Guthrie Govan

Guthrie Govan (born December 27, 1971 in Chelmsford, Essex) is an English guitarist and winner of Guitarist Magazine's "Guitarist of the Year" award. He was a member of Asia from 2001 to 2006 and is currently a member of Progressive Rock band Gps. His debut solo album, Erotic Cakes, was released through Cornford Records in 2006. Govan attended King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford). He began his involvement with Asia playing on the album Aura. He came to Asia through the recommendation of Michael Sturgis, the band's long-time session drummer.

Govan attended King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford). He began his involvement with Asia playing on the album Aura. He came to Asia through the recommendation of Michael Sturgis, the band's long-time session drummer. Sturgis had been a colleague of Govan's at the UK's prestigious Academy of Contemporary Music. With his work on the album complete, Guthrie was added to the Asia line-up for the tour to support the new album. Bad Asteroid, an instrumental in the live shows, was a Govan original composition. It came from the guitarist's past work with other bands.

In 2006, with Asia keyboardist Geoff Downes leaving to reform an earlier Asia line-up, Govan and the other two band members, John Payne and Jay Schellen, formed Gps, with whom he has an album out as of august 2006: Window to the Soul, already available through most online stores.

Govan's playing includes heavy influences from players who most would consider guitar greats.
A short list of prominent influences that can be heard in his playing include Shawn Lane, Allan Holdsworth, and Greg Howe. Most notably, the creative use of two hand tapping innovations can be directly linked to the playing of Greg Howe.

Guthrie now attends a lot of jazz clubs in the heart of Chelmsford, performing weekly with his brother Seth Govan.

As of august 2006, he has released his solo album "Erotic Cakes" which is available through http://www.cornfordrecords.com/.