Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch

Devon Allman has established himself as a band leader, writer, and guitarist who is proudly carrying the torch for his famous bloodline while also bringing those roots into a new era with a new perspective.  Greg gets into Devon's musical journey, his many projects, and of course his family and the musical congress therein!

3:45 - The subtle intricacies of the Allman Brothers, ingesting material to fully understand the math, and bringing guitars on tour
8:57 - Growing up an Allman, and finding your way
12:19 - Honeytribe, and Devon’s dive into writing his own music
15:18 - Integrating blues and jazz into improvisation, and playing with Dan Toler
26:40 - St. Louis, Corpus Christi, and the family ties that bind
31:34 - Was the Almighty Gregg Allman supportive of his son pursuing music?
37:41 - The internet, the Golden Age of Learning, the drawbacks of social media, and carrying on the legacy
51:49 - Greg growing up an Allman Brothers freak, and his attempt to convert the jam band generation
62:45 - Discovering Deep Purple, the Police, and a few great books to inspire


Total Length: 74:10

Jon Gomm is an acoustic guitar player extraordinaire and singer-songwriter of doom and destruction, along with playing a pretty wicked drum set on his guitar as well! Greg and Jon cover a lot of gristle in this episode!

2:00 - That time Jon watched Greg at a clinic, and then played adjacent each out in Germany
4:47 - A typical week for Jon - touring, playing, writing, and the like
11:09 - Jon's touring rig
15:14 - Jon's unique playing style, when different techniques were introduced, and B-Benders
18:32 - Influences, and striking out on his own
23:27 - Music degrees, the hordes of money they help you accumulate, and early gigs
31:37 - A typical set when Jon performs
33:16 - Being a showman on stage
34:34 - Different tunings, and those mistakes that live on YouTube forever
38:45 - Developing friendships through the love of music, and the modern influx of music education and technicality
46:11 - What's Jon been listening to recently
48:27 - What's coming down the road for Jon, and thoughts on physical pressings
56:36 - The pressure of the modern music industry ($$$)


Total Length: 65:44

Can you imagine playing with Frank Zappa on your first gig as a young man? That's what Mike Keneally did! He's gone on to record and tour with the likes of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Beer for Dolphins, and all kinds of various complex musician luminaries. Greg and Mike get into the grease on this episode of Gristle!

5:54 - What’s coming down the road for Mike: a solo band, the Zappa band, and ProgJect
10:39 - Honoring the creative ideas that have been sitting on the shelf 
20:10 - The interesting considerations you fail to see until you have 3 or more different projects under different names, and understanding the metrics
23:18 - Frank Zappa: his improv style, his roots, and everything in between
36:46 - Looking back on Frank’s work, and stepping into his band as a young professional
39:17 - What Mike does to maintain his complex repertoire
49:27 - Loving and respecting the music in order to keep things fresh and fun
59:01 - Paul Gilbert’s Great Guitar Escape


Total Length: 65:09

Guitar player extraordinaire and internet leviathan Rhett Shull joins Greg this week! His sensational YouTube channel is one of the most popular sources for all things guitar, but Rhett's canorous content creation doesn't stop there. You'll find him on TikTok, Instagram, hosting the Dipped in Tone podcast with Zach Broyles, creating excellent online courses, and touring the world with his band. We aren't sure when he sleeps!  Greg and Rhett cover many gristle-infused guitar and internet topics on this podcast!

2:21 - Life in Atlanta, a studio build, and oiling the YouTube machine
6:06 - The importance of engaging with your audience, and the power of the internet
15:24 - The glory of the Les Paul, and its evolution over the years
24:07 - Controversy aside, Eric Clapton holds his place his history 
28:32 - Connecting the dots between your heroes, their heroes, and their heroes heroes
34:34 - Being your own boss vs being the hired gun
39:47 - Tone woods, and does it matter?
55:17 - One must not forget Albert King, and appreciating the guitar greats of our kind


Total Length: 63:00

Jared has been dominating the world with great rock powers and blues savagery! Greg and Jared talk about their Wisconsin roots, and they get deep into the Gristle and gear. A global ambassador for Gibson Guitars, Jared gets into the development of his signature guitar. They also talk about primal jams and tone! Feast!

2:35 - Jared’s journey, from WI to LA, and off to Nashville, and running with the idea of going solo
10:57 - The luck and joy of seeing the world as a traveling musician
14:19 - Jared’s signature guitar - the inspiration behind it, and the journey through its development
23:12 - Guitar consumption: buying, playing, collecting - what’s your poison, and understanding the assignment
29:01 - Manufacturer relationships
33:41 - Jared’s new single, the most recent iteration of his band (circa October ’22), and Jared’s approach to recording
47:57 - PRIMAL JAMS AND TONE (are we talking about Led Zeppelin?), and the best guitar-techs in the planet
58:13 - Road stories, the thrill of touring abroad, and the challenges of being a working musician


Total Length: 79:34

Carl is one funky individual! He's toured the world as a member of Branford Marsalis' Band and he has worked with Bill Withers, Larry Carlton, and other luminaries. Carl Burnett is a funk guitar superstar, with countless sessions, videos, and television scores to his name. He Greg the lowdown on his journey (and his gear) on today's installment of Chewing the Gristle!

