Greg Kis started writing when writers begin to write – after enduring a broken heart. At one time STIFF RECORDS showed an interest in his songs.
Clever logo for STIFF RECORDS… “If they’re dead we’ll sign them!” His influences are – Clapton (Cream – Derek and the Dominos}, The Beatles, 
Pink Floyd, Bowie, The Kinks and Yes.

Greg started working with Ed Kozmo’s New Jersey Band TOURNIQUET. Greg’s girlfriend was best friends with Ed’s girlfriend, who introduced them. That was Greg’s crossroads. Ed contributed bass, drums, guitar, keyboards and backing vocals on the GREG KIS Cds. Ed was there in the beginning and is a major factor in the completion of these projects. Ed played in a number of bands, including POINT BLANK, MORTALITY and OZ.

Jerry Horne was recording with TOURNIQUET at Ed Kozmo’s “Crab Monster Studio” in Union , New Jersey. That’s where Greg met Jerry – He heard what he couldn’t believe and watched in awe as Jerry opened up on the guitar. Jerry had played with the SUGARHILL GANG. The three were soon recording such memorable songs that feature Jerry on lead…
“Oh, Brown Bedroom Eyes,”- the original rock version written By Greg and Nancy Thompson currently appears only on the TOURNIQUET album. “Wet Cement,” “Girl In A Magazine,” “Perpetual Blues,” “Whistle InThe Park – After Dark,” “Deep Blue,” “We Die Alone,” and “One Woman” are available on the GREG KIS Cds. Jerry also plays an amazing lead on “Lost Messenger”- (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”) Jerry rocks on “Smoke and Mirrors,” “You Took My Breath Away,”- with Johnny Charles, “Censored Vegetable Man,”and “Caught In A Photograph.”(SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”)

Greg met Nancy Thompson shorty after the heart ache began and they wrote some memorable tunes. “Sandshark” came about while Nancy and Greg were recording the basic tracks of “OH, Brown Bedroom Eyes” at the Solitude House in Clinton, NJ. Nancy was renting the place and it had a grand piano that came in handy. Nancy suggested they take a break and write something more upbeat and comical. Greg wrote the lyrics in 15 minutes and shortly after, Greg and Nancy had “Sandshark.” Nancy came down to the “Crab Monster Studio” and recorded the initial tracks with Ed and Jerry. Other songs written by Greg and Nancy include, “We Die Alone,” and “Both Of Us” – which was rewritten and rearranged by Greg and Sean Flynn… “Ever So” appears on the current SUICIDE SQUIRREL Cd – “Doomsday Clock” – released December 2013.

Later that fateful year of 1979, Greg was accepted to Villanova Law School. There he met Sean Flynn. It was in Contracts Class – Sean had a Gibson Guitar teeshirt on and they soon started talking. Sean had played in the southern rock band RIO GRANDE in the Easton, PA area. They soon started recording on Greg’s 4 track Teac. Sean’s boyhood friend Bob Strohl – a prodigy on guitar and member of RIO GRANDE – soon began recording with them. Sean and Bob had written “Three Mile Island” – which appears on “Watch Out” – The first SUICIDE SQUIRREL Cd – released in 2011. Bob also plays a memorable acoustic lead on “Ever So.” – recorded on the Teac in Sean’s living room. – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”) Sean sings, plays rhythm on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and percussion – on the SHINXHEAD and SUICIDE SQUIRREL Cds.

During that year and into the next Sean and Greg composed a collection of memorable songs, including “It Behooves You” and what became “You Took My Breath Away.” Sean was introduced to Ed Kozmo and Jerry Horne. Sean came up to Livingston, NJ to record at Greg’s studio with Jerry,Ed and Greg.

