(1987-Present) Duran Duran, Beastie Boys, Guns and Roses, Aerosmith, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Primus, 311, Infectious Grooves, Metallica, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fishbone, Big Mistake, Snapcase, All Out War, Deadguy, Shift, Green Day, Face to Face, Lagwagon, Strung Out, Lifetime, Refused, Quicksand, Jump Little Children, Fiona Apple, Jeff Buckley, Bjork, Soilwork, lots of classical music, and the list grows...
Sounds Like
Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Bjork, Ours, Velveteen, Jump Little Children, Coldplay, Keane, Muse
Over a dozen years of musical endeavors (Nigel Six, Not My Ritchie, The Stryder, West Beverly, Staring Back and Punchline) have featured Greg Wood on bass, guitar, drums, and vocals. Greg has performed in 48 of the continental United States, as well as Canada and Japan, playing shows with attendance ranging from 4 to 4000. Through it all, one thing never changed. Every incarnation of creative energy thrived on the idea that anything is possible, and the power to create oneself and one's life into whatever he or she desires is not only possible, but quite possibly the most honorable pursuit.
Greg Wood's solo endeavor, bearing his name, began in 2001 during an unplanned hiatus of his band, West Beverly, caused by the loss of a member. Greg began playing West Beverly songs on acoustic guitar at coffee shops and open mics. Slowly this evolved into a project in its own right, with its own songs. The music carried elements of pop punk over to acoustic guitar at first, and slowly evolved into more ambient pop acoustic experimentation. Greg's voice, often compared to Jeff Buckley (who, because of the comparisons, Greg investigated, became enamored with, and came to adopt as one of his biggest influences!) delivered soaring melodies over unique guitar work alternating from intricate to minimalist. After the ultimate demise of West Beverly in 2002, the solo project became his full-time focus, and he once again hit the road, playing 200-250 shows per year for the next two in support of his 2001 EP 'Focus, Surrender, Experience, Understand.'
Between 'Focus' tours, Greg began experimenting with looping and effects pedals, which, in effect, allowed him to become his own backup band - even in a live setting. By looping himself playing guitar and beatboxing into his microphone, he could then layer the recorded parts, and even harmonize with his own vocals. Contemporary artists doing likewise included only a few names, such as Keller Williams and Howie Day. Greg was in a different scene, however, playing mostly to the indie-punk crowds he'd always known, and crowds reactions were uniformly surprised and amazed by the sounds created from this single person. Greg recorded a full-length album in 2004 which featured all of the songs which he had been performing for the last year. Recorded without heavy production, or the inclusion of a studio band, his debut album 'Vibrating Glass' presents the songs as they are crafted live.. layer upon layer. The album never got released, however, because of an opportunity Greg could not refuse, which directed his energy elsewhere...
In January of 2005, Greg filled in as lead guitarist for friends, pop-punk band, Punchline, who had lost theirs suddenly. Before long, filling in led to a permanent position, and Greg spent the next couple of years traveling the world with Punchline and lending his songwriting and guitar work to their 2006 Fueled By Ramen Records release '37 Everywhere.' In his time with Punchline, Greg found himself in places and situations he'd dreamed about his whole life. Eventually, though, the incessance of the travel, and time limitations on other pursuits caused Greg to grow weary of the touring lifestyle which had been his passion for so long, and in September of 2006 he left Punchline, to return to his home in CT.
Greg is now returning his creative focus to the solo project which bears his name. Plans are to tour mostly regionally for the time being, and to promote Vibrating Glass, which Greg finally released for digital download on June 7, 2007! (Please scroll up to the iSound player to purchase these songs!)
Future plans include Greg's expansion into producing local talent, as well as learning about home recording, to explore new directions for the project, in order to ultimately begin working on a new album, . As always, Greg's goals are simple: stretch himself by writing as much and as well as he can, and provide the stimuli to himself and his fans that beg the pursuit and realization of the endless potential of the individual.
so i finally acknowledged the 21st century and bought your album online--soar is my new favorite song. will you perform already?! i need to watch you on stage... it's been too long for me
Hey Greg! How are you man? It has been a long time. Are you playing shows much these days? If so I'd like to hook something up together. Stop by and say hi when you get a minute. Rock.
My page is now a billboard for your show. Its not my best work but its 11:00PM and camp drained the life out of me. I swear I can do better. See ya in a few weeks for the show.
hey greg! you are the best dude alive. i'm sure glad i got to teach you how to play guitar! i put vids of me playing guitar on my new lessons page, check em out!
I think the whole Lemur sanctuary is really a result of meeting you all those years ago. You can be proud that your beliefs created such positive change. There are some people that just remain constant in your life for whatever reason. You have been a great inspiration
Hey Greg, how is life? Well its been 4 years, but I made it back here, right now Im living in Hollywood. Are you planning to come out this way in the next few months? You should come and visit me for sure! Peace
just wanted to stop by and say hi! so hi! haha ohh and i remember when you played at arch street greenwich CT when u were with west beverly back in the day
