| | “Sparkling,
insanely catchy psyche-pop”: The Grip Weeds are a critically-acclaimed
psychedelic/garage/ powerpop quartet consisting of brothers Kurt and Rick Reil
(on drums and guitar respectively), Kristin Pinell (guitar) and Michael Kelly
(bass). Together, the Grip Weeds take elements like the harmonic purity and psychedelic
spirit of ‘60s rock and the visceral power of early ‘70s classics into
the modern era. Surrounded by their vintage equipment, this talented four-piece
band records slices of perfect, radio-friendly guitar-pop- Psychedelic enough
to appeal to record junkies and Sixties-retro fans, but edgy enough to fit seamlessly
into a modern rock set. |
Brothers
Rick and Kurt Reil grew up playing music together in Central New Jersey and their
strong musical and familial bond ultimately gave birth to The Grip Weeds. Both
share singing and songwriting duties and their close-knit harmony vocals recall
those of the Everly Brothers or The Byrds. Besides being a capable singer, Kurt’s
explosive drumming resembles that of a young and sober Keith Moon, while Rick
alternates between crashing power chords and delicate 12-string riffs. Female
lead guitarist Kristin Pinell proves that a woman can rock as intensely as anyone;
her epic melodic leads draw inspiration from the likes of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton,
Brian May and George Harrison. Rounding out the foursome is super musician Michael
Kelly, whose bass lines run from lyrical to thunderous. The
band has released four full-length CDs (three on the Rainbow Quartz label),
performed throughout the US and in Europe, and has garnered significant radio/internet
airplay including several songs spotlighted on Little Steven’s Underground
Garage radio shows. The Grip Weeds have produced all of their recordings at
their own studio House
Of Vibes as well as those of many other artists- most recently, Kurt engineered
and co-produced Meet The Smithereens, a CD tribute to the Beatles by New
Jersey's The Smithereens. The Grip Weeds' latest
release, House Of Vibes Revisited, is a remixed and remastered edition
of their debut disc, re-imagined for the 21st Century. Featuring an impressive
blend of Beatle-esque sensibilities fused with rock edginess, the band’s
trademark lush harmonies and high caliber songwriting, the original release put
The Grip Weeds on the map in the ‘90s. Having already remixed and remastered
their second album The Sound Is In You in 2003, a “fresh coat of paint”
on House Of Vibes seemed a natural next step; the album’s remix is
a dramatic and sometimes astonishing sonic improvement, which celebrates and cements
the band's reputation as D.I.Y. recording stalwarts. In addition, the band will
be featured on compilations to be released on Little Steven’s Wicked
Cool Records this year. |
