New London Calling

A friendly look at the city's music scene

Christopher Kepple

New London is a slowly shifting landscape of band tectonics - fault lines in the scene form and close around venues, some bands rise gloriously others sink between the cracks.

A small city with a handful of viable venues provides an intimate experience for band member and fans alike. Occasionally, bands end up overplaying the same venues, getting bored and finding new ones, but overall there is a happy carousel for all to ride on. As a fan and casual attendant of the New London music scene, I thought I would muse on some recent goings on – my orientation being that I pretty much miss Station 58, Taz and the old school El n Gee, love the Oasis and try other venues occasionally.

The Brass Rail, in addition to djs, now hosts local bands and is hosting the Hygienic Rock Fix this year. A Fatal Film reunion of sorts happened at Brass Rail when Jay Curlan and Matt Potter did a noise duo more reminiscent of the Total Bolsheviks than old school Fatal Film. Current Fatal Film is awesome and one of the leading local bands, but I am still a sucker for Matt Potter duos. Brass Rail isn’t a bad venue, the lack of local beer hurts while the gay crowd helps by adding some diversity.

Often in New London band members watch other bands. To the uninformed observer the band on band action appears to be normal. When college kids and non-band members take a rest from the J. Crew drinking scene in the dorm or frat bar to descend into the seedy, downtown art and music scene, the equation is completed.

Blue Collar Happy Hour at the Bank Street Café may as well be called a local musicians’ conference. Band on band action is wholesome and seems to lead to respectful, attentive audiences who listen as much or more than socialize. The Reducers played a show with Paul Brocket at Bank St. Cafe with much fanfare. Down the road, Stash’s delves into a different brand of rock – hosting original and cover bands. Much improved as a venue for local music since changing ownership several years ago, this roadhouse-style sports bar has a decent-sized stage.

The Can Kickers continue to invite friends from their many tours back to play New London – and occasionally notify people via text message usually the day of the show. This tendency to bring back musical treasures from transient explorations seems to be a common theme among New London bands. The musicians of the city deserve credit for putting New London on the map musically. Incidentally the Kickers are maintaining a low profile these days with several members out on walkabout.

Sean Murray, in charge of booking for the Oasis Pub is by far the lead importer of outside musical talent, and a continuous supporter of the local fare. Paul Brocket seems to rule at the Bank Street Café and the Blue Collar Happy Hour has a devoted following for a good reason: it’s good, honest rock with a laid-back drinking crowd. For now gone are the days of shows at the Polish American Club under the Gold Star Bridge in New London. Its sister venue, Mystic’s German Club soldiers on with a wide array of shows most weekends. Contra dances have started up there again and this is a real treat. The Polish club is one of those venues which has united Conn College kids with city kids in the past.

Social update: Brian Skidmore briefly left town and returned, so New London still has its strangest musical son, for now. Joey Royale and the Royale brothers are one of the most badass bands in the area. Listening to them on WCNI one can hardly match the depth of their inflection with the young soft spoken Royale, but it is real and it is mysterious, haunting and good.

All of the existing downtown venues seem to be a little nervous about the new Backstage Pass, formerly the El n Gee, formerly Club Hypnotic and formerly shut down. New ownership and a renovation of the club have resulted in a new atmosphere and a clean slate for the Backstage Pass. They have a mandate to exclude hip hop completely, which, frankly, is a pity – but Metal, rock, reggae, funk and ska will all be welcome. Somewhat inconveniently, another music venue located next door to a strip joint in Groton is called the Backstage. I think there is little doubt that the Backstage Pass (capacity near 400) in the location of the old Gee will eclipse the Backtsage, but at the least some minor confusion is imminent. The Gold Club, the other strip joint on the Navy highway, has yet to start acting as a music venue, but, wait a minute and it could happen. Maybe the strippers will start bands and cross the bridge.

Quiet Life was impressive recently at the Oasis. They are a really powerful rock band. Even though I am predisposed to running away from sounds that mix or match with country, I found myself stomping my foot loud and proud to Quiet Life. The Anderson Family Picnic is playing more often in New London and so are a bunch of really good bands who I failed to mention. For now the Oasis is still the undisputed center of New London’s music scene.

Check out their myspace page to catch up on what’s going on.