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Born and raised to fear mayonnaise in the East Bay, Greg’s enjoyment of music stems back to his days rummaging through his families vinyl collection, making use of his opulent Fisher-Price record player. With influence from his elder siblings, early U2 and R.E.M. LP’s were revered. His introduction to Indie-music began in late 1994 while he was in the 8th grade. At this point, he discovered Pavement’s, “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.” With this finding, many of his family and friends witnessed a change within him. A friend of Greg’s from this time, whose identity would like to remain anonymous, described his abrupt transformation recently in an interview with Diane Sawyer, when he said; “That was the beginning of the end of our friendship. Greg’s viewing of MTV significantly decreased as his music snobbery began. A specific memory stands out in my mind that sums up his metamorphosis. A bunch of our friends were going to the Hootie show at the Pavilion and he turned down an invitation to go. In a way, I guess, it was symbolic of our consummated friendship.” After gaining new friends and earning a High School diploma, Greg set off for college in Stockton, Ca. His tenure in the “The Jewel of the San Joaquin Valley,” provided a wonderful playground for him to discover new music. His college years found him rubbing elbows with the likes of Dave Brubeck and the perpetually “sleepy” Kraig Jorgenson. During this time, he regularly attended “The College Bakery,” to see the best live rock music that the Valley had to offer. His critically acclaimed drumming in the short-lived band, Indie-Soundscape, introduced him to the dangers of sudden stardom. His fans high expectations in reaction to his musical skill combined with an increasing propensity for burritos, left him no other choice but to leave behind the bright lights of show business in order to preserve his sanity. Concluding his completion of college, he returned home to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he modestly awaits what post-collegiate life has in store for him… -A.J. 12/29/03 Here what Gregory spent my money on in 2003: 01. The Shins 'Chutes too Narrow' 02. Stephen Malkmus & Jicks 'Pig Lib + Bonus Disc' 03. Oranger 'Shutdown the Sun and Ashes of Electric Elves' 04. The Postal Service 'Give Up' 05. Death Cab for Cutie 'Transatlantacism' 06. Decemberists/ Her Majesty 'The Decemberists' 07. Yo La Tengo 'Summer Sun' 08. Grandaddy 'Sumday' 09. Earlimart 'Everyone Down Here' 10. Fruitbats 'Mouthfuls' Honorable Mention Guided By Voices 'Earthquake Glue' Home Volume 5 'Benjamin Gibbard and Andrew Kenney' American Analog Set 'Promise of Love' Film School 'Always Never' E.P. What Gregory's remaining money was spent on: 01. Wilco/ Oranger @ Great American Music Hall 02. Shins/ Modest Mouse @ The Fillmore 03. Yo La Tengo/ The Clean/ The Aislers Set @ The Fillmore 04. Stephen Malkmus and Jicks/ Pernice Brothers @ Slims 05. My Morning Jacket @ Slims 06. Death Cab for Cutie/ Nada Surf @ The Fillmore 07. Guided By Voices @ Slims 08. Spoon/ Rogue Wave @ The Fillmore 09. American Analog Set/ Film School @ Bottom of the Hill 10. Centro-Matic/ Long Winters @ Café Du Nord ©2003 playinginfog.com |