Gene Schmidt — Guitarist for Wake Up Dead

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Gene Schmidt delivers the crushing riffs and harmonized leads that define Wake Up Dead’s twin-guitar attack. A veteran player with a sharp ear for detail, Gene faithfully recreates Megadeth’s complex arrangements while injecting his own flair and precision. His chemistry with Jimi forms the backbone of the band’s signature sound — equal parts aggression and finesse. Off stage, Gene’s obsession with tone and gear ensures every performance sounds as massive as the original recordings. 

In addition to Wake Up Dead, Gene plays Eddie Van Halen in the Buffalo-based Van Halen tribute band, “Diver Down,” since its formation in 1994. He also portrays Ritchie Blackmore in Buffalo’s premier Deep Purple/Rainbow tribute, “Deeper than Purple.” He has been a quiet part of the local music scene for decades and has always been choosy about the projects he gets involved in. 

Gene has collaborated with guest guitar solos on local original bands and solo projects such as “Sixpin” and “Art Kalenda.” He has also co-engineered, co-produced, and performed on a handful of national Kiss Tribute records under the name “Buffalo Rock City,” in collaboration with other well-known Buffalo musicians and national touring artists. 

In his free time, Gene creates guitar cover videos on YouTube, paying homage to his favorite guitarists and artists while also writing and composing original guitar-centric instrumentals, which are released on Spotify, YouTube, and other popular streaming services. His passion for music and tribute bands, particularly his work with the Megadeth tribute, showcases his dedication to the craft and the guitar community.