Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch

We sit down with guitarist and composer Lyle Workman to trace the real-life path from Bay Area bands to major film soundtracks and global stages. We talk craft, money, gear, and the unlikely chain of moments that turns a working player into the go-to sound behind hit movies and tours. 

FEAST!

We swap stories with Chapman Welch about building reactive music systems at Rice University and burning through Tele licks onstage. Chapman details his journey tracing a path from Mississippi studios and lessons with the almight Johnny Sandlin to slanging licks at bluegrass contests. We chat about Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan, compare jam-bands with the Allman Brothers, and talk about how to make art, make rent, and keep your right hand honest.

FEAST

We trace how a wrecked Tele neck and a stack of MI lessons led Seth Lee Jones to a singular slide-and-bender voice, anchored by years at the repair bench. Tulsa’s lineage, reclaimed wood builds, factory reality, and the myth of “expensive equals better” all get a fearless airing. Come and feast!

A wide-ranging conversation with guitarist and composer Mike Seal on the making of his newest album, the craft of touring, and why human connection still matters for music. We swap road stories, gear notes, and honest takes on streaming, AI, and what it takes to last.

Go pick up Mike’s new record, Danger Ranger, at MikeSealmusic.com

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.