Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch

Latest Episodes:

John 5 Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

John 5 has been the go-to guitarist for an incredibly varied list of people you know (Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Avril Lavigne, Rob Halford, k.d. lang, Garbage, Meat Loaf, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, and even Lynyrd Skynyrd). Greg and John get into his journey and his gear!
2:23 - Ahhh the sweet, sweet solace of the guitar
4:21 - Growing up in Michigan, playing dive bars, the grace of his parent’s support, and staying clean while hoofing it broke it Hollywood
14:13 - TELECASTERS!!!! - An homage to SRV and Jimi Hendrix, John’s Fender endorsement, his favorite Tele, and thought on amps
37:50 - The John 5 signature Telecaster
42:37 - John’s first professional gig with KD Lang
45:30 - John’s look, and how it came to be
50:02 - John’s Instagram success and performance hilarity
51:51 - John during COVID times, his new album, and the joys of touring
Total Length: 65:42

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Wildwood Guitars
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Ariel Posen Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

Season 3 is off to a great start with Ariel! Known for his stunning solo releases and also his time with The Bros. Landreth, Ariel is one of the most popular and lauded modern guitarists out there. Greg gets deep with Ariel regarding his musical journey, techniques, and gear. Enjoy the ride as Season 3 gets going with Ariel Posen!

2:17 - Greg’s influence on Ariel in his early days via his “Best of Stevie Ray Vaughan” video
4:46 - Growing up in Winnipeg as a player and musician — ‘What’s in the water??’
14:37 - The turning point for Ariel as a ‘professional musician’ — transitioning out of high school and working part-time jobs to diving head first into playing full-time
16:58 - Ariel’s musical and slide guitar inspired influences
25:22 - Ariel’s main guitar, favorite fuzz pedal, slide tricks, and everything in between
48:01 - Ariel’s time during COVID
70:42 - Releasing music in today’s modern age
Total Length: 86:59

Gil Parris Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

New York guitar player of doom Gil Parris has played with Dr. John, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Diane Schuur, and Bernie Williams. Along with being a sideman, he's equally known for leading his own projects. Greg and Gil talk about his signature Reverend guitar (with Fishman Fluence Single-Width pickups), Gil's musical journey, and other gristle of all flavors!

2:12 - Gil Parris during the pandemic: solo performances, group performances, finding oneself busier than anticipated, and thoughts on the guitar years of yesterday vs today
10:58 - Gil’s fascination with jazz, how it assimilated into his playing, and splitting duties between solo artist and professional side-man
26:17 - Gil’s signature guitar from Reverend Guitars, and his favorite amps for studio and stage
29:07 - Greg’s new obsession with Jef Lee Johnson, and what it was like for Gil to develop his own unique voice in the New York guitar scene
34:11 - Gil’s relationship with guitarist and baseball player Bernie Williams, and thoughts on performing in this new stage of the pandemic
39:27 - Site-reading horror stories
50:45 - What’s on the horizon for Gil - new videos, new guitars, and more!
Total Length: 67:58

Webb Wilder Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

Hattiesburg, Mississippi's own Webb Wilder is well known for deftly walking the musical ground between rock 'n' roll and progressive country. An accomplished guitarist and performer, he's also an actor and longtime DJ. Webb and Greg cover where he's at after this crazy year, and what the future holds. Of course, they also talk gear!
1:30 - Webb’s time during the pandemic - two birthdays, an album release, streaming shows
3:44 - ‘Americana’ and ‘Rock N Roll’ - Webb’s definition, the general energy around the genre, and creative freedom found within
8:46 - A few cool musicians on Webb’s radar
13:28 - The history of Webb Wilder - influences, inspirations, and a whole lot more
21:42 - Nashville - the music scene vs the homestead scene
24:18 - The pros and cons off live-streaming, and the life-long sickness that is gear procurement
47:41 - Pedalboards versus plug-and-play, and more guitar-talk
59:16 - Bringing gear when touring in Europe versus renting, and Webb’s on-the-go bag
63:20 - The future of the road for Webb
Total Length: 76:03

Willy Porter Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

Willy is an acoustic guitar wizard, bending his incredible technique and unconventional style to the will of his muse for over 20 years now. Greg and Willy talk about rigs, influences, Wisconsin, fequencies, and the emergence of musicians from the pandemic.
2:41 - Willy’s understanding of sound frequencies, and how to communicate with a front of house engineer
5:17 - Life as a musician as we drift out of the pandemic, the interesting phenomenon of live-streaming performances, and living with uncertainty as a musical professional
13:14 - Willy’s influences as a player and musician
22:16 - Record deals, recording companies, and Willy’s choice to live in Wisconsin
31:55 - Willy’s upcoming full-band project
33:51 - Willy’s acoustic rig, and how it’s evolved over the years
43:40 - Recording to tape versus digital - the mindset, the sound, the feel
56:51 - Willy’s immediate future
Total Length: 63:35

