Connecticut Local Bands - Show Reviews 2004

Connecticut Local Bands - Show Reviews 2004

Extremely biased reviews.
If you're looking for balanced fairness, look somewhere else.

Warning! Bias Ahead! The bands and singer/songwriters represented on ctlocabands.org perform rings around other local and not-so-local acts. I'd rather listen to them, even if they're having a bad night, than most other bands and performers on their good nights. Biased? Yes, and proud of it.

This webpage has evolved from reviews of shows that I've attended into a chronology of shows by certain musicians, whether I went to them or not. Only time will tell if this is as useful, or useless, as my biased reviews. Shows I did not go to are mentioned in [brackets.] Links to other websites were valid when I typed the entry. And yes, despite what The Ministry of Truth says, this webpage has been heavily edited, both in format, and sadly, in content.

July 2004

The Sawtelles held the first of their July birthday bash shows at Cafe Nine last night, July 13th. It was an energy filled rocking show. Between songs the band held "Sawtelles trivia" with prizes awarded to audience members who had the correct answers. The crowd averaged between 20 to 25 people. Peter Riccio wore a neon pink t-shirt with the phrase "Center of Attention" across the front. The stage was decorated with Happy Birthday banners. Cupcakes with chocolate frosting were served.

The Sawtelles July Birthday Bash series of shows continued last night, July 21st, with a spirited set at Art Space, an art gallery in New Haven CT. Between songs the band again held "Sawtelles trivia" with prizes awarded to audience members who had the correct answers. Homemade brownies were served. The third show will be tonight, July 22nd, at Klekolo Coffee World in Middletown CT.

August 2004

The Sawtelles were featured at Ed Leonard's Beatnik 2000, Monday night, August 9th, at Cafe Nine in New Haven. With guest saxophone/flute player, Ken McKinnon, the valiant nerve-rockers played an energy filled set.

Drummer Julie Riccio said afterwards that it was too bad that set was not recorded. I've noticed that most local bands don't record their shows. They should think about it. I'm sure there are people who would enjoy a CD of a live show, even if it's not a studio quality recording.

September 2004

[The Sawtelles appear in the oddest places. Today, September 6th, they were playing at the New Haven Road Race, as entertainment for the runners. They were supposed to be set up outside the old, abandoned New Haven Brewery, on Grand Avenue. Foolishly, I didn't go. Looking back at what little I did today, a two hour, 106 mile round trip to New Haven to see The Sawtelles would have been a good deal.

I'm also missing The Jellyshirts, formerly The Bret Logan Band, playing at Cafe Nine tonight, September 6th, at Beatnik 2000. As the headliners, they'll probably go on at midnight. Which brings me to a problem I have with Cafe Nine.

Shows at Cafe Nine usually begin at 10pm. If there's three bands, as there were Saturday night, September 4th, the headliners go on after midnight. That night, Shellye Valauskas opened the show around 10pm. The place was crowded. The Furors set up and started playing just before 11:30pm. By the time they finished, around 12:30am, a good deal of the crowd was gone. The Jellyshirts didn't get started until 12:45am. They played until just before 2:00am. By that time, there was no crowd. There were less than twenty people left, a mix of Bret Logan fans, and last call drinkers.

I've seen the same thing happen before with Bret Logan, and The Sawtelles. By the time they go on, and finish, there's hardly anyone left.

It seems to me that being the headliner at Cafe Nine is a no-win situation. Any potential new fans are gone before you hit the stage. The opening acts actually have a crowd to play for. Headliners at Cafe Nine should probably insist on going first or at least second, and let the opening act play for diminishing crowd.]

The Jellyshirts will be at Elm City Java in New Haven, Friday, September 10th, at 8:00pm.

If you weren't at Elm City Java in New Haven last night, September 10th, you missed a dynamic show by The Jellyshirts. Fronted by longtime New Haven area singer/songwriter/guitar hero Bret Logan, The Jellyshirts rocked the Java for two hours. Bret remarked that in some form or another, The Jellyshirts/Bret Logan Band have been making music in Connecticut for 15 years.

