The Fab Faux, a Beatles cover band playing for sixteen years, played The Capitol Theater to an almost sold-out crowd. With all the members of the band, including The Hogshead Horns and The Creme Tangerine Strings, they played for almost 3 hours. The whole second set was a remake of the Beatles’ best selling album, Abbey Road.

The musicians all play multiple instruments, so it is hard to keep up with who is playing what. Jack Petruzzelli on keyboards and guitar, Will Lee on bass, Jimmy Vivino and Frank Agnello also pass off on keyboards and guitars, and drummer Rich Pagano all switched instruments throughout the evening.

The Fab Faux are not impersonators, they are all accomplished musicians and their goal seems to be to recreate the Beatles experience, down to the last note and the last harmony, and they have accomplished that quite well. It is a sight to see, or rather, it is a great experience to close your eyes and pretend that The Beatles’ are actually playing live for you.

The Capitol Theatre also put their signature spin on the evening with a light show on the walls of the theater. The crowd was in a field of flowers during “Strawberry Fields,” and raindrops covered the walls during “Rain,” just to mention a few. The walls were lit up for most of the show.

Highlights were “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” where the audience first got up from their seats in a rousing applause. A live cello and guitar were on the stage for “Eleanor Rigby” and the harmonies within all the musicians were spot on. Women threw their panties onto the stage, to the chuckle of the band and the audience alike.

The encore was two favorites, “She Loves You,” and “Twist and Shout.” By that time everyone was on their feet, dancing and smiling, twisting and singing and having a great time.

The Capitol Theatre Photo Gallery

Photos by: Dino Perucci

Renewed?  Reinvented?  Rejuvenated?  However you say it, FURTHUR rumbled into The Capitol Theatre for nine sold out shows and if their initial foray into the Grateful Dead’s untainted musical heritage is any indication, it has never been better. Having experienced the Grateful Dead in ’71 at The Cap, it is absolutely evident that Mr. Weir and Mr. Lesh are at an unparalleled level of musical creativity and strength.

With their backing cast consisting of Jeff Chimenti, keyboards;  John Kadlecik, guitar; Joe Russo, drums; Sunshine Becker and Jeff Pehrson, vocals — a veritable powerhouse of telepathic tightness reigns over their groove.

The beauty of the intimacy of The Capitol Theatre and the palpable exchange of energy between the ecstatic crowd and the band is a virtual extension of what the Grateful Dead had accomplished for years.  Commencing with “Truckin’”, though both Mr. Weir and Mr. Lesh’s vocals are not as strong as they once were, they are far from just going through the motions. The tune loped at cut time, the cadence giving the musicians ample room to stretch and establish direction.  The set evolved into what their devotees have always claimed:  When it’s astonishing, it’s absolutely transcendent. “Bertha” and “Friend of the Devil” let John Kadlecik loose, rendering originality and contemporary vigor to Dead staples.

And they were only warming up. Delving into an extended “Cumberland Blues” jam, the confluence and congruence of players were improvising and tossing runs that were exhilarating and breathtaking. Then “Candyman” had an ethereal guitar passage that summoned surreal channels of sight and sound.  The Cap was alive and in full throttle with their state of the art projectors and wall to ceiling visuals.

The second set launched with a tumultuous “Shakedown Street,” segueing into “St. Stephen”  and later “All Along The Watchtower”.  As the night wore on, the band gathered more traction, elevated punch, and endless verve. “Goin’ Down the Road (Feelin’ Bad)” and “U.S. Blues” sealed what was certainly another legendary show at The Capitol Thwtre. It was Furthur in name, but make no mistake regarding the music and the intent: The Grateful Dead legacy has never sounded greater or more pertinent to the canon of rock and roll.

The Capitol Theatre Photo Gallery

Photos by: Dino Perucci

B.B. King accelerated the pace in his 87th year with us. God Bless The King! Backed by a full band; horns, keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums, Mr. King has never been more vibrant. Aside from age relegating him to sitting throughout the hour and a half set, the man’s hands sizzle slowly over the frets.

