Brian Pho

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Brian Pho performing with Gammacide
Brian Pho performing with Gammacide

Brian Pho (born 1976) is an Vietnamese American bassist known for his work with the band Red Animal War. He has also lent helping hand to various other bands, most notable are Texas thrash metal kings Gammacide and underground Texas alt-rock favorites Doosu (founding member Casey Hess of Doosu currently plays guitar in The Burden Brothers).

Contents

[edit] Biography

Brian Pho was born to Vietnamese parents one year after the Fall of Saigon. He began to build interest in playing music when he was a teenager. His father, although not a musician, was an aficionado of folk music and disco, and often played it around the Phó household along with traditional Vietnamese music. He also recalls listening to his sister's New Wave albums as he was growing up. After a practical joke gone too far when his jr. high school friends fooled a teacher into believing they were the (seminal Californian punk rock band) The Adolescents, life began to imitate art when Phó started learning the basics of the bass guitar. At age 14, his style was influenced by such players as Cliff Burton, Flea, Simon Gallup, Brian Baker, and Eric Avery.

[edit] Red Animal War History

Biography by MacKenzie Wilson All Music Guide

"The indie rock outfit Red Animal War came together in 1999 with musical friends Justin Wilson (guitar/vocals), Jeff Wilganowski (drums), Brian Pho (bass), and Matt Pitman (guitar). They've perfected their emocore style for something charming and desirable, allowing Deep Elm to take interest in the band and inking them a deal in late 1999. They spent most of 2000 recording in Deedle's Room in Austin, TX, recording what would become a full-length studio effort. The fruit of those sessions was Breaking in an Angel (2001,) plus a split disc with Slowride. The next year, the more complex and ferocious Black Phantom Crusades was released in the fall."

Red Animal War 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.

Although Red Animal War seem to be on an hiatus, the members continue to remain active with various projects in music and film. Please see related links.

Brian currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and publishes under the SESAC name Asian Sin.

His current projects include Hànoi and The Numbers Twist, as well as appearances as a session musician.

[edit] Technique and Equipment

Brian Phó's Equipment as of 2006:

Basses

  • 1994 Custom Music Man Sting Ray Bass
  • 1990 Fender Precision Bass
  • 1993 Modulus Jazz Bass

Amplifiers

  • David Eden Highwayman Amplifier
  • David Eden 4x10 XLT Cabinet

He also uses effects pedals by Morley, BOSS, Digitech, Electro-Harmonix, MXR.

[edit] Discography

Here is a list of albums on which Phó has appeared:

  • 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]

[edit] External links