This was the real beginning of SPHINXHEAD – Many of the songs written in this period appear on this project. SPHINXHEAD is progressive rock that features some great guitar by Dan Kovalski on “It Behooves You” Keith Beck on “Dead Souls” and “Lost In A Maze.” Jerry Horne on “Amnesia,” and “Last Door.” Johnny Charles on “Birdcage Walk,” and “Beyond The Boundary.” Ed Kozmo wrote four of the tracks and sings on “Hey! Mr. Cricket,” and “Alone.” Check out Ed’s progressive, flowing instrumental “Twig.” Ed also adds a backing vocal to “Birdcage Walk.” On “Hey! Mr. Cricket” Ed plays a tight rockabilly lead and Paul Puleo adds clapping. Ed plays the bass and drums, except as noted – Ron Howden (NEKTAR) plays drums on “Dead Souls,” “Lost In A Maze,” “Last Door,” “Birdcage Walk,” and “Beyond The Boundary.” Sean sings “It Behooves You,” and “Beyond The Boundary.” Annie Sciolla adds her “sweetly singing” vocal to “Beyond The Boundary.” Greg sings on “Dead Souls,” “Lost In A Maze,” “Amnesia,” “Last Door,” and “Birdcage Walk.”

While home on Christmas break, Greg received a note from Bruce Kirkland of STIFF RECORDS, NY stating that a demo tape Greg had sent was being forwarded to London for review. Bruce Kirkland liked the song “Girl In A Magazine” and thought it might be a “hit.” Greg left law school in early 1980 to concentrate on writing. Greg answered an Aquarian add for song writers and soon met John Thompson of SALTY DOG. John also had previous success with the band – PETER RABBIT. John liked the songs Greg had written and they started working on new material. John also plays the mandolin on “Sandshark.” (GREG KIS – “You Got The Best of Me”) and (GREG KIS- “Fickle Love”)

At that time Greg began writing with Loretta Welder. Greg and Loretta recorded a new ballad version of “Brown Bedroom Eyes.” John Thompson originally sang the lead vocal. Unfortunately, the audio was unsalvagable and Benny Troy eventually sang it. Greg and Loretta then wrote “Fickle Love” – which appears on the Cd of the same name. Loretta plays the piano and sings backup.

John Thompson and Greg left for California in August of 1980. John had contacts there and was hoping to shop the new material. They stopped at The Rock Palace in Parker, AZ – where Greg met some notable musicians, Jerry Jeff Walker, who wrote Mr. Bojangles, and The Dixie Dregs. See the photos in the “music notables” link. After a short stay in San Diego and little success in marketing the new material, Greg returned to NJ to a full time job as a salesman. John Thompson remained in California.

On returning, Greg continued to write with Sean Flynn and Jerry Horne. As Sean was still at law school, Greg would drive down with the Teac to record new tunes. Greg would take the mixes to Ed and Jerry to add additional tracks. They eventually found that STIFF – LONDON had passed on the demo. They still continued to write. Jerry eventually left for Florida in1987 so they had to fill the void.

While traveling as a salesman, Greg met Johnny Charles, who was working at a machine shop in Somerville, NJ. Johnny heard some of the demos and agreed to add some guitar. Go to www.johnnycharles.com When Greg recorded Johnny – one thought always surfaced – He is a true professional. Johnny appears on all of the projects, most notably:
“Brown Bedroom Eyes” (GREG KIS – “You Got The Best of Me”) and (GREG KIS- “Fickle Love”)
“Birdcage Walk,” “Jumpin’ To Conclusions,” “Khartoum”- with Jerry Horne – (GREG KIS -CAT’S EYE NEBULA)
“No End In Sight,” “Blame It On You,” “Lover Or A Dream,” “Change Your Mind,”- (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”)
“Beyond The Boundary,” and as noted above (SPHINXHEAD) “Waitin’ In Line,”- with Jerry Horne “Evil Green Eyed Girl,”- with Dan Kovalski and slide on “Ever So”-(SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”)

Johnny had been playing and recording with Ron Howden… drummer with the 2 time Gold Record Award winning group NEKTAR.
Ron had a record studio in Hightstown, NJ -Sheffield Productions – where Ron was good enough to record many of the drum tracks that appear throughout these projects. Greg,Sean and Ed also began to record at Ron’s studio.

