Chris Meek Guitar/Bass

History- 1980's

Chris Meek started playing guitar seriously in 1984 after staying up all night to see the premier of Van Halen’s "Jump" video on MTV, New Years Day 1984. He cut his teeth learning AC/DC, Metallica, Rush and Led Zepplin. A friend turned Chris on to the Chick Corea Electric Band’s 1st album leading him to really dig into music theory. At the time, he attended Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, CA for a couple of semesters. Chris joined the top 40 group Tongue and Groove. This was his first gigging experience. T&G played 2 gigs a month and provided invaluable experience on what it takes to run a band.

1990's

After T&G disbanded, Chris went on to form Whatevers Clever, a group that focused on 70’s classic rock and funk stuff such as Steely Dan, Lynard Skynard, and Stevie Wonder. Concurently, Chris joined Gashouse Gorillas, a band that played original music focusing on odd-meters, multiple styles, and sense of humor type stuff ala Frank Zappa or Mr. Bungle. About this time Chris started teaching guitar privately, quickly building up a large student base. At this point, Chris started playing casuals and pick up gigs, learning a lot of different styles of music.

Chris then went on to join Myron Edwins as a sideman and later MD for his 15 piece smooth-soul band. Chris gained his first studio experience appearing on 4 tracks for Myron’s debut album "Crack a Smile". This band had label interest, but Myron decided to pursue producing over performing leading Chris to move on. That’s show business…

After a string of various gigs, Chris Meek teamed with singer Amy Robins to form Sugar Boogie, an original funk band. This band played all over the bay area and gained a loyal following. Chris produced the band self titled CD of well crafted funk/rock/pop songs. Being an original band playing for little money, it was difficult to keep players. This fact along with a difference of opinion between founding members, led to the break up. That’s show business part 2.…

2000's

In 2000, Chris wrote and recorded his first solo album of original instrumental music. He played and/or programmed all the music on the disc, save a couple of guest drummer tracks. This was highly rewarding experience from the stand point of realizing a huge goal. The album, entitled Picasso Blue, was well received by friends and fans alike, prompting the "when are you playing?" questions. The band concept was never embraced here as Chris did this just to fulfill his own need to grow musically. And grow he did…

Chris went on to join the Junior DeVille Blues Band playing bass, a spot he kept for 5 solid years. JDVBB played all over Northern California, including regular stints at Lou’s in SF, Torch Club in Sacramento, and JJ’s in San Jose. Their self titled CD is selling well, and the first single, "No More Cryin‘ ", was featured on the House of Blues radio show hosted by Elwood Blues aka Dan Ackroyd. The tune has been played on KFOG here in the Bay Area, as well. Mike Blankenship from the band went on to play with the Braxton Brothers, Ledisi as well as Lauren Hill.

20 years after starting on guitar, Chris came full circle and joined Trilogy, a tribute band that plays faithful renditions of songs by the Canadian trio Rush, returning him to the music he grew up playing and still favors to this day. This band features the actual drums Neil Peart from Rush played on tour in the early 80’s. Adam Roderick won the drums for an essay he wrote to Neil in a contest sponsored by Modern Drummer Magazine . This lends a unique authenticity to the group not likely to be matched.

Needing to get back to the business of funk guitar, Chris hooked up with another Bay Area blues veteran, Stewart Burr, and joined Dyno 54. Dyno played many gigs over the course of the next year to rave review. Like many bands of this ilk, some of the personel had commitment issues causing Dyno to disband...

In 2005 Chris started writing/performing with the soul/rock outfit Powers That Be doing originals and has also appeared with the Top-40 Group Livewire playing everything from AC/DC to Justin Timberlake and beyond. 2008-2009 saw Chris playing more than ever doing shows with the Groove Doctors, Powers That Be, Full Circle Revue, Montage, Onyx and of course, Livewire. Busy Indeed!

In the future Chris intends get into more production aspects of music, working with young musicians to help hone their skills. He also would like to play instrumental music in the funk/jazz/hip hop sort of vein ala John Scofield and Soulive. Another Picasso Blue record is coming as well. Stay Tuned…