Album Notes

‘Salad Days,’ 1st single, dubbed ‘Coolest Song in the World’ on Little Steven’s Underground Garage! New Jersey’s psychedelic pop-rockers The Grip Weeds bring you House of Vibes Revisited, their highly acclaimed debut album, remixed, reissued and 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. In addition to striking new mixes of the CD’s original 12 tracks, House of Vibes Revisited premieres previously unheard demos revealing works in progress and live tracks from 1994-1995, virtually doubling the length of the original ‘90s release. Extensive liner notes, interviews with band members, unreleased photos and an enhanced CD link to a special online “secret attic space” packed with additional material are an added treat for fans to explore. 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 original multi-track tapes were transferred and remixed using modern digital technology in a way that would not have been possible even a few years back; the album’s remix is a dramatic and sometimes astonishing sonic improvement, allowing listeners to hear the music as the band intended but couldn’t achieve due to technical limitations in 1994. HOUSE OF VIBES became not only the title of the band’s album but also the name of The Grip Weeds’ recording studio, a full-fledged analog/digital facility stocked full of modern and vintage gear. Forerunners in pioneering the now ubiquitous practice of professional home studio recording, The Grip Weeds have produced and engineered all of their own releases there and those of many other artists as well. 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 are singing and songwriting brothers Rick and Kurt Reil on guitar and drums respectively, guitarist Kristin Pinell and bassist Michael Kelly. 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. GIANT ON THE BEACH, the band’s last full-length release, garnered excellent reviews and significant Triple A radio airplay. Several Grip Weeds tracks have also received airplay on Little Steven Van Zandt’s Underground Garage radio show, and one of these, “Love’s Lost On You”, is featured on the Wicked Cool Records compilation, The Coolest Songs in the World Vol. 2... "New Jersey's Grip Weeds spin sparkling, insanely catchy psyche-pop on their full length debut. Four stars." -Pulse "House of Vibes is loaded with cool songs that are sometimes trippy, sometimes poppy, sometimes garagy, but always appealingly structured and highly melodic... definitely a road worth traveling...quite a triumph." -Goldmine "The natural progression from the Who to the Jam to Oasis - cool!" -Village Voice "The Grip Weeds have a palpable group chemistry that so many bands boast of but so few actually possess." -Magnet "Glistening harmonies, deliciously jangly guitars and tightly constructed songs make [The Grip Weeds] the genuine article in a crowded field of power pop wannabes." -Pop Culture Press "Mighty fine trip." -Rolling Stone (Germany)