I desperately love guitars. And pants. I couldn't understand life without them. That's why I started this band. I wanted a band that featured, showcased, and worshiped at the alter of guitar. And wore cool pants. I am for the most part the rhythm guitar player in the group, and by far the least talented member, but my vision and need to play music out weigh my talent. I ride exclusively on the coattails of Los Angeles's best kept secret guitarist Mike Eisenstein. Without him I'm a 48 year old man standing on my bed, holding a guitar, looking at myself in the mirror while my daughters rightfully worry about their future. And I'm wearing pants.

Guitars have also always been an escape for me. A way to envision better times, girls yet to be met, songs yet to be written, pants yet to be worn, venues yet to be played. I have always placed as much emphasis on the look of the guitar as the sound. You don't have to sacrifice one for the other. That's why my dream guitar was always the Gretsch White Falcon. All my favorite players played em at some point in their career, Joe Strummer. Matthew Ashman (Bow Wow Wow), Brian Setzer,  Marco Perroni (Adam Ant), Chris Cheny (The Living End) John Fruciante, Johnny Thunders, C.C Deville. I have a weird list off favorite guitarists but if you listen to them, then me, you'd get it. All of those guys play in visually stunning bands as well. On my 40th birthday I was given one as a gift from my loving wife. It is my most prized possession. It's all over our debut album, both Mike and I played it. It is really the sound of this band.

I met Ben Stikeleather on the Gear Page. I was on a surf thread trying to get people to check out our record. Ben messaged me and said he was a fan of my standup, acustom guitar builder and that if I ever needed anything he'd hook me up just because he's an good guy. At that point I just thanked him and told him I'd think about it. I'm a guy who does better with less. Too many guitars gets too confusing. 'Which one should I play badly now?" At the time I only had the White Falcon and a rad baby blue metalflake Jazzmaster. But when someone presents you with the possibility of "anything" you begin to imagine the possibilities. We are making a new record and maybe it's time to explore some new sounds. I have always loved the Fying V. Originally built in 1957 by Gibson it had a 50 modernist vibe. Like the the cars, architecture and design of the time it imagined a future I wish we actually lived in now. However it's not really my sound as it is usually employed as an overdriven rock and roll machine. Think Hendrix, Hammet, Schenker. But then I thought what if I blended it with the Falcon. I hit up Ben and he was stoked. We decided to put Filtertron (Actually TV Jones magnatron) pickups in it. They are the pickups that give the Gretsch it's distinctive twang. Ben said he would steal a few other ideas from the White Falcon and we were off.

Cut to now. I'm wearing pants and I am now the owner of a completely original, one of a kind, Rowyco Customs Greg Behrendt White Flying Valcon. Complete with gold binding, Magnatrons, a leopard fur pickguard, gold GB headstock inlay, custom truss rod cover, and Gretsch gold ruby knobs, the guitar is like something out of a Russ Meyer movie. I'm now a guy with his own custom guitar how the fuck did that happen? There are people whose sole job in life it to make cool things for others. Ben is one of those people. He's a true artist and I suggest if you need a custom job there is no one better plus he's a good dude and has impeccable taste in comedy!

The guitar will make it's public debut at The Starfish Circus in Los Angeles Monday Sept 26th!