Get to know me
About Me
Who am I?
I'm Ricky Wagner, musician, producer, manager, teacher
Born on February 25, 1991 in Schwabach, South Germany, I, Richard “Ricky” Wagner – not related to my great 19th-century namesake – found love for art and music early in life. Fascinated by cartoons, history and music by the likes of James Brown or Michael Jackson, I started pounding on something close to a drum set during my formative years.
Together with my parents and older sister, I relocated to the North of Germany where I still live today in a city called Schleswig. Inspired by the nu-metal movement of the early 2000s, I started playing guitar in 5th grade and soon formed the first incarnation of my band REZET – which I still lead today, having taken over lead vocals and guitar as well as co-managing and co-producing the group since.
The band released their debut full-length in 2010, becoming one of the pioneers of the so-called New Wave of Thrash Metal in Germany, which originates from the speed and thrash movement of the mid to late 1980s.
To date, REZET have toured Europe, Asia and the US, released five studio albums, two EPs and a DVD while sharing stages with multiple popular international acts.
I'ves been teaching instrumental and music theory since 2015 and received my bachelor´s degree in music and German language in 2020.
While recording and producing REZET’s EP “New World Murder” in 2021, we started working extensively on my home studio. Soon, I launched “Rad Toad Studios” together with a team of musicians, engineers, producers and directors, offering music recording and production, artist development and management as well as online and in-person music lessons.
I am currently producing the first bands and artists in my studio while working on my band’s upcoming studio album, which is planned for a late 2023 release.
