Steve Kimock Talks Jerry Garcia, Kimock Band and Future Plans

Kimock 2015

(Steve Kimock and his son John Morgan Kimock. Photo by Michelle Pattee.)

TipJar: I remember hearing that you were one of Jerry Garcia’s favorite guitar players. Is that true? 

Steve Kimock: I remember that too, back in the ’80s Guitar Player magazine polled their advisory board, of which Garcia was a member, on the question of “Favorite Unknown Guitarist.” Jerry chose two, myself and Australian jazz/fusion guitarist Frank Gambale. This cemented both our status as actual guitarists and ensured that we would labor forever in obscurity to fulfill prophecy.

How’d you first get into playing? 

I was lucky enough to have family, my Aunt Dottie and cousin Kenny, folk and blues musicians respectively, to get me started by way of example. Growing up in the ’60s of course you’d have to count the Beatles as a primary inspiration for most kids with guitars, and I was no exception, but honestly it’s those closest to you who have the biggest influence — your friends and family.

Where do you call home?

I’m split between Pennsylvania and California. Sebastopol CA, for the moment . . .

I like the acoustic vibes and the overall atmosphere on your latest release, Last Danger of Frost. Is this a sound that you are exploring when you play live these days or is it more specific to that release?

Well, that’s certainly a sound that’s been in my head all along, and I do intend to continue pursuing it, but not to the exclusion of the rest of the rock n’ roll I enjoy playing. It’s just taken me half a century to overcome my shyness with regard to externalizing my own private audio Idaho. Y’all stuck with it now! Me too. . .

I see that you are touring with your son John on drums. How has it been bringing him into the family business?

It’s been an inspiration and a pleasure for me. There’s a component of generational challenge to it, musically speaking, with our formative listening being decades apart, but I find it educational and beneficial overall.

Do you ever sing?

Yeah. It’s not pretty, but it’s kinda fun. . .

How often do you tour and do you have a regular formation of players who go out with you? 

I tour as little as possible, as much as necessary, is what it feels like. So, constantly/never, would be the general impression depending on if you were asking me or my 8-year-old. There’s a fairly regular rotation of musicians I prefer to work with, but it’s pretty kaleidoscopic by the time you’re reconciling all those schedules. It’s “project by project” and “tour to tour” by the time it all comes together. Sometimes you measure that in years, sometimes in hours.

Is there a particular sound that you are shooting for with your band Kimock?

Absolutely yes. Equal parts acoustic and electronic composition and improvisation, with a sort of negative space limit regarding handling the ensemble vocabulary to avoid it collapsing into jam band cliche. There’s a one wah-wah limit onstage for example.

How did you first come to team up with (bassist) Bobby Vega? How about Leslie Mendelson? 

Guacamole! I’ve known Bobby all my adult life, we hooked up forever ago in Zero. The important part of the relationship is that we continue to team up, back each other up, and persevere. Old friends with grey hair are hard to find. I met Leslie at Weir’s TRI studio doing a Weir Here show. I was considerably spun having come directly from SFO on a flight from Tokyo, so details are hazy but we hit it off well enough musically to continue. She’s extremely talented and hard working. A great sparring partner.

Do you have any venues in Colorado that you particularly enjoy playing?

Any and all, Colorado has always been good to me, but I think I’m most fond of the outdoor venues, festival type stuff in and around the mountains. Just beautiful. .

You have some pretty cool and unique guitars. What do you look for in an instrument?

Any unique qualities sufficient to point my playing in a specific direction. Overall utility or versatility is secondary. I figure I only really need one versatile guitar, and I already have that in my pretty cool ’60 Strat, so the Strat frees me up to look for more specialized instruments. Could be anything, I like that.

What have been some of the highlights of recent years for you?  

I recently played an acoustic duo gig with David Lindley, I’d consider that a lifetime achievement award. He’s the best! The Last Danger of Frost was a highlight as well, the record itself, and the subsequent decision to take the concept on the road. Also recently have had more opportunities to gig with keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, I really enjoy our musical chemistry together.

Any big plans for 2016 and beyond? 

World Peace, time travel, maybe make another record. The usual stuff. . . 

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Steve Kimock brings his band Kimock to Colorado June 2-4, with shows in Denver, Ft. Collins and Boulder. Check out all things Kimock at www.kimock.com