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14.08.2025
1 Stunde 7 Minuten
Tracii Guns of LA Guns joins Greg Koch for a refreshingly honest
exploration of what makes rock and roll endure through decades of
industry upheaval. Their conversation weaves through Tracii's
musical awakening at age five—hearing Led Zeppelin's theremin
breakdown in "Whole Lotta Love" from the backseat of a car—to
building and maintaining LA Guns through countless lineup changes
and industry shifts.
With remarkable candor, Tracii takes us behind the scenes of his
evolution as a guitarist, from his early days playing
"Scorpion-style heavy metal with a little Jimmy Page thrown in"
to his current approach. Guitar aficionados will delight in their
deep dive into equipment - Tracii's journey from traditional JCM
800 Marshalls to embracing digital technology while maintaining
his signature sound. "You keep changing stuff but you keep
getting the same sound," his tech once observed.
The pair unpack the mystique of legendary guitarists like Jimmy
Page, revealing that greatness often comes from simplicity rather
than complexity. "For all the magic that he is, he bought his
main guitar for 500 bucks from Joe Walsh," Tracii notes,
suggesting that true mastery comes from dedication to playing,
not gear acquisition.
Perhaps most valuable is Tracii's hard-earned wisdom about music
industry survival: "You don't need a million people, you just
need enough people to support you. You get 10,000 people buying
everything you do, you're done." In an age of algorithm-chasing
and viral fame, Tracii and Greg remind us that authentic
connection through live performance remains the beating heart of
rock and roll.
Want to see these two legends join forces? Catch Tracii Guns and
Greg Koch performing together at the Basement East on August
27th—a rare opportunity to witness their musical chemistry in
person.
Mehr
24.07.2025
1 Stunde 19 Minuten
Greg Koch sits down with guitar virtuoso Dweezil Zappa for a
fascinating deep dive into musical authenticity, technical
mastery, and the challenge of preserving a legendary legacy.
Their conversation reveals the extraordinary dedication required
to perform Frank Zappa's intricate compositions, with Dweezil
candidly sharing his 14-year journey to truly internalize his
father's musical vocabulary.
What begins as a discussion about guitar techniques evolves into
profound insights about musical connection. Dweezil explains why,
despite growing up as Frank Zappa's son, he initially gravitated
toward more guitar-centric players, such as Eddie Van Halen,
before tackling his father's complex work. He compares performing
Frank's arrangements to an "orchestral mindset" where precision
and teamwork are paramount, revealing that despite years of
touring, he must essentially relearn most pieces before each
performance.
The conversation takes unexpected turns through musical
philosophy, modern guitar culture, and the realities of today's
music industry. Dweezil offers a valuable perspective for
independent musicians, suggesting that cultivating meaningful
relationships with a dedicated fanbase is far more sustainable
than chasing mainstream success: "Instead of trying to get a
dollar from a million people, what if you cultivated a
relationship with 10,000 people who want to spend a hundred
dollars every year?" Throughout their exchange, both guitarists
reflect on finding balance between technical skill and emotional
connection, agreeing that the ability to move an audience often
transcends pure virtuosity.
Mehr
17.07.2025
1 Stunde 41 Minuten
There's something uniquely captivating about listening to two
master musicians simply talk shop. When Nashville session legend
Tom Bukovac (affectionately known as "Uncle Larry") sits down
with Greg Koch for this episode of Chewing the Gristle, their
conversation unfolds like a masterclass.
Bukovac pulls back the curtain on the Nashville session scene
with refreshing candor. "It doesn't matter if you're playing for
a barely signed new artist or Paul McCartney," he explains. "A
sideman gig is a sideman gig. The only thing that changes is the
dough and the prestige." This hard-earned wisdom comes from
decades navigating an industry that demands technical perfection,
psychological resilience, and emotional intelligence.
The episode weaves through fascinating territory – from Bukovac's
journey giving himself just one year to make it in Nashville
(spoiler: he was on a tour bus within months), to the
psychological challenges of session work. "I've been on sessions
when people hated everything I played," he admits. "I remember
coming home from sessions crying because I felt like such a
failure." Yet this vulnerability transformed into strength,
creating an iron-clad professional who now plays alongside
artists like Vince Gill.
Guitar enthusiasts will appreciate their deep dive into vintage
instruments, including Bukovac's prized 1957 Gibson Les Paul
Junior. Their shared language of influences – from Hendrix to
Albert King to Jerry Reed – reveals how deeply personal guitar
playing remains despite its technical dimensions.
