MEET YOUR MAKER: Joe Garcia
Anna Blumenthal
Hello, devoted fans of EarthQuaker Devices, and of the Device makers! This week we want to introduce you to the fantastic Joe Garcia, not to be confused with the equally fantastic Joe Dennis. Or Joe Gibbs. Or Joe Golden. Yep, we are really chock full o’Joes here at EQD. We have a lot of Joshs too, like the fantastic Josh Leskanic, and a couple others who you’ll get to meet in future installments. All the Joes and Joshs are amazing, and even the people with other names here are pretty cool too.
Joe Garcia is one of the pedal elves who makes sure your pedals show up to your pedalboard in perfect condition. Mr. Quality Control is what we like to call him. Not only does he check over each pedal with his laser vision and laser ears, he also builds basses in his free time. If you are thinking to yourself, “Wow, each and every EarthQuaker employee seems like an incredible specimen of human,” you wouldn’t be wrong.
Role at EarthQuaker?
Qualified Quality Controller
How long have you been at EarthQuaker?
3.5 years
What’s a typical (non-quarantine) day for you like?
I inspect about 30-50 pedals a day. Looking for any imperfections and hand soldering specific parts.
What’s your favorite thing about working at EarthQuaker?
Elsa. Duh!
What instrument(s) do you play, and what bands are you in?
I play quite a few different instruments but bass has always been my main go to. Currently I play in the band Coup De Grace and I also play solo with a bass-centric album in the works.
What’s on your board(s) right now?
Solo board:
Boomerang Phrase Sampler > EQD Tone Job > Pigtronix Bass Envelope Phaser > EQD Afterneath > EQD Avalanche Run > Strymon Blue Sky
Full band board:
EQD Swiss Things > EQD Tone Job > MXR Bass Envelope Filter > EQD Westwood > Wampler Low Blow > Wampler Latitude Deluxe > Iron Ether Xerograph > EHX Super Ego > DOD Rubberneck > EQD Levitation
First pedal you owned?
DigiTech Digidelay (still have it!)
Best thing to eat in Akron?
Favorite Ohio city, after Akron?
Columbus is pretty rad.
Pre-EarthQuaker job?
Bartender around town.
Favorite band?
Favorite podcast?
Favorite book?
Favorite TV show?
Shameless
Coolest skill, besides pedal building?
I build handmade bass guitars. Check out @HDBasses on Instagram.
Favorite holiday, and why?
My birthday. There aren’t enough me days.
Favorite recipe?
Whatever my girlfriend makes for dinner. I do dishes really well though.
Do you have any pets?
Two dogs. Jaco and Koa. They’re sweet boys when they aren’t destroying the house…
Best beauty tip?
Trim your nose hairs.
Favorite EarthQuaker pedal?
Afterneath. It’s fun for hours (and that’s just one note)!
Quarantine survival tips?
Buy a bidet, sit back and relax while everyone fights over toilet paper.
