Comments on San Fadyl: San

good

2008-11-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

good

People should read this.

2008-11-11T17:47:00.000-08:00

People should read this.

San's warmth and kindness was shared generously an...

2008-08-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

San's warmth and kindness was shared generously and without judgment. He made the world a better place. I was saddened to learn of his passing and will remember him fondly.

Hello I just entered before I have to leave to the...

2008-01-03T05:18:00.000-08:00

Hello I just entered before I have to leave to the airport, it's been very nice to meet you, if you want here is the site I told you about where I type some stuff and make good money (I work from home): here it is

love, moog, san, ldbg trsnt forever

2007-11-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

love, moog, san, ldbg trsnt forever

Much love, San.

2007-09-07T01:55:00.000-07:00

Much love, San.

is there an online memorial or obituary in memoria...

2007-08-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

is there an online memorial or obituary in memoriam of San Fadyl since cant see in http://www.tolive4ever.com
regards

Having been off the radar for quite some time I on...

2007-07-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

Having been off the radar for quite some time I only just heard about this tragic occurence.

San will always be remembered by me for being the guy with the biggest, warmest, most genuine smile and a heart to match.Each time I met him he made the time so much better, filling it with stories and making everyone feel at ease.

I truly will miss you. Hope you have found what we all seek.

So sad to here about San. I met him (and had the p...

2007-06-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

So sad to here about San. I met him (and had the pleasure of loaning him my drums) a few years back when my band supported LT at the Arts Cafe in London. He made much better use of them than I ever could and what's more he was a really nice chap to boot. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and bandmates.
Phil Kicker.

San you silly fuck...what a drag for the rest of u...

2007-06-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

San you silly fuck...what a drag for the rest of us left here...hope you are ok where you are and still working on that elvin jones shit....keep sending love and good vibes to your family they will need it for a good while yet..

keep having fun on that next leg of the journey....

see you 'round some time mate!

peace, san.will miss you.erlend

2007-05-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

peace, san.
will miss you.

erlend

I will always remember San's good vibes and fantas...

2007-05-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

I will always remember San's good vibes and fantastic drumming. He was great. I'm very sad to hear of his passing.

I will toast to San tonight one of the great peopl...

2007-05-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

I will toast to San tonight one of the great people whom when I met made me happy and excited to be living in New York. My fondest memories of him are with Individual Fruit Pie and Gillian and JC, his wit and infectious grin will stay with me always.
A man of character.

My deepest sympathys for Bri and Liam

This is really damned sad . San was such a nice sm...

2007-05-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is really damned sad . San was such a nice smliing person and a cool drummer ... I really send my sincere condoleances to his wife, and family ... San rock us from up there ... Much Love . Laurence . Zürich

So sad to lose such a lovely guy but so glad I kne...

2007-05-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

So sad to lose such a lovely guy but so glad I knew him. Condolences to San's family.

good night san. we'll miss you xx

2007-05-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

good night san. we'll miss you xx

I first met San through JC somehow, when Individua...

2007-05-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

I first met San through JC somehow, when Individual Fruit Pie were still playing, but I never really experienced San until JC and I were recording our first record at my apartment in Park Slope, and San kindly came in to add some drums to a few tracks. I barely knew what i was doing, really, just miking the kit with the traditional el cheapo three-mic method (kick, two overheads right and left), and using lousy mics to boot, recording on my little Pentium III with Cubase, which I hardly knew how to use, and consequently blowing takes, starting and stopping, etc., all of which bothered San not a whit. In fact, he kept up a steady stream of amusing banter, and nailed every take, and always with a tasteful, well-thought-out phrase or flourish on the kit. He even bore my explicit directions regarding what to play where with good-humored grace, even though he could have probably come up with far better things to play than i told him to...on the other hand, he wouldn't carry his own drums! I noticed his precision regarding whether and when to play just ahead or just behind the beat. I also noticed his uniform of black jeans, black jacket, black T-shirt reading (if I recall correctly) "Fuck You, I have enough friends". He was one of the most fun people I've ever had the privilege of working with.

When, soon after the record was finished, JC and I visited Zurich on our first earth-shaking tour of Switzerland, San and Bri very kindly put us up, and it was then I really found out what a unique person San was. I fondly recall our strolls around town, how he pointed out the best points of the old city to me. I fondly recall his blasting "Back in Black" to us in the little garden yard behind their apartment in Zurich, exulting in the magnificent simplicity of its famous opening lick; then, the same weekend, enthusiastically introducing me to The Clientele's music, knowing it would show me something related to the stuff I was writing, which I had just played him. I fondly recall his self-election in the club of "losers", of which we were all happy members.