This new incarnation of The Jellyshirts features Bret Logan on lead vocals and guitar, Jessica Brauner on rhythm guitar, Nick Appleby on bass guitar and back-up vocals, Scott McDonald on drums, and Mr. Ray Neal on rhythm guitar.

Shhh! Quiet. Las Vetas Lounge in Fairfield was the scene tonight, September 11th, for a quiet evening of acoustic music by the The Sawtelles. No Fender Telecasters, no Fender bass guitars, no amps turned up to 11, no screaming vocals. Quiet. Mellow. Pete Brunelli playing a Tacoma acoustic bass guitar, Peter Riccio and his lightly amplified Dan Electro guitar, and Julie Riccio's gentle drumming entertained several capacity crowds. The Sawtelles once again proving their versatility with their music, and their adaptability to the venue.

[Tyler Trudeau solo shows, tonight, September 16th, at Elm City Java in New Haven at 8:00pm, and October 14th at Klekolo Coffee World in Middletown.]

Peter Riccio of The Sawtelles appeared in the "Stuck in a corner with" column in The New Haven Advocate.

They held Woodstock in the rain, but the Waterbury Brass Ball was postponed due to this morning's deluge. (September 18th) While it cleared up around noontime, it was too late. I've heard, but not confirmed, the WBB will be held on Sunday, September 26th. Check their website, www.thebrassball.tk for details.

The day was not, however, music free. Several of the bands went to Brass City Records, and held a show starting at 3:00pm.

Peter and Julie Riccio of The Sawtelles were the openers, and played a spirited, rock'n'roll set. The Sawtelles were also videotaped, but don't blame me for that. Brass City Records and DaDa TV share that crown of thorns.

Cafe Atlantique in Milford was the site of a Sawtelles super session last night, September 18th. Peter and Julie Riccio were joined by Mike Conklin on bass guitar. A few songs into their set, Ken McKinnon arrived, and joined in on tenor saxophone and flute. Later in the show, Lauren Agenlli joined The Sawtelles on guitar and vocals to perform two Velvet Underground songs. Lauren then switched to bass guitar, for a Television song, and then played bass guitar on three Sawtelles songs.

[The Sawtelles will be appearing at the Boone Dog Cafe in downtown Brewster NY tonight, September 19th, from 7-9pm.]

The Sawtelles appeared at the Waterbury Brass Ball today, Sunday, September 26th. Peter and Julie Riccio were joined by Ken McKinnon on saxophone and flute. ?

October 2004

Jessica Brauner of The Jellyshirts is featured in the "Stuck in a corner with" column in The New Haven Advocate.

Great show Thursday night, October 7th, at Elm City Java, in New Haven.

The Sawtelles rocked the Java. Then they turned the mike, and Peter Riccio's Telecaster, over to members of the audience, and invited people to step up and play a few songs. And what a musically talented audience it was. Bret Logan, accompanied by Pete Brunelli on bass, did two songs. Derek, from The Furors, did two songs, and finally Hank Haufmann stepped up with two songs, commenting that his new CD would be out in 2007. This mini open mike was followed by more Sawtelles magic. Peter Riccio hardly paused between tunes. He said he was tired, but I wonder if he was actually energized and inspired by all the musical talent in the room. I was. ?

The Hartford Advocate has an article on The Sawtelles Elm City Java show on October 7th.

Tyler Trudeau held a solo show at ArtSpace, Wednesday October 20th, which lasted well over an hour. Tyler has a large catalog of songs, many of which did not appear on his "Why Don't You Come Out To My Twist Party" CD.

The Sawtelles. Need I say more? They ruled the stage at the Brookside Inn, Amenia NY last night, October 22nd. Two sets of raw energy from Riccio, Riccio, and Brunelli. Starting the evening off in a surreal vibe, a man walked up to The Sawtelles and said that Sawtelle was his last name. This was the first person named Sawtelle the band had met in their three years of musical madness. He stayed through their first set. Sadly, we missed an opportunity to take some photos of The Sawtelles with Mr. Sawtelle.

