Tad Jason Kubler is an American guitarist, known for his work with Lifter Puller, Song of Zarathustra, and, most-notably, The Hold Steady. He previously worked with Brett Johnson, bass player for Atmosphere, in the band Ten-fold Hate, in Minneapolis. 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

Kubler plays a variety of Gibson guitars, including the ES-345, ES-135, ES-335, and 2006 ’56 VOS Les Paul Goldtop.

Personal life

Kubler's daughter Murphy is a model, working with companies such as Chrome Hearts, Old Navy, J.Crew, The Jessica Simpson Collection and Maddie Ziegler's clothing line "Maddie Style".