Some Independent Artists To Check Out (Revised Edition)
by Chris McConnell
November 5, 2003 (edited November 6, 2003)

These days, as I back away from most major label artists, I find myself thrust into the independent music scene. Pretty soon, I will once again be making an attempt to become part of it. But until then, I'd like to introduce some artists from Connecticut that have become a huge part of the ever growing music scene here and in the surrounding states. Over the years, there have been some pretty successful artists to come from Connecticut (HATEBREED, John Mayer, The Reducers, Brain Police, etc.). But now it's time to make room for those up-and-comers.


Tubesteak
---------
You may have noticed that the Tubesteak section of this article is gone. Well, I have gotten word straight from the founding member of Tubesteak that he does not wish to have anything to do with Boycott-RIAA.com. I'm assuming this means any site affiliated with it also. So if you ever, in the future, get the opportunity to write about Tubesteak, turn it down. I respect his decision, no matter how deluded it is. If he doesn't want attention from us, then that is what he will get. From this day forward, we shall also boycott Tubesteak. I wish them the best of luck in the future. And I believe it will be very hard for them to make it anywhere with a very thick-headed representative.

Now on with the rest of the article.


Revelaria
---------
I've grown to be a HUGE fan of these guys. I really got into them after I met one of their guitarists a couple years ago. Established in 1997, Revelaria's conquered Connecticut's music scene. They've gained national recognition, although they remain nestled mostly in CT and RI. And there has been evidence of minimal but important international popularity. It seems like just yesterday, they were merely a band wanting to be heard. Now, with all eyes focused on them, everyone's anticipating their next move. What do you do when you've accomplished everything possible in the independent music scene? Well, it's just a matter of time before somebody snatches them up and throws them in the spotlight. Opening for quite a few major acts doesn't hurt either. Revelaria has opened for King's X, Vince Neill of Motley Crue fame, Skid Row, and most recently, Jet, the newest artist to join Elektra Records, among others.

As you listen to Revelaria's music from old to new tracks, you can clearly hear their progression from Strum Pop to Rock. With the new strength in their sound, they are definitely set to take on the mainstream music world as we know it. I suggest picking up their new album, Past2Years. Just the track 'Get Up' makes you want to listen over and over. For more on Revelaria, go to revelaria.com.


Sugarfist
---------
Truly one of the most innovative bands of modern times, Sugarfist brings a familiar style of music to a whole new level. For a background on them, I give you the biography from their site, sugarfist.com:

"It was around the year nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and from the CT underground music scene emerged a group of spastic disco flavored superheroes known as Sugarfist. Tormented by the sluggish, shit flowing reality of MTV stardumb and Top 40 radio muck, this musical alliance deemed to seek revenge on all commercial like recreation. And so birth was given through the spirit of creative inspiration and something refreshing and different came to life. Sugarfist is a masterful blend of Funk, Hard-core, Jazz, and Ska. Influenced by all that is strange and surreal, from the bizarre works of David Lynch to the insane fusion of Frank Zappa and Mr. Bungle. This muddy madness of funkadelic mayhem has already broke through the barriers of 'mainstream' and like a whirlwind tornado has spewed its venom along with the East Coast, bringing along their highly energetic and humorous corrosion to the eyes and ears of all walks of life. Through continuous touring and heavy radio airplay, Sugarfist has earned themselves a credible name and a reputation as one of the hardest working bands to come from the land of CT."

I don't know what else to say about these guys that hasn't already been said, except go experience it for yourself.


Under Investigation
-------------------
I guess I have to give the fans of punk music something to experience. As a huge fan of punk music, I recommend every other fan check these guys out. If you love the way punk used to be back in the days where this music wasn't infested by the mainstream "punk" bands, then you'll love Under Investigation. They take you back to the days of 'don't give a fuck' and 'down with the system'. From the messed up website to the scrubby look, Under Investigation is truly the epitome of the punk idea of 'in it for the music'. It's sad how they seem to be the only real punk band in Connecticut. All the rest is pop-punk with a strong sense of wannabe. Go to their site [ underinvestigation.net ] and see for yourself. Not since Code 415 out of California have I seen the true punk spirit live on.

