Jem Records Re-Releases The Grip Weeds 2011 Holiday Album

Written By Mike Greenblatt
Grip Weeds Holiday Album

South Plainfield’s Jem Records has re-released Under The Influence Of Christmas by The Grip Weeds with guests Jim Babjek and Pat Dinizio [1955-2017] of The Smithereens as guests. Check their cover version of “2000 Miles” by The Pretenders below. The 11 tracks have psychedelic flair amid sumptuous harmony. Other guests from such diametrically-opposed bands as Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Doughboys, The Left Banke, The Anderson Council and The Yardbirds compete for their share of the mix. The band itself—Kurt Reil on drums, vocals, guitars, keyboards and percussion, Rick Reil on guitars, keyboards, vocals and bouzouki, Kristin Pinell on vocals, guitars, flute and percussion, Michael Kelly on 4- and 5-string bass and upright bass—is from Highland Park in Middlesex County.   

The Grip Weeds will present a holiday show at Randy Now’s Man Cave in Hightstown, Dec. 2; visit facebook.com/RandyNowsManCave.

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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