Greg in Good Company

Indulge in the uplifting vibes of a Los Angeles gem that will awaken the days when acoustic funk and rasping soulful voices rang from every street corner.

Greg Gilman and the crew make music with raw and ready bass riffs, jumping harmonies, and a tall glass of fun within every groove. Releasing their debut EP, Greg in Good Company first reminded me of bands like Blues Traveler, Sister Hazel, and Gilman’s voice can compare with artists like Marcus Mumford or John Popper; but, as I continued to listen, I discovered more influences involved and blended into something that I would say is their own style.

From the acoustic ballad and soft dancing harmonies found in “That Girl’s a Star” to the honest and heartfelt “2 AM,” very full with a nice harmonica solo and brass line, we are not left with one sound, but an assortment of musical direction. “Save Me” was a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the disco harmonies, chill guitar groove with a nice instrumental break and the reconciliation at the lyrics, “Every time that I see you, / my demons all seem to fear you.”

I see this band continuing to grow in their musical endeavors as long as they stay true to what they love. Take the time to check out Greg in Good Company on Spotify, or buy their new EP at your iTunes store, and keep an eye open for any live shows. - SoundOpen

Greg Gilman is a Lehigh Valley native. He graduated from Southern Lehigh High School in 2005, attended Temple University and then, as the story goes, moved out to LA to follow dreams that included screenwriting and, of course, music.

His band’s name, Greg in Good Company, seems to be fitting. Gilman certainly has surrounded himself with a tight group of talented musicians who, simply put, make good music. The band’s self-titled EP reflects that.

Listeners will be taken in right away by Gilman’s infectious baritone on the EP’s lead track, the mid-tempo roots rocker “2 AM.” From there, things get funky with “Get Laid,” a refreshingly, if not brutally honest take on the dating scene, and “Save Me,” whose lyrics are, at first, surprisingly dark, given its bright instrumental grooves.

We then head into the land of balladry with “That Girl’s a Star,” a tender look at aspirations that are sometimes just beyond reach, and appear to be staying there if the beginning of album closer “Good God, Grace” is any indication. The end track then picks up from its tender piano beginnings, however, resulting in an up-tempo Americana tune with bluegrass sensibilities and crisp vocal harmonies.

All in all, Gilman and his band have put together a catchy, enjoyable listen that will become a quick favorite for most rock fans.

Track listing:
2 AM
Get Laid
Save Me
That Girl’s a Star
Good God, Grace - Lehigh Valley Underground

While developing the idea for this blog, I tweeted my contact form out to see if any artists would let me showcase their work (even though I still hadn’t even come up with a blog name). Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting to hear much of anything right away, but only a few minutes later I received an email from Greg Gilman about his band – Greg in Good Company. Sitting there and listening to Greg in Good Company’s debut EP was the first time I had the thought, “This was a really good idea”.

Greg in Good Company is based out of California, and comprised of singer/songwriter Greg Gilman, drummer Perry Ostrin, bassist Alex U’Ren, lead guitarist Marty Vites, and pianist/vocalist Lee.

The first thing that struck me about this band was that I couldn’t define their genre – which is exactly what JaxxShack is all about. Greg in Good Company has a unique sound that blends each member’s individual musical style and taste, amplified by the fact that their ages range from 26-50. While a rock band at heart, they’re also funky with touches of folk, country, and ska, wrapped up with that pop appeal bow.

"Are we rock, pop, alternative, folk? I’m not sure, honestly, and we don’t care to ever worry about trying to fit into a specific genre," Greg said. "We just want to make good music for good people that hopefully connect with the lyrics and love catchy melodies."

Their debut EP (produced by Mitchell Haueszer of HAUS Music in Studio City, LA, and mastered by bassist Alex U’Ren) is a well-rounded selection of songs that each stand out on their own. Greg’s lyrics are honest, funny, and insightful, and his voice is completely complimented by Lee’s. From the *spirited* “Get Laid,” to the thoughtful “That Girl’s a Star,” each member shines individually while the group remains undeniably cohesive.

I’ll definitely be on the lookout for their next music video, which will be going into production shortly. For now, I’ll just have to watch this hysterical video another 27 times (someone…save me… - JaxxShack