BUDDY ZABALA (BASS TALKS)

(The Bassists Edition)

(Buddy Zabala bassist for Eraserheads/The Dawn)

An iconic figure in comrade with the icon himself, Ely Buendia. Gone were the days when Buddy Zababa of the then Eraserheads had been plucking his bass strings audible and loud enough that “Huling El Bimbo” is almost done. He has been a long-time bass player of a phenomenal rock act that draws indelible marks on OPM history.

After the glorious days with Eraserheads, he finds himself extending his creative tentacles to his new band “The Dawn.” Spawning his talent – in base particularly – seems to define what a buddy of music he is. This time at our anniversary issue, he's doin some!

What he expects in life is to play piano and synth, little did he know that he would, at the outset, be playing and enjoying bass guitar 'till his hands bled. “I always thought that upon joining a band I’d play piano and synth. Little did I know that the bands I wanted to play for needed bass musicians more. So, lucky me,” he commenced.

Bass musical charisma has its definitive influence and characteristics on all others which Buddy himself thought he was in love with, “bass instruments in modern music seems to have a powerful influence on the vibe and feel of a song. It’s not influential in an obvious way, the way drums are at first hearing. It’s more understated and has a way of growing on you. Yeah, I love playing the bass,” he asserts.

Nobler in this is that his knowledgeableness of his responsibility as a bassist to his fellow band mates and a brother at the same time. “I’m supposed to help keep the time and anchor the music to a certain key or harmony. Groove and vibe are other jobs bass players have to aspire to,” he explains.


BASE TALKS

Who are the bassist/s that you look to for inspiration?
Jaco has got to be the most-mentioned, quoted bassist out there. It’s too bad that he isn’t alive anymore. Try to imagine the kind of music he’d be making today! Louie Talan, Rommel de le Cruz, Meong Pacana, Colby de la Calzada are some of the talented and hard-working bass players in Manila whom any bassist should look to for inspiration. Cynthia Alexander, Dondi Ledesma, Angelo Villegas, Mally Paraguya… the list goes on.
Just go to a local bar/venue and check them out if they’re in town.

On influences, what bass parts were the most fun to reinterpret?
For me, the most fun part of getting into a musician’s mind is trying to imagine how he/she came up with that particular bass line or passage of music. That way it’s easier to reinterpret o play around with an existing piece.


What kind of warm-up exercises do you do?
I’ll do scales slowly a few minutes before a gig. You have to make sure that both of your hands are working, um, hand in hand.

What's the heart of your technique?
Oh, just keeping an open mind, or in this case ear, is enough for me. You never know what’s going to happen onstage. Being ready for anything is best. And breathing properly is of utmost importance, this gem of advice I got from Cynthia Alexander. I’m still learning that one.

What can you tell about your plucking and picking techniques?
Make sure that when you pluck or pick the string, your fretting hand has to make its own action of striking the note. That way, you’re maximizing the amount of tone.

What are some of the things that have influenced your sound?
I have started using smaller gauge strings.

What do you think makes a great bass line?
I enjoy playing a great bass line as much as the audience who hears and reacts to it. That musical passage must evoke a certain feeling from both the performer and listener

Do you play pick?
Yes, please.

How do you view the role of the bass in your music?
Bass makes things vibrate, it moves people.

What part of your bass playing are you experimenting with the most?
Note length, I guess. Shorter notes seem to work better in small, enclosed venues.

What's one of your greatest strengths as a bass player?
I’d have to say – having an open ear, and being ready to go where the band needs to go.

What have you learned from your years of playing bass?
Making music is fun! That’s why we get into it in the first place.

How has your playing attitude changed over the years?
Holding down the groove has become more important than showing off.

Where do your bass lines come in when recording an album?
They come in right after the drums. 1,2,3,4…

How has your bass style evolved through the course of your band's career?
Less is more. I’ve been trying to apply that to number of notes I play in a song.

How does your live playing differ from your studio approach?
Live, it’s 1234 boom! No going back. In the studio, you can overdub and take your time.

