Valley Independent Sentinel

Old Band Learns New Tricks

by OLD MAN NOISES PRESS RELEASE | Mar 19, 2010 8:09 pm

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Posted to: Shelton, News by You

Editors Note: On the eve of their first gig as a reunited band, Old Man Noises band member David Broder of Shelton sent out this press release detailing how the band reconnected. Old Man Noises will play at the Huntington Street Cafe at 8 p.m. March 26.

It took 21st century innovation to reconnect four friends from the 1970s so that they could reform a band from the1980s and play music from as far back as the1950s and 60s.

And now, thanks to Facebook, that band, Old Man Noises, is rocking Southern Connecticut with its unique brand of vintage rock and roll.

“I signed up for Facebook at the urging of some friends of mine,” said rhythm guitarist and lead singer Michael Ruscoe, a freelance writer from Stratford.

Like many Facebook users, he soon found himself re-connecting with old friends, in this case from his Trumbull High School graduating class of 1980.

Those friends included members of a former band, The End, which played in local bars and clubs as far back as 1981.

It was drummer Anthony Riskalla of Milford, now a bank vice president, who called on members of the band to reunite and see if they still had what it took to perform.

“Basically, at this point in our lives, we’ve all been around the block, and we know that the block stinks,” said Riskalla. “It was time to do something for ourselves, and that meant putting the band back together.”

Soon, the group found itself rehearsing in the garage of David Broder, a Shelton resident and the band’s lead guitarist and singer.

Along with keyboard player Rich Mealey, an IT specialist from Trumbull, the band was making music once again.

“It was like we had never stopped playing,” said Broder, a financial services consultant. “Of all the bands I’ve ever been in, I’m enjoying this one the most. Mike, Tony, Rich and I have a history going back to when we were teens. And all this was possible because we sought each other out on Facebook.”

The band, however, isn’t completely old school. Filling out the roster is bassist Doug Liggins, 22, a Shelton resident and senior at Southern Connecticut State University.

“It’s awesome to be in a band with these guys,” said Liggins. “They’re all super talented musicians and I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ve been in a lot of bands, but this one I’m most excited to be in.”

The band, christened Old Man Noises as a nod to both the band members’ ages and the style of music that they play, brings to the stage an eclectic blend of rock and roll from the 50s to the 90s. The music includes covers of classic tunes from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, U2, the Byrds, both Elvises (Presley and Costello), the Monkees, the Clash, and others.

“It’s a great mix of songs,” said Broder, “and it provides us the opportunity to pass along the music we enjoyed back when we was fab.”

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