The Jellyshirts performed at ArtSpace, October 25th. They only played an hour, (no thanks to a so-called "performance artist,") but to use an ancient and creaky cliché, a rockin' good time was had by all. And without becoming a gossip columnist, it was good to see familiar faces in the crowd.

November 2004

Above The Salt world premier this Friday, November 5th, at 9:30pm at the 50 Fitch Street Pub, 50 Fitch St, New Haven CT. Please be warned we are four guys in our 50's playing covers of blues rock songs from the 1960's. While we have one or two originals, written by our guitar player, the most original thing we do is how we mangle, oops, interpret the songs.

[The Sawtelles appeared as part of the Pop Fest in Northampton MA last night, November 4th ]

[It's becoming apparent that the Belle Star / The Sawtelles / Groovski show at Cafe Nine last week was another "you had to be there" amazing show. Even The Hartford Advocate had a story on it. No mention of The Sawtelles, though.]

The Secret Ink play at ArtSpace in New Haven tonight, November 10th, at 6:00pm. They have another date at Cafe Nine later this month.

Small blessings. Two great shows yesterday, November 10th, one an unplanned surprise, (Mieka Pauley,) the other the long awaited return of an amazing band, The Secret Ink. Their music just pulls you along. Words just fail to describe the feeling. You just have to hear them, live or on their CD released just this year. (New Haven Advocate, April 8, 2004)

Mad Room will be playing Saturday Nov. 20th at The Neverending Bookstore, 810 State St. in New Haven at 7:30pm. Donation is $3.00. The Neverending Bookstore is a used bookstore that is literally overflowing with books. And Mad Room is a trio overflowing with musical ideas. Oh, bring earplugs. They get kinda LOUD!!!

The Mad Room show, at The Neverending Bookstore, Saturday, November 20th, was three hours of improvisational rock, blues, some jazz, and even marching band music. Someday, people will be mad that they missed this show.

Welcome appeared at Java Nation in Meriden on Sunday, November 21st. I did not catch the name of the opening duo. It was not Christina Abbott as advertised. Welcome is a trio formed when Ladyfriend broke up. (Ladyfriend released a CD just a few months ago.) They were interesting, although I wasn't exactly thrilled by their songs. I think would like to hear them again before making a final judgement.

[The Secret Ink will be taking the stage at Cafe Nine, tonight, November 22nd, sometime around 11:00pm.]

I had something to say about The Sawtelles at the Las Vetas Lounge Friday night, November 26th, but now I don't remember what it was. I have nothing to say about Suzan Hurtuk at The Town Crier, Sunday, November 28th, as I didn't go. I have some lame excuses, but all that matters is that I didn't go and show support for a talented singer/songwriter. Shame on me for not going. Shame on you if you didn't go either.

WOW! The Sawtelles and The Jellyshirts at Cafe Nine last night, November 30th. Forget the four other singer/songwriters?? (yeah, two deserve question marks on singing and/or songwriting ability,) The Sawtelles and The Jellyshirts ruled the Nine.

The Jellyshirts, (minus Mr. Ray,) did a half hour of their best rock. Scott McDonald's drumming had the whole stage vibrating. Then, after an overlong, annoying, semi-musical interlude, Riccio and Riccio of The Sawtelles took the stage, and went into their "punk rock" mode, playing song after song as fast as they could, with barely a pause in between them. I'd never experienced The Sawtelles "punk rock" mode before, and I gotta say, "Wow!" Once again, The Sawtelles are truly versatile, from Las Vetas Lounge mellow, to Cafe Nine rocking, The Sawtelles always deliver and delight.

December 2004

The Sawtelles have two shows Saturday, December 18th. The first will be at the Las Vetas Lounge in Fairfield around 2:30pm or so. Their second show will be at Cafe Atlantique in Milford at 8:30pm.

[The Bourgeois Heroes were back in the area, and had a show at The Shed in Palmer MA on December 19th. ]

A note from The Ministry of Truth:
This webpage has not been heavily edited. Older entries have not changed. They are exactly as they have always been. It is incorrect to believe that they are different. Truth is fixed, and eternal. Truth does not change with time.
The Ministry of Truth.

And so, it begins.