I loved his great way of spitting out "Prat!" so that the 't' was like an actual puncture. Everyone was punctured when he spoke, even, and especially, those he admired. I loved how positive and negative responses were all so tangled together in him. Hanging out with him became simply a way to be yourself, because he was so himself, so unconcerned with how people took him. Yet he had a quiet , firm integrity about his manners, his musicianship, and his duties. He lived by a code.

He loved music, and he loved people, and when he bitched about everything, it was with love.

I feel lucky to have known him. I always felt life was a bit magical when I was with him. Maybe that was partly the effect of his amazing, glossy hair. He inspired me.

I will miss him.

Last Wednesday, I learned of the tragic death of o...

2007-05-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, I learned of the tragic death of one of my closest, dearest friends, San Fadyl. I'd like to offer some of my fondest memories and thoughts about this extraordinary human being.
A visit from San to Marlborough Farms, either to rehearse for an upcoming tour or to record new songs was always anticipated as a very special occasion. This past October, I was pleasantly surprised when Gary told me that San had decided to fly over from Zurich just to finish up some recording work for the latest album.
When I arrived at the Farm, San, sitting at the kitchen table, rose to give me his characteristic big, warm hug. After the normal catching-up-after-some-months, he began talking about a broken Moog synthesizer module he'd brought with him all the way from Zurich for me to repair. I felt honored that he'd chosen me to perform whatever "surgery" it required.
Some of you may know that San was also an avid music synthesist. He and I had many discussions and listening sessions over the years about notable synthesists such as Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and, I think, our most revered such musician, Larry Fast, who recorded many great albums under the "Synergy" rubric.
San and I shared very similar views on political, social, and international issues. I was always impressed by how much knew about history and current events. At one point, he gave me an insightful, concise history of the entire Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
San was also extremely articulate. I recall laughing with Gary & San about San's indignation about Americans' use of the past tense of the verb "to learn." "Learned!?", he exclaimed. "What the hell's that?! It's learnt! It's the King's English!"
In the days before emails became common, San would write Gary and me letters with penmanship befitting a master calligrapher.
San was genuinely kind, warm and generous, those loveable traits others have already mentioned. But I've come to realize that the reason why I personally felt so close to San arose from the many wonderful, rewarding experiences we shared, partaking in the activity I love more than anything else - helping to create music. As the "tech" at Marlborough Farms, and Gary Olson's long-time recording partner, I've had the privilege of recording San during the creation of four of the last five Ladybug Transistor records.
San's level of professionalism always made my job much easier. He knew how to maintain his drum kit and tune his drums meticulously. He had a keen sense of pitch, timing, and the many subtleties of fine drumming. Those many skills resulted from his practicing for many hours each day, which qualified him, in my mind, as a true virtuoso musician.
I especially loved San's Paiste cymbals, which he bought when visiting the Paiste factory in Switzerland. San was very proud of those cymbals - justifiably so - and always kept them well-polished. I would walk in the front door at Marlborough Farms, and instantly recognize the beautiful sound of San playing those cymbals in the studio.
San was somewhat of a traditionalist about his drums, particularly with regard to the kick (or bass) drum. Until recently, he always insisted on keeping both heads on the kick - intact and properly tuned, of course. (That would sometimes drive live sound folks crazy, when they'd struggle to get a decent bass drum sound with no feedback!)
I'd always joke with San that I had a box-cutter knife ready & waiting to cut a hole in the front head of his kick to insert a mic into the drum, so we could get a tighter sound that was more appropriate for some songs. For the latest record, he finally did agree to remove the entire front head of the kick....for at least some of the time, anyway!
Last fall, to thank me for my repair of his Mooger Fooger, San treated me to a delicious dim sum feast at his favorite Chinatown rendezvous. Driving back to the Farm, we talked at length about the art of cooking. - its interesting similarity to electronic work, both of which require great finesse to achieve good results. San spoke of his love for Thai cuisine, describing for me how to make a "bird's nest" from deep-fried julienned potatoes, and informing me about golonga, a ginger-like root (in appearance only) that is a star ingredient in any great Thai coconut soup.
On arriving back at the Farm, still happily sated from our Chinatown dinner, we went inside to reflect a while about world politics, "Geedubya" (Bush) , "Umerica" (a couple of San's classic expressions). I also told San about some future, exciting improvements I'd planned for the studio.
When I finally left that night, San followed me out to my car. We exchanged the usual big, warm hugs... and I drove off, filled with good food and warm friendship, with absolutely no inkling that I'd never see San again - never again commiserate with him, never again laugh with him, and never again hear him play those sweet Paiste cymbals.
I'll miss San greatly for a long time. My thoughts and prayers are tonight with Brigit and Liam.
San, if there is a God, may It bless you and keep you for all time, old friend!

