Kip here! I've been playing guitar and writing songs for quite a while now. Typically my tunes are in the blues-rock, classic rock vein, but some delve slightly into jazz and classically-inspired. I'm looking to find some band members to play clubs and small theaters here in the southeast. While you're online, please go to YouTube and search for Kip Reitz and check out some of my videos. There are covers as well as originals there. Thanks for stopping by!
I first played bass under the instruction of Alan Joseph Leipic in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He had the foresight to teach me basic music theory rather than just how to play songs, so when I made the jump to lead guitar and then keyboards, it was a relatively painless transition. I played in a bunch of bands in high school and college, and some of the folks I played with are still going and doing well. For the past three years I've been recording at home and putting videos on YouTube in an attempt to get exposure. I think as long as I'm breathing I'll be playing.
I play occassional open mic spots here and there, but I'd really prefer to get a band going. I haven't played onstage with a band in quite a while, and there's no feeling that comes close. Want to get that back.
My first influence, as I suspect is the case quite often, was Kiss. I didn't even play yet, but their outrageous show made me want to. When I actually learned to play, influences changed to bands like Rush (while I was still playing bass), Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Van Halen, and Triumph, to name just a few. Later I was began to listen to people like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin. I know it seems a bit backwards, but I had to grow up a bit before I was interested in the roots of rock. Now I spend alot of time listening to Led Zeppelin and my own stuff.
I have many guitars, but my best are a 2004 Alpine White Gibson Les Paul Custom, a 1978 Ibane CN200AV, a 1999 Ibanez RGT42BP, a 1999 Fender 70s Strat re-issue, and a 1999 Seagull S6 electric acoustic. For amplification I have a Marshall MG100HDFX into which I run a Digitech GNX3000. I also use a Cry Baby wah pedal. My cabinet is a 4x12 Peavey with Sheffield speakers.
