Profile - Wes Hoffman

Meet Wes Hoffman, the Afro’d lead guitarist for Atlanta band Second Shift. Five years ago, he joined the band when he befriended the other members through their high school marching band in Lawrenceville. Originally a killer on piano and sax as a kid, Hoffman quickly picked up guitar, honing his musical ear by playing back what he heard on television and radio.

When Hoffman is not playing with Second Shift, you can spot him at local hot spots like Cafe Tu Tu Tango (where he works) and 10 High (where he drinks). The night owl even enjoys the after-after hours between 3 and 6 a.m., in which he savors the quiet, cool darkness of his usually busy world.

His late-night activities bring him to favor strong espresso in the morning, without which he claims he’s worthless.

At times the bane of his existence, his white-boy Afro has garnered far more attention (and touching) from middle-aged women than he ever could have imagined.

Of course, having such a trademark has given Hoffman the individual flair he sought after living in Athens for five years. As the ‘fro grew, so did his pick collection, which now features a black-fisted pick, awarded to him at the recent 10 High Metal-Some Monday Awards for the Most Metal Hair.

Although he can be found grooving to any music from ’80s rockers Guns N’ Roses and Mötley Crüe to ambient Sigur Rós and God Speed You Black Emperor, his heart truly belongs to the Beatles.

Still riding high from a crowd-pleasing Downtown Rocks performance with Weezer, Hoffman is already looking forward to the band’s fall dates, which will sandwich Second Shift’s studio release set for mid-September. Also on Hoffman’s radar is Oasis’ British invasion: “I just really want to drink with them and see what they’ll do.”