Where There Is Smokebomb Mondays There Is Fire

Horn Driven Group Courting Fame With Regional Audience

By John Voket

Sitting around talking with the members of Newtown-based Smokebomb Mondays, it is easy to understand how the frenetic pace of side comments and inside jokes flying from every direction mirrors their tight, energetic and ultimately entertaining live performances. The seven member, horn driven ensemble of Newtown High School juniors plays ska music that combines reggae, jazz, blues and punk.

They perform both cover and a growing list of original songs, and will be playing their next headline set at the Amity Teen Center in Woodbridge on Saturday, July 25. The band includes Liam Reynolds, Jonah McKeown, Harrison Buzzi, Pat Milano, Danny Bittman, Tim Eames, and Matt Spencer.

The group is making its return to the New Haven area after a successful debut June 25 at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. That coveted gig was bestowed on the group after it took first place in the Connecticut Association of Schools Bandjam, where the Newtowners edged out eight other top bands from around the state to win first place Friday, May 20, at Darien High School.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2jaX969Euo

In addition, special outstanding musicianship awards were given to a handful of the musicians, including Smokebomb’s drummer, Matt Spencer.

One of the most appealing aspects of Smokebomb Mondays is watching how easy they make the sometimes complex arrangements look and sound. Perhaps it is because many of the band’s members have been playing together in local school jazz bands since fifth grade.

During the course of two fast-paced interviews, the bend members said they all play roles in contributing ideas that make the half-dozen covers they perform uniquely their own, and each also willingly contributes to their original material.

Besides playing house parties the statewide battle of the bands and the resulting gig on the New Haven Green, Smokebomb Mondays has also recently played shows at the Newtown Teen Center and the St Rose Carnival.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXJBf2t0ISY

Milano, whose influences range from the swing and be-bop of Dizzy Gillespie to New Jersey’s high powered ska punk outfit Catch 22, said he loves hanging out with his friends and making music, while Spencer said he gravitates to acts as diverse as Streetlight Manifesto, Steely Dan, and Peter Gabriel.

“Me and Tim make a crazy rhythm section,” he said. “I recently updated my music library to a lot of classic rock like Pink Floyd, Collective Soul and Stevie Wonder.”

Bittman, who also plays some keyboards with Smokebomb Mondays, said he picked up the guitar after playing piano since childhood.

“Since I was in third grade I’ve always been writing songs on piano and guitar,” he said, adding that his real inspiration for picking up the guitar was Aerosmith’s Joe Perry.

“He’s probably the one guitarist I’d want to have a jam session with,” Bittman said.

While ticking off a list of his own musical influences, McKeown mentions Newtown High School music teacher Kurt Eckhardt.

“A pretty awesome guy,” McKeown said. “I have admired him since the day I met him.”

McKeown said he actually learned to play sax to be part of Smokebomb Mondays after becoming an accomplished clarinet player since childhood.

Buzzi, clearly the most soft-spoken member of the group during interviews with The Newtown Bee, said he loves performing on stage, and he is beginning to learn to play trumpet.

“I may try to look into piano,” he said.

Reynolds said one of his influences on bass is Jaco Pastorius, but when it comes to literature, Catcher in the Rye was at the top of his list.

“Taylor Swift does inspire me as a songwriter, that is not a lie,” he added.

Reynolds is also in another three-piece band with his brother, playing pop/punk and working on their first album project over the summer.

Eames said he never listened to ska before joining Smokebomb Mondays.

“I’m pretty into heavy progressive metal,” he said. “I probably listen to it more than ska, but I really have fun playing with this band.”

Visit www.NewtownBee.com and click on the Features tab to see this story with a pair of videos including a look at the interview with The Newtown Bee.

Follow the band on FaceBook, check out a host of additional band videos on YouTube, and for information and directions to check out Smokebomb Mondays at the Amity Teen center, click on www.AmityTeenCenter.org.