Greg Leisz

Greg Leisz (pronounced "Lease") is an American multi-instrumentalist, playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar and mandolin.

Biography

Leisz was influenced early on by the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, especially pedal steel player "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow. During the 1970s he was a member of the short-lived and forgotten Funky Kings, created by Arista's Clive Davis to mirror the Eagles' success. The failure of the band convinced him that he would be happier outside of the spotlight. [1] Since then, he has enjoyed a busy career as a sideman. In 2008, he participated in the production of the album Psalngs, the debut release of Canadian musician John Lefebvre.

Two of his closest collaborators are Dave Alvin (formerly of the Blasters), for whom Leisz produced and played on several records, and Bill Frisell, with whom he tours regularly and appeared on the records Good Dog, Happy Man, Blues Dream and The Intercontinentals. Leisz has also worked extensively with Matthew Sweet since the early 1990s.

Leisz can be heard on Avenged Sevenfold's 2007 self titled album on the tracks "Gunslinger" and "Dear God". He is credited on Amos Lee's Last Days at the Lodge as Greg Liesz.

In January 2008, it was reported by Billboard that a new supergroup octet tentatively named The Scrolls had formed. The octet has since been renamed Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) and is composed of Leisz, Sean Watkins (guitar), his sister Sara Watkins (fiddle), Glen Phillips (guitar, vocals), Benmont Tench (piano), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Pete Thomas (drums), and Davey Faragher (bass). The group released their debut album, WPA, September 15, 2009.

Leisz's playing has appeared throughout the years on recordings by Tiger Army, Bill Frisell, Dave Alvin, Tracy Chapman, The Smashing Pumpkins, Grant Lee Buffalo, Acetone, Ray Lamontagne, Paula Cole, Matthew Sweet, The Jayhawks, Beck, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bruce Cockburn, Eric Clapton, Glenn Frey, Wilco, Shawn Colvin, Lucinda Williams, Mary Gauthier, Peter Case, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Whiskeytown, Girish, The Eagles, Bad Religion, k.d. lang, Sheryl Crow, Cass McCombs, John Fogerty, Natalie D-Napoleon, Bruce Springsteen, Susanna Hoffs, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Joe Cocker, Amos Lee, Bon Iver, Chuck Prophet, John Mayer, The Bangles and Bo Menart to name just a few.

Leisz toured in 2013 as a member of Eric Clapton's band.