'Traintown Blues', the group's debut album, is dedicated to the memory of our drummer buddy Bernard Leo (1958-2005). Contact us at archtopsoul@gmail.com if you're interested in the CD. Check out clips from the album HERE.
Current lineup: RS (guitars, bass, keyboards,vocals, programming), JSL (bass), JD (drums).
Lyrics
10. Go Bike (The Cycling Song)
He had his faults - he was as human as all of us, after all - but in many ways he was better than most of us, as he hardly ever raised his voice, never bore a grudge, and was as helpful as he could possibly be to anyone who sought his assistance.
We - Leo, Ajaya, Raja, Mathi, Haniff and me - were firm friends during our teenage years, most of which we spent obsessing about music that ran the gamut from mainstream and quirky pop (Elton John, the Sparks, Loggins & Messina...) to blues and progressive rock (Led Zeppelin, Queen, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Rick Wakeman, ELP, Yes...).
We were an odd bunch, cycling and clowning around on modded bicycles and going on camping trips that turned out to be mirthful non-adventures.
Unlike the others, Leo was fairly even-tempered, which made him a natural moderator in petty quarrels that arose. He wasn't always successful in solving the mainly juvenile issues, but he was not one to be easily daunted or discouraged.
All of us were astounded when Leo joined the Police Force as a probationary inspector, but when he rose to the rank of Assistant Superintendent and carved out a niche as a no-nonsense prosecutor with many successful cases, we realised that he had found his true calling.
At the time of his death, Leo had risen to the rank of Deputy Superintendent and was in charge of a Police Field Force contingent in Kota Kinabalu.
The last time I saw him - about six months ago - Leo seemed cheerful and hardly showed any trace of illness. Unsurprisingly, it was difficult to shut him up each time the conversation turned to Led Zeppelin.
It was a shock when more than three months ago we discovered that he was terminally ill. Not one to give up easily, Leo took treatment in his stride and was in a cheerful mood when I spoke to him more than two weeks ago.
I mentioned my idea of writing a book about the railway roots of our hometown, Prai, and he brightened up at the prospect, expressing keen interest in the project and remarking that he knew some old railway people in Kota Kinabalu who had worked in Prai.
Two days ago, a friend of his based in Parit Buntar called to tell me that Leo was in a bad way. A day later, Leo had gone "gentle into that good night".
We will all miss Leo, a kind soul we're all proud to have known and been good friends with.
Leo, we know you will be reunited with your long-lost dad and jamming with John Bonham in music heaven. Have the time of your life, mate!
Bernard Leo, 1958-2005