Which one of your songs gives you the biggest thrill when you're up there on stage?
It’s usually the song I’m playing for the first time, the one I’m least familiar with.

What's something you've learned lately, either on the road or in the studio?
Digital equipment have low tolerances for low voltage or power surges. They tend to act up in the middle of a performance.

Is there a certain sound that your listeners have come to expect from your band?
I don’t know.

What musical concept have you had to learn the hard way?
Keeping time takes a lot of practice.

What non-musical thing inspires you the most?
People inspire me the most.

What are your preferences when buying a bass guitar?
I have to like the way it looks first, the way it makes a sound, and then the way it feels.

Your tips when playing bass guitar?
Practice makes perfect. Performing is fun! Keep it light. It’s just music, eventually.

♫♫♫

JAPS SERGIO (BASS TALKS)

(The BASSISTS Edition)

(Japs Sergio bassist for Rivermaya)

Another undisputed bass guitar player of all times on our rock and roll scene is Japs Sergio of the mainstreaming band Rivermaya. He's apt to share his genius about bass stuff or something.

Meanwhile Japs Sergio thought that he must have made the right choice about it. It's not all about comfort zone, wherein he is at ease about playing such instrument. It's all about the power of the right choice he is doing here.

Rivermaya has been his jump-start at taking bass at the crux of his life. “I started taking the bass seriously when I joined Rivermaya. ‘Di talaga ako bahista before,” he started. It couldn't be his actual cup of tea but as long as it sweetens his real one, it's all about rock and roll now, and it's all for Riveramaya, he clears, “actually, up to now I don’t really consider myself as a true bass player. I’m the guy who plays the bass for Rivermaya. Labo ba? Anyway, that’s how I see it."

Now, it's all about him and what he does to the band that matters, beside the brotherly camaraderie they used to share in and out of the band. Doing his oomph to the band, and it's almost done. “I’m part of the rhythm section. Together with the drums we give the music the oomph it needs, the body, the low end, the glue to all the beautiful madness going on,” he asserted.

For the trying hard and wannabees just do the move for these simple things in a base, “keep it steady and simple,” is all it takes to gain more out of less.


BASE TALKS

Who are the bassist/s that you look for inspiration?
I’m a Paul McCartney fan. Sino pa ba? Colin Greenwood of Radiohead, Sting, Peter Hook of New Order. Locally, sila Buddy and Louie Talan. I’m sure madami pa akong nakalimutan but these guys are on top of my list.

On influences, what bass parts were the most fun to reinterpret?
Bass lines ng mga electronic music especially the down tempo trip hop types. Paulit-ulit na steady na groovy na mismo. Yeah!

What kept you interested in playing bass?
Steady kasi y'ung bass eh. Match kami. I remember a long time ago (nagse-session palang ako sa ‘Maya) tinanong ako ni Rico (Blanco) kung mas comfy ba ako sa guitar or bass guitar. I think I made the right choice.

What kind of warm-up exercises do you do?
Before a gig? Stretching, stretching.

What's the heart of your technique?
Steady lang.

What can you tell about your plucking and picking techniques?
Steady lang din.

What are some of the things that have influenced your sound?
Electronic music, british music, mga babaeng bahista like Kim Gordon, Kim Deal, D’arcy, etc.

What do you think makes a great bass lines?
Whatever fits the music as a whole. I’m not really that much of a fan of technical playing. Probably because I don’t really know how to do technical stuff but mostly because I prefer the creative, unorthodox approach.

Do you play pick?
Pick and finger style.

How do you view the role of the bass in your music?
Same answer as the primary role of the bass question.

What part of your bass playing are you experimenting with the most?
Bass playing? Hmmm.. I dunno. I’m still trying to figure out how to get a good, solid sound though.

What's one of your greatest strengths as a bass player?
Steady lang.

What have you learned from your years of playing bass?
Steady lang. The sound is meant to glue things together not to be flashy and leave everyone behind.