Perhaps most illuminating is Bukovac's perspective on what truly
matters in music: "These are people's dreams you're working on.
This is not just a session." That blend of technical mastery and
emotional intelligence perfectly captures why some musicians
remain eternally in demand.
Whether you're a working musician or simply love peeking behind
the curtain of the music industry, this conversation delivers
honest insights you won't find in guitar magazines or music
documentaries. Subscribe now for more unfiltered conversations
from the heart of American music.
Mehr
10.07.2025
1 Stunde 4 Minuten
Tyler Bryant's musical journey embodies the purest essence of
artistic dedication. From the moment he left his tiny Texas town
of 1,700 people at age 17, armed with nothing but talent and
determination, his singular focus has been creating authentic
music that resonates. That unwavering commitment has evolved into
a Grammy-winning career spanning performance, songwriting, and
production.
What strikes you immediately about Bryant is his refreshing
perspective on success. Where once it meant packed venues and
non-stop touring, he's found deeper fulfillment in creating
meaningful music while maintaining balance. His current rhythm of
50-70 shows yearly complemented by studio work represents not a
compromise but an evolution—one allowing him to truly savor each
creative moment.
Bryant's production philosophy is equally enlightening. Rather
than imposing his vision, he describes himself as "a professional
appreciator" who helps artists recognize their most magical
moments. "Hold on, do you realize when you do this, that's super
badass? I have goosebumps," he explains. This approach has led to
collaborations with artists ranging from Ruthie Foster to Rodney
Crowell, culminating in Grammy recognition that Bryant humbly
downplays, insisting "the work is the reward."
The conversation reveals a musician who's grown not just in skill
but wisdom. From building a professional studio from scratch to
recovering his beloved pink Stratocaster five years after it was
stolen, Bryant approaches each experience with both passion and
perspective. Now preparing for fatherhood with a baby due in
August, he's entering yet another creative chapter—one where
music and family harmonize completely. As he puts it, success
today means "getting to make cool music as much as I possibly can
and provide for my family." For anyone navigating their own
creative path, Tyler Bryant offers the perfect reminder that
authentic art happens when you follow what truly moves you.
Mehr
03.07.2025
1 Stunde 9 Minuten
Guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa returns to Chewing the Gristle,
bringing his characteristic wit and wisdom as he prepares for an
ambitious European tour season. This conversation between two
master guitarists reveals the realities of sustaining a music
career with both artistic integrity and business savvy.
Bonamassa takes us behind the scenes of his upcoming three-month
European adventure, which includes solo performances, a Black
Country Communion reunion after 14 years, and a special tribute
to blues legend Rory Gallagher. The logistics are fascinating –
he maintains duplicate touring rigs for Europe and America, a
practical response to shipping costs that have nearly tripled
since the pandemic.
The highlight comes when Bonamassa shares treasures from his
1,200+ instrument collection, including his beloved "Principal
Skinner" 1959 Les Paul. Rather than treating these vintage pieces
as museum exhibits, he plays them regularly, embracing each new
ding and scratch as part of their continuing story. "They're not
out here to be preserved," he explains, challenging the collector
mentality that prioritizes value over music-making.
What truly distinguishes this episode is Bonamassa's candid
assessment of music business realities. After discovering early
in his career that middlemen were taking substantial portions of
his performance fees, he developed a direct-to-consumer approach
that has sustained his career. "My motto is I don't need
millions, I just need enough," he shares, articulating a
philosophy that values artistic fulfillment over commercial
peaks.
For aspiring musicians, Bonamassa offers both sobering and
inspiring advice: "You have to love this thing so much that
you're willing to take a vow of poverty, still be happy, and
can't live with yourself if you don't play." It's this unwavering
passion, combined with business acumen, that has enabled his
enduring career in the often unforgiving music industry.
Ready to hear more wisdom from one of blues rock's most
successful independent artists? Subscribe now and journey through
the musical landscape with Joe Bonamassa and your host, Greg
Koch.
Mehr
Über diesen Podcast
Listen in on Greg Koch's conversations with his guitar-hero
friends. Every episode Greg unleashes his fiendish humor and
unique perspective as "one of the most famous unknown guitar
players in the world", asking his often-famous musical friends
the questions that we all want to know the answers to! Each
episode is brought to you by Fishman and Wildwood Guitars
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