INTRODUCTION
FARID LONG: My name is Farid Gregory Long and I have been a musical performer since the 1980s. I first met my lifelong musical partner and close friend Nadarajan Selvamani (stage name George Mani) in Pre U in 1983. Our love for The Beatles is really what started this friendship. I look back fondly now, how we used to sometimes cut classes and hang out to talk about music, bands and obviously the Beatles.
When we first met, I had not learned to play the guitar yet and I marveled at Mani’s ability to play the guitar, especially of course Beatles songs and their trademark, somewhat minimalistic guitar licks. I decided to learn the guitar by myself. Together with other mutual friends S. Subra and James Rosario, we formed the band Shades which would be our first band in our musical journey. Shades first performed at a Christmas show and would remain together for many years, performing in clubs, pubs residencies as well as countless corporate events. We basically played every chance we had and even performed 6 nights a week while simultaneously holding down of our day jobs. Shades also performed in the prestigious Rainbow lounge’s Battle of the Bands where we finished as second runner up in 1988. The band also appeared in SBC (now MediaCorp) Talentime in the same year. In 1991 Shades took part in Big O / Levis New School Rock competition. Up till then we were basically a cover band, but I had dabbled in song writing. Our success in that competition led to the subsequent recording, broadcast and popularity of the radio hit singles Love You Aida and The 5Cs. I played the guitar solo in Aida and must give thanks to co-producers Patrick Chng and Boni DeSouza who’s direction and ideas helped me find my sound. The guitar solo in the 5Cs was performed by Mani in a clean, minimalistic rhythmic mode. The 5Cs would later be re-recorded by the late great Siva Choy in his Why U so Like Dat? comedy album where guitar virtuoso John Chee’s slide guitar playing brought the tune into a different direction.
By the new millennium, the band had begun to run its course because of the life, family and career obligations of the various members. However, I still continued to perform with George Mani, who by this time had progressed to playing keyboards and other exotic instruments. George and I formed the band Retro Groove with a few like-minded veteran musicians including Geri Bheem of Fried Ice and super session bass player “Karpet” Khalid Ali. The band continued to perform in events and also held nightly residency in clubs like Yello Jello and Ten Years After. The band also performed in many performances at the Esplanade open air theatre from 2009 to 2014 and continue to gig till this very day long-time friends Fiona Jeremiah on vocals and Yeo Chang Lim on bass.
In 1987, with the release of the album the Joshua Tree both George Mani and I became U2 converts and devotees. George in particular inculcated U2’s The Edge's playing style. Our love for U2 led us to form a side project “U2 tribute band” that we named Elevation in 2021. This is our current musical love child which is still in its infancy but in which we derive extreme pleasure.
Just as Lennon had McCartney or Jagger had Richards, I simply could not and cannot imagine what my musical journey would have been without one of my oldest and dearest friends, George Mani.
PLAYING STYLE
FARID LONG: I possess more of a rhythmic style but, even from the early days, I learnt to play the solos and licks during our years performing in the club and pub scene, as a necessity. In addition, as a solo performer or sessionist I also dabble in other genres of music including folk, country, light jazz and rock in addition to the essentially retro stuff we normally play.
My guitar influences include Glen Campbell, Jose Feliciano, Paul Simon, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and Steve Morse.
No warmup routines or guitar exercise but in the early days I used to do some light stretching backstage as I tended to jump around, do splits and windmill arm motions during our early shows.
GEORGE MANI: I started off with classical guitar then progressed to a more rock & roll style when I started playing with Farid. I am interested in tones and colours that effects and guitars can produce. My major influences are George Harrison of the Beatles and most of all, The Edge of U2. No warmup routines.
MAIN INSTRUMENTS
FARID LONG: My first electric guitar was a 60s Hofner Strat copy. This was eventually sold to my old friend and Horror writer Ramesh Kula. I have literally owned, refurbished and sold a few hundred guitars over the years but the one that I cherish most is my Do it yourself carved body Tree of life Strat which I built in early 2000s. It has since been retired from active service and is now at home in a sturdy hard case. I also use a Korean Peal classical guitar which has a cut away for easier soloing and the usual after-market appointments. This classical has seen the most use and earned me the most income. In 2020 I added a Chinese made Sanya acoustic F hole guitar which I use for acoustic gigs and with the band Elevation for U2 songs. I also own several other fixer upper Strat guitars that I toy around with from time to time including a 1985 Squier off white Stratocaster that was a gift from good friend Faz Aron.
GEORGE MANI: I am a Strat cat too. I am selective of the guitars I purchase and seldom, if ever, sell them after they are added to my collection. My first guitar was a black Japanese Squier Strat followed by a Sunburst Fender American 40th anniversary Strat bought from Farid. I currently use a Fender sunburst 50th anniversary Strat, white American standard Strat, a copy Explorer and hope to acquire a Washburn Sustainiac guitar from a friend. For acoustics I currently use a Yamaha APX 6.
OTHER EQUIPMENT
FARID LONG: No
preference for amps but I owned and used an old Peavey 60 watts combo amp with
Scorpion speakers for many years. I have a small Laney amp which I use at home
but otherwise am comfortable enough to use any amp provided by the event
organizers or gig venue. I am a firm believer in Boss effects and started with
individual stomp boxes, 3 pack, 6 pack, BE5 multi effect and then ME30 multi
effect which I used till it finally gave up the ghost in 2014. I currently use
a Boss GT-1 multi effect as it’s light, portable and takes batteries. I prefer
metal slides. I use mainly Ernie Ball 9-42 super slinky strings but lately have
also like SIT strings.
GEORGE MANI: My current effects are a newly acquired Boss ME 80 multi effects which replaced my old Vox multi effects. I use vox amps at home but basically any amp the venue provides. I also own two sitars (one was used in the recordings in the Love, Peace & Joy tracks with Farid). I also own a tabla which I use for religious programmes occasionally.
OTHER LOCAL GUITARISTS/BASSISTS YOU FIND INTERESTING
FARID LONG: I like the fiery
blues licks of Khalis Jalil, Clinton Carnegie for his jazz fusion stuff, Paul
Daniel and Faz Aron for their rock feel, tone and articulation. I also admire Leonard
Rezel for his country guitar and pedal steel work.
For
bass, I think Ignatius Bong is a killer player and love it whenever I have the
chance to share the stage with him. Last but not least, I am also awed by the feel, tone, originality
and inventiveness of Steward DeSouza, a journeyman session bassist whom I had the
honour of collaborating with many times.
GEORGE MANI: Both Farid & I used to admire Tony Gan especially during his Rainbow lounge days for his showmanship and style.
PHOTO ABOVE
(From left) Washburn Sustainiac, Mani’s Boss ME 80 effects, Mani’s Fender American Standard with noiseless pick ups, Farid Long’s DIY floral carvings Strat style guitar, Mani’s 50th anniversary Strat, Sitar, Yamaha APX 6