Good Charlotte and Blink 182 fans need not apply.


And so ends my article on Connecticut bands to check out. From old to new, pop to punk, you'll find all kinds of music around these parts. All you have to do is go down to your local club, and you'll find a whole mess of people who know the music scene inside and out. Don't count on MTV or Wal-Mart to tell you what's hot. Just find your nearest indie veteran and simply ask to hear stories you'll never believe. After all, this isn't a mystery such as 'Which came first? The chicken or the egg?' We all know that it all started with some friends with some musical talent just playing for the fun of it.

There we go. This is much better.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

Kelly Bell Band for kickass blues
http://www.phatblues.com/

Manic Hispanic punk with an atitude??
http://www.manichispanic.net/

Indigenous rock like only Stevie Ray or Jimi did
http://www.indigenousrocks.com/

See them all live for that extra dose of adrenaline rush...

Heidi Berry is one of my favorite indie artists. She was dropped from her label..but her voice is exquisite.

I'll surely check these artists out. And then I'll review their music for my review section (even though my site's gone bye-bye for a while).

Expect to see my next installment later today. I should be finished in a couple hours. I've already been dawdling around this paper for 3 1/2 to 4 hours (I get sidetracked).

There's a few bands that I wish would have more exposure -- the Toy Dolls, for one. This punk band formed in 1979 and are still putting out some of the best fun punk available. They don't even have a web site, but doing a web search for them will pull up lots of hits.

Another band I'm hot on right now is Melodine -- http://www.melodine.net/ -- rocikn' power pop.

Eclectic sunny pop/rock: The Boris Flats -- http://www.theborisflats.co.uk/

(I know, I know... shameless plugs.)

Here's my local favorit

http://www.jilljack/com/

She has REAL talent, writes her own music, and is Detroit's best kept secret since Bob Seger. While it appears most people looking for new music on the net and posting here are young, and prefer younger acts, I'm sure there are many that have listened to music for years that would appreciate what she contributes.

Indigenous is really cool, but 15 bucks for an album is not helping to bring down the big price fixing giant.

I like revelaria and 6 bucks an album is just about right.

I wonder why TubeSteak has a problem with us?

Hey purfus that is strange I've found their cds new for $8 shrink wrapped at local stores.

And Kelly sells his for 5 bucks a pop at his concerts... Bought all 3 for less than the price you would expect to pay for just one...

"Ain't like it used to be"
~Kelly Bell

Rock Bottom Remainders
"Hailed by critics as having one of the world's highest ratios of noise to talent"
"They do for music what Metallica does for great literature."

Appearing somewhere in Austin, Nov. 8

The Remainders include Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Stephen King, Scott Turow, Amy Tan, James McBride, Mitch Albom, Roy Blount, Jr., Matt Groening, Kathi Kamen Goldmark and the most recent addition who completed his initiation at the Miami Book fair in November 2002, Greg Iles. Two ringers help them out: drummer Josh Kelly and Erasmo Paolo on saxophone.
http://www.rockbottomremainders.com/band.htm

TheFirstNutZo, I don't know why they don't like us, but I know why Mike doesn't like me. He's afraid that someone representing a record label seeing Boycott-RIAA stuff linked to them, although they have nothing to do with it. I don't know what this is going to do to my relationship with my cousin (he's the guitarist), but I hope it doesn't have negative repercussions. I can understand why they're scared. They're playing the Sony Rock Showcase on the 9th in Stratford, CT, and they don't want anyone to think differently of them and not shop their band to the labels based on that. I don't think they have to worry about it, though. Leflaw was invited to join the guys picking the bands.

I ended early, I think.

Leflaw was invited, but isn't able to make it. But since he was invited, I would think they wouldn't care if Tubesteak was mentioned here.

any artist that is seeking a major label contract is about to jump off a cliff into a deep canyon of indentured servitude.. I would advise against it..

posterchild, thats strange they are right on their website for 15 a peace. I woulda bought em by now if they were 5 or even 6.