Of course, no B.B. King show is without anecdotes, and Mr. King sprinkled a few to spice up the proceedings. “Everyday I Have The Blues” and “Rock Me Baby” demonstrated how Mr. King creates tension between the notes. Carefully picked and held, every note is true, exponentially elongated only as he can.”

A nod to the traditional played out with “You Are My Sunshine,” cajoling the audience into a sing-along kiss along suite of sweetness. However, it is the sincerity of spirit that permeated the song that imbued it with a singular specialness, veering from the trite into the memorable.

Mr. King presented rousing renditions of “The Thill is Gone” and “When Love Came to Town” while rocking the house. And the vocals: the ostentatious growl — You get it all, still… …a paradigm of tightness that resonates within.

Legend, icon, giant — all used regularly to describe B.B. King. But it is this what sets the man apart with his talents and music: HEART. It is truly larger than life and continues to beat strongly in him, for us, as ONE.

The Capitol Theatre Photo Gallery

Photos by: Dino Perucci

George Thorogood throughly destroyed any doubt regarding his legacy Saturday evening at The Capitol Theatre. He has proven over four decades that his maniacal dexterity with a guitar belongs with the best. Showing no signs of slowing down, George Thorogood and The Destroyers let loose a barrage of lightning licks and tumultuous riffs.

Mr. Thorogood is a generous band leader, sharing the spotlight with long-term bandmates. Buddy Leach on sax and Jim Suhler on guitar traded runs throughout the night, highlighting and accentuating top tier talent. It is fantastically encouraging to experience such a well preserved icon, making what is palpable virtuosity appear so easy. Quicksilver leads that economize notes are anything but the usual shredded blur.

Vocals as brash as ever, the band tore through “Rock Party,” “I Drink Alone,” and “Who Do You Love?” The energy never abated with a vibrant backdrop of simple visuals. More to the point, flames, liquor bottles, and gambling accoutrements reinforced what was lyrically conveyed. Profound? No. Galvanizing? Yes! The crowd was belting out every song with conviction, including “Night Time,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer,” and of course, “Bad To The Bone.”

However, creativity runs deep with Mr. Thorogood’s own spin on “Seventh Son,” jamming and wailing. He runs, romps, stalks, and invites everyone to party with him. It is a privilege to see blues rock taken to the heights this night, and The Cap rocked to his chops — where taste and maturity illustrate a talent of control — mastering a smooth approach that not only teases but engrosses.

It is a pleasure to know that giants still walk amongst us. George Thorogood and The Destroyers have earned the imprimatur of greatness and under no circumstances should they be missed. The Capitol There’s history is now that much richer.

The Capitol Theatre Photo Gallery

Photos by: Allison Murphy

Drive-By Truckers drove through The Capitol Theatre including an hour long encore.

Drive-By-Truckers came to The Capitol Theatre last night for a rousing two-and-a-half hour set. This band has gone through multiple iterations throughout the last five years or so, and now the group is touring to show their fans how they have morphed into a new five-piece band, with the recent departure of John Neff.

The new band now consists of: Patterson Hood (guitar, vocals, bass), Mike Cooley (guitar, vocals, bass), Brad Morgan (drums), Jay Gonzalez (keyboards, guitar, vocals) and Mike Patton (bass), the newest member who genuinely looked thrilled to be playing with the band.

Patterson Hood is a great storyteller, and most of their songs are strong lyrical stories, and their southern guitar riffs are just as strong. Mike Cooley has a voice similar to Tom Petty, bringing the southern charm straight and front when you listen and see this band.

After the first couple songs, Patterson Hood gave some love to The Cap, saying, “It’s so great to be here, this theater really lives up to all the hype and we’re psyched to be here.”

