Dennis Glenn Fabunan

Dennis Glenn Fabunan – LIKE FATHER LIKE UNCLE

When you are the scion of one of the Pinoy Rock deities of the 70’s,  you have no recourse but to make your skills at par or better than your father and uncle. This is what Dennis Glenn Fabunan did.
Jun Fabunan, Resty’s brother and Maria Cafra’s original bass player, died of a heart attack in 2002.  As strange as it may sound, he died on stage, jamming with a group of doctors. “Akala namin naiihi lang si Papa, kase hawak nya yun lower extremities nya, yun pala heart attack na”, declares Dennis. It was Jun’s son Dennis, who had followed in his father’s footsteps and had been the bass player for many groups. It was he, who was instrumental in luring Resty back from retirement.
 “I grew up in Las Piñas and studied in PWU and took up Conservatory of Music. I started playing guitar last 2000. My father bought me a guitar and some guitar effects. He taught me the rudiments in guitar-playing. Ayaw nya ako turuan mag bass guitar kse boring daw”, chuckles Dennis.
Does Dennis reckon his father and uncle are famous musician when be was young? “Naalala ko sinasama ako ni papa sa  gig nya sa Olongapo. Then si Tito Resty hanga ako kase magiling mag gitara. Si papa tahimik lang siya..hindi mayabang, most memorable nung nag jamming kami sa birthday party ng pinsan ko and naalala ko tinugtog nya ung ‘Tayo’y Mag Rock And Roll’. And most of the time pag may bago siyang kanta, ako una niyang tatawagin para iparinig sa akin”, remembers Dennis.
It was his friends Manfred Ronquillo and Bernie Duran who fine tuned Dennis’ bass playing skills. And it really paid off. “Naging member ako ng Wuds for 5 years and after that Maria Cafra. I played also for Gary Perez. When Sandara Park had her concert, I was also tapped to play. And later on, I completed the ensemble for ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ during my stint in ABS-CBN”, relays Dennis.
Glenn, as he is also called by close friends, also did a tour with Hotdogs in Australia with Rene Garcia. When Dan Hill had his concert here, he was also tapped as a session musician. His last band that he belonged to was The Stoney Burke Project. Not too many people knew this, he also arrange music for other artists that would employ his help.
His influences? “Siyempre una  dyan  si Papa, grabe bass lines nya sa mga kanta ng Maria Cafra, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller and locally si Bobby Taylo”, declares Dennis. His instruments include a Fender Jazz Bass, a Washburn lyon series and a Tune bass.
Currently, the Sound Engineer of GMA 7, Dennis still has a few tricks up his sleeves musically. “I relax by listening to Jazz and Soul”, says Dennis. His tips on new bands who want to make it in the music industry, “Focus on their chosen craft, practice is the key and stay humble. Also, stay in one band, there are many musicians out there that have 2 to 3 bands at the same time. Mawawala focus nila pag ganun”, advises Dennis.