Hearing just a few chords of the searing guitar is enough to understand why Alex Peters is called Malaysia's rock machine. Peters, a guitar virtuoso who has been delighting local audiences for years, is one of Malaysia's best known pub singers.
If you weren't a musician, what would you be?
An Artist
You have a 1960s look - laced up leather pants and pointy shoes - and much of the music you play is from that decade. Is this because they don't write songs like that anymore?
It's an unconscious thing, really. We always underestimate the power of the subconscious and the way it has absorbed the visuals. The elements of Peter Pan, Jethro Tull, Grand Funk Railroad and Sherlock Holmes come as a surprise to myself.
What do you think of today's music, like rap and techno? Do they have a future?
I do like some of the rap music that's out. I can't help think that the first person to discover techno music was feeling the beat of his own palpitating heart. But how the sound of five hours of a stuffed bass drum can capture the imagination is a little beyond me. It seems that computer guys can throw a little of whatever they can get their hands on and mix this with a few words to make it sound like some great depth of work has gone into the composition.
Who would form your dream super group?
My dream super group would be Steve Vai (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass), John Lord (keyboards), Ian Anderson (flute), Ian Paice (drums) and Ian Gillan (lead vocals). I even have a name for us - The Ancient Mesopotamian Colophon.
What type of songs do you normally write? Do you have any particular message or themes?
I write Celtic raga rock - no one is doing it yet so I could start a trend. I describe this as the attitude of traditional rock blended with the exotic sounds of Indian tablas. Hovering over all of this are the strains of traditional Celtic sounds.
When you're home, whom do you listen to?
Jethro Tull, from 1968 onwards. My favourite albums are 'Passion Play', 'Minstrel in the Gallery', 'Songs from the Wood' and of course, 'Thick as a Brick'. For contemporary music I like alternate rock bands like: Blur, Third Eye Blind, Gin Blossoms and the Spin Doctors.
What's the most frustrating thing about being a musician?
Rehearsing for a solid year with a three to six piece band only to split up soon after.
What's the best thing about it?
Being able to make people happy with the material you play. But the ultimate pleasure would be, of course, to making exactly the type of music you love, creating a market and being paid well for this.
Why haven't you made any recordings?
I put down about one hour of music on tape and play it to select friends and musicians. I am still laying down new material in the hope that someday it will be picked up by the right person to be heard by appreciative audiences.
What's your music philosophy?
Sparks fly when the true chord is struck on the inside.
If music was playing in a forest and there was no one to hear it, would there still be music?
There is no music if there is no one to offer you in return their smiles and tears for it.
Going Places INNERVIEW - February 2000
