Brian Pho
Encyclopedia
Brian Pho is a Vietnamese American
bassist
known for his work with the bands Beta Wolf and Red Animal War
. Other notable acts include Kemble Walters
(ex-Juliette and the Licks
) in the rock band vOLUMe and Texas Thrash Metal kings Gammacide.
parents one year after the Fall of Saigon
. Though the maternal side owns genetic credit to musicality, he cites his paternal side as the source of inspiration. His father, not a musician himself, but having control of the household stereo and a love for Funk, Folk and Disco, Pho was raised to the sounds of Chic, James Taylor and Abba. Along with traditional Vietnamese music, he recalls New Wave music all having a profound effect. However, it was serendipity in a practical joke with childhood friends (fooling a teacher into believing them to be the (seminal Californian punk rock band The Adolescents
), that found him paired with a bass. Life began imitating art, and at 14, a natural connection with music was found by playing along to his favorite records, learning the bass lines by ear. As such, his style is heavily influenced by Cliff Burton
, Flea
, Simon Gallup
, Brian Baker
, Bernard Edwards
, and Eric Avery
.
have toured extensively in North America and Western Europe (a partial European tour listing can be found here). In the Spring of 2003, the band participated in a North American tour with portions of proceeds going to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. TOO YOUNG TO DIE was created by Deep Elm Records and its Artists to provide education, increase recognition and prevent youth suicide. A special 19 song Too Young To Die CD included a Suicide Prevention Guide that could help save a friend, plus other facts and information about suicide and depression. Each song was hand-picked for lyrics that promote hope, faith, perseverance and survival as well as the understanding that one is not alone in feelings of depression, loneliness and doubt. Bands included those on the Spring 2003 Too Young To Die Tour (Brandtson, Red Animal War, Desert City Soundtrack, Settlefish, David Singer) plus Appleseed Cast, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Benton Falls, Surrounded and many more.
The albums released under the Deep Elm label received critical praise which often drew comparisons to DC bands such as Jawbox
, as noted here in a very thoughtful review. Vocal and musical similarities aside, it seems only natural that former Jawbox frontman J. Robbins
produced the band's latest effort "Polizida", released under the Ice Planet label.
Deep Elm Records, who also released works by artists such as The Appleseed Cast
, Planes Mistaken for Stars
and Jimmy Eat World
, was home to Red Animal War for many years.
Though Red Animal War are on indefinite hiatus, they continue to record new material and perform on rare occasion.
. Shortly thereafter, management and record deals were found with Reflex Music and Victor Entertainment
, respectively. With the help of producers Fred Archambault and Keith Armstrong, the group collectively recorded their debut LP titled "Dark Days", released in Japan by Victor Entertainment
. Beta Wolf remain active, sans Pho.
, and mentored by Lonnie Marshall
at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music
.
Basses
Amplifiers
He also uses effects pedals by Morley, BOSS, Digitech, Electro-Harmonix
, MXR.
Vietnamese American
A Vietnamese American is an American of Vietnamese descent. They make up about half of all overseas Vietnamese and are the fourth-largest Asian American group....
bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
known for his work with the bands Beta Wolf and Red Animal War
Red Animal War
Red Animal War is a rock band from Dallas, Texas that started in 1998 as Jeff Wilganoski, Jamie Shipman, Matt Pittman, and Justin Wilson. During the recording of their first album, Brian Pho replaced Jamie Shipman. Jeff Davis replaced Brian Pho in 2004, and Tony Wann came on as second drums later...
. Other notable acts include Kemble Walters
Kemble Walters
Kemble Walters is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the and the former guitarist for Juliette & The Licks...
(ex-Juliette and the Licks
Juliette and the Licks
Juliette and the Licks was an American rock band led by actress Juliette Lewis. Other band members included guitarist Craig Fairbaugh and guitarist Emilio Cueto, bassist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis. Their popular songs include "You're Speaking My Language" and "Hot Kiss"...
