pleasure. He’s my favourite local song writer. 1999-2002

Now I have an office band The Endless. So I’m still making music and having a great time doing it.

PLAYING STYLE
I’ve never considered myself a guitarist, cos I’d play any instrument as long as I could be in a band.

I was a kid of the 80s, so I was surrounded by lots of new wave and rock with lots of reverb / echoes. Like Alphaville, Duran Duran, U2, Echo and The Bunnymen, The Cure, The Cult, Flock of Seaguls, Stone Roses etc. That early music was an inspiration as were my friends.

I remember going over to friends’ houses just to listen to music, then on a $20 Congress tong guitar we’d try to figure out and tangkap the chords.

I guess maybe that’s my sound, a mishmash of all that with lots of reverb echoes and delays. Space rock… with pop sentiments.

I wouldn’t say I have a particular style, it’s like I use short cuts for everything.

My Philosophy… if it sounds good it can’t be bad. #famouslastwords

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
In The Mother years I used a Semi Hollow, Ruby Red - Aria Pro 335 copy that I borrowed from Fred Boanes, Eugene’s Father. Which I broke. Sorry Uncle Fred, RIP.

After that I had a $50 second hand blackish Aria Pro Cardinal series but sold that for $100 to finance a backpacking holiday.  

I bought my first brand new electric guitar in 95 with my first pay cheque from Tower Records. A handsome looking Sunburst Epiphone Les Paul for $350. The main guitar you hear in The Padre’s Night album.

In 96 I bought a 60s Japanese-made semi-solid guitar at a pawn shop when I visited my Nanna in Vancouver Canada. I paid $200 Canadian ($180 SG) for it and a Boss Flanger pedal, what a steal. It became the Padres' back up guitar.

Next is a sunburst 57 classic reissue Fender Japanese Strat specced out to Clapton’s signature series which I bought online from a shop in Japan in 2003. Easily the best sounding guitar I got.

Recently added Olive Green Fender Jaguar but I haven’t been able to play it in a proper studio or gig setting yet due to covid restrictions.

My day to day is acoustic Taylor GS Mini. I call it Baby, which confuses people cos they always think it’s a baby Taylor which it is not. Love that guitar.

OTHER EQUIPMENT
I have Fender Delux but at home I use a 5 watt Bantamp.

Most of my pedals are Roland Boss Pedals.  

My classic set up is Vox-Wah, Overdrive, Distortion, Chorus, Flanger, Digital Delay 3 and sometimes a DD6 on reverse mode just to add flavour.

Recently I’ve been messing around with classic clones and boutique gadgets from china cos they’re extremely cheap and sound great.

Strings… My guitars are either 12 or 14 gauge. Thicker strings sound better to me and tend to hold tuning.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
The band at St Theresa’s Church at Kampong Bahru were quite inspiring when I was a boy, they sounded like the shadows and sang like Elvis and Cliff Richard. My sister, brother and me would go early just to listen to the soundchecks.

I remember watching Heritage do their thing at Far East Plaza when I was in secondary school. Those Jensen brothers made music look like so much fun. They were inspiring.  

My friend Eugene Boanes inspired me to pick up the guitar when I was 14. He would always figure out the chords for the songs that our band from school would play. I’ll never forget how he made me play the lines from U2’s Where The Streets Have No Name 3 times as fast cos we didn’t know about delay or echo pedals at the time. Haha.

When I was 17, my course mate Isa was the most natural guitarist I’d ever seen. He was the first kid I knew that was actually recording his own originals. I remember going to Noise Box studio at Serangoon Gardens when he was tracking and being gobsmacked. That inspired me to do it myself. So just a few months later The Mother tracked our demo there the week before we went to NS. That got the whole band ball rolling for me.

Nazim from The Mother was a great guitar player. A lot of the things he did blew me away. It’s like he approached the guitar in a completely different way to other guitar players. Most of those edge like sounds actually came from him and not me. Everyone’s always shocked to find out that he came from a death metal band.     

Evan Tan bassist of the Padres was Legend. It was so much fun playing with him back in the day. He allowed me the space to do my thing. He made it sound seamless and effortless, generally always played the right thing. That’s why he’s a legend. I wish he’d start playing bass again.   

Randolf Arriola is the absolute best guitarist in Singapore in my opinion. He does things with the guitar most can only dream of. A virtuoso. In fact, it feels like he’s transcended the instrument with his live looping. He’s only one gadget short of launching rockets into space. I’ve been privileged to call him a friend, brother and mentor. He’s given me some sagely guitar and life advice over the years. He was one of the few accomplished musicians who didn’t look down on us indie kids. And if I remember correct, he helped me pick out that Handome Epiphone Les Paul all those years ago.