Cooley brought out his Flying V guitar on “Shut Up and Get On The Plane,” and there is a slight Buddy Holly charm to this song. They ended with “Angels and Fuselage,” with the whole crowd singing along. By the end, each member slowly left the stage alone, but not before Hood finished his solo by hitting his guitar with a black towel, and Gonzalez on his knees, next to the Hammond B3, creating feedback. It was a hauntingly beautiful way to end the show. Everyone who was at The Cap seemed to be genuinely thrilled with the newest iteration of The Drive By Truckers, and was ready to hear more.

The Capitol Theatre Photo Gallery

Photos by: Allison Murphy

The Capitol Theatre and Nessa are rewarding two fortunate concert-goers complimentary seats to experience George Thorogood and the Destroyers this Saturday, March 16th.

However, the show would not be complete without dinner for two at Nessa, renown for its genuine Italine cuisine. Overwhelming show. Phenomenal dinner. Vaporize your inhibitions!

Sign-up now! Visit The Capitol Theatre on Facebook and enter our contest. and let opportunities pour forth in your favor!

Contest ends 6:00PM, Thursday, March 15th. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

Don’t get left behind! Win two seats to Drive-By Truckers and Old 97′s, Friday, March 15th at The Captiol Theatre.

Stop being a bystander! Visit The Capitol Theatre on Facebook and enter our contest. It’s easy!

But there’s more… Refer five lucky soals and you are eligble to unlock a top secret contest prize. Do it now!

Contest ends 6:00PM, Thursday, March 14th. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

Melvin Seals and JGB took The Capitol Theatre on extended excursions musically Friday and Saturday nights, recreating shows each evening: June 12 and June 13, 1990, respectively.

These protracted shows didn’t just recreate the shows. The gifted musicians all had played with Mr. Garcia throughout the years and live this music. What that meant for those there were journeys into the songs played, suffusing their interpretations with renewed verve and vigor.

Mr. Garcia was usually able to imprint his signature sound on songs visited, and Mr. Seals successfully continues to take risks musically. The sets unfolded naturally with an ease and acuity that includes the audience as an active, organic participant. “How Sweet It Is” opened the first evening’s set. “I Shall Be Released” was a languorous, dreamy landscape of Mr. Hebert’s guitar phrasing and prowess. Notes seemed to fall and cascade from all corners of The Capitol Theatre, the acoustics once again proving to be crystalline and thoroughly immersing. In addition, the band barreled forward, gaining momentum with “Tough Mama” and “Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” — soaring celestially only to land with atomic force, sealing things with “Deal.”

Mr. Seals, Dave Hebert (guitar), and Jimmy Tebeau (bass) gave the band the solid foundation and virtuosity necessary to sustain the electric atmosphere both evenings. The second show opened with a silky, smooth “I Second That Emotion” leading eventually into “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” The band continued to be adventurous, giving new meaning and resonance to “Let’s Spend The Night Together” and “Waiting For A Miracle.” Justice was served when the ensemble ripped into “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” settling into a placid groove for the remainder of the set.

What. Mr. Seals & Co. accomplish as “Keepers of The Flame” is honoring a tradition and form that Mr. Garcia took tremendous pride in mastering and sharing. Musical history is well served and is a positive force in preserving an art form concertgoers appreciate and support, as few and far between as they may be.

The Capitol Theatre Photo Gallery

Photos by: Alex Pines

Deep Banana Blackout is an eight member band with Jen “Pipes” Durkin on vocals, Rob “Brass Tongue” Somerville on sax, James “Fuzz” San Giovanni on guitar/vocals, Eric Kalb on drums, Benj LeFevre on bass, Rob Volo on trombone, Cyrus Madan on keys and Johnny Durkin on percussion. They hail from Connecticut where they released four albums in the late 90s/early 2000s. The band now reunites at the Bridgeport, CT summer festival Gathering of the Vibes, and the yearly Funksgiving show at Toad’s Place in New Haven.

In a strange turn of events, Deep Banana Blackout was supposed to have played at The Capitol Theater in August of 1997. Last night’s show could be called their “make up show.” For all involved, from the artists to the audience, it was one of their best make up shows ever.

