The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 21, 1996, Page 4, Image 4
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4
Connell fa
A concert reminds a loyal fan of
the Connell's road to success.
ANTHONY COX Staff Writer
On a crisp autumn evening just north
of Charlotte, there was a reunion
of sorts. The chill of the night was
neutralized by
the warmth of
old friends and BBS
the loyal j
anthems of North Carolina's
Connells.
The Connells sixth
album "Weird Food ancf Jf Ti l
Devastation" was the reason | ? f.^ \
they were on stage at the M
Sound Factory Thursday t fcs,.
night. Those ^
familiar anthems and years Tf mfe'* '
of affable visits were the j||:.
reason I was standing in the
crowd for the 21 time. Th< CD -Fun ?
Twenty-one shows in tlM c.nn.11'. II.
seven years has allowed time
to reflect and respect the mileage the Connells
have captured on their tours and in their music.
A dozen autumns ago, Mike Connell, guitarist
and wordsmith, created the band with his brother,
bassist David, and guitarist George Huntley. The
Connells spent their early days performing at
fraternity parties in Chapel Hill at UNC. Doug
MacMillan, lead vocalist, and Peele Wimberley,
drummer completed the quintet in 1985. Their
first release "Darker Days" in 1985 was rewarded
with the band signing with TVT Records.
"Boylan Heights" signatured their presence
on the coDege music scene two years later receiving
Vfc
Have you ever seen t
ghoul? Is our campus
things that go bump i
Tell your te
Give ETC. a call at
The Gamecock. Take
//||N
OI
WUSC.FM
7501 Brookfield Rd.
1-2-31
Convenient to Colun
Only IS min. from
1 Bedroom - $
2 Bedroom $,
3 Bedroom-$t
o i
rtfr* V^aj
ins journey
noticeable air play on college radio stations.
Anxious listeners packed the music halls of
the East and Midwest to hear the soaring melodies
and ringing guitars. Connell's writing matured
between the two albums, and for the first time,
the music required the listener to think, to reflect,
to question. Those compositions were followed
by Tun & Games" and "One Simple Word". Both
albums were representative
Still, commercial
success had eluded them.
Struggling to get out of their
I \ | commitment to TVT records
| ^ because of lack of support,
. ie* the Conndls went three years
without an album.
Playing such minor
II hits as "Stone Cold
iL Wl' Yesterday" and "Fun &
c c % Games", the band kept a
I !j|?j| loyal following and even built
torn- I* among on it even without a new
t of releases. album- _ ,
Teople can always
look forward to that reliably good performance
from them (the Connells) which make a night
out with old friends great," UNC graduate student
Aaron Graeser said.
Relations with the band and TVT thawed in
1993, and the release of "Ring" was followed by
an appearance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
and huge success in Europe.
Their first number one single in Europe, "7475,"
sold more than 800,000 copies. When I spoke
to Mike outside the Sound Factory, he admitted
it has been a long ride, the 12 years with the
band, but he mentioned getting the royalties
1 ghost or I Adve
l full of 1
in the night?
IMPRI
ile.
: 777-3913.
Too many acci
That's why refl
our word. important.The
road can keep 3
1 wmm.
W
lie broken turntable and a
borrowed microphone.
We're mal
for the fall
T_._ w How abo.
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MI I until7:0(1
788-0539 We 11 hav<
distance te
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tibia Mall. you the dt
campus yo" for c<
430
500
515 | ^
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rolina
Patrici
October 22
I Free for student:
mas Contact C
ETC.
to North C
check was a plus.
Anxious listeners packed the music
halls of the East and Midwest to hear
the scarring melodies and ringing
guitars. Connelly writing matured
between the two albums...
Money, however, is not what it's about.
Recognition and respect from a music industry,
that caters more to one hit wonders and MTVlike
poster boys, is what eludes them. The shows
still canture the beating hearts of first time fans
and longtime listeners.
My hopes for an opening familiar tune were
dashed when the band opened with new singles
"Fifth Fret" and the side swankin' kick of "Hang
On". Reception was overwhelming and much like
the applause they received when they returned
to television on "Conan O'Brien" last week to
perform their first single "Maybe".
But like old friends, the loyalty was returned
with the reliability of the stand in favorites of
years passed. Grins were made during the show
as I passed on reassurances to Mike that songs
like *74-75", "Ova- There" and "Sal" still personified
musical poetry.
The crowd of college students was treated to
a few encores, including "Slackjawed" which still
lifts you up and swirls you around.
Following the show, which was surprisingly
opened by Myrtle Beach's the Drag, a cordial
farewell and a firm handshake concluded the
evening.
My hoarse voice confirmed another vintage
Connells show, but that chilly night air was met
by yet more warm memories of those old friends
who I came out to see.
rtise with us. 777-1
WE YOUR NIGHT UFL ^
dents are caused by car drivers who didn't see the
ective vests, bright clothing, and reflectorized tape a
y help you be seen. And standing out on a dark, cn
four evening from being ruined. MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FC
'mmmmmmmmmmm.
e need your help wit
Carolina Outreach!
dng a special effort to reach all accepted f
[ of 1997 to welcome them personally to (
at lending us a hand? We're planning
.rep ted freshmen each Tuesday, from ?
I PM.
3 snacks for you and we'll give you a fr
rlephone call to the loved one of your choi
this up!
? Call Robert Rhinehart at 777-4070 and i
:tails. Don't forget. We've reserved a p
irolina Outreach.
nrnrlii
M
7:00 p.m. Russ<
5 $2 for faculty and staff
arolina Productions at 777-7 Y.
All programs paid for, in part by studen
Carolina for i
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#%-^s^S i 1 Sr B Jll
JjH B^M[ I |^B
If L^IE.
m^Kf ?' fl|
CONNELLS
im eseedi
i I For thi
Fi Clemson vs
= Novembei
|| MR RMM WR W
Students may have their
motorcyclists. the lottery on Monday, 1
:)wdedV&/ October 21,22 and 23 frc
iundationvC Room 205 in the Russ
s - during football distributi
wmm theTennes
pj A list will be posted of 1
eligible to buy a ticke
October 28 in the Studt
The list will contain 120
alternative lisl
reshmen
Carolina.
to tele- Primary students - Tues. Octc
5:15 PM
First 100 alternates - Wed. Oct
Second 100 alternates - Wed. Oc
ee longee!
You FnVflHPIIHHHPVVHHI
ie'11 give
hone for Students must be full tint
present a valid ID card wl
and when pure
ctions
llcOi
ill House Ballroom
'1 $3 for general admission
30 for more information {Ot
activity fees.
i
Monday, Octotoor 21,1996
concert
I pplL^
^^
Special to The Gamecock
s Away
i USC Game
r23,1996
ID cards scanned to enter
Tuesday, and Wednesday,
)m 9:00 am til 4:00 pm in
ell House. This will be
on for student tickets for
isee Game.
the students who will be
t by 9:00 pm Monday,
mt Government Office.
0 primary students and 2
ts oi 1UU each.
)ber 29 RH Rm 205 9am-4pm
ober 30 RH Rm 205 9am-4pm
:tober 30 RH Rm 205 Noon-4pm
e, fee paying students and
hen signing up for a ticket
hasing a ticket.
calen
Mi
October L
* /> "J
f^oetry.
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