Greg went to a Hoboken Music Fair to watch Ron and Johnny Charles perform. While on break, Ron and Greg were walking around when they met a music legend – 
Richie Havens. Greg snapped a photo of Ron and Richie. The photo captures Richie and his exuberance. Find it in the “music notables” link.

Ron suggested the lads add some top notch artists to the project. Greg left a demo of “Brown Bedroom Eyes” for Benny Troy – an accomplished vocalist. Benny liked the song and recorded a haunting rendition. (GREG KIS – “You Got The Best of Me”) and (GREG KIS- “Fickle Love”)

Ron also introduced the group to Keith Beck, Dave Dreiwitz. and Chuggy. 
Keith Beck formerly with the Chuttering Mums plays lead on “Dead Souls,” “Lost In A Maze”- (SPHINXHEAD) and “Girl Make Me Happy.”- (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”)
Dave embellishes Ed’s bass with some “odd” bass notes on “Birdcage Walk”- (GREG KIS – CAT’S EYE NEBULA).
Chuggy adds percussion and congas on “Sandshark” – (GREG KIS – “You Got The Best of Me”)

Greg also wrote with Bill Brandenburg and Dan Kovalski. For concert reviews and concert info in the Woodbridge, NJ area go to www.hoppersmusic.com
Bill, Dan and Greg co-wrote “Another Lifetime,” and “Lost At Sea.”(GREG KIS – “You Got The Best of Me”) Dan also plays lead on those tracks. Dan also plays the lead on “It Behooves You,”- with Johnny Charles-(Sphinxhead), and “Fallin’ Rain”- (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”)

Sean introduced Greg to recording artist Annie Sciolla. Annie collaborated with Greg on “Ethereal Girl” and sings a strikingly beautiful vocal. (GREG KIS- “Fickle Love”) also available on – (GREG KIS – “You Got The Best of Me”) Annie also sings on “Beyond The Boundary” – (Sphinxhead), “No End In Sight” and “Lost Messenger” – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”). Annie’s Cd – LOST TREASURES – features songs by Jerome Kern and is available on CENTAUR RECORDS – wonderful! www.annesciolla.com

Ed Kozmo eventually married his true love and was unavailable for future recording. Ed plays drums and bass on most of the songs. Ed also played the acoustic lead on “Leonora” prior to his departure. – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”) His contribution will always be appreciated. Greg saw Ed as his mentor. So SPHINXHEAD eventually became SUICIDE SQUIRREL.

Greg met Alex Muzychka at another machine shop. Alex plays some bluesy harmonica on “Cryin’ For Dawn” – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”) Alex’s plays in the Philadelphia band GUNNARS RUN.

Sean brought in Nick Perri – a session musician who plays bass on “Cryin’ For Dawn” – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”) and “Doomsday Clock” – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”)

Greg met Tim Kavanagh through work. Tim plays a great bass on “Fallin’ Rain” (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”)

Tim contacted Paul Nagy and Paul came down to play Lead guitar on “Ignorance Makes Me Happy” and “Time and Space” – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”) He rocks!

Bobby Giannotto was referred by one of Greg’s customers and plays drums on “Three Mile Mile Island” and “Cryin’ For Dawn” – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Watch Out”) Bobby also plays on “Waitin’ In Line” and “Dyin’ Or Livin’ Hell” – (SUICIDE SQUIRREL – “Doomsday Clock”) *see below…

Greg then met Ken Cohen through another customer. Ken Is a great drummer and previously recorded with THE PUNSTERS. Ken plays drums on most of the songs on “Doomsday Clock”, except as noted above* – Ron Howden plays drums on “You Took My Breath Away” and “Ever So.” Ed Kozmo plays drums on “Caught In A Photograph.”

Ken referred Greg to Ron Bienstock of Bienstock and Michael. Ron is highly respected in the music industry. Ron referred Greg to Gordon Bahary – of Right Touch Mastering. Greg Kis mixed the “Doomsday Clock” Cd and Gordon, who has mastered Cds for many famous acts, did a fine job mastering “Doomsday Clock.”

There will be more to follow.