photos by Chad Syme
Chuck Prophet is a prolific songwriter, guitarist and Native Californian. This 45-year old musician has lived a long life in an industry that has both embraced and denied him. Chuck spent his formative teenage years touring the world with the L.A.-based cosmic country rock band Green On Red. Many stories have worked their way into the public eye throughout his career, from his teenage drug-laced madcap adventures to the way he walked away from his label (he reportedly left New West Records after an argument over an extra order of garlic bread at a restaurant), but few compare to the ones he tells through his own music. Chuck Prophet’s ability to weave his narrative style lyrics into groove-oriented guitar driven songs has caught the attention of musicians throughout the world. His songs have been covered by the likes of Heart (at the urging of Cameron Crowe), Kim Carnes, and Solomon Burke and he has collaborated with Alejandro Escovedo, Aimee Mann, Jonathan Richman, Cake, among others, and toured with Lucinda Williams. His latest album, Soap & Water, follows the train of work started in his youth. Chuck Prophet’ easy guitar style and Nashvillian influences weave through the album, which is a sort of tribute to one of his biggest influences, Big Star’s Alex Chilton.
Right now, Chuck Prophet is getting ready for an upcoming European tour, but he came along with a band to perform a stellar set for KEXP’s broadcast from the Bay Area at Opus Music Ventures studio. The entire performance is now available as one of our Live Performances podcast -- subscribe now!
