INTRODUCTION
I was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of The Razor's Edge featured on BigO's Nothing On The Radio cassette compilation released in 1986 when I was in National Service. Two years earlier, I took up the guitar to learn to play my favourite tunes and soon progressed to writing my own songs. The Winds Of Change which kicked off Nothing On The Radio was the first song I wrote to be recorded in a studio. The late great Chris Ho who was the executive producer of the compilation helped in the arrangement of the song; he suggested that the different instruments be introduced one at a time.
Over the next few years with disruptions caused by National Service and further studies abroad, the band broke up. I continued composing on the guitar, formed another band called White Noise in the 90s, and then Barrecoda in the early 2000s, playing mainly original material. I stopped performing in the mid-2000s but continued songwriting, recording, and picked up playing keyboards and drums along the way.
PLAYING STYLE
I use the guitar mainly as a composing tool and a means to accompany myself when I sing. I am self-taught and never had the patience to learn to sight-read and practice scales. Besides, it takes away the mystique of music composition for me!
My taste in music is eclectic but when it comes to composing and performing, I am inspired by the songs of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Byrds, Love, Big Star, R.E.M., The Smiths, Crowded House, Matthew Sweet and Aimee Mann. So, naturally I veer towards jangly strumming and flat-picking, power pop crunch, psychedelic modal soloing, and folky finger-picking.
MAIN INSTRUMENTS
My very first guitar was an entry level Yamaha classical which I composed The Winds Of Change on. For the recording, I used a no-brand electric hollow body guitar that my lead guitarist bought second-hand for $20! It was only when I started working that I was able to afford decent guitars. I got myself a Yamaha handcrafted folk guitar which remained my workhorse for the next 20 years. I was also so enamored with the sound of the Rickenbacker 12-string guitar that I got myself one… and a Vox AC30 amp to go along with it, but of course!
By the time I formed Barrecoda, I switched to playing electric bass guitar, out of necessity really, as I could not find a bass player to join the band! That said, I enjoy playing bass – I got myself a Danelectro 59DC Long Scale Bass with a silver sparkle finish. I liked it because it had a smooth punchy sound and it was very light for a bass guitar.
Today, my main axes are what you see in the photo above:
The acoustic is a Martin M-36 which is a cross between a jumbo and a 000-sized guitar – a great ‘compromise’ if you do both finger-picking and strumming extensively.
The electric in the middle is a Gretsch Special Run G6128TDS Duo Jet w/Bigsby. I got it because I wanted an electric with the Bigsby vibrato tailpiece. Its secret weapon is its almost infinite sustain, the result of the one-piece metal tube bridge, what Gretsch calls a ‘rocking bar’. This model was used by George Harrison in the very early days of The Beatles and is on the cover of his solo album Cloud Nine.
The hollow-body electric is a Hofner Verythin Vintage. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it – it has the old-fashioned controls found on Paul McCartney’s Hofner violin electric bass guitar and the beautiful french polish used on classical stringed instruments. It can sound anything from a twangy jangle to a rich jazz tone. I have not seen anyone using this guitar before so the guitar snob in me can claim this rare axe as his very own ‘signature’ model… yeah, right Chris!
OTHER EQUIPMENT
Nothing fancy – by the way, I no longer own the Vox AC30 (sold it together with the Rickenbacker). I am currently using a basic Roland electric guitar amp and a Vox bass amp. Depending on the sound I require, I usually use reverb, overdrive and compression effects in varying degrees and combinations.
OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS/BASSISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
Although their playing style is different from mine or what I aspire to play, I admire the new wave stylings of guitarist Yeow Tan from Zircon Lounge, the evocative playing of ‘looper’ extraordinaire Randolf Arriola, and the versatility and steadfast anchoring of live performer and session bassist Bani Rahman.
When it comes to composing and playing the guitar, no one is more inspiring than Patrick Chng. An unassuming guy who just happens to be a very good songwriter, he led the way for the local music scene in the late 80s through to the 90s and beyond, not only as frontman of The Oddfellows, but also as a tireless supporter of local music.
PHOTO ABOVE:
The three special ladies in my life today – a Blonde, a Brunette, and a Redhead… hahaha!
(L to R): Martin M-36, Gretsch Special Run G6128TDS Duo Jet w/Bigsby, Hofner Verythin Vintage