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Jesse Weston
Lead Guitar
Jesse has been playing guitar since he was 13 years old and has never put it down since. Learning songs like Stairway to Heaven, Enter Sandman, Smoke on the Water and Wonderful Tonight at an early age influenced him to want more as a guitar player. His love for the guitar grew and with each day his sound developed, as well as his skills.
Playing through a Marshall Half Stack and a Fender Super Reverb, Jesse has gotten a hold of that sound he has searched for since his first chord. Now he plays songs Vodoo Chile, Heartbreaker, Freebird, Crossroads and Purple Haze and with that has acquired the nickname "Jesse Hendrix" with close friends. Without Hendrix, Page, and Clapton, Jesse would not be the guitar player he is today.
Drawing most of his inspiration from the greats of the 60's and 70's, Jesse found it necessary to play a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender "Eric Clapton Signature" Stratocaster. Unable to afford vintage gear, Jesse plays reissued equipment to get that old school sound he can't get away from.
Being a tone freak Jesse knows what sounds good and going with a Les Paul and a Marshall Amp is the best decision he's ever made. It is just as simple as the love for your mother, Jesse loves music and can't go a day without picking up a guitar. If a song is too easy to play, he'll play it behind his back, if a song is too hard he won't admit it. Expect to see a lot more than someone playing guitar when this kid is on stage. Expect the unexpected, and watch out for your beer bottles because you never know when they could turn into a nice slide.
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Josh Vallimont
Drums
If you want to talk about someone fun to watch bang on drums, than you want to listen to Josh Vallimont for five minutes. Sometimes it seems like he was born with drum sticks in his hands, but it only took him 'til age 12 to start 8 years of constant drum practice. Josh has been working 40 plus hour weeks since high school but still finds time to practice and play with more excitement and endurance each time rift hits the stage.
At practice he is opening up a window within the first couple of songs because he goes 110 mph all the time. Once those lights hit him on stage the shirt usually comes off, and that never draws a complaint.
Josh plays on a Yamaha Stage Custom he bought off of Gipsy from Rick and the Road House Rockersand hits those drums so hard, drum sticks are always on the grocery list. Josh draws a lot of influence and inspiration from drummers like John bonham, Neil Peart, Keith Moon, Lars Ulrich and Vince Abbott. He listens to everything from Hank Williams Jr to Pantera. He rarely gets mad and never lets you down. He's the kind of person who works harder when its wrong and doesn't quit until its right.
Always smiling and always singing along, Josh is a fine drummer and plays a mean air guitar as well. Expect drum solos and broken sticks, but never miss a beat when he is behind the kit.
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Brandon Hodapp
Bass Guitar
Brandon is the newest member of rift. In past gigs he has played the drums and rhythm guitar when rift needed, and it was only a matter of time before he was an official member of the band.
Playing on a Fender Jazz Bass he can pump out a massive sound to fill up and thicken the sound of the band. Being able to play guitar rift decided to give him a crack at the bass, and his transition was without effort.
He loves to listen to any type of music, especially Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Doors. He is multi-talented and could fill in for any of the band members at any time. He can play almost any instrument and does it without compromise. If you want to talk music, talk to Brandon. He always has the right music answer.
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Shawn Giewont
Rythym Guitar
"Shawny G", started playing part time with the band in the summer of 2007 and on the weekends while at Robert Morris College. This Wattsburg boy came back home and now goes to Behrend. More importantly, he now rocks full time with rift, while also working for Vallimont Construction.
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