Jimmy Kocha

New Jersey native, Jimmy started playing guitar at 13, but his music journey began early in grammar school, where he started playing the trumpet.  He couldn’t read music but managed to play by ear.  When he quit the trumpet a short time later, his music teacher said, "Whatever you do, don’t give up music."   Shortly thereafter, Jimmy heard the beautiful sound of a Marshall amp for the first time while listening to Kansas' "Leftoverture" album and was immediately hooked!   Shortly after hearing Kansas, he discovered Van Halen, which became a significant influence on him then and remains so to this day.  

Influences: Dokken, Van Halen, Dio, Ozzy, Pink Floyd, Rush, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Rick Graham, TNT, Alice in Chains, Saga, Dream Theater, 5 Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker, Steve Vai, and many others.

Gear: 70’s Marshall heads and cabs over the years, EVH5150 current, Peavey 6505 current, Schecter, Charvel, Washburn, Kramer, HeadRush MX5, Line 6 M13, BBE, Boss, Ibanez TS8. D’Addario XL Strings