Age - You guess! Nationality - I'm mixed. My father is American, and my mother is Vietnamese. Place of Birth - Saigon, Vietnam Home - Being a military brat, I've lived everywhere. But the place I call home is Baltimore, MD. Current Residence - Santa Ana, CA. Marital Status - I have a wonderful Girlfriend and Daughter who have been very supportive in my music endeavors. Hobbies - Music, Aikido, Video Games, Reading, Camping, Sports (except Basketball, I'm too short!) Where to begin? I bought my first 45 when I was 9 years old. Dolly Parton's movie 9 to 5. Don't laugh, this was back when my family first got cable TV. I must have watched that movie 20 times since it was the only thing on. After that, I didn't buy a record for some time. Being a Military brat brought me to Wilflecken, Germany, where we were isolated from MTV and Friday Night Videos. Kids in school taught me how to breakdance. My next was Midnight Star - No Parking on the Dance floor, and several Break-dancing compilations. Friends would send us endless VCR tapes of MTV videos. This is where I became enchanted with Rock music. I was going through my rebellious faze, and this music was the answer. My next albums were Van Halen - 1984, and Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry. I went on to Ozzy Ozborn, and living in Germany made me a fan of the Scorpions. At the same time came the 80's new-wave bands, which was so Synth heavy, I didn't much care for it. I got my first guitar, a cheap Charvel, when I was 14 and living in Ft. Benning, GA. I played all of the metal at the time, such as Dokken, Mettalica, Anthrax..., but never thought I'd join a band. Although I loved the aggression, I was not drawn to the image. For that I'm glad. Metal started out as something tough and rebellious, but by the late 80's turned into wimpy power ballads. It was at this time I turned away from rock. I became hooked on Rap like everyone else, listening to NWA, BDP, Public Enemy, etc. I still played guitar, but didn't think the instrument had much of a future. That's when I started getting into Indie bands and Alternative music. The late 80's and early 90's created a flood of alternative minded musicians who didn't quite fit into the mainstream ideas about music. Bands like The Cure, The Smiths, Blur, Charlatans UK, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Stone Roses, and my favorite, U2. These bands re-awakened my interest in rock guitar. These bands showed me that you didn't have to be the fastest guitar player, or have the largest amplifier, to make good, original, and creative music. Today, I continue to seek out new and creative music of all realms. I've also developed a passion for jazz music, and study jazz guitar with my instructor Stu Goodis.

Personal View

I have always been bothered by the fact that there is very little "creative" music in the Asian and particularly Vietnamese Community. Sure there are bands who write and compose original music, but I have yet to be moved by their creative nature. On numerous occasions I've walked into Vietnamese music stores asking for their Rock section, to which I receive blank stares. I see rebellious Asian youth making a stand, and adopting the alternative path everyday. Their numbers are growing, and I feel connected with them. Black April was created with that vision in mind. To defiantly go against the Asian mainstream, and welcome all artists with the vision of creativity and acceptance for their non-mainstream views. It was tough at first to find others that shared my views.      I placed ads all over the internet in the hopes of finding others like me, when I came across an Ad placed by Tyler Phan. In a funny coincedence, I had communication with Tyler once before when I had almost given up on original music and was looking to join a wedding band. Nothing against wedding bands because at least these guys make a living doing what I love... playing music, I just could never shake the need to Rock. I fell out of touch with Tyler after meeting with him at various wedding gigs, and eventually lost his telephone number. Now here was his ad looking to find the same creative outlet as I was. With our contact renewed, we began our quest to find others to share our vision and create that music with us. I am a guitar player, but I dislike the title "lead" guitarist. I simply play the guitar. If the music calls for a lead, I'm more than capable, but I will not sacrifice the integrity of a song in order to try and impress people with some technical virtuosity. I love effects, and the ambiance they bring, although I try to keep the effects to a minimum. Some of my influences are Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Gilmour, Django Rheinhard, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, John Scofield, Miles Davis, Tim Mahoney (311), Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, DaveSchelzel (The Ocean Blue), Robert Smith (The Cure), Johnny Marr (The Smiths), John Frusciante (the Red Hot Chili Peppers), Page Hamilton (Helmet), Frank Gambale, too many metal guitarists of which I can't even begin to list, and whose influence I'll never be able to shake, and last but not least - The Edge (U2), who made me sit up and re-evaluate the role of guitar in a rock band.                                                                                                    Email to john@blackapril.com Copyright © Black April 2002-2003. All Rights Reserved.