Someone Wicked This Way Come

Dude,

Many thanks for your comments and support to this blog. It’s nice that you replied because I have forgotten how the SA sounded in hands of a pro…I have yet to reach that level, but I am very glad that was recorded at its best. In fact, the session will have its own chapter, and I remember everything was done on the SA.

I have still 3 guitars stories to go.... One is coming immediately after this post because I actually purchase that guitar after the Are You Influenced session – inspired by Gone Wrong and Larry Carlton’s concert video.

On your second comment, I totally agree with you. I can only take 5 minutes of TABS before launching into my blues style. Yeah, back then, we were more than willing to strain our ears just to get it right.

I thought I sounded better then. I cannot re-create “Chromatic”. Not trying to be boastful,  that sounded more jazz than jazz itself. I can’t even play simple jazz to save my life nowadays. Certainly, all the wah licks are history. Luckily, they were recorded to remind me what I was capable of back then….

Till I get the groove back, let’s see how we first met………………….

I don’t know how to start this. I reckon this is going to be quite a long winded one.

The SA and S-65 served me well. Nothing much went on during the period, except that I used to play almost every night in my room ( I was staying alone then) and most of the time with the lights off (took the lights from the adjacent street light as I was on the 2^nd floor of an apartment.

I will either do some “mind jamming” – just play what comes to mind, or I will do what I did for many years, jamming to cds. I don’t do much of those anymore now. In recent times, I will just do finger exercise to keep the muscle memory active (I get rusty very fast).

I still continued to explore CD shops around my area, especially in that Egyptian theme shopping centre. At that point, my musical taste was much broader than before. I started listening to The Rippingtons, Spyro Gyra and found new appreciation for avant garde style jazz, thanks for Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever and my personnal favourite, Al Di Meola (met him in 2006… quite an attitude, but he did smile when I told him – “I’ve heard Al Di Meola, I’ve seen Al Di Meola and today I feel Al Di Meola”. I was probably the only kid he smiled to during the autograph session after his concert at the Philharmonic Hall down town).

So, on the our first meeting……………..

If my memory serves me well, Marty Friedman dropped by Malaysia in May 2005 for an Ibanez sponsored guitar clinic. I was one of the earlier few at the autograph signing session.

So, that was where we met.

Not much I can recall but I remember we said “Hi” to each other and you sat beside me…(I was there damn early, could’ve gotten the first row but settled for the 3^rd or 5^th.). You had this plastic bag full of Megadeth and Marty’s stuff – CD sleeve and photos.

At that point in time, I only know Marty Friedman from Cacophony – thanks to the uni days downloads, and some of his solo stuff. The only song I knew from Megadeth was Symphony of Destruction.

Seeing the big bag of stuff, it came naturally to me – “You a big fan?”

That started off everything…..

The autograph session was rather uneventful, I remember you taking the photo for me and me of you right? Mine have to be taken twice cos’ Marty was distracted by a chick...

The Clinic venue was at a pub and I remember queuing up in front of the door to grab the best seat (was still hoping he will do some Cacophony stuff)…Because I tried to act civilized, I only managed to get a seat about 15 feet away from the stage – but right in the middle with very little obstructions.

I managed to grab a stool and together with WL we had our own table. You walked in just in time, right before Marty came out right? By then, the venue was full…

Marty did well throughout the clinic, including screwing the technicians for the amp volume.

We did not meet after that but miraculously, we met at Eric Johnson’s concert in Singapore. That was a surprise to me and we even went for the after gig “party” where you got EJ’s autograph and I got to shake his hand and tell him thank you for the music and influence.

I think our adventures really started after that. We began writing emails and meeting up for tea.

It has been almost 6 years now. Rather going through history, here’s why it was life changing after associated with you:

1. Visit to guitar stores was more frequent and the duration spent there is much longer.

2. I got introduced to many more music that I have only read about, the most significant one being Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society (although I still don’t like Vodolok or something that sound like that, especially the CD cover!!!)

3. Finally, someone understands what I am talking about.

4. Finally, twin guitar leads!!!!

5. I get to play expensive guitars that are beyond my affordability level

6. Someone who equally enjoyed  Nasi Goreng Ayam Tepi Telur Mata Kerbau (note it’s “enjoyed” cos’ I don’t think we can swallow that shit anymore….)

7. Eric Clapton live in Singapore, the opening riffs to Layla….. that moment, priceless

8. Whitesnake live in Malaysia, opening keyboard riff to Here I Go Again…that moment, priceless (thanks for the ticket, dude)

9. Yngwie Malmsteen live in Singapore, manager shouting at the world…that moment, dumb.

10. Derek Sherinian leaving in a taxi with a chick (with shorter than short skirt) amidst all that chaos - and I believe only two of us saw that cos the area was quite secluded….that moment, epitome of drug, sex and rock and roll,

OK, dude, here are the serious ones.

You called me one night and asked if I can play bass for your new CD (you just won some cash from Creative Commons). Cut it short, I eventually did some guitar work for few tracks.

That was my very first experience with real recording, and what an experience it was. If it wasn’t for that, Dev’s Boogie wouldn’t have seen the light of the day. I wouldn’t be motivated to record my own composition if it wasn’t for that session.

You encouraged me to get out from the bedroom. I get stage fright easily and don’t really dare to play in front of others. GBOB and Asian Beat did it for me (although the latter was a little disastrous). But the best was the gig at your brother’s wedding reception. I felt light, relaxed and I really had fun. It was just the soul and fingers doin’ the work. The mind was at ease (maybe the cough syrup helped….)

If there is anyone who can dissect my style and give fair comments, that will be you. It’s difficult to have someone that completely understands my aspirations, at least musically. I think you read that part of my mind.

All the sharing and exchanges that we do every day are educational and adds that little ray of light in our otherwise routine-ny life.

I could go on and on how much I have learnt from you, and how much my guitar playing torch is kept burning because of this brotherhood.

Someone wicked came along and make me a (almost) Guitar God… not too bad.

If I can sum it all up, all I can say is thank you.

Some of the greatest bands were made up by two key players: Jon Bon Jovi and Ritchie Sambora, Steven Tyler and Keith Richards, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, Glen Tipton and KK Downing, Marty Friedman and Jason Becker, Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter, Brian May and Freddy Mercury, Roger Waters and David Gilmour, Dave Mustaine and his co-guitarist(s), Status Quo, Don Henley and Glen Frey, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons…….

Listen to Dev’s Boogie, I think we are almost there, can be on the list too…..