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Wesley Geer

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Wesley Geer
Birth nameWesley Harmon Geer, Jr.
Also known asWesstyle, Wes Geer
Born (1973-10-28) October 28, 1973 (age 51)
Fullerton, California, USA
Occupation(s)Musician, guitarist, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)guitar, vocals, programming, keyboard, drum machines
Years active1992–present
Websitewww.wesgeer.com

Wesley "Wes" Geer born Wesley Harmon Geer, Jr. is an American guitar player, songwriter and producer, best known as Wesstyle, a founding member of the band Hed PE, formed in 1994 in Huntington Beach, CA. Geer was a guitarist, songwriter and producer in the band until his departure in 2003.

Geer was the former touring guitar player of the nu metal band Korn.[1] He replaced former Korn touring guitar player Shane Gibson in 2009 and played with the band until Brian "Head" Welch's return to the band in 2013.

Geer has worked with a number of other artists and groups, playing guitar, co-writing and/or producing songs, such as Papa Roach,[2] The Damages, Ben Grosse, and Thrill Kill Kult.

Wes has also formed an all-star band Sacred Sons with Sonny Mayo (Sevendust), Clinton Calton (D.I.), Zac Morris (Ugly Kid Joe), Scott Ellis (She Wants Revenge), Brandon Jordan (Kill Radio), Nate Lawler (Death On Wednesday), Matthew Bartosch (HU3M3N), Monte Pittman (Madonna).  They have performed at the Rock to Recovery benefit concerts.

Biography

Born in Fullerton, California to parents Wesley Harmon Geer and Eleanor Chamberlain. He is one of 8 children.

Hed PE (1994–2003)

Geer eventually met rapper and singer Jared Gomes, also known as "M.C.U.D." (MC Underdog),[3] while attending local music shows in Orange County, California during the 1990s. Together they formed the band Hed PE. Musically, bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill and the Beastie Boys had a huge impact on the sound and influence of Hed PE. Geer used the term "G-punk" (a fusion of punk rock and hip hop) for his music, citing a heavy influence of West Coast gangsta rap subgenre,[4] and punk rock. The band has claimed that their music (particularly the EP Church of Realities) heavily influenced Limp Bizkit and that Fred Durst supposedly listened to Hed PE's music throughout the production of Limp Bizkit's debut album, Three Dollar Bill, Yall$, but Durst himself has not backed up these claims.[5]

Hed PE went on to get signed by Jive Records elevating their success by touring with bands like Deftones.,[6] System of a Down, and Korn.[1]

Geer left Hed PE in 2003 for a change in his life style, claiming he would have died if he continued his life style at the time which included the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Geer made immediate changes to his life style after his departure from Hed PE and attended a rehab in 2004. He continues to live a health-oriented and active life style which includes participation in activities such as Yoga, Meditation, scuba-diving and running. In 2005, Geer was PADI certified in scuba-diving. Geer has had interest in giving back to the community, particularly with the teaching and mentoring of children. He has taught high school classes in guitar playing and music, and has interest in mentoring children on proper nutrition and positive social guidance. He was hired by the Fusion Academy & Learning Center to teach music to children in grades 6–12 with unique educational needs. Since leaving his touring duties with Korn in 2013, Geer has started an independent record label, Chanl Records, based in Huntington Beach, CA.

Rock To Recovery

Geer strived to find a way to bring the healing power of music to those in rehab. Geer himself used music and playing his guitar as a form of positive therapy while in rehab. In December 2012, Wes Geer started Rock to Recovery.[7] Rock to Recovery is a non profit that allows recovering addicts, victims of abuse, and troubled teens the opportunity to express themselves through songs that are written by the participants in each session. The organization is dedicated to helping "soothe the restless souls of those in recovery."[8] Each participant in the group forms a "band" with Rock to Recovery staff members, who are also professional musicians in recovery, which they write a song with recovery-based lyrics, and in the final session the song is recorded.[9] Regardless of prior musical experience or ability this method has proved incredibly beneficial for the participants,[10] who often don't want the sessions to end.[7] The process of recording songs is sponsored by the Apogee Quartet, which works as the organization's foundation of a professional and portable laptop studio.[10] Rock to Recovery is also sponsored by iZotope, Taylor Guitars, QSC, DR Strings, TC Electronic, Pickworld Guitar Picks, and Remo.[11]

