Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch

A potentate of the instrumental guitar relm, Prashant is an incredible player, engineer and producer. Greg digs into Prashant's musical journey through the Berklee College of Music, Greg Howe, and then onto the LA music scene.

1:52 - Prashant’s year in 2020 - moving from LA to Northern California, celebrating the birth of his third child, and treasuring time with family
5:19 - Coming out to your parents that you want to be a professional musician, and Prashant’s experience telling his parents as a first-generation American
7:37 - Prashant’s experience attending Berklee College of Music, and translating classical Indian instrumentation and musicality to guitar-music, improvisation, jazz, and rock
19:24 - Taking lessons from guitarist Greg Howe, and the recording of Prashant’s first album
24:14 - The story behind Prashant’s self-distributed album, a one-way ticket to Milan, and his move to LA to work in Pop music
35:07 - The transition to recording and producing professionally, and the importance of staying creative and understanding that word-of-mouth is the best gig-finder a musician can utilize
40:38 - How have things changed over time in the music scene of Los Angeles, and how social media plays a role

Total Length: 71:45

The legendary Robben Ford has played with everyone from Miles Davis to KISS, and over his long career, he's consistently pushed the boundaries of his own incredible guitar playing to dizzying heights. Greg and Robben catch up on the former LA musician's current life in Nashville, Robben's new record "Pure", the Guitar Dojo, vintage guitars, and other topics of true gristle delight! 

1:16 - Robben’s move to Nashville, and the warmth of the city he fully embraced
2:47 - Robben’s confident foray into the world of social media, how he came to find personal success doing so, and the enriching value of teaching
8:14 - Life during lockdown with Robben Ford, the Robben Ford Guitar Dojo, and producing a number of fun new records
13:08 - The recording of Robben’s new record
15:10 - Life in Ojai, California compared to life in Nashville
17:06 - Thoughts on touring now that the pandemic is easing
22:45 - Robben’s guitar collection through the years - the Fender Esprit, his telecaster, Les Paul, and love affair with vintage guitars 
30:59 - The Dumble (and more amp talk)
46:12 - The importance of hearing safety, and a few funny stories about stage volume
53:35 - How might Robben have done things differently throughout his career
61:21 - Music in a post-pandemic world

Total Length: 68:48

The Titan of the Telecaster,  King of Dieselbilly, and Mr "Hot Rod Lincoln" himself Bill Kirchen chews the Gristle with Greg today. They dig into Bill's history, beginnings and talk about the differences between being a working musician then and now. And of course, they talk Tele!

1:36 - Bill’s first live-music experience in a year
3:41 - How Bill’s music journey began (hint: it was folk music), and brought him out west to San Francisco
10:24 - Bill as a “rambler”, what that means to him, and the hit “Hot Rod Lincoln”
13:12 - Bill’s decision to relocate to Washington, D.C.
15:21 - What drew Bill to the Telecaster, and the beauty and mystery of vintage Teles
26:10 - Bill’s preferred guitar rig in these contemporary times, and a juicy conversation about TONE
33:54 - Bill’s touring / performance schedule pre-pandemic, and how he pivoted professionally in 2020
51:13 - Earnings as a musician - where and how to make a living
56:54 - Bill’s relationship (professional and personal) with Nick Lowe
64:15 - The D.C. music scene in the mid to late ‘80s, and Bill’s relationship with Danny Gatton
71:31 - Austin, Texas - Bill’s current home and inspiration

Total Length: 79:43

"The Fretless Monster" Tony Franklin has played with some of rock's most iconic names, and he's well known for his individual approach to the fretless bass. He's played with Roy Harper, The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, Whitesnake, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Greg and Tony catch up about remote recording, LA vs England, The Firm, and other various gristle. Dig it all!

2:05 - What’s new with Mr. Tony Franklin - transitioning from Pro Tools to Studio One, upgrading his computer, remote recording sessions, and writing a book! So much creativity!
6:04 - Surrendering to the paths that life presents you, and the gratitude that grows from going with the flow
9:12 - Was Tony ever tempted to move back to England from Los Angeles, and what kept him in Southern California?
11:17 - What does Tony’s future performance schedule look like (practically vs empirically)?
20:17 - Greg’s first time seeing Jimmy Page and The Firm (with Tony on bass) was transcendental- how was it from Tony’s perspective?
37:35 - How Tony’s musical preferences were shaped growing up in a musical family, how they evolved over time, a venerable discussion on the late, great Beethoven, and The Firm
67:48 - What was it like on stage with The Firm?
75:08 - A reminder that life as a musician, famous or not, is about remembering what’s important to ones own life

Total Length: 84:22

Butch is one of the most in-demand producers in the rock and pop music world, and  he also happens to be one powerful beast of a guitarist and songwriter.  Greg and Butch get down and dirty on producing, gear, LA vs Nashville, and many other gristly topics. Dig it!

3:59 - Butch’s thoughts on the evolution of music in regard to the internet - is it the Golden Age of music, or a something else entirely - from artist exposure, production royalties, and everything in between.
15:16- The idea of a “producer”, and how Butch has crafted a career around it
24:35 - Butch in the studio - his mindset, go-to-recipes, and the spirit of making records
28:07 - The vibe of a song, and how truly important it is to the song (maybe more so than all the technical stuff, lyricism, etc)
36:13 - Guitars, gear, mics, and more!  
53:14 - NFTs, and the world of WTFs
59:16 - Butch’s life in Los Angeles, and his move to Nashville
65:49 - How Butch manages his schedule, finds musicians to work with, etc

Total Length: 71:30

Arlen is the father of modern-day guitar instruction, and widely known as the "Master of the Telecaster". His early "Hot Licks" series of videos changed the medium by which many of us would learn guitar, and his book "Slide Guitar" influenced many of today's guitar heroes (including Greg)! Greg and Arlen go back to the beginning and talk about his upbringing, the scene in Woodstock NY, and what Arlen's been up to as of late!

