My Introduction To The Connells
By Jeff Brenneman, http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/9904/

        The first time I ever heard of The Connells was on The Cutting Edge program on, believe it or not, MTV (America). The program was hosted by The Fleshtone's frontman Peter Zarimba. This edition featured North Carolina bands. The band that most caught my eyes (or ears) was The Connells. What really caught my eyes was something quite trite...a guitar. Mike Connell was playing a Rickenbacker guitar. The same kind I had. I purchased the guitar because I loved the sound produced by John Lennon, The Byrd's and my biggest influence at the time, Peter Buck of R.E.M. At the time, I would give a chance to any band that had a guitarist playing a "Rick". Back to the program...The Connells' segment was only a matter of seconds and featured the band playing "Waiting For The World" (a song which has yet to, and probably will never, surface on disk) in what appears to be a small North Carolina club. (If anyone has more info on this show and/or program, please let me know).
        Shortly after seeing The Cutting Edge, I came across a review of The Connell's debut LP "Darker Days". I'm not absolutely positive, but I believe the fanzine was called Option magazine. The review made the band sound right up my alley. A southern indie rock band with a very jangly guitar sound. My next trip to my local record store mainly consisted of my search for this Darker Days LP. I was surprised to find it. There it was in the independent section C. From the first few chiming notes of the title track, I was hooked.
        It had to have been about 6 months later, when my friend gave me sampler cassette of upcoming music. The first cut on the cassette, "Scotty's Lament" was listed as "...the first single from the upcoming Connell's release Boylean Heights." It was then that I realized that this band was more than a one-release wonder. The show they put on in late '87 was incredible. It was held in Triton's Pub at the University San Diego La Jolla in Southern California. The price was in my range, FREE, and was located in the student's lounge.

        I have been listening to the band faithfully ever since and have never been disappointed with any of their releases.

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