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!