Steve Kravac has been producing, engineering, mixing and composing recordings for the past 25 years.
Starting in the wilds of the Canadian north Steve got involved with punk rock acts such as The Nils, Doughboys and Asexuals. After honing his skills in the snow and sleet, Steve made the move to Los Angeles in 1994 to take a position as house engineer at the prestigious Westbeach Recorders in Hollywood CA.
Westbeach helped open the doors of the American punk scene to him, and it wasn't long before folks started hearing about this wacky Canuck who had a knack for making artists feel at ease, while creating records that had killer punk rock energy. These new efforts came off so polished that the music seemed to transcend its genre.
It wasn't long before Steve left Westbeach to go indie, and his successes started piling up. Blink 182, MXPX, Less Than Jake, and Pepper were on the radio throughout the country, and selling records unlike anything they had experienced in the past.
Steve is now writing his next chapter in the City Of Angels with the launch of Gourmet Sound, his joint venture with punk legend Greg Hetson. Together they have created an affordable yet professionally equipped recording facility. Gourmet offers industry standard digital recording technology, paired with all the front end vintage elements that discerning artists have come to expect from a great studio.
For over 30 years Greg Hetson has been an innovative force in music as a groundbreaking Guitarist and Composer as well as an accomplished Producer.
Greg's pedigree began at the ripe age of 17 when he and his Hawthorne High Photo Shop classmate Jeff McDonald formed L.A's Rock/ Glam sensation Redd Kross. Their first E.P. is still a highly sought after slab.
Continuing to define and develop the L.A. Punk Rock Sound, Greg formed the iconic Circle Jerks with ex-Black Flag singer Keith Morris in early 1980. The West Coast and music in general would never be the same. Records like 'Group Sex', 'Wild in the Streets' and 'Wonderful', stand to this day as epic monuments to a group that set the tone for everything to come! Tracks like 'Wasted' and the punk pinnacle 'Red Tape' showcase the power and ingenuity of a great writer.
That's a lot to squeeze into one lifetime but in mid 1984 Greg turned up the burners up with a resurrected Bad Religion, and then things really got interesting. Gold records, world tours, more world tours, and radio hits from every release. Once again he was at the forefront with a band defining success on their own terms!
Greg has worked with some of the world's most sought after producers such as Andy Wallace, Chris Lord- Alge, Bob Clearmountain, Ric Ocasek and Todd Rundgren... talk about being a fly on the wall. He is still known to regale you with stories of 'this is how it actually happened', and 'this is how you really do it!'
A nurturing producer Greg prides himself on putting artist first while always insisting on innovative sounds and stellar performances. With the formation of Gourmet Sound he is once again pushing the boundaries between what is expected and what it really takes!
Born and raised in the New Jersey/New York area, Josh Achziger has been rocking since the 3rd grade when he picked up the cello and began a lifelong love of music.
After graduating college in 1992, Josh moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the glamorous world of recording, landing a runner job at the world (in)famous Cherokee studios. He started at the bottom answering phones and worked his way up to assistant engineer in a scant 6 months. While there, he learned the craft of engineering and recording by watching and working with the likes of Andy Johns, Shel Talmy, David Lynch, The Breeders, Jane's Addiction, Ministry, Cypress Hill, Ice Cube and many, many more.
After six years at Cherokee, it was time for the next stage of his career and a new studio - TON Recording Facility. Running TON, Josh learned the studio business first hand - booking, managing and engineering for clients like Johnette Napolitano, Wayne Kramer, Dee Dee Ramone, Tim O'Heir, Andy Paley, Wiskey Biscuit, Moving Units and Beachwood Sparks, among others. It was at TON that Josh began producing records, forging an open organic sound with an amazing depth that would become his sought after trademark.
All things must pass, and rising rents in Echo Park led to a move to Torrance and a new name - Reef Recording. Working at Reef led to co-producing/writing a critically acclaimed record with reggae legend Pato Banton, and numerous other sessions, as well as live sound gigs at international festivals such as Reggae on the Rocks(Red Rocks), Coachella, High Sierra, Ollinkan (Mexico City), and Mama Afrika (Athens,Greece).
The cello was dropped years ago, but the guitar was picked up. From high school on, Josh was playing in bands, learning new instruments and new techniques. He has become accomplished on guitar, bass, keys, drums, percussion and programming along the way. In production, Josh's ultimate goal is to get the artist the sound they hear in their head, making their vision shine through and creating timeless music, no matter what the genre.
2009 harkens a new era, in which Gourmet Sound will be the cornerstone. Josh has been working with Steve and Greg for a number of years. He is now proud to be a part of the Gourmet team and excited about all the possibilities this amazing studio has to offer.
- ©2009 Gourmet Sound
- info@gourmetsound.net
- Design by olli tervo
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