John Connelly (musician)
| John Connelly | |
|---|---|
John Conelly live with Nuclear Assault at Party.San Open Air 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Connelly |
| Born |
July 28, 1962 New York City, New York |
| Genres |
Heavy metal Thrash metal Crossover Thrash |
| Occupation(s) |
Musician Songwriter |
| Instruments | Lead guitar, Vocals |
| Years active | 1980−present |
| Associated acts |
Anthrax Nuclear Assault |
| Website | www.nuclearassault.us/ |
John Connelly is an American musician and a New York City high school teacher. He is the vocalist and guitarist of New York City thrash metal band Nuclear Assault.
Connelly started as a roadie for thrash metal band Anthrax where he became a close friend of Anthrax bassist Danny Lilker. He formed the band Nuclear Assault in 1983, and Lilker, having left Anthrax, joined him soon after.
In 1986, Connelly was a special vocal guest on the first album of the NYHC band Ludichrist, called Immaculate Deception and again on a track called "Goodbye Freedom, Hello Mom" from their album Here Comes Trouble, after they changed their name to Scatterbrain in 1989.
Around 1991, Connelly saw fit to take a break from Nuclear Assault and release a low profile solo record under the name John Connelly Theory. Although Connelly surrounded himself with three different musicians, the tendency to sound a bit like his main band was unavoidable, particularly since he has one of those singing voices that is quite unmistakable. However, the differences between his solo project and Nuclear Assault was mostly found in the more rock oriented song structures, timid adventurism (the band sounds like they want to really go into left field but never make it past the short stop), and occasional humor.Nuclear Assault would split up in 1993, John released his solo project called John Connelly's Theory.
John found himself in New London, Connecticut at this time after the release and tour supporting Nuclear's album "Something Wicked". He formed a new solo project combining the names of his previous solo project and Nuclear Assault, with the premise being that the band would concentrate on work from both as well as work on new material. Area musicians Patrick Vitagliano, lead guitar, Tony O'Brien, bass and Tom Maynard drummer from Senslis Killin' were recruited to perform gigs and support new material. The direction for the new material was heavy guitar oriented music combining elements of punk, thrash, and speed metal with some blues thrown in occasionally. The setlist typically contained the songs "L. H. A", "Aggressive", "7/8 Solution" from "John Connelly Theory" and "Another Violent End", "Behind Glass Walls" and "Hang The Pope" from Nuclear's catalog. In September 1997, Patrick left to concentrate on his sound and lighting company. Tom Maynard recruited another local musician, Chris Boix to take over lead guitar duties. Nuclear Theory opened for Brutal Truth in December 1996, with Dan Lilker joining in for "Hang the Pope". About this time the band relocated to Pawcatuck, CT. On May 14, 1997 John reunited with Glenn Evans, Dan Lilker and Anthony Bramante for one Nuclear Assault show at the Colosseum in Manchester, NH. Also in early 1997, Nuclear Theory played at the Living Room in Providence, RI. Both of these shows were made possible with the help of Eric Paone of Candy Striper Death Orgy. This was the last gig for the band as Nuclear Theory. Soon afterward Tom and Chris lost interest in the band due to lack of direction and each decided to devote more time to their new families.
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