DOK SERGIO (BASS TALKS)

(The BASSISTS Edition)

(Dok Sergio bassist for Pupil/Daydream Cycle)

One of the chosen few to queue for this one off special issue is Dok Sergio of the new founded band of Ely Buendia, former main vocal of the defunct band Eraserheads. Just enjoying his music thing, letting opportunity come and do what he expects to be doing on and on.

On the heart of his creativity are potpourri of emotions, kinds of songs, physical milieu and the vibes that kept him going, and everything is told in a trance state as he is taken by the song itself.

Bending like a bamboo on the flow of whatever there is to be done, he states, “kasi enjoy ako sa bass. Hindi naman ako consciously nag-decide, tipong, mag-fofocus ako sa bass, hindi. Go with the flow lang, kung ano ang p'wede kong gawin. Nagkataon bass y'ung napunta sa akin.” The dire need for his manpower and talent makes him visible on the floor as a bassist, “kasi kinailangan ang pagbi-bass ko. Y'un lang. Kung saan ako may silbi, doon ako,” he said. His conscious responsibility as a bassist caught him just below enough to give the rest of the band balance as he was taking the lower beat at the base. “Magbigay ng pang ilalim. Y'ung tumatagos sa dibdib. Y'ung magpapatibok ng puso mo,” he told with bright eyes. By namesake he is the 'base' of every instrumental rendition of the band. A band might not do well without a bass on it, as a salad wouldn't do without a pinch of salt on it. Further, “ang bass kasi ang magbibigay ng tulay na lalakaran mo, canvas na pipinturahan mo, k'warto na i-dedecorate mo, plato na kakainan mo. Para sa akin, importante iyan sa musika at sa buhay. May sense ba y'un?”

Meanwhile, Dok would just tell few simple things on going far and further for a bassist and wannabees, “hindi lahat ng complicated na areglo or bass line, maganda. May mga complicated na astig talaga, pero hindi lahat. Minsan kasi bumabangga or nakaka-limit sa iba pang kasali sa grupo.” Is saying, less is more? Few things might defy some logical scruples, since not all complected things were as good as it were obviously done with complexity.


BASE TALK

Who are the bassist/s that you look for inspiration?
Usually ang gusto ko y'ung mga groups eh. Yung na-create nila collectively at kung paano hinahawakan ng bass y'ung piyesa, y'un ang naririnig ko at ini-incorporate sa style ko. Artists like Tortoise, Pinback, Postal Service, American Football, Mew, and Blonde Redhead.

What kind of warm-up exercises do you do?
Laru-laro lang ako hanggang maging “loose” na ang mga daliri ko.

What's the heart of your technique?
May moments talaga na sobrang sarap ng tugtugan eh. Hindi siya parating nangyayari dahil sa ibat-ibang factors: kesyo pangit ang tunog, masama ang pakiramdam mo, kulang sa tulog, kulang sa alcohol, kulang sa energy, whatever. Pero kung perfect ang conditions, magtra-trance out ka nalang tapos doon na lalabas y'ung natural style mo. Auto-pilot mode ka na n'un. Minsan tingin ko y'ung emotions mo din talaga ang nagdadala eh. Positive vibes is the key.

What can you tell about your plucking and picking techniques?
I rarely use the pick, not that I don’t like it, I’m just not good with it. May character ang pick na okey, y'ung tunog ng kaskas n'ya, may mga kantang binabagayan y'un. Sa mga daliri naman, I never use my pinky finger sa pag-pluck at kalabit.

What are some of the things that have influenced your sound?
Meron akong ginagamit na gadget, y'ung sans amp. Importante siya sa tunog ko.

What do you think makes a great bass line?
I guess it’s the recall, y'ung pag naaalala mo y'ung linya. Napa-groove ka. O napasayaw. Y'un y'un

Do you play pick?
May song kami na kino-cover sa Pupil, Mrs. Robinson. I use the pick for that.

How do you view the role of the bass in your music?
Ang foundation at structure ng music ay ang bass.

What part of your bass playing are you experimenting with the most?
Sa effects siguro, minsan magde-delay ako para lang may ambient sound akong naririnig. Especially kapag feeling ko masyadong dry ang tunog, binabasa ko ng konti. Sarap lang din mag melodic trip.

What have you learned from your years of playing bass?
There’s always more to learn. You can’t stop learning

How has your playing attitude changed over the years?
Things are a lot better now especially with the technology that we have. But more or less my attitude hasn’t changed. I’m just more intelligent now. Of course it comes with age so…

Where do your bass lines come in when recording an album?
Sa sound card. Sa memory ng computer. Sa hard disk. Digital na eh. Usually after ng drum tracks, bass na and lalatag. Tapos, babaguhin ko na naman ulit ang ibang parts after ma-record ang gitara. Minsan babaguhin ko lahat after ko marinig lahat. Sayang kasi mystery ang other parts e, tapos kapag narinig mo na may maiisip kang mas babagay na linya. Eh, 'di, papalitan mo. Pati drums ginagawa y'un, although hindi kasing dali kasi mas mahirap at mas maraming kailangan i-set up kapag drums ang i-rerecord kaya bihira din siyang gawin ng drummer. Sayang oras (at pera).

How has your bass style evolved through the course of your band's career?
Dati gusto ko kumapa ng mga kantang paborito ko. Gusto ko rin aralin at i-jam y'ung mga kantang may paiba- ibang time signatures. Lalo na y'ung mga tipong ginawa sa drop “D” tuning. Ngayon ang bass lines na gusto ko y'ung magbibigay ng room for different melodies galing sa guitars and vocals.

How does your live paying differ from your studio approach?
Ang okey sa live, nadadala ka ng alon eh. Minsan, halimbawa nagkasabit-sabit, opportunity din y'un para maka gawa ng something interesting. O kaya, kapag naging extended version ang kanta, pakiramdaman na lang y'un so dapat handa ka sa mangyayari. Kapag recording naman, mas strict siyempre. Kailangan tugma lahat. Pipiliin mo ang mga parts na ilalagay. Iisipin mo kung ano ang ikagaganda ng kanta at ng overall sound ng recording.

Which one of your songs gives you the biggest thrill when you're up there on stage?
Minsan y'ung thrill galing na sa tao eh, not the songs.

What's something you've learned lately, either on the road or in the studio?
I’ve learned a few places to go to for certain things I need. I learned from Buhawi that Jacko Pastorius’ lost bass guitar resurfaced, and it was repainted and altered. Fender made a replica of it and now the replica looks more original. Buddy told me about a place in Sta. Mesa where you can have your guitar pick-ups replaced. I should go there sometime.

What are your preferences when buying a bass guitar?
Dapat walang dead spot. Maganda ang feel, y'ung swak sa kamay mo ang fretboard, at y'ung volume knobs comfortable abutin at gamitin. Ang action hindi dapat mataas. Hindi dapat nag we-weights ang daliri habang tumutugtog.

What are your favorite songs from any of your band’s albums that incorporate your bass techniques?
She Talks to Trees. All these time. Blow Your House Down. Dulo ng Dila. Teacher’s Pet. Sala.

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