Daryl Stuermer Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Daryl has been the exceptional touring guitarist/bassist with Genesis since 1977 (42 years), and Phil Collins' main guitarist since his first solo album. Besides digging into his time with both, Greg and Daryl talk about his early years with Jean Luc Ponty, Gino Vannelli, and Daryl's solo project, and also what it's like for a touring musician to live in Milwaukee!
1:11 - Moments before the pandemic, the near-reuniting of Genesis, and how the band prepares for rehearsal
7:51 - Daryl’s gear on the road with Genesis, his new Mesa Badlander and Godin guitars, and the power of in-ear monitors
11:09 - How improvisation plays into a Genesis show
13:16 - Daryl’s early days on guitar - influences, style, and early bands with his brother
20:02 - How Daryl got tied into working with Genesis, and the importance of preparation
31:31 - Recording "In the Air Tonight"
33:26 - The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
34:34 - Phil Collins as a drummer - whoa
39:55 - Adjusting to the ascent to playing with Rock ’n Roll royalty, and having to shift his style to accommodate the needs
45:51 - Daryl’s transition back to Milwaukee
51:19 - Daryl’s solo project
Total Length: 68:42

Shonn Hinton Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

Shonn has received accolades for his guitar work with many superstars, including Mary J Blige, John Legend, Jill Scott, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Patti LaBelle, Gym Class Heroes, and Carol King. His own Milwaukee-based band Shotgun has been making waves nationally. Greg and Shonn get into the details of the many facets of Shonn's musical life!
1:45 - The pandemic, and Shonn’s focus on his solo project ‘Shonn Hinton & Shotgun’
6:33 - Shonn’s relationship with guitarist and ‘CTG’ guest Scott Sharrard, that time Greg Koch filled in for Shonn at his church gig, and the beauty of Gospel music
15:34 - Shonn’s transition from playing in the Church to playing R&B with Mary J. Blige & John Legend
23:05 - Playing with Mary J. Blige - no charts, preparation, and vibe - and the gear involved (it’ll surprise you)
34:52 - Jill Scott, and the freedom she allowed her band
36:57 - How Shonn juggles his schedule, his business mindset as a writer and arranger, and playing recently with Jubu Smith
51:33 - The future is bright for Shonn Hinton
59:59 - What new music has Shonn excited
Total Length: 69:36

Scott Sharrard Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Scott is no stranger to big stages, as he was Gregg Allman's guitarist and musical director until his death, and is now the newest member of Little Feat. An incredible guitarist and singer, Sharrard's musical journey started long before his time with these venerable bands. Greg and Scott get into the details!
2:36 - Scott’s home and creative anchor: The Rust Belt, and musical influence of Southern Roots music
10:36 - Growing up with a singer-songwriter father, records and guitars scattered around the house, and the support of loving parents
18:14 - The love of Roots music, Guitar Gods Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix, and the true lessons taken from arguably the greatest generation of guitar players
35:24 - Scott’s transition to New York, and his plan to make music happen amidst a difficult cultural and political background
42:02 - Scott’s connection with Gregg Allman and Peter Frampton, and the glory of The Alllman Brothers and Humble Pie
60:30 - Scott’s time with The Allman brothers - challenges and successes
Total Length: 85:57

Duke Levine Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Duke is a guitarist's guitarist, known for his melodic virtuosity and classic tone. He draws six-string enthusiasts from far and wide to his frequent shows in Boston when he isn't on the road or in the studio with artists such as Peter Wolf, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dennis Brennan, Slaid Cleaves, and The J Geils Band to name a few. Greg and Duke talk about his upbringing, Patreon and Social Media, Amps, Telecasters, Practicing, Hendrix's Snickers Bars, and Boston.
2:13 - Jeff Beck, Les Paul, a memorable performance, and Duke’s take on one of Greg’s favorite tunes “Love & Peace”
7:44 - Duke’s early inspirations, influences, and familial connection to music
13:00 - Duke’s Patreon account, thoughts on social media as a professional musician, and live-streaming
22:01 - The Koch Amp, and some good ol’ pedal talk
29:21 - How Duke’s splitting his time between his band vs performing with other artists, and what lured him ultimately to the Telecaster
45:35 - String gauge, Jimi Hendrix, and Snickers
50:50 - Practice vs play
63:34 - Repertoire talk - what you know and when you whip it out
68:52 - Duke’s decision to live and remain in Boston throughout his career
Total Length: 76:03

Chris Buck Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

One of YouTube's most popular guitar heroes, Chris is known for his stellar guitar playing (Guitarist Magazine's 2020 Best Blues Guitarist) along with the wit and insight he brings to his weekly, self-produced "Friday Fretwork" series. Greg and Chris dive into a little of everything: influences, tone, fatherhood, vintage pickups - P-90s, and vintage guitars!
1:30 - Cardinal Black, the coming together and working into the studio with Steve Winwood
4:59 - Life during lockdown: how Chris spends his time (Friday Fretwork on YouTube, band rehearsals, brand endorsements, and anything to avoid getting a proper job)
7:32 - Touring, and how it fits in the mind of a new dad
11:49 - How would the younger version of Chris look at Chris now?
16:47 - Influences - from guitar players and bands to the inspiration of Chris’ father
24:41 - Tone - the early days, and how it’s evolved over time
32:26 - The playing of Eric Clapton, its power, inspiration, and growth over time
44:53 - The importance of being flexible in the ability to play different types of guitars, from Fender to Rickenbacker
53:48 - The allure and beauty of P-90 pickups
63:27 - Gibson ES-335’s, an undeniably delicious morsel with a diverse history
Total Length: 73:52

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