*The Newtown band PLAYBACK, which is working on its second album, has added a new drummer to its lineup. Jason Hirou, the assistant music director for the nationally-recognized Newtown High School Marching Band, has joined Joshua Swetts, David Goodwick and Rich Donnelly in the studio as Playback puts the finishing touches on its upcoming release, titled Urban Lullaby. The 14-track collection of contermporary modern rock music is expected to be ready for a June release and subsequent supporting performances.

*Hard to believe, but it’s been five years already since the death of JERRY GARCIA. A number of musical events are going on this spring, including the latest one to be announced: A performance by BOB WEIR AND ROB WASSERMAN at University of Hartford’s Lincoln Theatre on April 18. While the two perform in a band they call RATDOG, the April performance is simply a performance by Weir and Wasserman.

Other events by former Grateful Dead members in our area will include PHIL LESH & FRIENDS at the Oakdale Theatre on April 6, and JGB with MELVIN SEALS at The Webster Theatre in Hartford on April 28. (Additionally, a display of artwork by Jerry Garcia was presented at the Hartford Hilton last weekend.)

*MIGHTY PURPLE’s big CD release party for its second album, How To Make A Living, is coming up at Toad’s Place in New Haven next weekend. The band will be headlining a show on Friday, March 24, that will include shorter sets by Mike Errico, The Weigh Down, Model Chaser and The Eclectic Nobodies. The band’s Web site, at www.mightypurple.com, has more information about other upcoming events, the big event next weekend, and even downloadable tickets for free admission on the 24th.

In between shows scheduled everywhere from Long Branch, N.J., to Ithaca, N.Y., and Keene, N.H., Mighty Purple has a few other appearances coming up in Connecticut. The band will be at Exile on Main Street in Branford for an in-store acoustic set on Wednesday, March 29, at 4:30 pm. Regular shows are also set up for Wednesday, April 5, at The Hawks Nest, on the University of Hartford campus; Thursday, April 13, at Husky Blues in Storrs; and Thursday, April 20, at Equator Club in Manchester.

*The good news is, VIOLENT FEMMES has released another album. The trio unveiled Freak Magnet less than a month ago and have already hit the road to support it. Unfortunately the current tour schedule only brings the boys as close at Avalon in Boston on April 15, and then Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, R.I., the following night, before they head north and west for about a month. But the Femmes are always touring and seem to hit Connecticut annually, so we’ll see if we get to hear the new material some time soon.

*The first leg of a ten-week, 45-city North American tour by NINE INCH NAILS, the band’s first tour in five years, was announced this week. Information on ticket availability, along with the remaining tour schedule, is expected within a few weeks. The first leg only covers the Midwest and Great Lakes region of the country, however, but hang on to hope that a New England swing — including another stop at The Meadows in Hartford — will be in the cards for Trent Reznor this year.

Reznor is touring to support The Fragile with his Fragility v2.0 Tour. On the road with him this tour around is Danny Lohner on bass and guitar, who did a lot of work with Reznor on the new album; Robin Finck on backing vocals, guitar and keyboards; Charlie Clouser, keyboard and thememin; and drummer Jerome Dillon.

*And finally this week, while there isn’t any new word from The Meadows concerning new shows for the summer season this week, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND fans must have been caught at least a little bit off guard when a 17-city US tour was announced on the band’s official fan club Web site last week and there was no mention of what has become a tradition: A stop in Hartford. DMB’s summer tour will kick off in Columbus, Ohio, on June 19, with a pair of shows. Most shows, in fact, are at stadiums this year or multiple nights at amphitheatres. The announced tour dates have the band coming as closed at Foxboro Stadium on July 8 and Giants Stadium on July 11; tickets for both of those shows will be going on sale April 8.

The band plans to have its newest studio album, still untitled, released before the start of the tour.

Until next week, I’ll be seeing you... on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks, c/o Bee Publishing Co., 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or shannon@thebee.com. Include a phone number for confirmation, please. If you don’t have a stamp or a piece of paper or a writing utensil that works, give me a call! The phone number at the office is 426-3141. Shows listed on the calendar at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING CONCERTS

MARCH 17 — The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Loose Groove and Adva at Laszlo’s Arts Café, Monroe; Kittie at Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages), Workhorse Movement and The Step Kings opening; Omine at Luigi’s Nitelife Café, Danbury; Sol Dog at Jimmy’s Seaside, Stamford; Incubus at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages), Ultraspank opening;

March 18 — Vincent Malacarne at Starbucks (Newtown); Darik & The Funbags at Tuxedo Junction; Sol Dog at The Ozone, South Norwalk; Blue in the Face at Luigi’s Nitelife Café; The Clancy Tradition at Towne Crier Café, Pawling, NY;

March 19 — BR5-49 at Toad’s Place, The Souvenirs and The Honeydews opening;

March 20 — Buckwheat Zydeco at Towne Crier Café, Pawling, N.Y.;

March 21 — The Rectangles at Toad’s Place (all ages), Tranzgression and The Velvet Roof opening;

March 23 — The Clancy Brothers at Toad’s Place, The Reilley Clan opening; Phil Forbes & Sparkle Band at Luigi’s Nitelife Café;

March 24 — Mighty Purple at Toad’s Place (all ages, CD release party); The Nerds at Tuxedo Junction; Mojomatics at Luigi’s Nitelife Café; Fat at The Webster Theatre (all ages);

March 25 — Moppin’ Sauce at Fat Daddy’s, Watertown; Sol Dog at The Avenue Café, Fairfield; Amnesty Underground and Outspoken at Laszlo’s Arts Café; Peat Moss & The Fertilizers at Tuxedo Junction; Nasty Habit at Luigi’s Nitelife Café; Zen Tricksters at Tune Inn, New Haven;

March 26 — The Jibe at Luigi’s Nitelife Café; Roomful of Blues at Towne Crier Café; The Itals at Tune Inn;

March 28 — Psychedelic Breakfast at Toad’s Place (all ages), Mori Stylez opening;

March 30 — Anthem at Luigi’s Nitelife Café; Freddie McGregor at Toad’s Place (all ages), Glen Washington & Benjy Jyaz opening;

March 31 — Sol Dog at Classic Rock Brew Pub, Danbury; The Benjamins at Tuxedo Junction; Slackjaw at Laszlo’s Arts Café, with two openers TBA; Shakedown at Toad’s Place (all ages), Silent Majority opening; Spontaneous Combustion at Luigi’s Nitelife Cafe.