Jon Gomm
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The U.K.'s Triple Threat
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Hypertension is the brand-new solo CD release from England's Jon Gomm, who is described as a triple threat - impossible sounding virtuoso guitar work, soaring vocals and a unique, instantly recognizable songwriting style. Comparisons to Michael Hedges vocal songs are probably inevitable, as Hedges used, and Gomm uses, a guitar and a voice to deliver what can come across to the listener as a much fuller sound. Gomm strives to replace a lot of traditional instrumentation with his array of guitar techniques, some of which come across beautifully on record, whereas others are probably even more impressive in a live setting. Hypertension contains two cover songs, but the nine originals (including the instrumental track, "Stupid Blues") really show off Gomm's strengths - look for this English guitarist to make major waves - on both sides of the Atlantic.
Jon only wanted a guitar for Christmas when he was just 2 years old. He got one. Now he has a bigger one, and throughout his career, Jon has played everything. He started with classical (although his guitar teacher was reluctant to take on such a young fellow!), meanwhile savoring every Beatles song. Then he discovered the dark magic of the blues, and then was lured into the super-fast look-at-me world of the 'rock guitar hero'. He learned to play jazz, to his own bemusement, and then, still reeling, decided he could make the most noise with an acoustic guitar and his mouth. He invented loads of new playing techniques, then heard Michael Hedges in late 2000 and realized that someone else had already invented them and made them sound like God yawning. Jon carried forth all these influences and pooled them into a lump of plastic, squashed it flat and polished it until it shined. That shiny disc is now known as Hypertension.
Gomm has gotten high-profile gigs supporting some of the most respected names on the acoustic circuit such as Tommy Emmanuel, Nick Harper and Woody Mann. He is slated to perform at the 2004 European Guitar Festival in Soave, Italy.
Contact Information
Jon Gomm
United Kingdom
E-mail:
Jon Gomm
Web site:
www.jongomm.com
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Jeremy Krull
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Ripping Metal Instrumentals
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Jeremy Krull's self-titled debut CD features seven instrumental tracks in the heavy metal and progressive metal vein, and serve as a veritable showcase for his mega-heavy riffage and dizzying solos. Krull uses his seven-string guitar to raid the heavy riff archive with taste and discretion, while juxtaposing warbly, raw and demented tones with complex and fiery guitar lines. For a self-released, near-one-man-band debut, the production is surprisingly solid; Krull has a knack for keeping things interesting in the way he structures his compositions. His influences such as Symphony X, Rudess Morgenstein Project and Dream Theater probably helped in that regard. Jeremy Krull will find a place in the CD collections of fans of heavier instrumental guitar music, and the sky is the limit for this young (he's only 18) shredder.
Jeremy started playing guitar when he was around 6 years old, and along the way he picked up drums, bass, and just recently, keyboards. His first influence and all time favorite band is Queen, but he has many different influences ranging from instrumental rock guitarists such as Steve Vai and Brett Garsed, to jazz/fusion greats like Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and Tribal Tech to modern progressive outfits like Symphony X, Pain Of Salvation, Royal Hunt, and Ayreon. Of late, Jeremy has been listening to lots of music toward the heavier end of the spectrum, such as Iced Earth, Dimmu Borgir, Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects and Meshuggah. He used Emagic's Logic Audio software to record his album, eventually promoting a three-song sampler at Atlanta's Prog Power festival, where he got a lot of positive feedback.
Krull admits there is only really one thing left to do now, and that is to create more music.
Contact Information
Jeremy Krull
8 Martha Place
Chappaqua, NY 10514
United States
E-mail:
Jeremy Krull
Web site:
themanwithnoname.iuma.com
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