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Meet The Band
kurt ronquist
Lead Vocals
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Kurt comes to Rhino after a
2 year absence from music. His last project was a Minneapolis
based original group called the Swindle Kings. The band was
formed in early 2000 with hopes of local and regional sucess.
After almost 5 years of high energy shows and achieving most
of what they set out to do the Swindle Kings disbanded in
May of 2004 leaving Kurt without a musical project. Most notably
along the way the Swindle Kings released and album in 2001,
played in all the best clubs in town and the surrounding area
and shared the stage with many talented bands of both local
and national sucess including Maroon 5, the Nadas, GB Leighton,
and Johnny Clueless. The Swindle Kings musical style was most
compared to Bare Naked Ladies, the Gin Blossoms, and Smashmouth.
As the frontman of Rhino Kurt hopes to improve
on the fun and excitement that has been established by the
band before him.....but most of all.....he wants to see a
million faces....and rock them all!!
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Eric KratOchvil
Guitar, Vocals
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Growing up on the island of Babeldaob in the
Palau islands, Eric found himself with few distractions. Laying
on the beach, he discovered the joy of playing the conch and
quickly mastered the tricky instrument. Playing for yen, he
entertained the small groups of Japanese tourists that frequented
the island.
After local fame, Eric decided to move to Maui to further pusue
his musical career. Finding the competition stiff and the conch
gigs few and far between, he decided to chase his life long
dream of becoming a completitive kite flier. He threw himself
into a grueling training regiment.
Becoming too strung out on Maui wowie and disillusioned after
finding out his longtime kite flying hero Claud Shiftwind was
immersed in the dirty world of turtle finging, he soon put down
his kite.
Relizing that his true calling was music, he found himself in
a unique position: To go on tour as a roadie with world renown
guitarist Estaban. The two quickly became close friends and
it didn't take long for the master's guitar plahing to rub off
on Eric. After a brief stint in a Don Hoe tribute band, Eric
decided the most logical move would be to Minnesota to play
modern rock covers.
Thus Rhino was born. Eric, still quite fluid on the conch, as
the ladies will attest, still finds studio work playing the
unique instrument. |
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Dave Duetsch
Guitar, Vocals |
In an effort to complete the band and add a
second guitarist, Rhino became desperate. The idea to mix the
DNA of Brad Pitt and Slash for a super guitarist clone emerged.
As you can see, the experiment went horribly, horribly wrong.
They put him on a cargo plane and had him dropped into the jungles
of Guatemala. After swimming through the Florida Keys, overturning
many refugee boats, and eating their shoes to survive, Dave
found his way back to Rhino with eight women and lots of beer.
Who could say no to that? Plus, I think we're all afraid of
him now... |
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Wurtzy
Bass, Vocals |
Wurtzy has played in quite a few bands in
the Twin Citeis, most noteably Shaky Jake. He has also played
with Grumpy Munchkin, Gin and Juice, and has made appearances
for other local talent including Gel and KV3.
After commanding a piano from the ages of 5-10, he grew tired
of the large instrument, and didn't like carrying it around.
The much more portable guitar was the next step. After learning
much about guitar from high school mate JonnyZ, and playing
Metallica covers to death, he decided to switch to bass guitar.
After playing a few shows at graduation parties and barn parties
with whoever we could find to play drums, they landed together
at University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and put together "On
the Rocks" . They went on to win the Battle of the Bands
at UST, then joined "The Chris Herriges Project."
After a two year stint, they split ways briefly and were united
again by the band ShakyJake. Wurtzy played with them from
late '98 until Feb '06, when he made the decision to change
bands and has now landed here with Rhino.
Orange bucket is having his baby!!!
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Brent "cookie" Barsness
Drums |
Was that drummer just talking about making
love to a goat? Oh, he's from MONTANA?!?! That'll explain it.
Yeah, born and raised in Montana, Cookie came to Rhino initially
as Wurtzy's personal chauffer, officially taking over the drummer's
chair in January of '06. Before Rhino, he was with such bands
as Drive, Dizzy, and Red Eye, playing a variety of styles and
genres.
Although he is easily the sweatiest member of Rhino, do not
be afraid, he still smells pretty darn nice.
Cookie Quotes:
"Oh, I did say that earlier, I was totally lying."
"You gotta PAY FOR THAT SHIT!!!!!"
"Life is difficult, especially if you are a hermaphrodite,
like myself."
"You know how I know you're gay? You play bass for Rhino."
"You want my towel? Are you serious? It's really gross."
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