Roadside Manor

CHESTER — Less than one year after the release of their first album, "Back to Living," local band Roadside Manor is preparing to get back into the studio. Since recording their first album in June 2008, the band has grown both personally and musically.

According to drummer Eric Cartier, Roadside Manor is a much different band than the four Chester and Deep River friends who recorded nine songs in two days in a home studio in New Hampshire last June.

For starters, the band has managed to successfully coalesce around bassist Tom Warner — added to the roster in February, when Roadside Manor’s former bassist drifted away from the band. Warner was hired just days before Roadside Manor’s second appearance at the Webster Theatre in Hartford.

While Warner plays on the band’s first album, Roadside Manor had only played together with Warner for a few months and had yet to fully gel. Since then, the band has really smoothed out its sound — a bluesy mix of rock, reggae and bluegrass.

"The playing level has gone through the roof. I am really excited to get in the studio," said Cartier.

Roadside Manor fans will also get to see a new side to the band known for upbeat, up-tempo music. For the new album, Roadside Manor plans to record at least two new, slower acoustic songs.

In all, the band hopes to record at least ten new tracks for the album expected to be released sometime this summer, though Cartier stressed the band members intend to take their time and not to rush anything out.

Peter Trabucchi — who plays lead guitar — is happy with Roadside Manor’s new material so far. "I like the stuff we are working on better [than the last album]," Trabucchi explained. "We have definitely changed. [Our sound] definitely has gotten tighter."

Trabucchi and Cartier formed Roadside Manor back in April 2007. Both had lived in the same neighborhood in Chester all their lives and played their first show at their high school.

While driving to their first concert, Trabucchi realized they needed a name. Both already knew they wanted to include roadside. They didn’t know what to add with it. Then Cartier looked out the window and watched as they passed a manor. The band’s name was born. "Everyone thought it was catchy," recalled Cartier more than a year later. "We all liked it so we hung on to the name."

From there, the band slowly began to grow. In June 2007, banjo player Henry Hotkowski joined and by February 2008, Warner was a member.

Slowly the band began to gather a loyal following playing gigs across New England — in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut — as well as local fairs, fundraisers and the college scene — including Eastern Connecticut State University and Wellesley College in Massachusetts. They also have played the underground at the Webster Theatre in Hartford twice and headlined the Webster for the first time on Jan. 10.

According to Cartier, the concert was the first time a local band has headlined the Webster in a year and a half. Seeing their name on the marquis was quite an experience.

Roadside Manor also got to pick out all the bands who played with them that night. "We really saw the crowd enjoying the bands from start to finish," Cartier said.

Three hundred to 600 concertgoers were expected. Due to inclement weather, the concert only attracted about 200, not that that mattered to Roadside Manor or their fans. "That was probably one of the most responsive crowds we had," Cartier said.

Despite the weather, Trabucchi was happy with the turnout and felt the band played great. "It was probably one of the best shows we’ve ever played," he said. "We got to take a little more time and put more effort into our performance."

In the coming months, Roadside Manor will continue to perform live and work on their new album.

On Feb. 20 and 21, the band will play the Johnny Cash Concert Series at the Chester Meeting House. Tickets are $10 for Feb. 20 and $15 for Feb. 21. For tickets, see www.myspace.com/smalltownconcertseries.

They will also be looking for a studio to record their new album.

Written by: SHAWN R. DAGLE

- The Middletown Press

The Comet Kahoutek appeared to Earthlings in 1973 and will do so again in about 75,000 more years. This is roughly the same frequency with which a "local band" headlines the venerable New Haven rock club called Toad's Place.

It's very cool, then, that Chester's Roadside Manner is the main act Saturday at the Toad.

The band is a bluesy, jammy, bluegrass-tinted quartet with roots further anchored in the work of the Allmans, the Band, Bob Marley and the Dead - which is to say, they've assimilated all sorts of greatness and simmered it down into their own sonic vision.

Having built up a regional following over the years, and with help from their "Back to Living" CD, Roadside Manor seemed destined for Toad's Place - and, presumably, beyond.

- RICK KOSTER

Roadside Manor, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Toad's Place, 300 York St., New Haven; Poor Old Shine, Kingfisher, SayWHAT?! and Kanzu Kappelle appear in support; $8.50 advance, $10 day of show; (203) 624-8623, toadsplace.com. - The New London Day

(Excerpt)
Friday and Saturday July 10th & 11th Small Town Concert Series Presents
“The CHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL” from 4 to 9 PM featuring free live music at THE CHESTER MEETING HOUSE and GAZEBO. Featured Artists to Include:
Lauren Agnelli, Dave Rave, Ebin-Rose, Moving Target Jazz Band, Roadside Manor, sayWHAT?, the Small Town Concert Series House Band, and more. For more info you can all: 860-526-4777 or visit www.myspace.com/smalltownconcertseries
- WESU 88.1 FM

(excerpt)
"It was windy and cold as "Say What" played live music. These young kids all under sixteen years old were a big hit. Followed by "Roadside Manor" a student band under the direction of Eric Cartier played in honor of band mamber Peter Trabucchi's dad. Peter's father passed away the week before. His dad wanted him to play at this event" - CWM News