Retro rock music takes on a modern twist in songs written by local band, Idol Threat. Lead singer and guitarist Robbie Reiner is a junior at the University studying criminal justice. He writes and performs classic-meets-contemporary rock music with drummer Pat Reiner, and bassist Brian DeSeno, both of whom attend Manasquan High School.
The band takes inspiration from artists such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Ultimately, Idol Threat aims to make rock n’ roll mainstream once again. “It’s something that a lot of people are missing out on,” said Pat. “People don’t listen to rock and roll the way they used to and we want to keep the art form alive and expose as many people as we can to it.”
Coming from a family of musicians, Robbie and Pat have been playing music from a very young age. “Basically our whole family is musical. My mom played the flute and my dad played guitar and I guess I always wanted to play the guitar as he had,” Robbie said.
Bassist, DeSeno is the neighbor of the two brothers. “[DeSeno] apparently played bass and we didn’t know it. We did a show with him once and it just clicked from there,” said Robbie.
As catchy as it is, the band did not choose the name “Idol Threat” because it sounded cool (that was just a bonus). “We’re not fans of people idolizing—‘I want to be just like so-and-so.’ So we changed it from I-D-L-E Threat, to being a threat to your idols, with the intention of just being yourself and not worrying about being someone you’re not,” explained Robbie.
Idol Threat has played many local venues, but name Brighton Bar as their favorite, despite the “beer-smelling microphones.” “It’s so close to the college so all of Robbie’s friends always stop in,” said Pat. “It’s just such a cool place to play. It has such a good vibe to it and it’s really fun.”
The band’s album, “Blood Brothers,” was released over the summer and features four of Idol Threat’s original songs. It includes tracks such as “Victim (I’m Not),” an R.E.M.-esque song with a mellow vibe picking up in the chorus when the band chants, “I’m not your victim.” The title track, “Blood Brothers,” has a deeper and more self-empowered feel emphasized by echoed vocals. Songs from the album can be heard on the University’s radio station, 88.9 WMCX.
Recording the album was a big step for Idol Threat. “We just enjoyed the studio process because you get to play the songs the way you actually hear them in your head like you don’t really get a chance to do playing live,” said Robbie.
“It was a very new experience but the whole time we were having a lot of fun and learning a lot of things. Then it just comes out on a record,” added Pat.
Idol Threat has no intentions of slowing down after the release of their album. “We’re going to keep writing songs, keep playing out, making new fans and basically growing and getting bigger and better,” said Pat.
Idol Threat is in the process of booking shows for this year and will perform at The Headliner in Neptune on October 6 for the Hurley Family Benefit. The event is from 2 pm to 6 pm and will raise funds for the family of Billy Hurley, who suffered physical and mental injuries from a motorcycle accident in May.
So what is it like working in a band with family? “It sucks,” Robbie said playfully. Judging from their laughter on the subject it was clear that Pat and Robbie had a great working relationship. However, every relationship has its flaws. “Sometimes…we’re all thinking in different ways. It’s the hardest teamwork experience ever, pretty much,” Robbie laughed.
Pat added, “But we have fun, in our own ways. We have our ups and downs that we go through together, but in the end it’s all good. We keep moving forward.”
“You really can’t escape practicing, let’s put it that way,” the brothers joked.
For anyone interested in purchasing Idol Threat’s debut album, “Blood Brothers,” it is available on iTunes or in person from Robbie. Fans can also go to their website, theIdolThreat.com or facebook.com/theIdolThreat.
PHOTO COURTESY of Idol Threat