) in the rock band vOLUMe and Texas Thrash Metal kings Gammacide.
Biography
Brian Pho was born to French VietnameseVietnamese people
The Vietnamese people are an ethnic group originating from present-day northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam...
parents one year after the Fall of Saigon
Fall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front on April 30, 1975...
. Though the maternal side owns genetic credit to musicality, he cites his paternal side as the source of inspiration. His father, not a musician himself, but having control of the household stereo and a love for Funk, Folk and Disco, Pho was raised to the sounds of Chic, James Taylor and Abba. Along with traditional Vietnamese music, he recalls New Wave music all having a profound effect. However, it was serendipity in a practical joke with childhood friends (fooling a teacher into believing them to be the (seminal Californian punk rock band The Adolescents
The Adolescents
The Adolescents are an American punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California. It is a punk supergroup, made up of early members of Agent Orange and Social Distortion. They are often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980s hardcore punk scene....
), that found him paired with a bass. Life began imitating art, and at 14, a natural connection with music was found by playing along to his favorite records, learning the bass lines by ear. As such, his style is heavily influenced by Cliff Burton
Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica....
, Flea
Flea
Flea is the common name for insects of the order Siphonaptera which are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood...
, Simon Gallup
Simon Gallup
Simon Jonathon Gallup is an English musician and bassist of the post-punk band The Cure.-Early years:...
, Brian Baker
Brian Baker
Brian Baker may refer to:* Brian Baker , American guitarist for punk bands Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, and Bad Religion, among others* Brian Baker , American actor and former Sprint spokesman...
, Bernard Edwards
Bernard Edwards
Bernard Edwards born in Greenville, North Carolina, was a bass player and record producer, both as a member of the Funk/Disco band Chic and on his own. He died of pneumonia while touring in Japan.-History:...
, and Eric Avery
Eric Avery
Eric Adam Avery is an American musician and is the former bass player for the rock band Jane's Addiction. Avery played in Jane's Addiction initially from 1985 to 1991, and rejoined the band in 2008 before departing again in 2010....
.
Red Animal War History
Red Animal WarRed Animal War
Red Animal War is a rock band from Dallas, Texas that started in 1998 as Jeff Wilganoski, Jamie Shipman, Matt Pittman, and Justin Wilson. During the recording of their first album, Brian Pho replaced Jamie Shipman. Jeff Davis replaced Brian Pho in 2004, and Tony Wann came on as second drums later...
have toured extensively in North America and Western Europe (a partial European tour listing can be found here). In the Spring of 2003, the band participated in a North American tour with portions of proceeds going to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. TOO YOUNG TO DIE was created by Deep Elm Records and its Artists to provide education, increase recognition and prevent youth suicide. A special 19 song Too Young To Die CD included a Suicide Prevention Guide that could help save a friend, plus other facts and information about suicide and depression. Each song was hand-picked for lyrics that promote hope, faith, perseverance and survival as well as the understanding that one is not alone in feelings of depression, loneliness and doubt. Bands included those on the Spring 2003 Too Young To Die Tour (Brandtson, Red Animal War, Desert City Soundtrack, Settlefish, David Singer) plus Appleseed Cast, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Benton Falls, Surrounded and many more.
The albums released under the Deep Elm label received critical praise which often drew comparisons to DC bands such as Jawbox
Jawbox
Jawbox was an alternative rock band from Washington, D.C., U.S.. Its original members were J. Robbins , Kim Coletta and Adam Wade...
, as noted here in a very thoughtful review. Vocal and musical similarities aside, it seems only natural that former Jawbox frontman J. Robbins
J. Robbins
James Robbins is an American rock music artist. He began his career as a bassist for Government Issue, and has also led four of his own bands: Jawbox, Rollkicker Laydown, Burning Airlines, and Channels. He was a touring bassist for Scream and played bass on the debut 7" from Jack Potential, which...
produced the band's latest effort "Polizida", released under the Ice Planet label.
