*Now that they have been signed and have their first album on Mighty Pitch Records, MIGHTY PURPLE seems even more visible than ever. The band has quite a few shows in the state this month, including a return to Toad’s Place next weekend and an entry in the first round of Trinity College’s Bistro Battle of the Bands.

An October 15 date at Toad’s Place marks the band’s return to its favorite club. Mighty Purple will play two sets starting at 10:30 Friday night, featuring songs from Para Major or Peor along with new songs. Opening sets will first come from Rane, 13 O’Clock, Psychedelic Breakfast and The Andrew Wallach Rock & Roll Photo Show.

On October 20, the band is in Hartford, at the Trinity College Bistro. The first round of a battle of the bands contest pits Mighty Purple against a Trinity band. Subsequent shows the next three nights are at Husky Blues in Storrs on October 21, for another round of the same battle of the bands contest, this one against a UConn band; Simsbury Teen Center on October 22, with Rane co-headlining; and October 23 at Koffee in New Haven (Steve and Jon only; contact the coffee house at 562-5454 for directions). STEVE AND JON will also be at Cosmic Bean in Hartford on October 28, and then at Laszlo’s Arts Cafe in Monroe on November 4.

On the 29th, the full band performs at The Beanery in Fairfield — it’s going to be a Halloween party at the club that night, so go in costume. Contact the band at 203/288-6400 for details on another Halloween party it will be playing on October 30.

*YES is returning to Connecticut next month The band is schedule to play a concert at the Oakdale in Wallingford on November 28. Tickets for that show are going on sale Saturday, October 16, at 10 am. (FYI/BTW, the band will be at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard on November 27).

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

 Questions and comments concerning “On The Road” (or anything music related) 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! 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

OCTOBER 15 — Mighty Purple at Toad’s Place (all ages), 13 O’Clock and Rane opening; Peat Moss & The Fertilizers at Tuxedo Junction;

October 16 — Free Style at Tuxedo Junction;

October 18 — Squeeze at Toad’s Place (all ages), Julia Darling and Nick Harper opening;

October 20 — Ratt at City Limits, Waterbury; Mighty Purple at Trinity College Bistro, Hartford;

October 21 — The Smithereens at Toad’s Place (all ages); Mighty Purple at Husky Blues, Storrs;

October 22 — The Nerds at Tuxedo Junction; Steve Miller Band at The Fox Theatre at Foxwoods, Ledyard; The Buzzcocks at City Limits, Lunachicks and Down By Law opening; Mighty Purple at Simsbury Teen Center, Rane opening;

October 23 — Big Toe at Tuxedo Junction; S.O.D. at City Limits, Crow Bar, Skin Lab and Undermind opening;

October 25 — Shannon Curfman at Toad’s Place (all ages);

October 28 — Type O Negative at Toad’s Place (all ages);

October 29 — Big Orange Cone at Tuxedo Junction; Adrian Legg at Towne Crier Cafe, Pawling, N.Y., Stan Sullivan opening; They Might Be Giants at Toad’s Place (all ages);

October 30 — Harvey & The Wallbangers at Tuxedo Junction (for Halloween party); Moppin Sauce at Fat Daddy’s, Watertown;

October 31 — All Hallow’s Eve Rock Fest at Tuxedo Junction with Peter Banks, Mastermind, Joe Stump, Crucible, Soundscape, After The Fall and Scott McGill.

NOVEMBER 2 — MxPx at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages);

November 4 — Galactic at Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages); Steve & Jon (of Mighty Purple) at Laszlo’s Arts Cafe, Monroe;

November 5 — Deep Banana Blackout at Toad’s Place (all ages);

November 6 — (An Evening with) Mr Bungle at Toad’s Place (all ages); GWAR at City Limits, Waterbury, The Misfits opening;

November 7 — J. Geils & Bluestime at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Wolf Den, Uncasville;

November 10 — Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh & Friends at New Haven Coliseum (featuring guitarist Steve Kimock);

November 11 — Michael Galbicki (of Rusted Roots) at Toad’s Place (all ages), Mike Errico opening; The B-52’s at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

November 12 — The Nields at Towne Crier Cafe, Pawling, N.Y.; Max Creek at Toad’s Place (all ages); Survivor at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

November 13 — Meat Loaf at Mohegan Sun Casino (no tickets yet); Blue Oyster Cult at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Wolf Den;

November 14 — Greg Brown at Towne Crier Cafe, Garnet Rogers opening; Ratdog at The Palace, New Haven;

November 21 — The Derek Trucks Band at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Wolf Den; Steve Vai at Toad’s Place (all ages);

November 23 — Megadeth at The Oakdale, Wallingford (no tickets yet);

November 24 — Sting at The Oakdale (tickets on sale october 9); Deep Banana Blackout at The Webster Theatre (all ages, second show Nov 26);

November 26 — NRBQ at Toad’s Place; Deep Banana Blackout at The Webster Theatre (all ages);

November 27 — Max Creek at The Webster Theatre (annual Thanksgiving show); Yes at Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard;

November 28 — Yes at The Oakdale (no tickets yet).

DECEMBER 7 — Jars Of Clay at Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages);

December 12 — Phish at Hartford Civic Center.

JULY 24 — The Slackers at The Webster Theatre, Hartford.