My favourite guitarist to play with is Fuzz aka The Fuzzbox (only to me haha) aka Elintseeker. He always inspires, cos we have some kind of weird otherworldly connection… a uniquely telepathic musical understanding that I cannot explain. Writing songs comes so easy when I do it with him. Every time he walks in and says I got this guitar line, you know its gonna kena. The most tasteful guitarist in my opinion.

Nohghani from Turntable Music – he’s more of a composer but also a great guitarist. My partner in crime for my day job. Watching him work is definitely inspiring, Salute Dato’. 

PHOTO ABOVE 
60s Japanese-made semi-solid bought in Vancouver. Pic courtesy of Randolf Arriola.

CHRISTOPHER TOH — AWOL + The Fast Colors


INTRODUCTION
I am currently working as a content editor, but in my spare time, I'm running a new podcast called Lion City Rock, which is about the Singapore pop music scene, focussing on the "indie years" (1990s) but also back to the 1960s and up to the present. 

I used to play guitar in a few different bands, predominantly with alt-pop band AWOL throughout the 1990s, and then with a covers band called Melt in the late 2000s. These days, I play with The Fast Colors, a "classic rock" covers band, although we primarily cover Singapore bands - from The Quests to The Pinholes. I first picked up the guitar after watching the Beatles performing on TV, sometime when I was 10 years old, and I thought, "that's a good job". Ever since then, I'd wanted to play guitar in a band.

PLAYING STYLE

I don't have a playing style per se. I can't shred, sweep or any of those fancy music words. Personally, I like a clean-ish sweet sound with a slight overdrive. This is probably because I learnt to play by listening to bands from the 1950s and early 1960s, like The Shadows, The Ventures, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, etc.

I also prefer playing parts that help to accentuate the mood of the song rather than elaborate solos. I'm not very good at improvising solos on the spot, and I tend to rehearse my solos more than anything. I don't really have a warm-up routine except to rehearse the solos again and again.

My guitar heroes initially were George Harrison, Hank Marvin, Robby Krieger (of The Doors), Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), The Edge (U2) & Peter Buck (REM), and later on, blues players like BB King, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan. I am in awe of  fingerpicking players like Jerry Reed, Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Julian Bream and John Williams, and those who can do emotive and distinct tones like David Gilmour, John Frusciante, Prince ... tell me when to stop.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
The first guitar I ever bought was a Yamaha APX7 acoustic guitar, but it could be plugged in and sounded like an electric guitar, which was what I really wanted. My dad helped me get an electric guitar, a 1970s-era Ibanez SG copy (aka the "lawsuit model"), with three humbuckers. It was a reject from a school, and looked like it had seen better days, but I loved that beaten look. I paid $50 for it. Even though the pickups and controls were wonky, I used it for nearly every live gig with AWOL since 1991. I still use it today. 

My favourite guitar is a red Fender Stratocaster from 1993. I wanted a red one because Hank Marvin used one, and so did Mark Knopfler. Mine is an early 1990s model and I saved up for about a year before I bought it in late 1993. I love the varying tones you can get on the Strat, it really is more versatile than any other guitar, in my opinion. In Melt, we had to play everything from country to disco, this guitar suited every song we did. I have used it for every single gig since I got it, barring three - and acoustic shows, of course.

My other favourite guitars are the Gretsch G5122, and a Jet Glo Rickenbacker 330/12.
 
The Ricky I'd wanted ever since I saw The Beatles and REM use them. I saw it when I was holidaying in Perth in 1995, and was determined to buy it, even though I didn't have enough money at the time. My friend very kindly offered to trade in her Yamaha DX7 to make up the rest. I'm eternally grateful for that. Because I was broke, I had to walk the 5km back to my friend's house, carrying the guitar+case. 

The Gretsch I got in 2010 at Sam Ash in Los Angeles. I'd been hankering after one because Beatles. It's the cheaper Electromatic range and even though it's the older model, I think it sounds better than the later 5422 or 5622 models. It has that great crunky sound that only Gretsch can make.

OTHER EQUIPMENT
When I was in AWOL, my main "rig" was a ME10 multi-effects processor, augmented with a Boss DD3 delay pedal (bought in 1993 when I bought the Strat); an Ibanez TM5 Soundtank Thrash Metal I got from Don Bosco in the 1990s, which I use mostly as a booster; a Boss OD2 Turbo Overdrive also from the 1990s. These days, I only use three stompboxes and depending which one is working on any given day, a Boss CH2 Super Chorus or an Ibanez CF7 Chorus/Flanger.

My primary amp is the Peavey Studio Pro 112, which I bought in 1993, although I've used its smaller cousin, the Rage, for practising at home. The 112 has an in-built overdrive that I love, and I can use the Ibanez footswitch to go from clean to overdrive. I also regularly use a capo and a brass slide. My glass slides all broke. 

