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