Rick
Reese is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston,
Massachusetts.
His innovative
style is a unique blend of jazz improvisation, funk punctuation
with driving energy of rock n' roll.
His efforts have been recognized by notable press including BILLBOARD,
GUITAR MAGAZINE, MTV, and CNN
just to name a few.
Rick
is one of the most entertaining and engaging players out
there, combining high energy with masterful technique, Rick puts
his heart and soul in every performance, as recognized by Soundcheck
Magazine during his 2015 Bonnaroo performance.
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In
1989 Rick founding member of the Boston based band SPAMPARIS.
SPAMPARIS was received well on college radio.
By 1993 SPAMPARIS had been named a
semi-finalist
in MUSICIAN MAGAZINE'S "Best Unsigned Band"
competition and was dubbed one of the ten best unsigned bands
in the city by BOSTON MAGAZINE'S "The Best
of Boston" awards.
The following year, Rick left Boston for a woodsy life in New
Hampshire and the pursuit of a more inventive, avant garde music
style. SONIC JOYRIDE's 1995 debut received airplay
on 180 college stations and gave them the opportunity to open
concerts for Spin Doctors, Letters to Cleo, The Radiators, Ratt,
and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Sonic
Joyride released four CDs on their own label Anomaly Records.
(Sonic Joyride, Bazaar, Breathe, Behemoth)
Now Sonic
Joyride was on their way to becoming one of the most truly
independent bands in North America. With investors they were able
to raise the capitol to compete in the market place with the big
boys on a much smaller budget. With the ability hire the radio promoters,
consultants, retail promoters, and publicists needed, Anomaly was
in business and so was SONIC JOYRIDE.
Through hard work
and ingenuity they developed one of the most creative and unconventional
marketing strategies ever attempted by any band. At the heart of it
was the Cosmic Sled, surely a future piece of indie rock folklore.
The Cosmic Sled was SONIC JOYRIDE's one of a kind,
custom welded tour bus.
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With a retractable stage on the roof, a 10,000 watt "surround
sound" sound system, giant rear projection video screens, a
full lighting system, and a 16 track digital recording studio all
powered by a self-contained generator, The Cosmic Sled had become
one of the most recognized vehicles in America.
SONIC JOYRIDE launched an outrageous series of
tours, named the "Bizarre Bazaar" tours after their second
CD release Bazaar (ANO20001-2). SONIC JOYRIDE logged
over 30,000 miles, 240 dates on a self-financed voyage to the American
heartland, setting up and playing for locals at some of the country's
most unusual landmarks - from the World's Largest Ball of Twine
in Cawker City, Kansas to the World's Largest Bug outside Providence,
RI. In fact SONIC JOYRIDE actually received the key to the city
in Cawker City in a town wide ceremony, a gesture that has not been
lost on Rick or any of the guys in the band.
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This
traveling medicine show captured people's
imaginations an very quickly caught the attention of the national
press including CNN and MTV, not
to mention hundreds of news papers and dozens of TV stations from
all parts country documenting their every move. Rather than sit
home and complain about how hard it was to get the right deal and
break through all the difficult aspects of the music industry, SONIC
JOYRIDE just went out and played.
There was a
relaxed, un-commercial vibe that people seemed to be hungry for.
When the tour brought them to Los Angles they shot their first music
video for the single "Baked". This mini epic incorporated
a great deal of actual footage from the "Bizarre Bazaar Tours"
and is a great time capsule of their adventure.
SONIC JOYRIDE
toured extensively after that in more traditional ways,
however the Cosmic Sled always found its way into the scene.
In 2000 the band embarked on the Y2K tour (Yard Wired 2000)
in support of the Release "Behemoth" (ANO20003 -2)
This promotional tour used the momentum of the "Bizarre
Bazaar" tours to create a valuable prize for radio stations
across the country give away. Each station placed the band's
single "Everything is Beautiful"
This
was hugely successful and was quickly propelling SONIC
JOYRIDE on the national stage and their single "Everything
is Beautiful" up the rock radio charts. This promotion
was the crown jewel in the marketing plan that was three years
in the making and it all started with a school bus and a band
who wanted to make a difference.