I favour the DR Tite Fit - 10s for the single coil guitars and 9s for the humbuckers. For acoustic guitars I use D'Addarios.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS/BASSISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Reggie Verghese was the first guitar hero of mine because he played like Hank Marvin. Other amazing guitarists from SG I love watching are/were Zul (of Tania), Eza, John Chee and Andrew Lim. Zul was one of the kindest, most generous musicians I've ever met. I'm also in awe of Paul Daniel, Daniel Sassoon and Ray Anthony of Fried Ice (I've never heard anyone here play like he does - he conveys the spirit of Hendrix).

PHOTO ABOVE
From left to right:
Ibanez "lawsuit model" SG copy
Yamaha APX 7
Fender Stratocaster "2nd production model"
Jet Glo Rickenbacker 330/12
Gretsch G5122
 
 
 

DANNY LIM — Silent Sorrow + Opposition Party

 
INTRODUCTION
I am Danny from Silent Sorrow and OP (Opposition Party), been playing the guitar 32 years. Been active for 10 years, took a rest, and active again since 5 years ago. Can't quit metal!

PLAYING STYLE
As heavy as I can be, there is no definite sound, as long as it suits the riff and music direction. Guitar heroes for me are John Petrucci & Andy LaRocque. For the past 5 years, I have been using Dean Guitars.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
Killer and Dean guitars!

OTHER EQUIPMENT
Metal Zone and good to go!

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Pann from Silent Sorrow and Concave scream, he is one of the more inspiring guitarists I always want to work with. He gives melodious ideas and is fun to work with, he makes music writing relaxing and enjoyable.

KELVIN TAN — solo + The Oddfellows

 
INTRODUCTION
I’m a writer, singer-songwriter, improvisational musician/singer and lead guitarist for The Oddfellows. I’m also an adjunct arts educator.

PLAYING STYLE
I’m virtually self-taught and I would say that I’ve taken aspects of music from all genres of music and incorporated them into my own music. I started off being enraptured by the singer-songwriters of the 70s, and branched off into jazz music, and thereafter to more experimental avant-grade jazz and improvisational music, as well as dance, hiphop, modern classical music, and many different kinds of rock and roll music.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
I’ve never been much of a stickler for equipment. I got an Ibanez artist guitar for my 21st birthday, and I’m still playing it now. I’ve also got an Ibanez Roadster given to me as a gift, and a Gibson electric that was gifted to me by Gibson Singapore. I have a very cheap J and D acoustic guitar, and a TGM mini-guitar that I use for writing songs or just for my own personal jamming.

OTHER EQUIPMENT
My setup is very simple and I really have not much interest in gear or equipment. My usual setup includes a Boss digital delay, Boss volume pedal, Digitech whammy-Wah, with additional Boss phaser or other gadgets, if and when the need arises.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
When I was growing up, I thought very highly of Shah Tahir, who played for Heritage in the 80s, and who went on to become a much sought-after Mandopop producer. He was pretty much an all-round guitarist. I also got to know and was inspired by Clinton Carnegie, who remains to this day, quite the virtuoso.

EDDINO ABDUL HADI — Force Vomit / The Guilt

INTRODUCTION
I'm a music journalist and I play in several bands. I sing, play guitar and write songs in garage/surf punk/alt rock band Force Vomit, which I co founded in late 1993. I play bass and sing in loungecore band The Guilt. I've also played in other bands such as 1234X, The Return and Slowjaxxx Does Dallas. 

PLAYING STYLE
I learnt my first four chords from Metallica's Fade To Black. Then I got into punk, grunge and alt rock, the guitar parts were much easier to learn compared to thrash metal songs. Later got into surf guitarists and garage bands. My main guitar heroes would be James Hetfield, Kurt Cobain, Thurston Moore, Dick Dale and Johnny Ramone. My usual warm up routine is to play Em, Am and barre chords and then do tremolo picking.

MAIN INSTRUMENTS
I learned how to play on a Cort acoustic guitar. First electric guitar was an SG knockoff, then traded it with a friend for an Epiphone Telecaster because I fell in love with the twang and sweet juice tone when paired with an overdrive pedal. Used this Tele and sometimes a borrowed Epiphone Stratocaster for gigs and recordings in the 1990s.

From 2000 onwards I started using a Danelectro Hodad with a Bigsby that I bought at the Guitar Centre in Hollywood. In 2005 I started using a Fender Japan Telecaster 62 reissue that I ordered online from Japan and it has been my main guitar since.


OTHER EQUIPMENT
My amps in the studio are mostly a Vox AC15 and sometimes a Fender Twin Custom 15. At home I use a Yamaha THR-II. My main pedals now are a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive, a Maxon OD808 Overdrive, a Danelectro Spring King, a TC Electronic Quintessence and a Korg DT10BK tuner.

OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Esam Salleh from the Stoned Revivals, Sareena Rai from Bruce Lee and John Chee from Crazy Elephant's house band The Blues Machine.