In 2016, the Department of Defense granted Rock to Recovery an official contract for their years of impactful work with the Air Force and Army Wounded Warriors that sees the charity travel nationally to various bases to work with these injured veterans.[12]

In March 2017, the USAF Thunderbirds offered Wes a ride in an F16 Fighter Jet, a privilege only a few will receive, as an appreciation of the work Wes and Rock to Recovery has done with the Air Force's Wounded Warriors program.

Rock to Recovery Award Show was created in 2016 and the sober events help raise funds for the organization as well as help destigmatize the disease of addiction by showing those in recovery that recovery can be 'cool' and they will be supported by a growing community of sober rock star and other artists.[13]

The first award show, Rock to Recovery 1, the organization honored Mike Ness[14] and for Rock to Recovery 2, the non-profit honored Corey Taylor and Wayne Kramer.[15] The upcoming Rock to Recovery 3 (September 2018), the organization will honor Moby and Tommy Vext, with Steel Panther headlining the event.

In December 2017, Rock to Recovery celebrated its fifth year anniversary, while Wes celebrated his ten years being sober.

Korn (2010–2013)

Geer originally met Korn[1] guitar player James "Munky" Shaffer in 1994. The two bands rehearsed next door to one another in 1996 in the same rehearsal facility in Southern California. Staying acquainted throughout the years, after Korn[1] lead guitar player Brian "Head" Welch left the band in 2005, the remaining members of Korn[1] eventually reached out to Geer as a replacement guitar player for live performance and touring. Geer has toured and performed live as a guitar player for Korn[1] since 2010. Since joining the band Korn,[1] Geer has performed nearly 200 live concerts with them on tour in 42 countries worldwide. In addition, Geer has made multiple television appearances, participated in televised performances, and performed on recordings live and in a recording studio on the BBC Sessions (2012). Geer was released from his touring duties with the band when original guitarist Brian "Head" Welch rejoined the band.

Discography

Hed P.E.

Korn

Other musical credits (with Hed PE)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Highs and Lows – Entertainment / Neon". Lvrj.com. September 1, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  2. ^ "Tony P". Papa Roach. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  3. ^ Scire, Dawn (March 14, 2003). "(hed) p.e.'s frontman touches down". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. Retrieved August 23, 2008.
  4. ^ Former N.W.A manager Otto Kaiserauer talks gangsta rap
  5. ^ Dillinger, Moses (January 24, 2011). "(HED) P.e". Beat Magazine. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  6. ^ Prato, Greg. "Biography: Deftones". Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  7. ^ a b Lacy, David. "Former Korn guitarist shares the healing power of music." iPinion Syndicate. iPinion, March 31, 2014. Web. April 6, 2014. <http://ipinionsyndicate.com/16816/>.
  8. ^ "Huntington Beach Nonprofit Uses Musical Therapy to Help Recovering Opioid Addicts Stay Clean". KTLA. February 24, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  9. ^ "Corey Taylor To Rock For Recovery". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  10. ^ a b . Apogee Electronics Corp.. Web. April 6, 2014. <http://www.apogeedigital.com/blog/rock-to-recovery>.
  11. ^ N.p., n. d. Web. April 6, 2014. <http://www.rocktorecovery.org/
  12. ^ "Rock to Recovery serves as 'musical medicine' > Nellis Air Force Base > Features". nellis.af.mil. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  13. ^ "Former Korn Guitarist Wesley Geer Talks First Annual Rock to Recovery Benefit Concert". guitarworld. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  14. ^ "WES GEER – Rockin' To Recovery and Changing The World – Screamer Magazine". Screamer Magazine. August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  15. ^ Kreps, Daniel (August 5, 2017). "All-Star Rock to Recovery 2 to Honor Corey Taylor, MC5's Wayne Kramer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
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