Deep Banana Blackout took the stage with “Getchall In The Mood,” complete with Durkin twirling on stage. From the first note, we all knew it was going to get dirty, funky Banana style, and the packed house was ready to groove.

Jen Durkin sounded amazing, strong and loud, singing the same powerful wailing style similar to Joplin. The energy in the audience was high, balloons bouncing as were the fans. The reunion on stage was mirrored in the crowd, this was a huge family reunion at The Cap.

After the theater sang Happy Birthday, we witnessed the highly anticipated merge between DBB and Kung Fu. Kung Fu’s (DBB saxophonist Somerville’s newest band) Tim Palmieri, guitar, Todd Stoops, keyboards, and Adrian Tramontano, drums/percussion joined DBB for an incredibly rousing “God Made You Funky.” Palmieri and Fuzz played rock guitar tit for tat, which moved into a 12 piece jam session between the fast jazz funk of Kung Fu, and the fast blow-your-mind-funk of DBB.

The three piece percussion drum solo included Kalb, Durkin and Tramontano, when the members of each band moved to the sides of the stage, giving these three musicians space to do their thing.
Highlights were Zeppelins “Custard Pie,” an absolute killer “Comin’ Round the Mountain,” where Fuzz went crazy on his guitar and Kalb decided to kill the drums. Magic in the air drew an on-stage marriage proposal from Brooks Nelson and to his girlfriend, Alison, long time DBB fans who flew out from Cali for the show, as well as and a shout out to old Tongue-n-Groove fans.

DBB favorites, “Tug,” “Bump –n- Sway,” and “Too Funky,” kept the dance party bouncing well before midnight. DBB closed out the show with The Band’s “The Weight,” dedicating it to Rick Danko, recalling that fateful 1997 show they never played at The Cap, because The Band cancelled.

P-Funk’s “Standing on the Verge of Getting it On” into an out of this world, explosive “The Boot,” with Somerville and Durkin on vocals, Fuzz and Palmieri shredding their guitars, the DBBFU drummers and LeFevre kept the bass beat low and strong.

Opening for Deep Banana Blackout was Kung Fu, a relatively new band, playing fast and furious jazz-funk explosion style. The band consists of three members from the funky prog-rock jamband The Breakfast, (guitarist Tim Palmieri, bassist Chris DeAngelis and drummer Adrian Tramontano), RAQ keyboardist Todd Stoops and Deep Banana Blackout sax player, Rob Somerville.

Kung Fu has been getting a lot of play on Sirius XM, and at The Capitol Theatre they played for a huge crowd, who was ready and waiting to hear this band who has so much buzz around them.

If you haven’t seen them before, they are full on-in your face-100% power house jazz/funk fusion band – loud and fast filled with great improvisation and hard jams. Stoops is a magician on the keys, while Tramontano keeps the beat hard and fast. Palmieri is a genius on the guitar, showing his seasoned skill, as is bassist DeAngelis and saxophonist Somerville sometimes leads with that sax, and sometimes only accents. There are no vocalists – they don’t need one.

Next time to catch them will be in New Hampshire, and they are also opening for Bowlive at The Brooklyn Bowl in March! Keep a lookout for them this year – they will touring the summer festival circuit.

Miss getting tickets to Jim Gaffigan’s early show at The Capitol Theatre? Want to go to his late show? Try for both! The Capitol Theatre is giving away a PAIR of tickets to BOTH shows (8:00PM and 11:00PM on March 1st) to TWO lucky winners.

Visit The Capitol Theatre on Facebook and enter our “Like, Comment, Share” contest. It’s easy!

LIKE the Facebook post and automatically be entered to win. COMMENT below the Facebook post, with your favorite Gaffigan one-liner or character, and we’ll DOUBLE your chances. SHARE the contest post on your Facebook timeline and TRIPLE your chances.

A winner will be announced Thursday, February 28th.