How has your playing attitude changed over the years?
I dunno. Tamad parin ako mag-practice nang bass that’s why I never really became good at it. I still prefer the guitar kapag mag-isa lang ako. I’m not a good bahista role model. So kids don’t be like me ;)

Where do your bass lines come in when recording an album?
It depends on how the song is presented. When I record music on my own there are times when I challenge myself to create music starting with the bass guitar or bass synth, or drumbeats, or keyboard, etc. But normally it would start with a guitar riff then add a drumbeat, bass guitar then vocals wold be last.

How has your bass style evolved through the course of your band's career?
It has evolved for the better. I’m still not that good at it but I’m sure I’m better than how I was 7 years ago.

How did your live paying differ from your studio approach?
Sa studio, d'un mo nabubuhos lahat ng isip, isip na kailangan gawin. Kapag live, dapat masarap nalang. Rock out ka nalang. Sometimes, I tend to forget the bass lines I’ve done in the studio. Maalala ko nalang kapag marinig ko ulit y'ung recorded version. And share ko lang pala, oftentimes kasi some people would listen to the music and say, “ay ang simple naman ng bassline wala man lang slap, slap or whatever” pero minsan hindi naiisip ng iba na bago ka nakarating d'un sa gan'ung “simple” line na yon dumaan na sa filtration system y'un ng utak mo saka sa utak ng producer saka ng mga kabanda mo. It means ayun na ang overall decision na best bassline for the song.

Which one of your songs gives you the biggest thrill when you're up there on stage?
Any song regardless of who I’m playing with on stage. The people watching the show gives me the biggest thrill.

What's something you've learned lately, either on the road or in the studio?
- 1. I miss using passive bass guitars.
- 2. That we are still very much behind compared to our neighboring countries when it comes to big events, sound system set ups, etc.
- 3. I realized how hard it is for me to record using my Macbook’s monitor especially when I record in other home studios.
- 4. I still don’t know how to do slapping action on the bass.
- 5. I still prefer a 4-string bass guitar.
- 6. …And that is because nalilito pa rin ako sa 5-string bass.

Is there a certain sound that your listeners have come to expect from your band?
I think they’re more focused on the lyrics and how they relate to the music.

What musical concept have you had to learn the hard way?
Madami akong di pa rin natututunan talaga. I don’t even know any scale except for the do–re-mi.

What non-musical thing inspires you the most?
Life and love.

What are your preferences when buying bass guitar?
Basta ayus tunog, mismo ang action para sa akin, maganda ang itsura.. y'un na yon! Although almost all of my bass guitars were given to me. Isa lang ata binili ko talaga, acoustic bass pa.

What are your favorite songs from any of you band's albums that incorporate your bass techniques?
All of them. But I love the bass line of Ethnic Faces’ “Golden Boy” .. Mismo! We have a version of that song sa Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo album.

As the bassist, how do you see your role in your band?
Ako lang ba or parang de ja vu itong question? Heehee. Anyway, same answer ng role of the bassist question above.

♫♫♫

KELVIN YU (BASS TALKS)

(The BASSISTS Edition)

(Kelvin Yu bassist for Itchyworms)

Many rises to top of the rock and roll arena, but few were left standing for their cause. This is what Itchyworms did for the solid decade that they're still on their feet. Kelvin Uy, on his base part would tell us how he did his own role with Itchyworms bringing their musical ground on solid state.

His versatility on instruments led him to playing the bass when one of their members, which is a bassist, left the band. “I was originally the guitarist of the band, and when our bassist left, the plan was for me to play bass until we found a suitable replacement. When we stumbled upon Chino, ang galing niya mag-gitara eh, so kinuha namin siya to play guitar, and ayun, na-stuck ako sa bass,” he asserted.

Tandem with the drums, jingles all the way for Kelvin when he is to play it with his universal playing technique, “when I play I just make it a point na kabit kami ng drummer para okey sa alright ang tugtugan, he asserts.” He further hints that comradeship with the drummer is the best way to define and bass line smooth and easy. “Always remember na dapat mag-partner kayo ng drummer, alam niyo dapat ang ginagawa ng bawat isa, para kabit ang tugtugan niyo, para okey sa alright,” he adds.

