Code name: Astral

Instruments: Vocals, Acoustic and Electric 6 and 12 string Guitars, Keyboards, Drums, Bazouki, Sitar twangs, and Percussion.

The Gear: Fender Telecaster (American standard), Rickenbacker 12 string, Alvarez "Yairi" acoustic guitar, Martin 12 string acoustic, Vox AC 30 amplifier.

Q: How did you come to the Grip Weeds?

RICK: I’m a founding member. I started the band with brother Kurt and a couple of other guys. We started the band first to play obscure covers like The Byrds' "It Won't Be Wrong" or Max Frost & the Troopers' "Shape of Things To Come", and many others. We were thrilled when we discovered we could sing harmony (not very well at first). Then we got into writing our own songs and took it from there. We've grown into our own sound now. I could say that we play a kind of music that I fantasized about when I was a kid but never dreamed I would actually be able to do.

Q: What was your most memorable Grip Weeds experience and why?

RICK: Our first gig was an orgy (really!). That was pretty memorable. But most memorable was probably our tour of Spain. Great country, good people, interesting culture, fantastic food and wine.†And the music wasn't bad either.

Q: What are your musical influences, favorite artist and bands?

RICK: Many musical influences. Of course the obvious Beatles, Byrds, Who, Zeppelin, and many of the great bands of the '60s and '70s. Lesser known psyche and garage bands (13th Floor Elevators, Electric Prunes, others too numerous to mention), British mod/psyche bands (The Action, The Pretty Things), Some avant-guard (Velvet Underground). Also like some modern stuff (White Stripes, label mates Outrageous Cherry and Israel's Rock Four, NJ locals The Holy Goats, and The Anderson Council. Broken up British bands Kula Shaker and The Verve). Coldplay has their moments. Also much non-rock: acoustic folk (Pentangle, Davey Graham), World music, particularly classical Indian and Middle Eastern, world eclectic trance music (as found on the Trance Planet CD series). Ancient Asian sounds and meditation music (Riley Lee), Spanish classical guitar, classical symphonic music. Natural sounds. Silence. Also poetry: Beat poets (Kerouc, Ginsberg), world poets (Rumi), rock poets (Dylan, Lou Reed). Also the "other" Dylan (Thomas). And not to forget the Jesus Christ Superstar Soundtrack.

Q: What is your favorite GOTB track and why?

RICK: "Once Again", because I wrote it for my wife and it came from my soul.

Q: If the Genie granted you three wishes, what would they be and why?

RICK:
1. America waking up and wising up.
2. Health, Happiness, Prosperity, Wisdom, Self-Realization, and Artistic, Emotional and Spiritual fulfillment for myself, family and friends. And everybody else.
3. Cannot say, it's in my subconscious (or unconscious)