Tad Kubler

Tad Kubler is an American guitarist, known for his work with Lifter Puller, Song of Zarathustra, and, most-notably, The Hold Steady. He grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Education

Kubler was considered bright and energetic but difficult to handle by most of his high school teachers before he was diagnosed with ADD. He spent a year in college with a major in music at University of Wisconsin–Rock County before dropping out to move to Madison.

Influences

Kubler grew up listening to bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top and, perhaps most importantly, Cheap Trick. When he was seven years old, Cheap Trick's manager of the time had a wife and two daughters who lived across the street, giving Kubler the opportunity to meet Rick Nielsen.

Equipment

References

The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn (vocals, guitar), Tad Kubler (guitar), Galen Polivka (bass), Bobby Drake (drums), and Steve Selvidge (guitar). Noted for their "lyrically dense storytelling," and classic rock influences, the band's narrative-based songs frequently address themes, such as drug addiction, religion and redemption, and often feature recurring characters based within the city of Minneapolis.

Formed four years following the break-up of Finn and Kubler's former band, Lifter Puller, The Hold Steady released their debut album, Almost Killed Me in 2004, and came to prominence with the release of their third studio album, Boys and Girls in America, in 2006. In 2010, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Franz Nicolay left the band prior to the recording of their fifth studio album, Heaven Is Whenever (2010). During the band's subsequent tour, the band became a five piece, once more, with the addition of former Lucero guitarist Steve Selvidge. The band released their sixth LP, Teeth Dreams, on March 25, 2014.

Craig Finn

Craig Finn (born August 22, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the frontman of the American indie rock band The Hold Steady, with whom he has recorded six studio albums. Prior to forming The Hold Steady, Finn was the frontman of Lifter Puller.

Described by Pitchfork as "a born storyteller who's chosen rock as his medium," Finn's lyrics are often noted for having a strong literary bent, stringing together recurring characters and storylines throughout.

During a five-month break from The Hold Steady, Finn recorded a solo album, Clear Heart Full Eyes, which was released in January 2012, and released a second solo album, Faith in the Future, in 2015.

Personal life

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Finn grew up in Edina, Minnesota. He was raised Catholic and still identifies as such. Finn attended Valley View Middle School and subsequently graduated from Breck School, and in 1993, from Boston College. Before moving to New York City in 2000, Finn was working as a financial broker for American Express in Minnesota. Upon moving to New York City, where he currently resides, Finn got a job at a live music webcasting company called Digital Club Network. At this point in time, Finn did not play music for two years before forming The Hold Steady. Finn lives in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with his girlfriend Angie Bentfield, whom he has been dating since 2006.