When I was 17 years old I picked up bass after watching Iron Maiden’s ‘Live after death’ concert on video. The sight and sound of Steve Harris playing those galloping bass lines inspired me to immediately find an old acoustic guitar we had laying around unused. I pulled off the 2 bottom strings and started to learn to play by ear.
I picked up music studies immediately, bought my first bass, joined the orchestra, hung out in the music department jamming with anyone whom would play with me and started connecting with musicians for jams anywhere I could. From high school I went on to study towards the Diploma in Music at Whitiriea Community Polytechnic in Porirua under the tutelage of George Packard and Pati Umanga.
From there I have been playing music ever since. Practically all of my playing has been in the covers scene as a weekend warrior. This gives me an outlet to express myself musically whilst balancing work and family life.
I perform music regularly, it’s like a second full time job between learning songs and working gigs. I’m also open to session gigs around Aotearoa so if you need solid fill for a gig, concert or festival then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
As a bass player, finding the right strings can make all the difference in your sound and playing experience. After trying out several different brands and gauges, I have to say that the Ernie Ball 5-String Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings have become my go-to choice.
Kicking Mary are a great local Hamilton band whom play a variety of rock favourites. They called me up to fill in so I decided to take my GoPro with me to see how the night went afterwards.
Recently there was a request to perform more acoustic, less rock edge sound at our regular gig. So we’re starting our gigs with acoustic guitar, the boys swap instruments and I pay double bass.
Something Funky live at Keystone in Hamilton 27 February 2021. Emilio Bonica-King on drums/vox, Reece Gielen on guitar/vox and Brendon Moses on bass/vox.
Something Funky playing at Keystone Bar and Restaurant on Friday 22nd January (Reece Gielen on Guitar, Emilio Bonica-King on Drums and Brendon Moses on Bass).
Jamming Something Funky with Emilio and Reece at Keystone on Friday 30 October 2020. A few people out in Halloween garb, society is super weary of Covid but we are hopeful things are settling, lucky we are in NZ.
Well, Friday 25th of September was our first gig together in over a month. A Covid-19 outbreak occurred in Auckland as a region and the rest of New Zealand went into level 2 lockdown which meant no groups greater than 100 could engage.
Enjoying playing gigs again. Here’s the first hour of the gig at Keystone Bar and Restaurant here in Hamilton on 31 July. Still trying to find a decent camera angle.
