Entering the vault beneath the Reno store Bizarre Guitar is like stepping into a rock and roll time capsule. Every picture tells a story, and so does every guitar. Just down the hallway is the basement studio where Greg Golden and his fellow musicians rehearse.
The Greg Golden Band plays hard rock, and at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, in a most appropriate venue: The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino’s Vinyl showroom at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore.
“It’s clean, friendly,” Golden said. “It has an unbelievable sound, fantastic lighting and there will be no cover charge. Are you kidding me?”
The Hard Rock will give away a Fender Stratocaster guitar to a concertgoer, who must be present to win.
Golden is as passionate as he is enthusiastic. The challenge for those around him is to keep up. “I talk a thousand miles an hour and move even quicker,” he said in his first interview with Tahoe Onstage. This week will mark his sixth appearance in the Hard Rock’s Vinyl, which opened a year ago.
“The sound is dialed in, thanks to Josh and his crew,” Golden said.
Four former members of the iconic rock band Montrose performed with the Greg Golden Band on Dec. 18. Singers Randy Scoles and Paul Holdgate, bassist Larry Hart and drummer Steve Brown, joined Golden and his regular band members, bassist Richard Wagner, drummer Boris Tavcar and guitarist Jeff Montgomery. The band played several Ronnie Montrose songs. Jethro Tull also was celebrated with flute player Steven Schweizer.
The set included Golden’s “Long Way Home,” a tune that went viral on YouTube just before the release of the Greg Golden Band’s eponymous debut album, which came out in April. It was produced by Tesla’s Frank Hannon. The album was named one of the top 25 of 2015 by Hair Metal Mansion. LINK
Golden met Hannon the same way he’s met a countless number of rock stars: Hannon was shopping for a guitar in Golden’s music store, which is connected to his gun shop. Bizarre, indeed.
“No one can match Frank Hannon musically,” Golden said.
Hannon and Golden are in the process of making a follow-up record, which is about 30 percent completed. The plan is for nine originals and one cover song. However, many are being considered.
“We’re going to take the cream off of the top,” Golden said. “I am excited to be recording a second album and really looking forward to playing again at the Hard Rock.”
— Randy Hashagen contributed to this story.
- Greg Golden Band
When: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29
Where: Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline
Cover: free