david johnstone
When David
noticed the beat up old Entrio copy of a Fender Precision bass guitar in the
back room of his high school music class, a certain feeling came over him.
The room, which was designated to hold most of the instruments that would
end up in a dumpster, seemed to vibrate with a weird energy. There was a
predestined magic there. To David, it was the feeling of liberation- not for
the self, but for the instrument and the hold it would soon have over young
David’s life. After purchasing his first instrument from his music teacher,
David began to teach himself to play, playing along to progressive rock
records and being proud to say he’d only ever had one official music lesson-
on guitar. Thus began the 16 year old’s road of discovery, gratification,
and self-discipline that has lasted over 19 years.
The instrument’s subtleties didn’t come easily to David. Impatience led to
much frustration- not just with the instrument, but both sonically and
physically to David. This frustration has drawn in all those around him at
times. Nonetheless, he has carried on with the bass guitar to this day and
has grafted together a unique playing style based on his belief in raw
ability. Some call him talented… He just calls it hard work. Indeed, it’s
this search for a unique tone, combined with his love of electronics (both
old and new technologies) that have made David the player he is today.
A man of unique taste and vision, his style borders on the old school style
of melodic “lead bass” playing while at the same time excelling at holding
down the bottom line and groove. At the drop of a hat, he may abandon proper
playing styles and create huge noise experiments that can suit whatever
sonic territory Silmica may venture into. His style, combined with an open
willingness (and ability) to improvise has actually got him fired from the
previous bands. His improvisations in the early years were quite
experimental and discordant at times. This was a mirror of his inner
feelings however, and it didn’t always fit into the traditional mold of most
cover bands. This lead to many heated arguments with band members and
friends about how the instrument should fit in a song or what it should
sound like. Even to this day, many consider David’s guitar-like, abstract
approach to the instrument a little too progressive and forward for standard
bar-band fare. So his style and innovation have not been developed without
cost.
It's obvious to assume that in a project like Silmica, his attitude towards
cover bands and songs mirrors that of Jeff’s- ignore the majority and go for
the sounds in the head. “Every note or sound must count in the song. It must
have a meaning in a song or part, or it’s not worth being played!” Strong
words, with a will to back them up! David the player insists that he’s a
“good bass guitar player” rather than just a “good bassist.”