BIO- KURT REIL

Read Kurt's latest feature at Modern Drummer.com.

Instruments: Lead and Harmony Vocal, Drums, Percussion and Guitars.

Bio: Kurt founded The Grip Weeds with his brother Rick in the late 80’s. He’s well known as a performer outside the band, taking the drum chair behind Richard X. Heyman’s live touring band, playing behind legendary Raiders vocalist Mark Lindsay, and even sharing the stage with Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson. Kurt is in demand as a vocalist, fronting the Smithereens side-project Jim Babjak’s Buzzed Meg, as well as contributing both vocally and instrumentally to projects by Third Of Never and The Satisfactors. Kurt, Rick and Kristin Pinell co-founded House Of Vibes Productions in the early ’90’s, and it has grown in to one of New Jersey’s premiere recording facilities. At The House Of Vibes studio, Kurt has produced and engineered a wide range of artists, including The Smithereens, Mark Lindsay, Najma Ahktar and Gary Lucas, The Doughboys, The Anderson Council, and all of the recording work of The Grip Weeds.

The Gear: Drums: Ludwig and Slingerland 4/5-piece sets (vintage 60's and 70’s), Ludwig Supraphonic, Wood and Piccolo snares (all vintage 60’s), 1957 WFL wood snare, Zildjian cymbals, Pearl hardware, Evans heads, Vater drumsticks (5A wood tip). Guitars: Gibson Hummingbird & Everly Brothers reissue acoustics (1990's), Guild F412 string acoustic, Epiphone Casino (1967), Gretsch Duojet (1957), Fender Stratocaster, Rickenbacker 330.