Artist description The first time I saw The Mugshot Militia live was at the bands CD release party. Never having heard them before, I obliviously didn’t know what to expect. But by the size of the crowd in the bar, I knew this had to be something good. Once the smoke cleared and the band took stage, there was an eruption like I’ve never seen before. This wasn’t just some local band doing their thing on a Friday night with 15 people standing in the back of the club. This was a real show, with heads banging and bodies being hurled across the floor. I found myself standing in a corner where if nobody moved, nobody got hurt. The music was intense with groove, and the band members were entirely into their performance. With such a great vibe and all the energy in the room, anyone could see these guys were on their way to an arena with a pit bigger than even Hatebreed could dream of. So the story behind the music goes like this with a ton of events happening in a short time. Though the result of The Mugshot Militia’s debut CD, Misery, would make you think they’d been jamming together for years, it only goes back to January 2000, when the band then called Mugshot formed. A four-song demo with no vocals was recorded. Mugshot later teamed forces with former members of the band Bullyrag, and renamed themselves The Mugshot Militia in March of 2002. Proven, this was the best thing to happen to these guys. Within three or four months of playing together, they had built a professional studio and practice space and recorded Misery. They’ve played numerous live shows throughout Connecticut and New York, and doubtless many more to come. The Mugshot Militia are dubbing themselves as playing “Alternative Metal,” completely straight up, in your face, and cram packed with energy. They’ve got a contemporary modern sound with an old school delivery. Songs like Nice Day start out composed and serene, and then break into a ruthless, heavy as hell frenzy. The angst of the lyrics interprets “everyday” subject matter, seeing the world for what it is. With no real plans to change their musical style, and their willingness to play just about anywhere, this band is barging into the music world with heads high in the air, filled with optimism, pride, and integrity. The Mugshot Militia is as real as real can be.

Press Reviews Instead of a love fest there was a hate fest as The Mugshot Militia laid down a heavy set full of anger, angst and passion. "Women are evil," bellowed Darren Galpin, vocalist for The Militia several times during the band's brutal set at Michel Angelo's last Friday. While, I don't think women are truly evil, I do think that the statements stood out even more given the fact that it was Valentine's Day. Galpin cuts a pretty intimidating figure onstage with his shaved head and sharply pointed goatee. In a way, he looks like the bigger, scarier brother of Nick Oliveri of Queens of the Stone Age. He personifies intensity as he spits out vocals about love and hate with the veins popping out on top of his head. The band keeps pace with him as they lay down an equally powerful hardcore/metal racket that is as subtle as a brick going through a pane of glass. Basically, it's the gospel according to Galpin as he rips his guts open and sings about drug addiction, busted relationships and broken homes. It's brutal but compelling nonetheless. And it provided a nice catharsis, which is the goal of all good heavy metal; allowing the audience to get all the negativity out of their system in a more constructive way than banging their heads against a wall or stewing in their own negative emotions. Lesson followed with an equally intense performance. I've seen them perform before and it looked like this set had an extra kick to it. Maybe, they were spurred on by The Mugshot Militia or maybe they are really started to gel as a band. I'd like to think it's a little of both. Basically, Lesson's songs are introspective according to vocalist Mike Aiello. They deal with relationships, usually broken ones. Like The Militia, Lesson's songs provide a cartharsis also. They seemed awfully spirited as they bounded about the stage totally enraptured by the music. They did a good job representing the Hartford scene. THE HARTFORD ADVOCATE by Thomas Pizzola - February 20, 2003

Location Bridgeport, Ct - USA

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