Gregg Foreman

Gregg Foreman
Background information
Born (1972-10-05) October 5, 1972 (age 52)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresPost Punk / Garage / Soul / Synth
Occupation(s)Musician, DJ
Years active1995-present
Formerly ofThe Delta 72, Cat Power, Pink Mountaintops, The Gossip

Gregg Foreman (born October 5, 1972) is an American musician and DJ born in Philadelphia.[1] Foreman gained recognition initially as the front man of; The Delta 72,[2][3] a band that created a frenetic and honest style channeling post-punk rock sensibilities with 1960s British Invasion R&B.[4] The live gigs of The Delta 72 have been characterized by Gregg's energetic stage performances and James Brown-like moves.[2][4]

Early life and education

Gregg was born October 5, 1972, in Philadelphia. He has one sister, Abbe Foreman, a photographer in Philadelphia]. His mother, Vicki Foreman was a school teacher. He was raised in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and attended Conestoga High School.

Career

Gregg Foreman, began playing music in his hometown of Philadelphia. When he was 13 he bought his first; Roland Synthesizer & Yamaha Drum Machine. Foreman would then kick around the Philadelphia Post-punk/Goth music scene.. playing in quite a number of bands and hosted a cable access music/culture show.

Foreman (after high school), joined a Post-hardcore band called; Junction, where he'd get a chance to explore the world of touring and making records. Within a few years and inspired by Washington, D.C. bands like; Fugazi, Foreman started the Post Punk/Soul/No-Wave band; The Delta 72. The Delta 72, toured and released records on; Dischord Records, Kill Rock Stars and eventually; Touch and Go Records. The band would work with; Brendan Canty (Fugazi) Eli Janney (Girls Against Boys), Steve Albini, Royal Trux and Shelly Yakus. Delta 72, disbanded in 2001. In the interim, Gregg played on records, including; "Acme" by the NYC legends; Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

By the mid 90's Gregg started freelance writing for Philadelphia's City paper, interviewing such luminaries as; Ian McLagan of Small Faces and Bobby Byrd of the James Brown band. It would be at this time Gregg would become obsessed with 45 RPM records, starting a Mod/ Soul night in Philadelphia called; "The Turnaround", which became part of legendary Philadelphia nightclub; "Making Time'. The Turnaround inspired Foreman to DJ in Philadelphia and around the world, DJ'ing at such venues as; David Lynch club; "Silencio", Parisian venue "Le Baron" and Tokyo's; "Beat Cafe". Foreman's sets span the gamut from; Mod/soul music, post-punk, Girl group sounds all the way to the; Cold wave sounds of 1980's Europe and the Psychedelic sounds of 1960's Garage[5]

Foreman, joined Cat Power[2][6] in 2006, and eventually became musical director. He was also in; Canadian band; Pink Mountaintops,[2] founded by Stephen McBean from Black Mountain; psychedelic, post punk band The Meek,[3][7] and a part-time member of the slow-burning, psyche rock band The Black Ryder.[2]

In 2015, Foreman worked on Re-Licked, a project of James Williamson of The Stooges, including Alison Mosshart from The Kills, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys.[8] and Mark Lanegan.

Gregg also hosted The Pharmacy,[9] a radio show focusing on the architects of underground music, interviewing artists like Alan Vega of Suicide,[4] Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre,[10] Genesis P-Orridge from Psychic TV and pioneer of no wave; Lydia Lunch.[11]

In 2019, Gregg released a recording with Suicide (band) frontman Alan Vega. The EP, also featured mixes by Nick Cave drummer, Jim Sclavunos, and Composer, JG Thirlwell, and musical contributions from Yeah Yeah Yeah's guitarist, Nick Zinner, and White Hills.

In 2019, Gregg also joined American Post-Punk band; The Gossip, for a European tour which included direct support of The Cure at Madrid's Mad Cool festival.

In 2020, Gregg began work with artist; Kat Von D on her debut LP; "Love Made Me Do It" and following that; "My Side of the Mountain" released 2024.

Gregg has also worked with; Lydia Lunch, David J (Bauhaus), Jesse Malin, Lucinda Williams, Martin Rev, Crocodiles, Toody Cole of Dead Moon, L.A. Witch, Linda Perry, Paris Jackson, and many more.

Foreman, in recent years has been doing live scores to; underground, strange art and obscure films at the legendary; Philosophical Research Society and working with artists like; Death Valley Girls, Martin Rev, David J,Eugene Hütz and Paris Jackson.

References

  1. ^ "Meet Gregg Foreman". Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Gregg Foreman (Pink Mountaintops/The Meek/The Black Ryder/The Silver Chords/Cat Power/The Delta 72/Your Mom)". February 27, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Gregg Foreman - Cat Power/ The Meek/ Pink Mountaintops - Nuclear Bunker Discs". Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c "Artrocker Magazine". artrockermagazine.com.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 8, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Cat Power - Silver Stallion (Live). YouTube.
  7. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: The Meek - "Beatitude" | a Do512 Lounge Session. YouTube.
  8. ^ "INTERVIEW: James Williamson – October 2014 | 100% ROCK MAGAZINE". Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  9. ^ "The Shape of Sound to Come A.k.a. The Pharmacy!!". December 26, 2015.
  10. ^ "The Brian Jonestown Massacre, this week on the Pharmacy". April 30, 2014.
  11. ^ "Trust the Witch: Lydia Lunch, this week on 'The Pharmacy'". February 27, 2014.
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