Deep Elm Records, who also released works by artists such as The Appleseed Cast
The Appleseed Cast
The Appleseed Cast is an American emo/post-rock band based in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, composed of singer/guitarist Christopher Crisci , guitarist Aaron Pillar, bassist Nathan Whitman and drummer John Momberg...
, Planes Mistaken for Stars
Planes Mistaken for Stars
Planes Mistaken for Stars was a emocore band formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1997. They released music on Deep Elm Records, Dim Mak Records, No Idea Records and Abacus Recordings.-History:...
and Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind....
, was home to Red Animal War for many years.
Though Red Animal War are on indefinite hiatus, they continue to record new material and perform on rare occasion.
Beta Wolf
Pho was a member of Los Angeles based Hard Rock band Beta Wolf from July 2010 through July 2011. During this time the band embarked on two Texas tours, performed an official SXSW showcase and won "Who's Next", a competition organized by Radio HITS Radio FM YokohamaFM Yokohama
FM Yokohama 84.7 is a radio station based in Yokohama, Japan owned by the Yokohama FM Broadcasting Company, a joint venture of Nippon Broadcasting System, Kanagawa Prefectural Government and Bank of Yokohama. This station was featured in the Xbox game Project Gotham Racing 2....
. Shortly thereafter, management and record deals were found with Reflex Music and Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
, respectively. With the help of producers Fred Archambault and Keith Armstrong, the group collectively recorded their debut LP titled "Dark Days", released in Japan by Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
. Beta Wolf remain active, sans Pho.
Current Status
Pho resides in Los Angeles, CA, publishes under the name Asian Sin SESACSESAC
SESAC, originally the Society of European Stage Authors & Composers, is the smallest of the three performance rights organizations in the United States. SESAC was founded in 1930, making it the second-oldest performing rights organization in the U.S. SESAC is also the fastest-growing PRO in the...
, and mentored by Lonnie Marshall
Lonnie Marshall
Lonnie "Meganut" Marshall is a bass player, singer and songwriter from Los Angeles. He is best known as the frontman and founder of Weapon of Choice, and is the inventor of the Nutmeg Potty Plunger.- Early life :...
at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music
Silverlake Conservatory of Music
Silverlake Conservatory of Music is a non-profit educational organization formed in California. It was founded in 2001 by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, Michael "Flea" Balzary and Keith "Tree" Barry to foster music education...
.
Equipment
Brian Pho's Equipment as of 2011:Basses
- 1985 Aria Pro II Black 'n' Gold-I
- 1994 Music Man Sting Ray Bass
- 1990 Fender Precision Bass
- 1993 Modulus Jazz Bass
Amplifiers
- Mesa Boogie D-180 Amplifier
- David Eden 4x10 XLT Cabinet
He also uses effects pedals by Morley, BOSS, Digitech, Electro-Harmonix
Electro-Harmonix
Electro-Harmonix is a New York-based company that makes high-end electronic audio processors. The company was founded by Mike Matthews in 1968. They are most famous for a series of popular guitar effects pedals introduced in the 1970s and 1990s....
, MXR.
Discography
- 12 Pound Pull - "Self-Titled" (1994)
- The Briefing Room - "Lost Recordings" [unreleased]
- Red Animal War - "Breaking In An Angel" (2001) Deep Elm Records
- Red Animal War/Slowride - "Split" (2002) Deep Elm Records
- Red Animal War - "Black Phantom Crusades" (2002) Deep Elm Records
- Red Animal War - "Seven Year War" (2006) Deep Elm Records
- Gammacide - "Victims of Science" (2006) Gamma Records [remastered reissue]
- The Numbers Twist - "Imaginary Demons" (2007) End Sounds [digital only release]
- Beta Wolf - "Dark Days" (2011) Victor Entertainment