About Tom Reitz
Band Contributions: Lead guitars…rhythm guitars…noodling guitars…synth guitars and backing vocals. I manage Hammered’s Retirement Fund…current balance = $0.
Experience: I started playing drums at age 8. Playing the sax in sixth grade is when I really kicked it in! No stopping me there. I started playing the guitar when I was 13 and had my first band at 17. We didn’t go very far, but we played some great AC/DC!
Other bands played with: Delusions Of Grandeur, The Fabulous Remakes, Angel White and several jam sessions!
Other music-related accomplishments: I like the Montain Dulcimer, not many people play it. It has a very cool sound, and maybe someday I’ll incorporate it into this project. I also play the Indian Flute!
What I do when not rehearsing or performing: Well, I’m a dentist! That’s demanding. I like helping out our community of Edgerton. We put on CHILIMANIA which is a cool chili contest and music festival. I do stuff on the computer, but I’m not great at it…the internet is awesome!
Personal: I was born in Edgerton and went to college at Marquette University in Milwaukee. I’ve been a dentist since 1988!
Favorite musical group: Van Halen really got me going…but so did AC/DC…and The Ramones….High energy there! Dream Theater…unreal!
How I first got into playing music: Music is just in me…got that from my parents I guess!
Bands/Artists that have most influenced me: Eddie Van Halen. I feel a connection there! Angus Young from AC/DC, great licks! Once again The Ramones but because I could play every song they did in a minute!
Favorite songs: 5150, Van Halen; Scenes From A Memory; Dream Theater; Blitzkrieg Bop. Ramones; Whole Lotta Rosie, AC/DC; Green Day…it can go on forever…..
Favorite Pastimes that aren’t music-related: Gardening, motorcycle, computer, hiking, community service. “The Big Lebowski” is a fun movie!
Guilty Pleasure Confession: Pickles! I make my own!
Person I Most Admire: John Berghammer!
Hometown: Edgerton, WI (Editor’s note: Humming “I was born in a small town…”)
Things that inspire me and keep me going: Just keep a full plate in life…that way you don’t have time to stop! Nature keeps a person grounded and lets you know what’s really important and worth worrying about!