He knows at both ends of a string where should the base will sound to get into the jam. “In our type of music I guess y'ung role ng bass is to complement the guitars and drums sa mga accents and mga bagsakan sa mga songs namin,” he asserts.

At a certain thought, Kelvin would be one of best, if not the best, then the finest you could ever scout to play a tune at the base of every rock and roll platform.


BASE TALKS

Who are the bassist/s that you look for inspiration?
I like listening to Paul McCartney, Sting, and Rocco Prestia.

On influences, what bass parts were the most fun to reinterpret?
We used to do a lot of Beatles covers when we were starting out and it was always fun to play their songs kasi interesting y'ung mga bass lines.

What kept you interested in playing bass?
Mas tipid kasi ang mag-bass, bihira lang kasi ako maputulan ng strings. Y'ung mga kabanda kong gumigitara, every gig ata sila napuputulan!

What is your primary role as a bass player?
Hindi ako marunong mag-slap or mag solo eh, so d'un lang ako sa background.

What kind of warm-up exercises do you do?
I do a lot of yoga, abdominal exercises, mental crunching, and neo Middle Eastern meditation methods. Kung walang oras para gawin y'un, kakain nalang ako ng madami hanggang ma-empacho ako.

What can you tell about your plucking and picking techniques?
Bulok y'ung technique ko. I have no plucking or picking technique to speak of.

What are some of the things that have influenced your sound?
One of the first bands that I really listened to were the Beatles, and from there nag explore na ako ng iba’t ibang mga klaseng tugtugan, rock, pop, hip-hop, r & b, open ako sa lahat ng klaseng music (except country siguro), kasi nakakapulot ako ng mga ideas na puwedeng ma-apply sa mga songs namin.

What do you think makes a great bass line?
For me, a great bass line is simple and may recall sa listener, and kahit simple lang siya, kulang na kulang y'ung kanta kung wala y'ung line na y'un.

Do you play pick?
I used to play with a pick when I was starting out, pero sandali lang, kasi nahirapan ako. I sometimes use a pick during recordings pag gusto kong medyo may attack at lutong ang sound ng playing. Mas masarap kasi talaga ang feel kapag fingers ang gamit mo, mas may control ka.

What part of your bass playing are you experimenting with the most?
Sinusubukan ko mag-bass na pang kaliwete. Ang hirap masyado eh. Kaya magsisimula muna ako sa pagsipilyo using my left hand - baby steps.

What's one of your greatest strengths as a bass player?
I’m more often than not, on time sa mga gigs namin.

What have you learned from your years of playing bass?
At the end of the day, and at the end of it all, Bass is Bass.

How has your playing attitude changed over the years?
Akala ko dati na madali lang mag-bass, kasi apat lang ang strings, at paisa isa lang ang pagtugtog ng mga nota. Hindi pala ganun.

Where do your bass lines come in when recording an album?
Kapag nagre-record kami, we make it a point to record the drum and bass tracks first. Pagkatapos nun, bahala na si Batman.

How has your bass style evolved through the course of your band's career?
When we were starting out, puro Beatles lang mga covers namin, kasi y'un y'ung common influence naming apat sa banda. Eventually, nag-move on din kami towards listening to our personal influences, hindi naman kasi puwedeng puro Beatles nalang pakinggan namin. Mahilig ako makinig ng mga pop, r&b, hip-hop, jazz, soul music, at kung ano ano pa, so I guess mas marami na akong exposure as compared to when we were starting out.

How did your live playing differ from your studio approach?
Sa live enjoy lang! Sa studio siyempre kailangan mas plakado and mas metikuloso, kasi habangbuhay mo papakinggan ang album mo, so kapag may regrets ka sa mga na-record mo, well, sorry nalang, dear.

Which one of your songs gives you the biggest thrill when you're up there on stage?
I like playing the new songs from our album, “Self-Titled”, medyo nagsawa kasi ako sa mga songs na paulit-ulit naming tinutugtog when we were on the road promoting our previous album. Refreshing na tumugtog ng mga panibagong mga kanta.

