Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch

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&apos...

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,...

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 wi...

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 th...

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 W...

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...

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 deli...

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 inc...

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 impo...

You might know Mr. Tackett as Little Feat's guitarist, but Fred's contributions to the musical world are simply staggering, with literally hundreds of sessions to his credit, on mandolin and trumpet, as well guitar. Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Nicolette Larson, Barbara Streisand, Jimmy Webb, and countless others have called on Fred's musical services over his incredible career. Why? Becau...

If you follow all things guitar on Instagram, then you've likely been amazed by Nathaniel's virtuosity at some point. Often the face (and hands) in the Chicago Music Exchange videos, Nathaniel's playing is spectacular on seemingly any guitar, in any style.  Greg and Nathaniel have a lot in common, and they explore countless varieties of glorious gristle in this episode! 2:35 - Natha...

As the guitarist on the Voice, extreme versatility is a requirement for Justin Derrico. What sets him apart from other guitarists is the passion, skill, and personal style he brings to whatever he is called on to play. Also, as Pink's main guitarist for years, he has his road credentials as well!  Greg and Justin break it all down in today's episode. 1:31 - What’s new with Justin - maste...

A member of Johnny Winter's band and a frequent guest of Les Paul's, Milwaukee native and NYC resident Jon Paris has stories to tell! Greg and John get into the Gristle on today's episode. 1:59 - Growing up outside of Milwaukee, starting out as a drummer, the intriguing naturing of the early Beatles, and Jon’s band The Ox 16:19 - Jon’s chops playing the bass and harmonica 19:13 - Jo...

If you dig both guitars and YouTube, then you probably know Danish Pete. He's the first face you will see on the formidable YT channel of Andertons, which has long been ground zero for all things guitar-gear on the platform.  Pete's musical journey long precedes his time in front of the camera, and even crosses paths with Tom Jones! Greg and Pete get into the Gristle! 1:48 - Danish Pete...

Bernard Allison's blues lineage is direct, as the son of Luther Allison he grew up around the greats (Muddy Waters, Hound Dog Taylor, Albert King), and early in his career as part of Koko Taylor's band, he shared stages with even more (Johnny Winter,  Stevie Ray Vaughan).  Greg and Bernard talk about what it was like being brought up in that environment as a guitarist, and then, of cours...

We have here a special and riveting conversation here, friends, with the one and only Phillip Sayce.  Welsh born and Canadian raised, Phillip has been blessing our ears with fine musicality for years.  From Melissa Etheridge and Jeff Healey, to the southern bad boy Uncle Kracker, Phillip is no stranger to rock! 2:16 - Emerging from COVID - what’s it look like, how do we do this? 12:04 - Amazing gu...

Doug's stunning playing with the Edgar Winter group has won him fans the world over. Greg and Mr. Rappoport talk amps, pedals, organs, pickups, and many other flavors of delicious gristle! 3:17 - From the UK to LA - Doug’s youthful journey as a young guitar legend 13:44 - Influential country rock and blues players, and the creativity of Hendrix at the core of both players 24:29 - Doug’s time...

AJ's melodic and inspired steel guitar playing has brought the sound of the Sacred Steel tradition to a whole new audience.  AJ was raised within that heritage, as his great uncle Willie Eason and his grandfather Henry Nelson were the founders of the style. Now, with fans like Tosin Abasi supporting and sharing his music the world over on Instagram and YouTube, AJ Ghent is bringing peace thro...

Angela's YouTube lesson series receives thousands of views each week, and you may have seen her as part of Jennifer Batten's Guitar Symposiums or caught one of her videos at Norman's Rare Guitars. Greg and Angela talk about all kinds of excellent gristle on today's episode! 1:19 - The term “influencer’, what it means to Angela, and the interesting confluence of the internet and...

Joel is "a titan in Chicago's roots music scene" -AP , playing everything from jazz to honky tonk with a style that is decidedly his own.  Greg and Joel get into the gristle, covering Joel's musical journey, and also what it's like to be a guitar player in this day and age.  2:08 - Joel’s time playing with Harmonica legend Jim Liban, and shared woes of guitars lost to impu...

One of Guitar World's Top 50 Guitarists, Gretchen Menn first grabbed everyone's attention with Zepparella, an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band that has been turning heads for years.  Gretchen's work goes far beyond Zeppelin, and today Greg and her get into the details! 2:51 - The joys of playing, being able to focus focus focus as a player during lockdown, and the art of avoidin...

An incredibly influential acoustic guitarist, Andy's "Drifting" YouTube video went viral long before "going viral" was a thing. Years later, Andy has easily cemented his place as the standard-bearer for modern, percussive guitar playing (pioneered by players like Michael Hedges, Don Ross, and others, and then brought to new heights by Andy).  Greg and Andy get into the Aco...

What do Etta James and Paul McCartney have in common? The answer is Brian Ray, the talented guitarist (and bass guitarist) who has been an essential piece of both of their bands! Brian also has an extensive vintage guitar collection, so get ready for some gear talk with Greg! 1:06 - Brian’s INSANE guitar collection, and the allure and beauty of vintage guitars 8:00 - Brian’s indoctrination into Ro...

Jazz guitar potentate Bruce Foreman is not only a monster player. He is also an extremely funny and entertaining individual with some great stories. Dig in as Greg and Bruce chew it up good! 2:12 - Monterey, California - the beauty, the mystique, and the home of one Bruce Foreman 6:26 - Where and how it started for Bruce (guitar and music, that is) 12:47 - Bruce’s personal foray into jazz, and the...

Proudly brandishing the moniker of "Guitar Nerd", Pete Thorn is among the most revered guitarists on the interwebs, where his reviews and how-to videos garner thousands of views on YouTube and Instagram. Pete built his guitar reputation as a go-to session guitar guy with famed producer Linda Perry in LA and also spent years on the road with the likes of Chris Cornell, Don Henly, Melissa...