Band of Brothers

'Brothers' bring harmony to the bandshell

Date August 04, 2005



Fred Komeiga and Joe Caron played music on Bristol street corners together during the late '60s and early '70s, when they were teenagers. They also performed in local coffee houses. The men remained friends for decades and recently formed Band of Brothers, a group that honors their roots. Five other musicians joined them in reviving lyrical classic rock hits for audiences.

For the most part, the men are playing the music they grew up with, and surprise crowds by performing songs that highlight their voices. Five of the band members sing, so the group selects pieces with beautiful vocal passages, like the Eagles' "Seven Bridges Road."

"The harmonies are just incredible," said Mr. Komeiga.

Some groups have trouble finding falsettos. But Mr. Komeiga's younger brother Eric can hit the high notes, rounding out the other voices. When Band of Brothers played for a group of students at Brown University, he wasn't sure what to expect. He was surprised when the crowd went wild.

"We weren't sure how it would go over because, let's face it, this music is 30 years old," said Mr. Komeiga. "But they loved us. They flipped out."

Although the men enjoy watching audiences react to their music, rehearsals are one of the best parts about being in the band. The musicians gather on a deck and tell stories between songs. Most of the band members have been friends for years. The two Komeigas are brothers, and the other members are practically family.

"These guys gravitate toward each other," said band member and Warren resident Jim Salamon. "There's no bickering. We're all friends. When Fred needed work done on his pool, a bunch of the guys helped him."

Although Band of Brothers formed less than a year ago, Mr. Salamon started playing with some of the members about seven years ago, as a trombonist in a ska band. The band dissolved and the men tried another project before settling on classic rock covers. Like other members of the group, Mr. Salamon has experimented with a variety of musical genres. He once played with the Fall River symphony. He also taught music in Tiverton schools for 31 years, dabbling with a variety of instruments. He will play the violin at tonight's concert.

"Any music is great if it's done well," said Mr. Salamon. "With this group, everything just fits like a glove."


- East Bay Times

East Bay teen musicians reunite decades later; [East Bay Edition]

MANNY CORREIRA Special to The Journa. The Providence Journal. Providence, R.I.: Oct 14, 2005. pg. D.02

They were East Bay musical legends: Ruju Cast, Magical Shoelace, Tangerine Zoo, the Mojo Hands.

In the 1960s and early '70s, they were the neighborhood garage bands that cranked up their amps at parties and teen clubs, their heads filled with visions of fame and fortune.

Now seven professional musicians with roots in that era have regrouped as Band of Brothers to keep fulfilling their dream of making music.

The group was the brainchild two years ago of friends Joe Caron, Fred "Kag" Komiega, and Eric Komiega. The group also includes Len Vales and Billy Donahue, both of Bristol, Jim Salamon of Warren (retired music director in the Tiverton schools) and Brad Randall of North Kingstown.

Caron, now living in Foster, owns Caron's Jewelry in Bristol. The Komiegas are originally from Bristol.

"We all played with a number of small bands at one time or another," Komiega said. "Some of the guys have played with Neon Jungle, Time Piece, Touch, Troy and One Bone Shy."

With its popularity growing, Caron says, "This is more than we expected. It's more fun than counting pennies."

Band of Brothers has a heavy schedule of benefit concerts, including one tonight at Jacky's Galaxy on Metacom Avenue in Bristol at 7 p.m. to support Camp Hope in South County, which provides a summer retreat for children with cancer, and their families.

They have also played recently at concerts for an East Providence girl with leukemia, and for Wildstock, a group that helps injured and abandoned wildlife.

- Providence Journal