The Connells - Hats Off - 1985from Black Park Records LP "Darker Days"
The Connells were the sounds of high school for me, a transition from insulated and isolated commercial radio down to the indy underground (plus one member was dating a high school classmate and we often went to go see them play around the nearby universities).
The Connells were earnest to a fault, well scrubbed and buttoned-down and fit well into a time when U2 and REM were posing a mannered challenge to the musical establishment. They were ours and seemed just as good and far more accessible.
Steady touring and album releases built them a wide if not deep following and the band achieved its biggest success in Europe - indeed "Darker Days," their debut album, was released first in the UK.
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The core of the band are the brothers Connell, David and lawyer Mike, nice guys who have kept the band alive for 22 years now. Doug MacMillan, who joined early on as vocalist, is still part of the crew, but the rest have changed.
Band members:
Michael Connell: Guitar
David Connell: Bass
Doug MacMillan: Vocals
Peele Wimberley: Drums
George Huntley: Guitar, keyboards and vocals
Posted by: Zach Coleman
posted by Michael Slawter | 8:14 AM
4 Comments:
methinks the connells deserve a much HUGER tribute than that. but mealsothinks i don't run this website, either. you should post something from huntley's solo album sometime - 'if you ever want me to' was a cool tune.
A blast from the past--they were hot in Roanoke when I was in high school. Had no idea they were so prolific. Thanks for the reminder!
Ahhh... Darker Days, I remember it well. Such a good tune I included it on the More Mondo compilation at Dolphin. Such nice guys.
Pat Day Cobb (formerly of Durham, NC & now of London, England)
Michael:
Thanks so much for putting this site together. It's a great chance for those of us scattered around the country to recall the great bands and good friends from our times in NC. The '80s in Raleigh and throughout the state were an idyllic time when bands playing folk, pop, punk, etc. were friendly and mutually supportive.
My friend Dave Burris (from many of your featured bands and now a native of LA) turned me on and I'm having trouble tearing myself away. Keep up the good work.
Tom Carter
Former manager of The Connells
Washington, DC
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