Greg Koch (musician)

Greg Koch
Greg Koch in 2018
Born Gregory Koch
(1966-06-23) June 23, 1966
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Education University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Spouse(s) Sarah Koch
Children 4
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s) Guitarist, Singer-Songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • Vocals
Years active 1978–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website gregkoch.com
Signature

Greg Koch (born June 23, 1966) is an American guitarist from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Koch grew up in the Milwaukee area and began playing guitar at the age of 12. He was influenced by the guitarist Jimi Hendrix.[1]

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation named Koch one of the top 10 unsung guitarists.[2]

Many people consider Koch a virtuoso on the guitar. But when he is asked he says that it is all hard work. He claims to have no hobbies, and says that he only plays guitar.

Early life

Koch grew up in Wisconsin as one of seven children. He attended college for jazz performance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.[3]

Career

Koch won first place in the 1989 Bluesbreaker Guitar Showdown judged by singer/guitar player Buddy Guy.[4] Koch has also played with Joe Bonamassa.

Greg Koch and the tone Controls

The group was formed as a trio that included guitar, bass, and drums. The original band members include Journeyman drummer and vocalist Gary Koehler, bass and vocals Kevin Mushel, and Greg Koch on six-string guitar and vocals.[5] Other members of the band include John Calarco on drums and Tom Good on bass.

Greg Koch and the Tone Controls won five Wisconsin Area Music Awards for Blues Artist of the Year (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998).[6]

Greg Koch and Other Bad Men

Koch recorded a live album (Greg Koch and Other Bad Men Live on the Radio) with bass player Roscoe Beck and vocalist Malford Milligan and various musicians on the drums: John Calarco[7] and Tom Brechtlein.[8]

The Koch Marshall Trio

The Koch Marshall Trio playing live at Tosa Fest September 8, 2018

The Koch Marshall Trio is an instrumental organ/guitar trio established by Koch in 2017. The Trio includes Koch's son Dylan Koch on drums, Toby Lee Marshall on Hammond organ and Koch on guitar. The Koch Marshall Trio has signed a contract with the Mascot Label Group. They released their debut studio album, Toby Arrives, on February 23, 2018.[9]

The Koch Marshall Trio is working on a second studio album. The trio toured the United States in 2018.

Style

Koch has developed his own style of picking which is referred to as "chicken pickin’” and has taught his method of picking, referred to as hybrid picking. Koch uses a guitar pick held with the index finger and thumb of his right hand; he uses his other three fingers to pick the strings at the same time he is using the pick.

Koch has termed his style of playing "gristle" and has been called the "Gristle King". Gristle is usually instrumental, guitar-driven music that leads to a crescendo of trading solos.

Koch's ability on the guitar has been admired by other guitarists. When guitar pioneer Les Paul had his 100th birthday celebration Koch was invited to play.[10] Two contemporary guitarists had this to say about Greg Koch:

“I believe Greg Koch is pound for pound the best guitar player in the world today. His, tone, feel and style are unrivaled in today’s guitar playing community. He is scary good. It was a true honor to do shows with him.” Joe Bonamassa[11]

"Greg Koch is one of those rare guitarists that can blend various styles with a light-hearted approach and a tremendous amount of technique. Hearing him play is inspiring to a guitar player to try to achieve greatness on the instrument." - Steve Vai[12]

Personal life

Koch met his wife Sarah while he was attending college and together they have four children, two boys and two girls. Koch and his wife have been married since 1993. Their oldest son (Dylan Koch) is the drummer for Koch's band, The Koch Marshall Trio.[13]

Discography

  • Greg Koch and the Tone Controls (1993)
  • Double the Gristle (1997)
  • Defenestrator (1998)
  • The Grip (2001)
  • Radio Free Gristle (2003)
  • 13 X 12 (2003)
  • 4 Days in the South (2005)
  • Mixed Feelings (2005)
  • Live on the Radio (Greg Koch and Other Bad Men) (2007)
  • From the Attic (2010)
  • Strat's Got Your Tongue (2012)
  • Plays Well with Others (2013)
  • Vivid Gristle (2015)
  • Unrepentant (2017)
  • Toby Arrives (Koch Marshall Trio) (2018)

References

  1. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Greg Koch". All Music. AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Duffy, Mike. "TOP 10 UNSUNG GUITARISTS". Fender. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. April 2, 2012 Page 1. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  3. ↑ Moberg, Glen. "March 3, 2016: Live Blues Music with Greg Koch and the Tone Controls". Wisconsin Public Radio. Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board March 3, 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Wilson, Sharon (July 31, 2014). "Legendary Milwaukee Rock/Blues Guitarist Greg Koch". Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Greg koch - Strat's Got Your Tongue". Grooveyard Records. Grooveyard Records Inc. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Henkle, Doug (April 4, 2016). "WAMI Site Map". Folklib. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  7. ↑ Brookes, Joachim 'Joe'. "Greg Koch And Other Bad Men / Live! On The Radio". Rocktimes. Rock Times November 26, 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  8. ↑ LUHRSSEN, David. "Greg Koch: Blues in Mind". Shepherd Express. Shepherd Express December 13, 2007. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  9. ↑ Luhrssen, David (September 7, 2017). "The Funky Organ Sounds of the Koch Marshall Trio". Print Issue (37). Louis Fortis. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  10. ↑ Levy, Piet (August 3, 2015). "Happy Birthday to Les". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  11. ↑ Mathley, T-bone. "Greg Koch". Volume Treble Bass. Worldpress. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "Greg koch". Fender. Fender Music Australia March 1, 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  13. ↑ Nash, JD. "Koch Marshall Trio Debut Launches New Mascot Imprint". American Blues Scene. American Blues Scene. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
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