The Grip Weeds Unearth 1960s Rock Gems

Garage rock and psychedelic rock are genres which continue to have strong appeal for a legion of fans. Thanks to the advent of digital music platforms like Little Steven’s Underground Garage on Sirius XM, and a host of CD and vinyl re-issues of music from the 1960s, songs from the era are being re-discovered by longtime devotees, and heard for the first time by appreciative younger listeners. The Grip Weeds, a New Jersey based psychedelic pop/rock band, recently released DiG, an album featuring the band’s unique interpretations of music from the era. The band has been a long-time staple of the indie rock, psyche-pop and power pop scene since their formation in the late 1980s. DiG is the group’s way of celebrating the music that inspired them, and showcasing their compelling interpretations of songs like “Porpoise Song” by The Monkees and “Shape of Things to Come” by The Yardbirds.

DiG is a superb record, featuring a wide-ranging selection of tunes, including FM radio staples like “Journey to the Center of the Mind,” originally by The Amboy Dukes, to lesser known nuggets like “I Wonder” by The Gants. In fact, “nuggets” is a key word here, since that was the title of a now legendary 1972 collection of garage rock and psychedelic music curated by Lenny Kaye. In a nice bit of symmetry, Kaye provides the liner notes for DiG. The album is truly a celebration of the garage rock and psychedelic eras. DiG is filled with nuggets, gems, and unearthed treasures, from “I Love You” by The Zombies to Thunderclap Newman’s anthem “Something in the Air.” Familiar and much beloved tracks like "Lies" by The Knickerbockers sit comfortably next to lesser known (but incredible) songs such as “Lie, Beg, Borrow and Steal” by Mouse and The Traps. Check out the band's outstanding version of that song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2_4Fb8dvAQ&list=OLAK5uy_k1REZLxeU9ELFvJ1SbsLLjlA_ZlVqKyeA&index=5.

The album is magnificently produced by guitarist and singer Kurt Reil, whose fine work gives these songs immersive depth and real atmosphere. The band is in outstanding form, and the unbridled enthusiasm of Reil and his bandmates Kristen Pinell Reil on guitars, percussion and vocals, Rick Reil on vocals, guitar and keyboards, and Dave DeSantis on bass is evident on every track. It’s hard not to smile, dance around the room and play air guitar when you hear the band’s charged up versions of “Louie, Go Home” by Paul Revere and the Raiders, ”Outside Chance” by The Turtles, or "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night” by The Electric Prunes. DiG’s sound runs the gamut from the band's joyful interpretation of “Little Black Egg” (a track included on the deluxe edition of the album) to standout versions of The Velvet Underground’s “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” and The Rolling Stones track “Child of the Moon.” DiG is an album filled with high water marks, and essential cuts.

If you’re looking for even more to “DiG” the album is available in a two-disc deluxe version, which includes eleven additional songs. There’s also a very special edition of the album featuring a third disc entitled A Deeper DiG, which is available exclusively via the band’s website. A Deeper DiG includes a collection of wonderful rarities, including early live performances, demos and a radio appearance by the band. DiG is clearly a passion project for The Grip Weeds, and I look forward to hearing their next disc of original music, as I'm sure working on this album has energized the band. You can check out DiG, which is now available on JEM records at https://www.gripweeds.com. For more on the creation of DiG, check out my interview with Kurt Reil over at CultureSonar by following this link: https://www.culturesonar.com/the-grip-weeds-dig-some-cool-covers/, and here's a link to a trailer for the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Vtf-SgibQ.