2:31 - Poppa Was A Rollin’ Stone!
4:01 - The magic of the wah 
7:31 - Carl’s time in New York, that time Greg and Carl met for some music savagery, and the Telecaster
15:02 - Modern vs vintage instruments, the Branford Marsalis years
24:25 - The art of improvisation vs through-composed material, Carl’s start as a musician, influences, Larry Carlton, and so much more
45:18 - The power of relationships, publishing vs work-for-hire, the power of live music, and the unequivocal symbiosis of playing with other musicians


Total Length: 65:06

A "slide guitar potentate of unparalleled proportions", Sonny's slide work is known far and wide for his signature technique. As evidenced by his influential work with John Hiatt, Landreth's amazing playing always serves the song first. Eric Clapton says, “Sonny Landreth is probably the most underestimated musician on the planet, and also probably one of the most advanced.” His own albums have featured Mr. Clapton, along with Eric Johnson, Vince Gill, and others. He tells Greg about his journey from Chet Atkins to Delta Blues and beyond in today's gristle-filled conversation.

2:08 - Sonny’s relationship with John Hiatt; what brought them together, and the fun of reuniting
7:52 - Sonny’s slide playing; how it developed, cool tips and tricks, and thumb pickin’
16:10 - Influences and adding to that stew of tasty morsels to feast upon
21:29 - The magic of Sacred Steel slide guitar
25:05 - Sonny’s tone, and how it lends to his creative voice
28:12 - Digging through old videos to discover the secrets of tone and creativity and the gear acquisition conundrum
35:48 - TONE TALK


Total Length: 40:50

Paul is a legend in the guitar world known for his super-herculean chops, and also because he is a "musician with massive musicality ". You might have discovered him during his time in the mind-bending Racer X, or of course with the international MTV super-stars Mr. Big. Maybe the Power Drill Guitar technique got your attention. Paul Gilbert has kept his fans faithful for decades by delivering the best shred guitar around. Additionally, he's a hell of a nice guy who is also super-funny, which makes for a delightful conversation with Greg on the Season 4 opener of Chewing the Gristle!

1:55 - Paul plays upright bass??  Plus happy mistakes, learning new things, and Van Halen
10:06 - Paul’s musical journey
18:53 - Improvisation; when and how Paul developed his improv chops
22:46 - Paul and gear; obsession or necessity, and Paul’s current live and studio rigs
31:18 - Paul on the road - how much time in a bus vs at home?
35:55 - Learning, teaching, and sponging styles from the greats.
38:09 - Paul’s vocal influences, slide tricks, and Paul’s signature guitar
48:16 - Portland, OR, Paul’s journey to the Pacific Northwest, and familial music traits
57:40 - New music: future or past, and hearing loss
61:55 - What’s next for Paul, what is it about music that is so magical, and CATS.
68:57 - The Zep

Total Length: 78:20

From YouTube to Bon Jovi, Phil X is known worldwide for his amazing guitar playing and larger-than-life persona! As one of the first YouTube guitar heroes, Phil was an internet influencer before that was even a thing. From his humble beginnings on the Fretted America website to filling the shoes of Richie Sambora to become Bon Jovi's main guitarist, Phil's story (and playing) is both incredible and inspiring!

1:48 - What’s Phil up to??
4:29 - From Canada to Los Angeles, and how the gospel of Phil X never changed
8:53 - Phil’s rise to fame through internet videos
13:26 - From stadiums to clubs, the continued trouble of COVID, and the new Phil X signature guitar
25:17 - Amps and pedals!  What is Phil rocking these days, and what does he bring with him when playing with Bon Jovi
34:31 - How to create your own sound while staying true to the iconic sound you hear in your head
39:54 - The ES-335, and delicious, delicious vintage gear

Total Length: 56:40

A veteran of Glenn Hughes' band, the Alan Parsons Project, Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, and his own Cosmosquad, Jeff Kollman is a guitarist of the highest order.  Greg and Jeff talk about his journey, his gear, and his musicianship in today's episode!

2:30 - Hail from Toledo, OH - we have the great and mighty Jeff Kollman!
4:30 - Jeff’s jazz playing, his influences, and the importance of good teachers
10:37 - Jeff’s move from Toledo to California, and the grueling life that Los Angeles can bring
15:30 - Getting tied in to the session-scene, and transitioning to life on the road
18:30 - Jeff’s gear over the years, and the mystery of vintage amps and guitars
25:45 - The integration of digital, and a few fun stories
35:02 - More stories of fun, hilarity, and rock savagery
40:51 - Does Jeff have any eyes on Nashville?
46:58 - Elliot Easton and The Cars, more gear talk, and the Jeff’s future touring plans
55:17 - Playing with The Alan Parsons Project, the tricky decisions surrounding self-distribution as an independent artist, and the new generation of guitar players and content creators


Total Length: 76:38