On today’s Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Geoff Farina of the band Karate.

In the mid-’90s, the Boston-based group earned a cult following with their indie rock-meets-jazz sound. Geoff recounts the band’s early days, when he was working part-time for Bill Finnegan assembling Klon Centaurs. He talks about life on the road, the group’s breakup, and how they eventually were able to reissue their out-of-print albums on the Numero Group.

Most importantly, Geoff is just a rabid guitar nut: He’s currently a music educator in Chicago, where he spends his free time buying and selling guitars (acoustic and electric) and building tube amplifiers.

July 2022: Karate is currently reunited and back on the road. Follow their tour dates here:
https://karateallston.bandcamp.com

To order the Numero Group’s Karate reissues, click here.

This episode is sponsored by Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription); Izotope (use the coupon code FRET10 to save 10% off their plug-ins); Retrofret Vintage Guitars; Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope purchase); and Calton Cases.

To purchase our magazine or learn about the 2022 Fretboard Summit, visit us at www.fretboardjournal.com.

Above photo: Marie-Line Bonneau