Greg Klyma (acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, vocals... sometimes piano and bass) often performing solo. Also, one half of the highly entertaining and versatile duo, Vagabond Van, with Tom Bianchi (electric and upright bass, harmonica and vocals... sometimes guitar and mandolin). You may catch us performing with any number of drummers and soloists, including, but not limited to Sick (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Shrimp (drums), Ryan Fitzsimmons (guitar, vocals), Jim Larkin (drums, bass), Bruce Chandler (drums), Terry "Buffalo" Ware (guitar), Dean Brown (drums, vocals), Dana Price (keyboards, fiddle, vocals), Shrimp (drums, guitar, bass, vocals) and many other talented friends.
RUST BELT VAGABOND - the follow up album to 2006's DRIVER - is mixed and moving toward release. The album will feature "The Truth," "Helen Rose," "Roll Me Away," "Two Degrees in Buffalo," "Suicide Blue," "Add a Little Love," "St. Bernard's Parish," "Father Baker," "Given Enough Time," and the traditional "Erie Canal." Featuring performances by Jonathan Byrd, Sick, Tom Bianchi, Anthony da Costa, Dana Price, the Mighty Mighty Wiggus and others.
A January baby, born in Buffalo, NY on his father's bowling night, Greg Klyma is the son of a garbage man. Greg grew up in a blue collar town with a blue collar work ethic and an appreciation of blue collar fun. In August 1998, Klyma took that ethic out on the road, honing his songwriting, storytelling, musicianship, and presentation at venues and festivals across the US.
Greg Klyma is the Rust Belt Vagabond - a folk troubadour with a rock 'n' roll heart. Put simply, he is an entertainer and he's got songs. Lots of them! Besides his own prolific catalog of songs, ranging from historical ballads to hysterical bar songs, Greg can play hundreds of classics and is known to improvise songs at the drop of a hat keeping his shows forever in the moment.
The central theme to his latest work is the truth. On Greg's forthcoming album, Rust Belt Vagabond, he explores the Tale of Two Brothers, post-Katrina New Orleans, the history of Buffalo, NY, and personal truth- his own shortcomings, the ways we depend on each other, and the healing power of love. Recorded in studios from Austin, TX and Durham, NC to home studios scattered about the northeast US, Rust Belt Vagabond features two songs co-written with friend Jonathan Byrd, a fresh new version of "Erie Canal," and performances by, among others, Byrd, Tom Bianchi, Sick and Anthony da Costa.
Advance copies and pre-orders will be available in late May 2008. The CD's official release is set for August 1 as Greg marks 10 years as a full-time touring artist.
I suck & I'm sorry I've been a terrible friend not getting back to you! I promise to make it up to you with red wine and chocolates next time you're in town....if you can have them that is ;)
So, I was DEFINITELY all set to come see you at Toad on Tuesday. Sadly, I have a family funeral now suddenly in NY and won't be in Boston for the first part of this week. Double sad.
I am, however, hoping to make it to Toad on Thursday to see Mara. No need for rations...but please leave some of your good Klyma vibe behind!
current plan is to come visit july-ish, move october-ish. more "ishy" on the visit than the move. hope i get to see your smiling face before all that. i'll try to call soon. safe road and smooth rhythms to you. :) tell tom i say "hey tom".
Hey Greg. Sorry I have been so out of touch lately I have my feet in many musical doors, and am going bonkers trying to get it all out there. What are the chords to Hard Kisser and RnR. My singer really digs those tunes and wants to cover them if that is cool with you? Talk to ya soon, and hope all is well. TIM
Alright Klyma you mock me fine, you rate me below salad for, ok that hurts but you leave a comment mocking my sisters' laugh? Well it's gonna take a whole lotta liquor and some very good music at Toad for me to get over the deep feelings of shame and inadequecy [if I could spell the word] that I feel right now. Why must you mock my pain Klyma? You sick, sick degenerate. See you at Toad