What's something you've learned lately, either on the road or in the studio?
No matter what happens, don’t leave home without your vitamins! Importante 'yan!

Is there a certain sound that your listeners have come to expect from your band?
Yes. I guess kung nakarinig sila ng medyo harmony or riff based songs, naiisip ng mga listeners na kami y'un, we tend to gravitate kasi towards ganu'ng type ng music.

What musical concept have you had to learn the hard way?
Bass is Bass. Always remember this.

What non-musical thing inspires you the most?
Food…Oil based pasta, Longganisa, and Sinigang na Baboy.

What are your preferences when buying bass guitar?
I really like the classic bodies such as the Fender jazz and precision basses. Hindi ko masyadong trip y'ung mga medyo mukhang metal na shape ng body, hindi ko kasi kayang dalhin eh. Haha!

What are your favorite songs from any of your band's albums that incorporate your bass techniques?
I like “Freakout, Baby”, “Sino Ka Nga Ba?” and “Steady Lang Tayo”, both off from our 3rd album, “Self-Titled”.

As the bassist, how do you see your role in your band?
I’m the resident accountant, auditor, and Chinese bassist.

♫♫♫

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.

♫♫♫

NATHAN AZARCON (BASS TALKS)

(The BASSISTS Edition)

(Nathan Azarcon bassist for Bamboo)

Get to know the man who hits the foundation of every instrumental accompaniment of a song. A guitarist by start, but since then been in-love with the four base-bass chords, E, A, D and G. He sees the universality of a bass-guitar role in the integrity of the song. He sees it in every drumbeat and in every guitar riffs that gives color to every song.

Simple philosophies do the drive for him. Where in it sounds good, find the groove and everything's done, now it's about rock and roll.

It's just as simple as looking the right thing at the right place. Or finding the right thing for the right you. He's slow at guitar chording so he turns his guile on the first four low chord strings of the guitar which are the bass parts. “Hindi ako magaling mag-gitara so nag-bass ako. Mas madali eh, four strings lang (laughs) joke lang. ‘Yun y’ung initial pero gitara ako dati. But then y'ung friend ko si Junji Lerma (Radioactive Sago Project) gitarista siya, naging kabanda ko s’ya dati. Sabi niya mas may tendency daw akong mag-focus sa mas makakapal na strings sa E, A, sa D pati sa G. Baka daw mas okey kung mag-bass ako. The fact na hindi ko kayang mag-chords, nag-bass na nga lang ako. ‘Yun pala mas mahirap mag-bass (smiles),” buffs nathan.

Nathan demonstrates the supremacy of bass people in the field of music and entertainment. Nonetheless, he starts picking up knowledge an eager loud for a bass guitar. “Kilala n'yo si Myong Pacanya? 'Yun y'ung naging mentor ko later on. Siya y'ung bahista sa Channel 2, sa Singing-Bee. 'Yung power ng bass niya sobrang lakas. That means we can dictate the note na tinutugtog ng lahat. Nagpaturo ako dati pero tinanggal nila ako lahat, hindi ko alam kung bakit. Mentor? Ngayon na lang n’ung matanda-tanda na ako.” He accommodates the thought of how a bass guitar spells its power on the jiving instruments, “let's say, kung y'ung keyboard or guitar player nasa A major 'yan kapag ako nag C, A minor na 'yun, so y'un ang power namin,” he asserts. His appeal to authority says yeah, it takes a genius for one to blow you ears with bass thing, “tingnan mo ang Beatles si Paul McCartney talaga ang siga d'un. Sa Led Zeppelin si John Paul Jones. Sa The Police si Sting and sa Red Hot Chili Peppers si Flea. Heavy weight talaga parati y'ung bahista,” he said.

Great part that makes him high with the low hitting notes he shares with the band is that, “yun na nga y'un, 'The Heart and Soul' of the band. Kapag nawala ang bahista tunog ipis y'ung banda (laughs), he said.