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The
Y2K tour was cut short in the Spring of 2001 when SONIC
JOYRIDE's front man and Rick's longtime friend Chris
Hobler was Diagnosed with ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(Lou Gehrig's Disease). Chris was no longer able to perform
and Sonic Joyride was put on hold until a cure is found. Chris,
never one to give up or take no for an answer, went on and
founded ALS Hope, which became Hope Happens and is still thriving
today. Hope Happens is a non profit foundation who’s
mission is to raise money to fund worthy, progressive research,
while simultaneously fostering public awareness of this unnoticed
tragedy. Chris lost his battle against ALS on Wednesday, February
16, 2005, but his fight and legacy continues. |
To
learn more about Hope Happens click <here>
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After
spending almost 12 years with Chris in SPAMPARIS
and SONIC JOYRIDE Rick relocated to St. Petersburg,
Florida and reinvented himself. In the Spring 2002 and formed
the band FOOD with Matt Fagan (Guitar and Vocals) and Phil Pressler
(Drums).
FOOD
was 180 degrees from his former life in the mainstream rock radio
driven market place. Exploring the sounds of inspired recklessness,
FOOD quickly became one of the most popular bands
in Tampa Bay.
The sound of FOOD could be described as a progressive
fusion of funk, jazz, and integrates many other musical styles including
latin, country, and even hard rock. The term "jam band"
may come up, but these guys certainly distinguish themselves with
an edgier, fearless attitude and a Zappa-esque sense of humor.
FOOD performed with The Neville Brothers, Deep Banana Blackout,
G Love and Special Sauce, Galactic, Donna the Buffalo, Jazz is Dead
and many more.
In addition
to performing through out Florida Rick also jumped in to his community.
He was the Music director and instructor for Creative Clay. Creative
Clay's mission was to provide people with developmental, physical
and emotional challenges a place to experience all aspects of the
art world. Our classes include instruction in the creative process
and experiences with various art mediums taught by local artists.
This allows an improved quality of life enhanced through style and
imagination.
Rick
developed a musical curriculum that allows thestudents to express
themselves artistically while learning some abstract concepts of
music theory and performance. In addition to studio instruction
Rick takes the students around the city and performs for the community.
To learn more about Creative Clay
please click <here>
Ricks time St.
Petersburg, FL was full of musical exploration. In addition to playing
with FOOD, Rick, along with FOOD members, Phill Pressler (drums),
Rob Dedios (sax), Brian Ransom (Flugel Horn) joined Reggie Dockens
(guitar) to form the fusion band the AUGUST COLLECTIVE.
The AUGUST COLLECTIVE known for marathon jams sometimes
lasting up to 20 minutes, where all the guys got to stretch out
and contribute the musical conversation. The time Rick
spent in FOOD and the AUGUST COLLECTIVE
was critical in his development as a musican and a member
of an improvisational ensemble.
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In
2007 Rick
moved
to Nashville, Tennessee, where he once again began to explore his
own identity. After spending almost 20 years playing original music,
spending the majority of his time in the independent world, rick
developed his marketing skills, graphic arts, video editing, music
production and the emerging frontier of socialmedia.
During this time Rick wrote and recorded is only solo album 'Grey
Matters'
While in Tennessee
Rick began the role of side man. A concept and function he had never
had to play. It was then Rick sharpened his ear and learned to play
with just about anyone. It was out of necessity, while most players
grow up in cover bands, rick did not play in one until he was in
his 30’s. He adapted his style to these situations, not playing
these songs for years, his inexperienced resulted in a new take
on the material. He treated them as if he was writing the bass parts
and the result was fresh.
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In 2009,
Rick joined the Nashville based John Sutton
Band. After many years since Sonic Joyride
and the Band FOOD, Rick has found himself in another
high energy trio. JSB music is influenced by people with soul and
groove, old and new. Al Green, Mofro, Otis, Soulive, G Love, James
Brown, Subdudes, Jack Johnson, Gov’t Mule, Big Head Todd,
for example and the list goes on. “We are true fans of Soulful
music!!!” states Sutton. “We are all about getting the
crowd fired up and involved in the show. The music performed in
our shows is all designed to get folks dancing, singing, and having
a great time.” Rick recorded two Albums with the John
Sutton Band (Swoon) and (The World).
