News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

THE CONNELLS


BIO:
The Raleigh, North Carolina-based jangle-pop outfit the Connells formed in the spring of 1984. Fronted by guitarist Mike Connell and his bassist brother David, the first incarnation of the group also featured vocalist Doug McMillan and drummer John Schultz, who was soon replaced by former Johnny Quest percussionist Peele Wimberley. In late 1984 the quartet recorded a four-song demo; after one of the tracks, "Darker Days," was selected to appear on the North Carolina compilation More Mondo, the Connells' ranks expanded with the addition of singer/guitarist George Huntley, who made his debut on a March 1985 session co-produced by Don Dixon. With the help of the band's friend Ed Morgan, the resulting demo made its way to the offices of the British label Demon, which agreed to fund the recording of enough additional tracks to complete a full-length LP. Darker Days was released in Europe by Demon in 1985, and when Morgan returned to the U.S., he formed his own label, Black Park, to issue the album domestically. After the low-budget videos for the tracks "Seven" and "Hats Off" garnered MTV airplay, the Connells won a contract with the TVT label prior to entering producer Mitch Easter's Drive-In Studios to record 1987's brooding, more assured Boylan Heights, which featured the superb single "Scotty's Lament." The edgier Fun and Games followed in 1989, and a year later the group resurfaced with One Simple Word, scoring an alternative radio hit with the single "Stone Cold Yesterday." After a three-year tour which saw the Connells add keyboardist Steve Potak to their lineup in 1991, they finally returned to the studio to begin work on 1993's Ring, highlighted by the single "Slackjawed," as well as "74-75," a major hit throughout Europe. After another three-year hiatus, the Connells issued 1996's Weird Food and Devastation, released concurrently with Huntley's solo debut brain junk. The group returned in 1998 with Still Life. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Latest Articles


The Connells Release Live Acoustic Version of 'Running Mary' From 30th Anniversary Re Photo The Connells Release Live Acoustic Version of 'Running Mary' From 30th Anniversary Reissue of Breakthrough Album 'Ring'
by Michael Major - August 02, 2023

Craft Recordings is celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Connells’ breakthrough album, Ring, with its first vinyl reissue and a bonus-filled CD. The group has also shared a previously unheard live acoustic version of “Running Mary” which is featured along with other recently discovered versions o...

The Connells Release Never Before Heard Demo Version of 'Carry My Picture' From 30th Photo The Connells Release Never Before Heard Demo Version of 'Carry My Picture' From 30th Anniversary Reissue of Breakthrough Album 'Ring'
by Michael Major - July 13, 2023

Both formats of the album have been newly remastered by Brent Lambert at Carrboro, NC’s The Kitchen, and include 21 bonus tracks, including rare B-sides and 12 previously unreleased demos. Rounding out the packages are new liner notes by the Raleigh-based journalist and author David Menconi, featuri...

The Connells to Release 30th Anniversary Edition of Breakthrough Album 'Ring' Photo The Connells to Release 30th Anniversary Edition of Breakthrough Album 'Ring'
by Michael Major - June 21, 2023

Both formats of the album have been newly remastered by Brent Lambert at Carrboro, NC’s The Kitchen, and include 21 bonus tracks, including rare B-sides and 12 previously unreleased demos. Rounding out the packages are new liner notes by the Raleigh-based journalist and author David Menconi, featuri...

The Connells Release New Live Album 'Set The Stage' Photo The Connells Release New Live Album 'Set The Stage'
by Michael Major - May 08, 2023

Their 1987 Mitch Easter-produced album Boylan Heights established them as college-radio favorites, and they went on to work with producers including Gary Smith (Pixies, Billy Bragg), Hugh Jones (Echo & the Bunnymen, Modern English) and Lou Giordano (Goo Goo Dolls, Bob Mould) on subsequent albums....

Raleigh-Based Alternative Band The Connells Release Acoustic EP Photo Raleigh-Based Alternative Band The Connells Release Acoustic EP
by Marissa Tomeo - May 15, 2022

Today, the internationally celebrated, Raleigh-based alternative band The Connells  released an acoustic EP, reinterpreting four tracks from their acclaimed album Steadman’s Wake. The album, which was released in September to wide praise, marked the end of a 20-year recording hiatus for the band. Re...

The Connells Share Title Track from Upcoming Album 'Steadman's Wake' Photo The Connells Share Title Track from Upcoming Album 'Steadman's Wake'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - July 28, 2021

Steadman’s Wake features eight new songs and 3 re-recorded versions of previously-released demos which originally appeared on 2001’s Old-School Dropouts CD....

The Connells Share First New Music in 20 Years, Announce New Album 'Steadman's Wake' Photo The Connells Share First New Music in 20 Years, Announce New Album 'Steadman's Wake'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - June 23, 2021

The group has also announced their upcoming album Steadman’s Wake, which is out on September 24 via Black Park/Missing Piece Records....

Morning Bells Collective Debuts With Vibrant 'Fall From The Velvet Sky' EP Photo Morning Bells Collective Debuts With Vibrant 'Fall From The Velvet Sky' EP
by Sarah Jae Leiber - December 11, 2019

Raleigh-based indie pop-rock outfit Morning Bells present their debut EP 'Fall From The Velvet Sky', which will be released on CD on Friday, December 13....












Videos

Recommended For You