The conversation happened two weeks ago… maybe less.
Ely: “Hey you’re playing guitar on the ‘20/20’ video launch okay?”
Me: “I am? Nobody told me.”
Ely: “Well I’m telling you now.”
I did a wee bit of guitar work on that song, and it happened roughly the same way. Niña asked permission to shoot Pupil while they were recording what became “Limiters Of the Infinity Pool” in Louie Talan’s Wombworks studios.The sessions were almost over but she was fortunate enough to land a day when Ely was doing vocals. i just accompanied her and wanted to hang out.
Ely: “Anong ginagawa ni Kiko?”
Nins: “Wala, tumatambay lang.”
A minute later…
Ely: “Anong ginagawa mo?”
Me: “Wala, tumatambay lang.”
Ely: “Gitara ka kaya.”
Me: “Aaaa…i don’t know the song. at ala akong dala e…”
Ely: “May mga gitara dito. Sige na, la ka namang ginagawa e.”
Me: “Errrrr… s-sige…”
So, i went in, tried to make musical sense, used a screwdriver to replace the missing whammy bar on Pat Tirano’s beautiful pawnshop guitar, and forgot about it. The song is gorgeously romantic… shit, i can’t mess it up. Ely would go, “I like that phrase…hmmm no not that one, try something else.” the session was fun, Wendell cracking jokes. It was one of those ‘play for the moment’ situations.
I don’t remember ANY of the bits i played, except for the whammy surf chords because i tried a pencil before finding the screwdriver.
When Ely asked me to play on the video launch, i figured, “I guess they kept a couple of phrases i did… but which ones?” I still couldn’t figure out which of the guitar parts were Yani’s or mine… not that it matters because ultimately, the parts worked together for the song. I guess i did the right guitar parts… but which ones?
The ‘20/20’ video is fantastic (watch out for it on MYX). I’m deeply honoured to have contributed to a gorgeous song… a Pupil single no less! :) It feels really good to be part of something special, and all because i happened to be there.
It’s actually great that i couldn’t remember or recognize what i did. i didn’t play solos or fancy chords or ambient stuff or distorted chords… things i’m comfortable with.
What i did play… is music. and sometimes, when we play what we remember, it is exactly what we should forget. If that makes sense…
Thank you Pupil for giving me that moment :)
Rico Blanco, Francis Brew Reyes & D-Coy performed at a corporate gig at the Imperial Palace in Maribago, Cebu.
More photos HERE
ano po bang pedal ang recommended ipartner sa Boss metal zone? by epamolarcoiii
hmmm… depende sa tugtugan nyo. maybe an EQ set to ‘flat’ with the level slider above zero to raise the volume a bit for solos
If you could only have 3 guitar effects forever, which ones would you use? by Beramonde
A good distortion or overdrive, and a good delay, and i’m happy :) though my current pedalboard has six boxes (three distortion/overdrives and three delays, all set to do different things) it’s basically just a distortion/delay set-up :)
Hi sir Francis, this is Rommel of CAPO.(if you can still remember our band.)All your inputs worked for us. By the way… We can’t classify our music to a specific/standard genre. More on fusion of different styles po kasi. How/What do we call that music?
Hmmm… i dunno, it’s R&Bish pop i guess. you have really nice songs though :)
You’re a Porcupine Tree fan right? have you heard The Incident? What do you think of it?
I have it but i haven’t listened to it straight through yet; haven’t got much time. but the first four cuts are definitely up there with their best work :) i love PT
Francis. it’s me your fan Chris (the guitar player fan who talked you about Clapton and Van Halen, etc’s). It’s been along time since I’ve chatted with you. Question ko lang. I need some tips in slaving amps to get a “brown sound” in a cheaper way. I’m also going back with my analog pedals that’s why I’m tone chasing for a brown sound-like when I’m playing. Can you advice some good amps besides Peavey,Marshall, and EVH Fender, so I could get a decent VH sound? - Chris
i’ve never tried slaving amps together; i only have one anyway. slaving two amps for that ‘brown’ sound isn’t cheap! ;p my cheap advice is: shop around for an all-tube amp with amp distortion that you’ll be happy with, and get a booster or an overdrive for more gain. what Van Halen did in the early days to his amp was actually dangerous, and we now have amps that can replicate the process safely. i tried the Peavey 5150 before, which EVH designed but i didn’t like it at all. i love VH’s early sound, and i sought that as well. maybe i should’ve tuned down to E-flat and used a phaser with the 5150, but even then, i’m no VH-level genius ;p I’m sure EVH and other peeps can make that amp sound great, and maybe you can, but i can’t.
EVH himself in interviews has said that you should know what tone you seek, and it should be in your head and fingers. i love his tone, but faced with the equipment he designed to get that tone of his… well all i can say is it didn’t work for the mortal that i am.
you can get an imitation of his sound with a cranked modern amp i guess but to get his actual tone… you have to be him ;p
Im used to guitars w/ humbuckers as pickups but lately Im planning on using single coiled ones like Telecasters.Its really different for me but I know Im just not exploring its potential.Any tips so that I wouldnt just limit my self to what i was used to?
just embrace that clear single coil sound, and all will be well :) and be prepared to re-assess your technique: single-coils are unforgiving and naked. a bum note is a bum note :)
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