Six Degrees of the Dead: An Interview with Eyes of the Dead for Their Ten-Year Anniversary

  As they have been a staple in the scene for, well, ten years, everyone who’s involved in the loose network we call Connecticut Metal has some connection to Eyes of the Dead.  Mine probably doesn’t involve as much alcohol as other people’s – Jill, who co-founded this blog with me, went to high school… Continue reading Six Degrees of the Dead: An Interview with Eyes of the Dead for Their Ten-Year Anniversary

Memorial Day: Enough with the Mattress Commercials!

  When I asked my first and second grade students the reason we celebrate Memorial Day, I got a few off-the-wall responses – but you know what I didn’t hear?  “So Mommy and Daddy can buy new mattresses!”   Or used cars, or guitar gear, or anything else for that matter.  I know that practically everything… Continue reading Memorial Day: Enough with the Mattress Commercials!

Interview with Alex Obert of Journey of a Frontman

Alex, right, with singer and guitarist Bobby Calabrese of the band Calabrese.

  In the journey that is blogging about your ideals, sometimes you come across like-minded travelers.  Alex Obert is one of those — the writer behind Newington, CT-based site Journey of a Frontman, Alex interviews an eclectic mix of musicians, actors, stand up comics, and wrestlers.  Last week, he talked with Alternative Control about his… Continue reading Interview with Alex Obert of Journey of a Frontman

What Does AltCtrl Want to Do With Your Money?

… We’d like to make a compilation album, pay for hosting costs, and maybe even buy some more pins and stickers. Because I like to hold a tangible product in my hands, I’m really looking forward to Quality Control Volume II.  This shit is gonna be off the hook, seriously.  Mostly bands we’ve written about,… Continue reading What Does AltCtrl Want to Do With Your Money?

Review of Opus Unplugged

When Christian Lawrence, a.k.a. Opus, asked me to review his new solo album Opus Unplugged, I automatically said yes – because that’s what Alternative Control does when anyone asks us to review their album/tuba quartet/nude performance art.  But then I got worried.  Here’s this dude who makes a lot of things happen in “the scene,”… Continue reading Review of Opus Unplugged

Review of Kali Ma’s The Devil Knows You’re Dead

Instrumental metal powerhouse Kali Ma released their long-awaited second studio album The Devil Knows You’re Dead on March 29th, 2014 to an enthusiastic crowd at Cook’s Cafe.  Their CD went right into my car stereo on the ride back and it hasn’t come out since. “Taking the Crown” is one example of the awesome build-ups… Continue reading Review of Kali Ma’s The Devil Knows You’re Dead

THE SCENE IS DEAD!

The crowd at Cook's for Kali Ma and Cyperna's joint CD release show, Cook's Cafe 3/29.

  It’s official…. Connecticut’s metal scene has been pronounced dead. D-E-D.  Dead.  And there are two main reasons: bad shows and chicks. These days, it’s practically impossible to find decent original bands.   Any venue that’s willing to take a chance on them is just going to have an empty bar, as Mark Cook learned this… Continue reading THE SCENE IS DEAD!