I consider Jake my guitar brother (from another guitar mother probably). I like the fact that we both own a white Strat and a Les Paul Custom. I was introduced to him back in college by my friends in my AB-Music Production circle of friends (I took up Multimedia Arts).
What started you into music?
My dad was really into music. He’s a big reason why I’m where I am now. I always loved his music. When I was a kid, when all my friends were listening to fall out boy, I was listening to Earth Wind and Fire. It’s only til the 7th grade when I decided that I wanted to actually learn how to play. From there, it just came naturally that I wanted to make a career in music.
“ Don’t be afraid to try! Keep doing what makes you happy. You will never know where it will lead you.”
Tell us more about your musical background.
I started playing guitar when I was in the 7th grade. I knew a few chords and a few easy songs. When I was in high school, I took lessons for guitar and drums in the Yamaha School of Music. I was in the LSGH high school orchestra (my first taste of what it felt like to play with other fellow musicians) I was also in a band with my buddy Jay back then. We did a couple school gigs but never really shot off. I then went to DLS-CSB to take AB Music Production. That’s when I started to learn a lot when it comes to Music Theory, song writing, sound engineering, and playing. I played for a couple bands, that today, aren’t together anymore. Rebelle Fleur (Guitar), Dead Quiet (Bass), and the Anton Molina Project, which is sill quite active today. Then I decided to make my own band, Banna Harbera.
Let's get to know more about Banna Harbera. How did the band come together?
We’re all course mates back in CSB. I wanted to build a band that I wanted to have fun with and jam with. Then part of thesis was to make a 3-track EP, so me and Yzay partnered up to make an EP for our Banna Harbera for our thesis. We release the EP for free and from there, we suddenly started getting some gigs. That’s when we decided that we should continue the band.
For you, what is the biggest achievement you guys have made so far?
For me, the our biggest achievement is getting to play Wanderland 2017. It’s been a dream of ours to play for an event as big as that, and for it to happen is such a humbling experience for us. It truly was a blessing. It was fun since some of our friends from the OPM circle was playing there too. Apart from that, I’d say that an achievement of ours is bringing happiness to people with our music.
What got you into playing guitar in the first place?
My dad was a great guitarist and pianist. I decided to try my hands on the guitar when I was in the 7th grade. I was so fascinated by the instrument and the people playing them that I just instantly wanted to learn how to play.
Who are your musical influences/Who are your favorite guitar players? And why?
In terms of overall musicianship, my biggest idol is Dave Grohl. I think he’s such a great song writer and musician. I have so many favorite guitarists, but I’m a really big fan of Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert, John Frusciante, and John Mayer. Eric Johnson with the way he voices his chords, Paul Gilbert with his virtuoso style of playing, Frusciante with the way he uses his guitar percussively, and John Mayer with his song writing and melodic leads.
What started you into music?
My dad was really into music. He’s a big reason why I’m where I am now. I always loved his music. When I was a kid, when all my friends were listening to fall out boy, I was listening to Earth Wind and Fire. It’s only til the 7th grade when I decided that I wanted to actually learn how to play. From there, it just came naturally that I wanted to make a career in music.
Let's talk axes. What guitars have you acquired and played over the years?
My first ever guitar wasn’t even mine. It was my dad’s. It’s a 1980’s Yamaha CG-150 Classical guitar. It was the guitar that I learned the G Chord with. As silly as that sounds, at the time, I was so excited when I struck the chord for the first time.
My first electric guitar was a Fernando Strat HSS. At the time, I was a fan of the movie Crossroads. I saw a yellow Telecaster in the movie, (I even thought that the actor was really playing the guitar lol) so I got the Strat in that same pale yellow color. It played like ass, but back then, I didnt realize. I just wanted to play. When I got my second guitar, I made this into a project guitar. Unfortunately, I already sold this. I really loved this guitar though.
My second electric guitar was a white RJ Les Paul. This was what I used all throughout my High School days. This guitar taught me a lot about the anatomy of an electric guitar; all the parts needed for it, how to set it up, how to build one, tools needed to clean and maintain it, all that stuff. It was the guitar that brought the inner luthier out in me. It played really well. The neck was kinda crooked, but it still played perfectly.
Fernando Les Paul
My mom got this for me for my 19th birthday. I fell in love with it’s gloss black finish and it’s gold hardware. This will always be my favorite for a lot of reasons. It sounds great, it playes well, it stays in tune. Most of all though, this is what I’ve been using ever since 2014. I kinda can’t live without it. It’s been to countless jams, gigs and recordings sessions. It also went throught heavy rain, dirt, and drops. I’m never parting with this.
SX Stratocaster
I got this last year. I always wanted to have a Strat again. And for P5,000, it was a steal! It was the same color as my first electric guitar, and it sounded and played better than it too. A week before I got this, I got a Tokai Strat. I wasnt feeling it, so I spotted the SX at a store and sold the Tokai to get the SX. No regrets. I am really happy with this guitar.
Recently, Jake’s gotten a hold of this awesome Phoebus PG-20C Acoustic guitar.
Let's take a look at your pedalboard. What effects do you have right now on your rig? What pedals can you not play without?
Right now, my signal chain is:
Guitar – Digitech Bad Monkey – EHX Soul Food – Joyo AC Tone – Line 6 M5 – NUX Time Force – Amp. I used to have a Vox Wah on the board, but It’s kinda faulty so I took it out. The Bad Monkey is my main drive. The Soul Food is my clean boost. I also use it as a fuzz or as a boost for my Bad Monkey. The AC Tone is my “always on” pedal. Basically, my pre amp. The Line 6 is more of when I have a couple of effects I wanna add to parts of songs. The Time Force is my main delay. It’s got 9 presets, which I have set for different songs. I can play without a pedal board, but some songs require delays, drives, and a couple modulation effects. I think it’s handy to have it at all times just in case. And it’s a great if you want a consistent tone each gig.
What amps do you use?
I have a Peavey Vypyr 30 as a practice amp at home. But during gigs, I just use whatever they have on hand.
What are you listening to right now?
It changes everyday, I still listen to my dad’s songs. Mostly smooth jazz and a couple veteran bands like Steely Dan. I’ve been listening to a lot of new OPM as well. It’s always nice to hear new local music.
How do you see the scene five years from now?
Five years from now, I think the music community here in the Philippines will be much closer. There are a lot of great bands out there right now, and five years from now, I think they’ll keep coming out with great music that a lot of people will enojy.
What's your advice to your fellow musicians and guitar players, as well as bands who are starting out?
Don’t be afraid to try! Keep doing what makes you happy. You will never know where it will lead you.
