Birding is So Metal, Part I: Finding the Scene

Pileated Woodpecker at Bartlett Arboretum

On a beautiful sunny day near the end of October I walked into the woods behind Cove Island Park with my binoculars and camera, ready to take pictures of birds and other wildlife. This is my thing. It has been for almost four years. When out and about with my camera I am in my… Continue reading Birding is So Metal, Part I: Finding the Scene

Bacon Fest, The Trilogy: An Interview with Eric Iocca (and TICKET GIVEAWAY)

This Sunday, I sat down with Eric Iocca to talk about the third year of his big show, Bacon Fest.  The 2017 incarnation will be on Saturday, June 3rd at Cherry Street Station in Wallingford, CT.  Doors open at 2pm, with the cooking contest at 2:30 and bands starting at 3.  Two hundred pounds of… Continue reading Bacon Fest, The Trilogy: An Interview with Eric Iocca (and TICKET GIVEAWAY)

Nerdy, Dirty, and Fun: The Suicide Girls Come To New Haven

Photo by Will Ryan.

For the past 15 years, the SuicideGirls website has been offering an alternative and modern update on the classic pin-up, featuring tattooed (and sometimes non-tattooed) women of all shapes and sizes.  These are women who are a bit different from your standard nude model, not only in looks but in their interests as well.  The… Continue reading Nerdy, Dirty, and Fun: The Suicide Girls Come To New Haven

Cat Lady Book Reviews: 100 Things to Do in Hartford Before You Die

Despite being a Connecticut resident all my life, I had no idea there was so much to do in Hartford.  I’ve lived mostly in the southwestern end aside from some brief stints in Hamden, and the Nutmeg State’s capitol city has been off my radar since the Webster Underground shows of yore. (I know the… Continue reading Cat Lady Book Reviews: 100 Things to Do in Hartford Before You Die

#BeeTheScene: A Visit to Red Bee Honey

As some promoter in Massachusetts once said: “Support the scene.  Be the scene.” Alternative Control sure was bee-ing the scene on Sunday, as myself and some other Connecticut bloggers visited the Weston apiary Red Bee Honey.  You might wonder why a heavy metal blog is covering a bee farm.  It turns out that bees are… Continue reading #BeeTheScene: A Visit to Red Bee Honey

GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY: Seaside Tavern, Your Favorite Neighborhood Bar and Heavy Metal Holdout

In the decade that I’ve been on the fool’s errand of playing metal in Fairfield County, I’ve seen the handful of consistently metal-friendly venues dwindle to one: Stamford’s Seaside Tavern.  It’s no secret to Alternative Control readers that my band Jimmy Junk Bird and the Stiffs plays there often; we’ve also been able to host… Continue reading GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY: Seaside Tavern, Your Favorite Neighborhood Bar and Heavy Metal Holdout

Norse Adventures in New York City: The Vikings Exhibition and Amon Amarth

This Friday, April 22nd, I embarked on a grand journey to Discovery Museum’s The Vikings Exhibition and AMON A-FREAKING-MARTH!!!!  INSERT VIKING WAR CRY HERE!!!! Yes, I was really that pumped.  I even took a hour of personal time so I could get all “metalled up” and check out the museum before the show.  It turns… Continue reading Norse Adventures in New York City: The Vikings Exhibition and Amon Amarth