Wesley Geer

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

Geer has worked with a number of artists and groups, playing guitar, co-writing and/or producing songs, such as "Hed PE, which stands for "higher education".^[2] Hed PE, Korn^[1] Papa Roach^[3] and The Damages. Wes has worked as a session musician for such acts as Papa Roach, Ben Grosse, and Thrill Kill Kult.

Biography

Born in Fullerton, California to parents Wesley Harmon Geer and Eleanor Chamberlain, he is one of 8 children. Geer eventually met rapper Jared Gomes, also known as "M.C.U.D." (MC Underdog),^[4] 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,^[5] and punk rock. The music of Hed PE (particularly the EP Church of Realities) heavily influenced the music of Limp Bizkit; Fred Durst listened to Hed PE's music throughout the production of Limp Bizkit's debut album, Three Dollar Bill, Yall$.^[6] Hed PE went on to get signed by Jive Records elevating their success by touring with bands like Deftones.,^[7] 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.

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. On 12/12/12 he founded Rock to Recovery.^[8] 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. Each participant in the group forms a "band," with which they write a song with recovery-based lyrics, and in the final session the song is recorded. Regardless of prior musical experience or ability this method has proved incredibly beneficial for the participants,^[9] who often don't want the sessions to end.^[10] 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.^[11] Rock to Recovery is also sponsored by iZotope, Taylor Guitars, QSC, DR Strings, TC Electronic, Pickworld Guitar Picks, and Remo.^[12]

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.

• Church of Realities (1995)
• Hed PE (1997)
• Broke (2000)
• Blackout (2003)
• The Best of (həd) Planet Earth (2006)

Korn

• BBC Sessions (2012)
• Live DVD (2012)

Other musical credits (with Hed PE)

• The Replacement Killers" (1998) — "33"
• Strangeland (1998) — "Serpent Boy (Radio Edit)"
• Nativity in Black II (2000) — "Sabbra Cadabra"
• Dracula 2000 (2000) — "Swan Dive"
• "Circus" was a song included in the soundtrack for EA Sports Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000.
• Crazy/Beautiful (2001) — "Killing Time"
• Tomcats (2001) - "Bartender"
• 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) — "Killing Time"
• NASCAR: Crank It Up (2002) — "Crosstown Traffic"
• Final Destination 2 (2003) — "I Got You"
• "Suck It Up" was a song included in the soundtrack for EA Sports Madden NFL 2003.
• "Blackout" was a song included in the soundtrack for EA Sports MVP Baseball 2003.
• "Get Away" was a song included in the soundtrack for NASCAR Thunder 2003.
• Final Destination 3 (2006) — "Killing Time"

References