Birth Name: Christopher Gough
Nick Name: Metaphorical 1
Height: 6' 4"
Instruments played: Guitars, some keyboards
Favorite Band: Ultima Thule
Ah yes I remember the 60's... somewhat. So that means I was there... somewhat. I went off to college... somewhat. Part of me did not fit in at the time. I switched schools after two years and went to ASU. Despite the sun and stimulation though I slipped into a depression and kind of dropped out in the middle of my second semester (don't try that at home kids). I had vague goals (being a child of the 60's) and planned to move to the Rocky mountains and be a writer. In the transition time I connected with my "buds" in the "hood" who were doing the band gig. Slowly it dawned on me, I could hang with them and write about that! I started traveling with them and helping out and soon became a "roadie". The band started to become very successful. There was a magic elixir here: Talent, personality and some mysterious X-factor!
I had started playing guitar seriously. Oddly enough, I had tried to get in to music at a younger age and even bought a set of drums and rented a piano. My parents said either the instruments or I had to go so their delicate tranquility would not be disrupted! OK... Circumstances resulted in one of the guitarists moving on and I was asked to replace him. Answering my muse and confronting my demons I signed on. The band toured the Midwest for the next 2 1/2 years playing 5 or 6 nights a week every week. Next... well... people grow, and in different directions. The band dispersed and I went back to college. I continued to confront my demons and college was mostly a success (the demons won a couple rounds). I vowed to get a meaningful career, and did; becoming a psychotherapist (go to chrisgough.org). I also picked up a graduate degree in philosophy along the way. It was the only way to find others with obscure enough interests to discuss these topics!
Starting a career as a therapist was transformative, and remains so. As part of this transformation my muse grew up and flourished. I began writing songs and eventually recording them. I did this mostly with current band member Dan Smith who's singing and keyboards turned my frog-voiced mumblings into transcendent art (or so it seemed to me). Thanks Dan! I've written and recorded over 100 songs in the last 20 years, some of these may be available soon! So things were all good when a few months ago Dave Angel called and asked if I would be interested in a reunion CD: "Unfinished business"! Are you kidding me!? A full band of talented creative people to co-create our mature muses. My sex drive may have diminished but all that energy seems to have transitioned to creative endeavors (OK so Freud was right about sublimation)
So here we are, all these years later fulfilling our "unfinished business".
A word about the gifts my band mates give (In alphabetical order):
Dave Angel is a musical renaissance man: Producer, sound man, engineer, writer, musician, promoter, motivator/leader, friend and more! Dave and I were childhood friends in the hood in the woods.
Kent Cooper is a cool, slick guy and very talented drummer who has grounded many musical incarnations. Kent and I did lunch's in high school at the nearby ice cream shop.
John Krahenbuhl has the twin attributes of a heart of gold and very large funny bone, to go with his deep passion and creativity for music. John has a real gift for connecting with an audience.
Dan Smith, as mentioned, has been my mentor and music mate for decades and breathed soul and spirit into my and his songs. Dan comes to life in the musical performance and it's a privilege to behold!
I met Rich Wigstone one night at a party where he was off playing guitar for hours. He was "in the zone" and courting the muse. He immediately became and remains my "guitar hero". Rich can do it all and evidenced by songs he has recorded playing all the instruments. His light shines brightest though in the communion of the band experience.
So there you have it. My biases bio, thanks for reading this far! Chris Gough
