#Chicago

This is the first in a new series of blogs on musicians that I come across that our agency feels deserve some recognition not only for their talent but their work ethic and what they bring to the music community.  We are honored to have Chris Green be the first musician that we spotlight.

I came across guitarist Chris Green when I had his band “Rubicon Cross”on my radio show “Live From Music City.” “Rubicon Cross” is a project featuring Green and fellow musician “Firehouse” front man C J Snare. Green has been a guest on my show twice and I have talked on the phone with him to really dig into his views on guitar playing, music, songwriting and the music business in general. I have also recently done a review of the “Rubicon Cross” self-titled EP and have really had the chance to analyze his playing and songwriting.

Green is one of the guitar players in the UK metal band “Furyon.” He has also played guitar with the Nelson brother’s creation “Scrap Metal” and has done tour dates with “Firehouse” when needed. Green played in a band called “Pride” that put out two albums on AOR Heaven (Germany) and EMI (Japan) titled “Far from the Edge” and “Signs of Purity.” Green also recorded all the guitar solos on the “Faith Healer” CD “Welcome to the Edge of the World.” Recently he recorded with vocalist Phil Lewis of “L.A. Guns” fame on the song “You’re so Vain” on the new “Liberty n’ Justice” project. Finally, Green played lead guitar on the cover of “Go Off” with the band “Evolution” from legendary speed metal band “Cacophony” on Jason Becker’s CD “Warmth In The Wilderness – A Tribute to Jason Becker.”

Green studied guitar at GIT in London and prospered under the tutelage of guitar virtuoso Shaun Baxter. Becoming well versed in many styles of guitar playing such as jazz and country music, rock became his main genre that he excelled in. Green was heavily influenced by John Petrucci of “Dream Theater’s” use of octave displacement as a key to his soloing style. Green is always constantly working on his improvisation to be as melodic as possible, while fresh and original in his playing. Green strives to improve in all areas of his musicianship constantly. It’s a refreshing trait among metal guitar players and sorely needed. Baxter says this about Green “I’ve been very impressed with Chris’ work with Furyon. He’s an ultra-proficient modern rock player, who is melodic and expressive with a great sound.”

Green is one of those guitar players that “get it.” He understands songwriting, melody, harmony and putting the song first as opposed to showing your chops every chance you get. His technical skills stack up against most of the guitar greats but so does his phrasing, which to me is the most impressive thing. Green really focuses on playing for the song and not putting to many notes in a solo. He is able to tell a story within a story and also how to arrange songs with interesting and very memorable guitar parts. He is one of those rare players that he is so good at what he does you don’t notice how good he really is. He takes his music seriously and makes sure the song is the most important thing.

I personally think that Green could be the next guitar hero. Up and coming players should listen and learn from Chris Green.  One of Green’s philosophies of playing a solo is “if you take away the chords, you should still be able to hear the changes in your solo with nothing underneath it.” While this is not a new philosophy, it is something rarely found in most rock and metal musicians. One of the great things about Green is you can learn as much from what he doesn’t play in his songs as what he does play.

Currently on a creative high for writing, Green’s main focus is writing music with C J Snare to complete the “Rubicon Cross” CD. He is also working on music for a new project he is calling Space Warf which he calls kind of a throwback to old school British heavy metal.

Here are some songs featuring Green’s songwriting, playing and stage performance in the videos with his band “Furyon.” Check out the rest of his work as well to understand the well roundedness he brings to the guitar world. Make no mistake; Green is the total package and a rising star to keep your eye on.

“Furyon” – “Disappear Again”

“Furyon” – “Voodoo Me”

“Furyon” – “Wasted On You”

At the time of this writing Chris Green and The Lowry Agency have no affiliation.