BASE TALK

Who are the bassists that you look for inspiration?
Sila Paul McCartney, Sting, Flea more on songwriter bass players. Si Sting kasi minimalist lang siya. Kung ano lang y'ung kailangan ng kanta. Since kumakanta rin s’ya y'ung kapag play n’ya nang bass hindi masyadong technical. Pero ang magaling sa kanya y'ung mga additive niya. Let’s say nag 5, 4, 7, 8 s’ya pero akala mo 4/4 pa rin. So y'un ang okey sa kanya. Si Flea ganun din mas more on pati funk. D'un ko unang natutunan y'ung funk, funk, funk. Lahat sila Paul, Sting and Flea y'ung genre nila from rock to funk. Ang dali para sa kanila, hindi mo maririnig or walang effort y'ung pagkalipat nila.

On influences, what bass parts were the most fun to reinterpret?
Bass parts? ‘Yung problema kasi d’yan unang-una ‘yung pinapakinggan kong music is Abba to Sabbah, masyadong malawak ‘yun. Pero kung papipiliin ako ng certain bass playing talaga d'un ako sa mga unknown like Old Motown. Hindi sila kilala masyado ganun din sina James Jamerson, I’m not sure, pero para sa akin gusto ko y'ung ganung tugtugan. Mga bahista ni James Brown, lalo na si Butch Collins.

What is your primary role as a bass player?
Ako? Supportive role lang talaga ang bass player. Kapag tiningnan mo sa buong banda akala ng mga tao wala lang. Hindi siya kasi katulad ng drummer na talagang maingay eh. Mas extrovert kasi kaming mga bahista. Usually kasi ang gitara pinakarinig mo hindi ba? Ganun din ang drums and vocals. Ang hindi nila (mga tao) alam na ang bass ang nagdidikit sa lahat ng ‘yun. So mas complex actually y'ung trabaho ng bahista. Kasi hindi ka lang rhythm, ang bass player ang puso at kaluluwa ng banda. Sorry pero y'un ang tingin ko.

What kind of warm-up exercises do you do?
Stretching muna ng mga five to ten minutes ng kamay tig-30 seconds each sa braso bago ako pumunta sa paa, tapos runs. Walang scale (counting one to four). Inuulit-ulit ko lang pero mabagal ko lang s'ya ginagawa (as he showed to us how he warmed-up). After n'un major scale muna ako tapos okey na ako d'un. Ang minor scale kapag iniba mo ang root n'un major scale na s'ya. Kaya lahat ng scale nasa isang scale lang, major scale y'un. Depende kung saan ka mag-start d'un lang mababago y'ung tawag sa kanya. Saka lang s'ya nagiging miksilidian, dorian, ionan or whatever.

What's the heart of your technique?
Wala ano lang if sounds good then keep doing it. Basta mahanap mo lang y'ung groove.

What can you tell about your plucking and picking techniques?
Plucking? I just dig it hard y'un lang. Para sa akin ha, you gotta sh*t some skin to get some tone man! (laughs)

What are some of the things that have influenced your sound?
Sa local? Si Buddy Zabala. Oo, ang galing n'yan. Siya talaga ang 'Quintessential Bass Player'. Siya y'ung lets say nasa G silang lahat s'ya nasa B (laughs).

What do you think makes a great bass lines?
Bass lines? Sa akin ha, harmonically independent from the melody. Nakadikit pa rin nandun pa rin ang harmony n'ya. I think 'yun y'ung magaling na power names si Buddy, Paul McCartney. Ang dami kasing bass player sa atin na magagaling, ang problema hindi mo marinig sa album. Si Buddy maririnig mo talaga s'ya.

Do you play pick?
Hindi ako nagpi-pick eh.

What part of your bass playing are you experimenting with the most?
Wala. Pero more often you can practice any scale or any run or slapping, popping techniques or whatever. But what will work best is y'ung pinaka-simple, less is more.

How has your playing attitude changed over the years?
Relax lang. Unlike n'ung bata-bata pa ako tensionado eh. Ngayon wala ng kaba, siguro excitement. S'yempre excited akong tunugtog y'un lang hinihintay ko sa isang linggo ang makatugtog (smiles). Y'ung kaba na baka magkamali ako? Hindi naman siguro.