1:44 - Arlen’s book “Slide Guitar” (written at 19 on tour with John Prine), and his inspiration to write it
9:50 - How Arlen developed his transcription chops, music theory, and developing his ear
15:09 - Growing up in a family of cartoonists, and the encouragement of artistic expression
20:24 - How Arlen got turned on to early Roots music, and attending art school
25:05 - Woodstock, NY, the artistic community centered around the town, linking up with John Prine, and playing in New York City
35:00 - What lead Arlen to creating teaching material
39:29 - Some good guitar stories - from behind the camera, on the road, etc
50:56 - Arlen’s relationship with Danny Gatton
61:33 - What Arlen’s been up to these days (an upcoming album, acoustic performances, clinics, oh my!)

Total Length: 78:10

One of the fiercest players in Nashville, Andy Wood is recognized as part of the forefront of this generation’s top influential guitarists. Touring with acts as diverse as Rascal Flatts and Sebastian Bach, Andy's musicianship is legendary. Greg and Andy talk about the Woodshed Guitar Experience, Telecasters, and the upcoming post-COVID world for guitarists.

3:07 - The fun and success of Andy’s COVID-friendly 2020 Woodshed Guitar Experience, plus what Andy’s been up to recently between his podcast and work with Rascal Flatts
8:29 - How Andy got involved with Rascal Flatts
13:55 - Andy Signature guitar from Suhr Guitars, and his love of Telecasters
23:40 - Patreon, Instagram, and the evolution of guitar playing as it relates to social media, improvement, and creativity
46:28 - How musicians might transition back into playing live, and what Greg and Andy miss most about social (music) gatherings

Total Length: 56:46

Devin is a prolific potentate of modern metaldom! It is hard to put a label on Devin that sufficiently covers the breadth of his complex and impressive musical identity. Devin does it all, with dedicated fans worldwide and over 25 albums to his name. Townsend's musical insights are always as deep, heavy and colorful as his music, so prepare to feast!

1:16 - Dealing with the invisible angst of today’s modern problems, and a few delightful proverbs to lift the spirits
5:46 - What’s Devin up to in 2021, how he views what he does as a musician and producer from a macro perspective, his upcoming creative project ‘The Puzzle’, and the power of honesty
18:07 - The emotional complexities of touring, the power of creativity in isolation, and the importance of personal community
23:45 - Maintaining vocal chords and performance during long stretches of tour, and tricks to playing guitar and singing at the same time
30:27 - Guitar solos: when, where, and what to say
37:49 - The Internet
49:49 - Learning a new language (musical and verbal), and how to apply new knowledge to your guitar playing
60:55 - Demystifying the greats, and a crash course in ‘Jimi Hendrix for Dummies’
71:06 - Devin’s love of echo, and understanding the musical current that each player tends to find themselves swimming in

Total Length: 82:23

Blackberry Smoke has been a true southern rock force for 20 years now! Charlie's guitar playing and singing are a big part of that equation. Today, Greg talks to Charlie about his musical upbringing, his favorite gear, his influences, and all other kinds of delicious gristle!

1:13 - Charlie’s Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite, and his Telecaster from Echopark Guitars
3:35 - Charlie’s upcoming record, his new single, the day-to-day of a professional musician during COVID, and Greg as streaming Ragtime-Wanker
14:15 - The success of Charlie’s band Blackberry Smoke, past and present
17:46 - Charlie’s background growing up in a Bluegrass family, and early gear stories
27:25 - The Rolling Stones and their magical stew of rock
32:20 - P-90 pickups and the power of a single pickup
36:41 - Guitar amps, combinations, studio vs live, and getting acquainted with in-ear monitors
43:57 - Playing, touring, and eating in Europe - arguably the most delicious continent on the planet
50:36 - A guitarist’s playing style, and how the inspiration from other players and idols is so wildly important - from Jimi to the Allman Brothers
67:06 - How the legacy of Southern Rock and growing up in Georgia shaped Charlie as a player and musician

Total Length: 76:35

Guthrie is one of Nashville's most exciting guitarists. A regular member of Jerry Douglas' band, the list of musicians Guthrie has supported is staggering - Garth Brooks, John Oates, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Tim O’Brien, and Delbert McClinton just to name a few. Guthrie and Greg talk covid, Guthrie's musical journey, and, of course, gear!

4:18 - The saving grace of online social platforms and education for musicians during the pandemic, and the ironic and comical ways touring musicians ended up saving money in 2020
9:10 - Growing up on the Gulf Coast, and what brought Guthrie to Nashville
14:22 - How our early musical influences shape our creativity, even if they’re a little out in left field 
27:23 - What drew Guthrie to the Telecaster, and the glory of Dire Straits
40:44 - Guthrie’s Cassista Telecaster, the veil of gear lust, and the undeniable power of vintage guitars
55:05 - What the future holds for Greg and Guthrie

Total Length: 62:40