Concert Recap: City Limits Café Summer Rock and Metal Fest

“Rain or shine” is one of my favorite descriptors when it comes to all day events, especially when metal and beer are involved. This past Saturday, June 27th at City Limits Café & Bar in Thomaston, I attended the Summer Rock and Metal Fest hosted by Paul Spak, bassist of 60 Grit, Priapism, and Mortifica.… Continue reading Concert Recap: City Limits Café Summer Rock and Metal Fest

A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Last weekend, I got to be “band wife” on Mission Hothfest with my husband’s symphonic metal outfit Lyra. They had a Sunday afternoon slot on Tru Entertainment’s two-day metal festival, but scene supporters that they are, we were at The Waterfront pretty much all weekend. Far from my southern Connecticut home with no set to… Continue reading A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Bair Grills… 2013

"Jim, hold us back!"

  There’s no doubt that some of my greater achievements and most dismal disappointments occurred during the last 365 days. One of my fondest moments in over a decade of performing took place at Cherry Street with Last In Line, paying tribute to Dio with some of my very best friends, and in the doing… Continue reading Bair Grills… 2013

Jessie and Vanessa’s Best Local Metal of 2013: Bassists and Things That Happen in Stamford

By Jessica May and The Headbanging Hostess, because why write a whole column by yourself?  Some things are better with friends….  Jessie’s List Best Headbanging Hair: Bassist Gary Goudreau from End-Time Illusion. Best Bassist-Turned-Psychic: Keith Zalinger, formerly of Nethereal and Khasm and currently moonlighting as a psychic-at-large – trust us, that shit’s not made up!… Continue reading Jessie and Vanessa’s Best Local Metal of 2013: Bassists and Things That Happen in Stamford

Working Together: The Drummers Weigh In

A reader posed an interesting question to Alternative Control last week: what should the role of successful, established bands be in guiding younger bands that are coming onto the scene?  And honestly, I didn’t know how to answer.  First, what makes a band “successful” or “established”?  Success for my own bands means that our friends… Continue reading Working Together: The Drummers Weigh In

It’s About Damn Time: Free Downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, Tracks 1-6

  Teachers have a lot of drinking to catch up on over summer vacation… But at long last, here are free downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, tracks 1-6.  Betcha never heard of Crawling Chaos… 1. 1942 by Black Table This New York/New Jersey metal band has been a favorite of Alternative Control for some… Continue reading It’s About Damn Time: Free Downloads of Quality Control Volume 1, Tracks 1-6

Summer Metal Update 2013

Another summer is upon us, and with it more great local and national shows.  On the first day of June, Cherry Street Station in Wallingford kicks things off with Drunk Dan’s Summer Shit Show.  The Decibel Magazine Tour is rolling into Toad’s Place on 6/4, featuring Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Immolation, and Magrudergrind.  Your favorite… Continue reading Summer Metal Update 2013