Where do your bass lines come in when recording an album?
Sa songwriting pa lang. Like sa Bamboo y'ung recording process namin is live eh. Tutugtog kami sabay-sabay. Ang gagawin na lang y'ung vocals over-dub na lang next time or additional guitars but siguro mga 80% to 90% y'un ang ginagawa namin. So kung ano gagawin mo sa recording y'un na y'un. Habang buhay na 'yan (laughs).

How has your bass style evolved through the course of your band's career?
Oo naman. Pero s'yempre hindi ko nakikita kasi ako y'ung nag-e-evolve eh. Na-refine lang siguro but I think ganun pa rin. Ako kasi ay maingay, mainit tumugtog, passionate 'yan (smile).

Which one of your songs gives you the biggest thrill when you're up there on stage?
Walang particular song, pare-pareho lang. All our songs, I think parang baby namin lahat 'yan eh. Of course may araw na 'bro huwag natin tugtugin 'yan, h'wag ngayon.' Siguro kasi depende sa tao, depende sa mood mo kung hindi mo trip.

What's something you've learned lately, either on the road or in the studio?
I've learned lately? Ah...teka muna, nawala kasi gitara ko sa Las Vegas, y'ung #1 guitar ko nawala so kapag nasa States ka bantayan mo talaga ng mabuti. Y'ung mga labelling kasi nasa San Francisco ako y'ung gitara ko nasa Las Vegas. Pero nahanap naman na, pabalik na dito (smiles).

Is there a certain sound that your listeners have come to expect from your band?
Wala naman. Sa ngayon for the last five years nasa isang mode kami. Pero I'm sure for the next album (after their 2008 release) mababago na ang tunog namin. Ngayon ha, parang tapos na y'ung era ng okey rock, makabayan. Ang hirap kasi sa akin iba ang tunog eh, hindi ko alam talaga kung ano ang tunog namin. Kayo ang nakakaalam n'un (smiles).

What musical concept have you had to learn the hard way?
Swing bebop, back to square one ka d'un. Kailangan mo makalimutan y'ung napag-aralan mo bago mo gawin ito. Nagsimula ako twelve bar blues di ba? Johnny B good, nag trash na ako, nag-reggae bigla pagdating ko sa part na ito kailangan ko ulit balikan y'ung twelve bar blues na y'un para matutunan y'ung swing pati bebop. Although y'ung reggae isa s'yang challenge for me.

What non-musical thing inspires you the most?
Lahat ng bagay may tunog eh, paano y'un? It's kinda hard, outside music ano ba? Marshall Arts, y'un lang.

What are your preferences when buying bass guitar?
Kailangan more or less Fender dude. Lahat ng design n'ya like precision bass, jazz bass, after noon nag music man s'ya. Hindi ka na lalayo sa unang design n'ya eh. Meron lang ako naligaw d'yan na hindi n'ya dini-sign. Parang ginawa lang hi-tech, the same ang itsura, same y'ung design hindi lang kahoy.

Your tips when playing bass guitar?
Totoo lang masyadong mataas ang 105 ibaba bila sa 100 y'ung gauge ng strings nila. Karamihan ng mga bahista na sikat hindi 100 y'un 95 'yung gamit nila. Para mas madali tugtugin, magdudugo talaga ang kamay mo d'un.

How many bass guitars you owned?
Marami akong bass, mga fourty sila. Dami ko nga dala d'yan eh (he brought in 3 bass guitars at
the photo shoot).

Usually in recording process which part is the longest to time record between bass, drums and guitar?
S'yempre y'ung drums ang pinakamatagal. Kailangan maganda at maayos ang tunog. Kapag hindi maayos ang tunog mo hindi ka aalis d'un. Bass kasi ang dali i-record, p'wedeng idiretso na, direct vox ka lang okey na y'un. Set up pa lang ng drums umaabot na ng two hours. Pero kung mainit y'ung drummer like me, enough to work with the best drummers in the Philippines. One take lang kadalasan.

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