Hi my brother rockers,
I'd like to thank you all, Philmusic, radio stations NU107, DZRJ, for showing a stream of support for RP music and for latching on to the nuances Bob Aves and I worked on threshing out all those years ago.. Mike Pedero and Angie Rozul can attest to that as they were there everyday during those days at Tracks. Of course my brother Ric Segreto was a part of making that happen and his involvement was very special as, sa totoo lang, Ric was a rocker at heart and was always into rock music even when we were kids. It was a godsend that we got to record an album together as for the most part, we played
a lot of live gigs as a band, he and I, since we were 9 years old. And to have his voice and input on those RP songs, behind my lead vocals, singing harmonies together, is a treasure, to say the least. He would have liked to have done rock songs as part of his career as a singer but record company direction had other plans for him. And I'm sure he would have liked to have known that RP music is still enjoyed today and to be able to get to know the good people, who to this date are listeners and appreciators of these songs for which he lent his voice.
Back in the day this started, there was no internet so information was sparse although we tried our best to get correct news out on the band and it's members but I guess it's happening now... Bob played the guitar and I sang. We collaborated on the writing of some songs and some it was either his or mine with the exception of Louie's songs where it was Louie's music and my lyrics and concept. Both Bob and I handled the production in the studio. Helping each other produce and oversee our tracks. All of the guitar tracks on Street Legal were done with his old Ibanez HSS with Floyd. I don't even remember the model. And I want to say that the humbucker by the bridge was just slapped in there. In fact the hardware was all rusted out because Bob has that "alien" powis going on..hehehe...Couldn't even adjust the bridge saddles because it was a mass of rust.... You've heard of a set neck, well this was a set bridge....
On Strange Storms he used a brand new Jackson Dinky Strat MIA with a Kahler flush mounted trem, no less, that I had hunted down for him in San Diego one vacation. I know he still has that today as his main guitar. Amps wise it was a Marshall Silver Jubilee 2x12 combo (which Bob later sold to Ka Freddie Aguilar) So whomever has that amp now, if it ain't you Ka Fred, realize what you've got. And sometimes a Scholz Rockman we borrowed from the Harner Brothers. Remember those guys? Kinda the Jonas Brothers of the '80's.
I think we used a Boss DS-1 from Mike P's collection at Tracks, in front of the Rockman, and then out to the Marshall Jubilee for the solo on Keep Our Love Alive as Bob wanted that "horsey" (his words) power neigh-whinny whammy lick for that solo, just to give the solo some hair...If you listen to the lick, for those of you that have that song, the solo intro sounds like a horse rearing on it's hind legs, screaming. That's what Bob wanted that part to sound like and this is what we did to get it. Then a Yamaha DX7 on a Hammond preset through a Leslie 222 for that organ tone. We used a couple of synths for While Angels March and more so on Strange Storms. I think around this time of Strange Storms, Angie Rozul, besides having to keep track of Bob and I wandering off in the studio, was in charge of making sure Mang Dading changed the filters on the air conditioning to make sure we got that fresh air action to assure all the tones got from the amp, Ric's and my voices, to the mics...
The record industry was a different animal back then, not like it is now with rock bands of all genres getting support and exposure. Mike Pedero did as much as he could producing the albums Street Legal and Strange Storms. And on Strange Storms he actually paid to have the cassette tapes made for that album besides providing Tracks Studio to record both. It was an Indie release for that album while Street Legal was a Blackgold Records release. There was no vinyl for Strange Storms. So for those of you who have a copy of SS, kudos man. Back then, Bob and I were of the mindset that we had done our parts by making the music, and it was up to the music industry to do their share to get it out. So here it is again, up to the music industry...
BTW, cool pics on the album cover and label. I'm glad you have that intact, bro...
It would be a dream come true to actually have a band to perform this material with Bob of course and Louie Ocampo, and we greatly appreciate the call to arms.. Maybe someday..Obviously we are doing new projects now. But RP will stand it's own test of time, I'm coming to find out from you guys...
Again thanks for the support and kind words....
To all my friends here, and you know who you are, may the blessings be..
Goff Macaraeg