Artist description Goocher is a one-man musical dynamo, crafting musical poetry using electric guitar as his primary creative tool.

Music Style Guitar-driven progressive rock, sometimes funky, sometimes phat, always interesting.

Musical Influences Allan Holdsworth, Rush, Eric Johnson, Kerry Livgren, Phil Keaggy, Kansas, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Schenker, Jon Anderson, Propellerheads, James Brown, Dave Weckl, Reindel, Vince Vrbancic

Similar Artists Eric Johnson, Rush, Allan Holdsworth, Kansas

Artist History Goocher began playing guitar at the tender age of twelve. He was primarily inspired by late seventies hard rock, and the larger-than-life mystique many of those bands projected. Seeing his son's dedication and passion, Goocher's father made the gutsy decision to purchase a Les Paul Deluxe as a fourteenth birthday gift. From age fifteen to seventeen, together with friends John Hamlin on bass, Mike Husband on guitar & vocals, and Kyle Woodring on drums, Goocher and company passed through several band incarnations. The final version, "Fury", became something of a local Beatles amongst their high school peers, playing at parties and a junior high dance. At that time, Goocher's specialty was his renditions of various Nugent songs (Wango Tango, Cat Scratch Fever, etc). As an eighteen and nineteen year old, Gooch experimented heavily with multritrack recording and drum programming. From age twenty to twenty-five, he played in a Christian power-pop band named "Network" that traveled on weekends, playing primarily at universities along the East Coast. During this time, privately, Goocher was hard at work perfecting his multitrack recording skills, and began experimenting heavily with MIDI sequencing. In his late twenties through early thirties, Goocher's musical passions fell dormant, until he experienced an earth-shattering depression that roused him from his creative slumber. Out of that grew a realization of the importance of music, and the literal soul-need to create. Thus was born "Goocher" (the moniker is actually a recycled nickname his parents called him as a toddler). At thirty-five, Goocher is in his prime. He reaches into this soul and pulls out raw, slamming Progressive and Instrumental Rock inspired by all the great music he has listened to (and loved) through the years.

Group Members Goocher

Instruments Steinberger guitar, Fender Power Jazz bass, POD 2.0, Echo/Darla24, Cakewalk SONAR XL, Athlon 1.2GHz w/512MB DDR-RAM, SB Live! (for MIDI I/O), WaveLab 3.0, various DX & VST plug-ins.

Albums Hard Poet (ETA 2002), Germinate (2000), Bald Face Lie (1998)

Press Reviews "Goocher is a remarkable guitarist, bassist, programmer & songwriter of the highest caliber. His writing style allows him to cover a considerable spectrum of musical genres including rock, progressive rock, fusion, jazz, groove, the list goes on. His chops are as equally amazing. Shred, taste, melody, you name it & Gooch does it.I haven't heard tones like his since Eric Johnson, Alan Holdsworth & Hendrix! I'd swear in some sections I'm actually hearing these guys, yet Gooch brings forth an originality all his own, putting an incredible amount of thought into everything he does. It's easily apparent that he puts every ounce of himself into his writing, he pours his very soul into each & every note. His bass playing is just as impressive as his guitar playing, he lays down some of the funkiest bass grooves I've ever heard.Regarding his production skills, Gooch records & masters his music right at home, achieving a spacious production as professional quality sounding as any studio. His CD "Germinate" is living proof of a top notch production & an unforgettable listening experience. This virtuoso is a true master at his craft, he amazes me to no end.Got Gooch?"-------Vince Vrbancic (from his "Featured Artist" section July-2000) http://www.mp3.com/vrbancic

Additional Info The "Germinate" album is a compilation consisting of 70% remixed/remastered "Bald Face Lie" songs, and %30 new material. The newer songs on "Germinate" will not appear on "Hard Poet" when it is released. So catch as catch can!

Location Elkridge, MD - USA

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