To
quote a review in The Nashville Underground Music Scene, “Three
guys who moved to Nashville to be apart of a thriving music scene
that they are rarely part of due to their excessive road schedule.
Their performances are fun, exciting, and full of great playing.”
In 2013 Rick
left the John Sutton Band and Nashville for East Tennessee to join
the Knoxville, Tn based band HOMEMADE WINE.
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The band Homemade Wine
was fermented, cured, blended and seasoned into a 150 proof
explosion that has spread their blend of jam infused Southern Rock
from the Florida Keys to the Pacific Northwest hitting practically
every roadhouse, club, festival and music venue in between.
Band leader
Ryan Sheley’s "fire and brimstone" styled delivery,
coupled with Andy Wescott's lighting fast guitar licks, Tod Sheley
and Brad Williams’s heavy percussion groove and Rick’s
New Orleans infused bass lines can take you from the backwoods of
East Tennessee to the shores of Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain
in no time at all.
While
with HOMEMADE WINE, Rick and the band played over
200 shows per year, while spending the majority of 2014 crafting
their celebrated album 'The Road to House Mountain'.
Billboard
described HOMEMADE WINE's sound as something
like the Allman Brothers Band if it had been born in the 21st century,
this six-member Southern rock band has the look and feel of an outfit
that is almost perpetually on tour: tight musicianship, deftly constructed
solos, and the ease that comes only from hanging around with the
same group of people for long periods of time.
in June of 2015
HOMEMADE WINE played the prestigious BONNAROO
Festival.
Unfortunately
after spending 3 years with HOMEMADE WINE it disbanded
in late 2015,
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Rick
was the bassist for Riverbend Reunion,
based out Nashville, TN. Riverbend
Reunion has a classic, gritty in your face sound with
a southern rock core featuring elements of the psychedelic,
the band revels in their live performances that include plenty
of improvisation and extended jams. They join a genre pioneered
by bands like The Allman Brothers, Rare
Earth, The James Gang, The Grateful
Dead, and Widespead Panic.
Riverbend
Reunion is respected by fellow musicians and beloved by
an ever expanding and inspired fan base. The band reunites long
time friends, seasoned through their journeys with previous bands
in the jam band scene, into one super group. John Smith (vocals/guitar),
Stuart Montez (guitar/vocals), Rick Reese (bass),
and Brandon
Buck (drums), bring their extensive experience on and off the stage
into one group of road warriors far beyond their home town of Nashville,
TN.
By blending
infectious grooves and passionate improvisation
into thoughtfully crafted songs, Riverbend Reunion’s chemistry
and dedication is obvious. Riverbend Reunion enjoyed several tours
out west and southeast. Not even the fire that totaly destroyed
their RV and trailer along with most of their gear on December 31,
2017 would keep off the road. With the help of the musicial community,
of bands, friends and fans, Riverbend Reunion were back on their
feet and rolling again with new and borrowed gear!
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The
Pandemic
had a toll on the touring and live show experience that was the
bread and butter of most bands. Riverbend
Reunion was no different, without touring income
RBR had take some indefinate time off. The band never "disbanded"
the Riverbend Reunion REUNION is always a tempting treat.
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During
the PANDEMIC years of lock down and lack of live
show opportunities, Rick joined forces with vocalists and guitarist
Stephen Blackburn, and
drummer and lyricistJB Hopkins to
write some songs remotely.Stephen and
JB had been longtime friends and band mates since
the 80's, in fact the took their Athens GA based band THE
SURF all the way to STAR SEARCH finals in Hollywood California!
The
PUZZLETRUCK, another power trio, sound evolved as the
boys learned each others styles and a chemistry quickly developed.
Rick enjoys a freedom in the arranging and creation of the bass
lines, a writing style that is very reminiscent of Sonic Joyride.
Alternatively Progressive Story Rock, where
the lyrics craft a story that the music attempts to create the
environment where it lives. Thoughtful compositions that also
provide for exciting moments of improvisations during the live
show.
The
process was fruitful and by the time theworld
began to return to normal, PUZZLETRUCK had 3
EP's recorded and poised to hit the road.
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