Established in 1999

     Electrico -  Music

Great rock n’ roll music starts from a universal truth – the desire to express yourself while also believing you should be famous. At the same time it all has to start somewhere. Electrico began as an outfit called Electric Company in 1996. After playing some shows and making a name for themselves in the independent music scene in Singapore, they disbanded in 2000 amidst a record deal that never culminated and issues like National Service and professional career prospects dividing the members. Electric Company was over…but by no means finished.

In May 2003, chief songwriter David Tan, now an accomplished and popular club DJ, feels the itch to pick up his guitar and finish what he started. Phone calls are made, old fires are sparked. Desmond Goh has been playing with many different bands, honing his fine bass skills with experience; his partner-in-rhythm-section-crime William Lim Jr is a fledgling sound engineer in a recording studio, with a daily bash at the drum kit becoming a required routine. Enter Daniel Sassoon, a guitarist, whose previous semi-infamous band Livonia had just called it quits after 10 years. From the first rehearsal with this rejuvenated lineup, sparks flew and the rush was back, stronger than ever.

A new band name was needed to mark a new beginning that was undeniably tethered to passions that started brewing years ago. Electrico was settled upon as the name to bring it all down but it was clear that keyboards were needed. Amanda Ling, erstwhile of the band Throb, was talent scouted for her funky grooves, finger-hopping keyboard prowess, and undeniable cuteness. Amanda proved the perfect match, and the chemistry set was complete. Electrico became and now still is one big, happy (if not slightly demented and twisted) family.

The band didn’t believe in sticking around waiting for things to happen. In October 2003, Electrico hit Snakeweed Acoustic Labs to commence recording what was to become their debut album So Much More Inside with arguably Singapore’s most highly regarded producer cum sound engineer Leonard Soosay (Plain Sunset, Urban Xchange, CCCrush, Pug Jelly, Return To Fall) at the helm. 9 months of sessions followed, characterized by periods of intensity, exhaustion, fun, catharsis, brainstorm and a lot of vodka.

The band’s manifesto was to have the finest sounding product emerge from Singapore, to refute all the hometown prejudice faced by every local musician with regard to the quality of the songwriting and the sound recording. Meticulous near-obsessive attention was paid to detail. The warm, lifelike guitar tones - a connoisseur’s dream - were crafted through a mix n’ match of 12 different guitars, top-end tube amplifiers and a case full of various boutique effects pedals. Lush keyboards, orchestration and vibraphones were layered to seep through the thick sound.

In April 2004, Leonard took the finished mix to Marcussen Mastering studio in Hollywood USA, where world-renown mastering engineer Stephen Marcussen (REM, Incubus, Matchbox 20, Jet, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, Weezer) put the final flourishes on the album - and as a bonus, gave it his high praise to boot. The end result can only be described as HUGE and aurally stunning. It’s a complete, textured album with great songs that flow seamlessly and no filler moments. It crosses musical styles and platforms with poise and style, and it radiates with a positive, feelgood, uplifting vibe.

Universal Music Singapore apparently felt the same way too, signing the band under a licensing deal and releasing the album on 16 August 2004, their first actual local signing in years. Universal Music Australia is also simultaneously distributing the album in Australia, an exciting first for a Singapore band.

So, Electrico has suddenly shifted into overdrive. Radio stations have been plugging the infectious groovy power pop of the first single "I Want You", its chorus a giant singalong among the audience at Electrico's incendiary live shows. Every live show is a treat to watch as well as to hear, seeing the band bouncing all over the stage, scissor-kicks and all, while somehow remaining as tight as new jeans – it’s 100% rock action in all its sometimes dumb, always entertaining, fist-in-the-air glory.

Electrico is about to embark on its first overseas tour in September, to Australia, supporting their album release there. They've got a short documentary film called "Show And Tell", shot and assembled by Leonard who followed the band around for months with a videocamera, and it tells an often hilarious but heartfelt story about life-changing decisions and backstage hijinks.

The band has also just shot their first music video for the next single “Runaway”, which is currently in post-production. Electrico shuttles between rehearsals, getting and playing shows, writing new material, sussing out the next best steps to take, planning more tours, promoting their album, and winning new fans wherever they go. The story's barely begun, and the fun part is only just starting. They're driven by passion, and there's lots of fuel in the tank. Pop in the CD, turn it up, plug into this electric company and rock and roll, rock and roll.

Electrico members

Daniel Sassoon Guitars

David Tan Lead vocals, guitars

Desmond Goh Bass

Amanda Ling Keyboards

William Lim Jr Drums, backing vocals

Releases:

So Much More Inside was released on 16 Aug 04 by Universal Music Singapore. In the first week of its release, it debuted at No. 6 on the HMV Charts; a week later it’s at No. 4.

I Want You is the lead radio single, getting major playlist action on Perfect 10 98.7fm. It has charted on the Top 20 Charts on the week commencing 5 Sep 04. Power 98fm first previewed the song back in May and have brought it back on heavy rotation.

Live performances

2004:

Mon 12 July Bar None, Marriott Hotel – Exclusive Showcase

Sun 18 July Baybeats Festival, Esplanade Theatres On The Bay (+ Last Days Of April)

Sat 14 August Concert by the Bay / Singapore Fireworks Festival, Marina Promenade (+ Ashlee Simpson)

Fri 27 August HMV Instore Appearance and performance, The Heeren

Sun 29 August An Indie-Pendent Weekend, Esplanade Theatres On The Bay

Fri 17 September Esplanade Front Bar, Melbourne AU (+ Screamfeeder + The Suits + Cannon)

Sat 18 September Grainery Lane, Ballarat AU (+ Screamfeeder + The Suits)

Wed 22 September The Troubador, Brisbane AU (+ The Whats)

Thu 23 September Newcastle University, Newcastle AU (+ Screamfeeder + Gerling)

Fri 24 September Green Room, Canberra AU (+ Screamfeeder)

Sat 25 September Annandale Hotel, Sydney AU (+ Screamfeeder)

Sat 9 October LIME magazine showcase (details TBC)

Sat 16 October Cleo 10th Anniversary show, Zouk (guest band)

Wed 20 October On A Glitter Wave, University Cultural Center at National University of Singapore (+Lunarin)

Fri 22 to Sun 24 October Made In Singapore concerts, Esplanade Theatres On The Bay (exact dates TBC)

Thu 28 October Power 98 fm’s Power Band Competition Finals, Zouk (guest band)

Sat 30 October Mediacorp Subaru WRX Challenge, Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza

2003:

Thu 3 July Hard Rock Café

Sun 20 July Baybeats Festival, Esplanade Theatres On The Bay

Sat 25 August World Cyber Games, Ngee Ann City

Fri 5 September SeptFest – The Substation Anniversary, The Substation

Mon 22 September Bar None, Marriott Hotel – Monday Sessions: “The Auditions”

Thu 25 September Bar None, Marriott Hotel – Charity Night

Mon 6 October Bar None, Marriott Hotel – Monday Sessions

Mon 27 October Bar None, Marriott Hotel – Monday Sessions

Sat 13 December Stasis VI, The Substation Guinness Theatre

Wed 31 December 2003 / Thu 1 Jan 2004 New Years’ Eve concerts, Esplanade Theatres on the Bay  

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