Band Bios
In Order Of Appearance
The Pneumatics
Rising out of the powerpop ashes of NYC’s Lower East Side and New London, CT, come The Pneumatics. Formed in 2022, they bring the hooks and harmonies with just enough garage to keep your cynicism alive. Shake some action with The Pneumatics as they tear their way through a set of original bubblegum blasters. Featuring Dante Piacenza, Ron Lewis, Mike Pace and Chris Listorti. Not to be missed, or easily forgotten.
The Troublemakers
100 Watt Suns, John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band, The Hoolios, Whitesmoke, Soul Searchers, Brother Big Eye, Green Tea, Water St. Quartet, Crows Toes, and The Collective are just a few of the bands the members of The Troublemakers were playing in while this band formed accidentally in the summer of 2016. A band canceled on a local booker and after a few phone calls, the lineup was assembled. The lineup includes the area’s most talented, in demand and seasoned veteran players.
Ronnie Lewis plays the drums and handles lead vocals. Sitting next to him is Don “DC” Culp who plays the drums as well. Together they create a devastating pocket. The always busy - and in high demand - Dan Sherer holds down the keyboard/piano duties. Bill Light handles most of the lead guitar work and backing vocals. The band is rounded out by the younger but already seasoned Josh White (rhythm/lead guitar) and Mike Palazzolo on bass.
The Troublemakers play music and have fun, that’s actually their only real rule. No egos and none of the other nonsense that, unfortunately, has become part of being a modern-working musician. It’s refreshing to see them having fun on stage, acting like they are in the garage like when they were kids and just playing music to play music!
Mystic Dead
In 2018 a group of musicians got together for a once a month Dead night at the Captain Daniel Packer inn in Mystic,CT. It turned out to be a seriously good time that translated to more shows, more fun and Mystic Dead was born.
Deep dives into all things Grateful Dead coupled by the freedom to remain true to their own creative individuality has been and will always be the mantra of all members of Mystic Dead.
Mystic Dead is:
Toby Kniffin - Guitar and Vocals
Ian Kelly - Guitar and vocals
Jordan Giangreco - Keys and Vocals
Marty Moroney - Bass and Vocals
Jason Hartley - Drums
Eric Hyland - Drums
Chris MacKay and the Toneshifters
Chris MacKay & The ToneShifters were formed in 2009. Chris started his career playing percussion for New London CT new wave outfit Newjohnny 5 in the early days of the blossoming New London music scene, opening for many national acts including INXS, Cindy Lauper, the Ramones, Tears For Fears and Culture Club to name a few. The band also toured the East Coast and down South performing at such venues as CBGB’s, Studio 54 and the Hartford Civic Center. He went on to front a series of bands playing original music covering everything from hard rock, alt rock, to funk, blues and rockabilly.
After taking a couple of years off with the birth of his sons, Chris got the itch to get back at it and was looking to form a blues/roots project incorporating some rockabilly, country swing, swamp and rock into the mix as well as interesting and obscure covers. Originally started as a straight blues band, It soon took on a life of it’s own when the musical diversity and individual tastes of the band members began to mesh in a musical stew of many genres which morphed into a danceable blend of blues based roots music. The band has since been through some personnel changes and in 2013 they were nominated for a New England Music Award and a regional Whalie Award in two categories for best Rock/Country/Blues. The current line-up features Tim Stawarz on guitar, Ben Perry on bass, Ron Adams on drums and Susie MacKay on accordion.
With Chris playing washboard and percussion to add a little flavor, the ToneShifters have crafted their own unique style that will get you up on your feet and keep you rockin’!
The Subliminals
The Subliminals are an instrumental jazz/ groove project from southeastern Connecticut. The group is a collective of diverse musicians whose talent is truly amazing, bringing years of experience to each performance. Party jazz is a way of describing the band’s sound, by taking on compositions from Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Roy Hargove, John Scolfield many other influential artists. The Subliminals bring an uplifting feeling of joy and happiness every time the group takes the stage. They look forward to each performance with a true love of the music they create.
Glaucoma Suspect
Playing all things roots rock reggae and in between. Glaucoma Suspect - A six-piece reggae band embracing groove, positive vibes & roots.
American Nomads
American Nomads are an eight-piece American Roots Rock band out of Brooklyn, NY. Their song, “A Revelation’s Gonna Come” reached #6 on the Billboard AC chart with over 40,000 radio plays, and passed the first round of Grammy nominations for Best American Roots Single 2016. They have performed extensively in such venues as City Winery, The Cutting Room, The Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY, the Wall Street Theater in Connecticut and the 50th Anniversary of the original Woodstock Music Festival in Bethel, NY in 2019, preceding Ringo Starr, and Edgar Winter.
American Nomads is a prolific band that is constantly producing new music. Their most recent singles, “Running On An Empty Heart” and “My American Dream,” were produced by music legend Joe Vitale, of The Eagles, Joe Walsh and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fame, and have received extensive radio play.
Wooly Mammoth
Gray Hallberg is the founder & lead guitarist of Wooly Mammoth. In addition to honing his guitar chops by studying with local legend Chris Leigh, Gray studied jazz performance at UVM and theory and composition at the University of Colorado.
Mike LaChance is the bassist. He lives in Mystic and also plays double bass with Cabin Fever, a local bluegrass band and the euphonium, as a volunteer with the New London Salvation Army.
Toby Halsey has played guitar for fun for 30 years. He joined Wooly Mammoth at the first Mystic Blues Festival and played at the Racer’s Jam for 5 years supporting Mudhead Benefit Cup for Hospice.
Chris Chapman has been involved in music since he was a teen. Formally trained in drums and percussion, Chris has experience playing almost every type of music, ranging from Classical to Rock and Jazz. Music is one of Chris’ true passions. He enjoys listening and playing daily, as well as seeking out and attending live performances as much as possible!
Scott Parry’s blues driven piano style was inspired by local legend, Al Copley, the original keyboardist in the local Grammy-winning band Roomful of Blues. Scott and Al’s moms were friends and Al inspired Scott to take up the piano at the advanced age of five. He had been playing in bands ever since.