When people die I feel sad. I love LT and everyone...

2007-05-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

When people die I feel sad. I love LT and everyone should buy their records! R.I.P.

although we only spent the equivalent of about 3 w...

2007-05-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

although we only spent the equivalent of about 3 weeks together in total if feels a lot longer. i think that's because touring time seems more intense than real time. 3 tours; australia, denmark, norway.
i was part of the ladybug 'traveling wilburys' line-up. 5 guitars, all guys.
my memories of san...
him sleeping on my lounge room floor in sunglasses, taking 2 hours in my shower, trying to convince me of his age while appearing 10 years younger, whipping us all into shape in rehearsals and berating our time wasting, keeping me grounded with 'who the fuck do you think you are? darren fucking hanlon' on numerous occasions, but most of all the drumming...
i played a short set at pop revo in aahus and san gladly accompanied me without knowing any of the songs. that was so much fun.
anyway, mate, i'll never forget it
from
darren hanlon

This news makes me so incredibly sad. San will be ...

2007-05-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

This news makes me so incredibly sad. San will be missed so much by many music lovers all over the world. My deepest sympathies to the Ladybugs, San's family and friends.

Love,
Marisha in Brooklyn

i met san back in the late 90s at a ladybug show. ...

2007-05-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

i met san back in the late 90s at a ladybug show. i wasn't sure of his gender from the stage. i played with him for the first time on the kevin ayers sessions, maybe 2 years ago now. playing with him, he immediately blew me away. just a feel thing. i did two tours with him recently. i sleep like the dead and he snored like a train, so we often roomed together. many a night i listened, rapt, to his philosophizing, and his political thoughts. such a well-spoken, funny, generous, gentle soul san was. he invited me to "swizzy" in january to record some music with him. i was hanging out in norway and france and didn't make it--a fact that is difficult for me to think about now. when san gave a compliment, i knew it was sincere and considered. on a tour of spain in november he told me, "you're kicking my ass every night", which he clarified for me as inspiring him to play better. what a great feeling. san taught me many things about playing music, and in the process he helped me to come to know my playing better and to improve. a lot about feel and listening to each other. about what not to play. i was seeing a european woman until recently and he loved to encourage any slight ex-pat thoughts i was having. i feel like he did exactly what he wanted to do in life. he gave great advice to me on many occasions, about anything and everything. he listened like very few can. he probably could have been anything he wanted to be in life. it pains me to think about, but we got in a stupid little email argument in march, my fault, of course, but he forgave me and told me in eloquent words how he understand what i was feeling and why i was annoyed with him. this is the kind of advice he gave me: "I am GLAD that you told me you were pissed off.... holding dark emotions is not a good idea. Most of the time, anything can be resolved. Even if only agreeing to differ. I've seen so many friendships damaged as a result of lack of honesty (even brutal ones are okay between friends.... at least in my opinion)." he signed his last email to me "your dad drummer friend" and told me he loved me. i wish i could see him again so bad. i hate it so much that he's dead. but i guess we just have to remember how well he lived his life, and all the things he taught us. i was so lucky to call him a friend and to play with him. -Ben Crum

San,You will always be with me in heart, mind, and...

2007-05-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

San,

You will always be with me in heart, mind, and spirit. I remember so many times at Luna Lounge we would find a moment to share a comment, an observation (plenty of those), and a little time together...

Rob Sacher

I feel terribly shocked about San's death. San was...

2007-05-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

I feel terribly shocked about San's death. San was one of the kindest persons I have ever known, always smiling and joking. He was a great drummer. My thoughts are to his family and the Ladybugs.

The news of San’s passing is extremely sad. I nev...

2007-05-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

The news of San’s passing is extremely sad. I never met the man but on every occasion that I saw the Ladybugs, I was impressed by his skills on the skins and especially by the radiant and infectious smile he always seemed to wear. You could never fail to appreciate the music when the drummer so clearly enjoyed playing it. Condolences to his family and to his bandmates.