The Big Fat Combo

     My father and I had the pleasure Thursday night of attending a show by the popular local rockabilly band The Big Fat Combo.  It was more than a pleasure.  It was so rewarding that it was more like a blessing--a Christmas blessing.  The gig was down in Hamden in a video rental shop called Best Video--one of the last remaining video rental shops in the world.  They have a cozy little performance space between Documentaries and Foreign Films.  There's an oriental rug, a low ceiling, 35 folding chairs, and a few cafe tables for people with drinks from the "bar." 

     The Big Fat Combo is a rockabilly band with a rockabilly beat.  They are Tom Hearn (guitar, lead vocals), Cary Pollick (lead guitar, vocals), Jack Murphy (drums), Tom Murphy (stand up bass, vocals).  The first time I heard them their sound just grabbed me and never let go.  I can only describe it as rich, warm, and flavorful.  They played several of their original hits like Tag Sale, Hale Bopp, and Chicks Dig It--after which my father leaned into me and said, "You've got to see if you can get the words to that song for me."  I was proud to lean back and say, "Don't need to get them.  I already know them!"   Then they also did several old, stylized numbers by the likes of Peggy Lee, Sons of the Pioneers, Hank Williams, The Ramones maybe.  We even heard a barely recognizable yet far more palatable rendition of Islands in the Stream which front man Tom pointed out was written by the BeeGees.



     And they made it an interactive Christmas spectacular by passing out lyric sheets to the audience so we could all join them in an electric version of Must Be Santa led by their special guest, popular long-time New Haven rocker Gary Mezzi, aka Buzz Gordo who also did Donde esta Santa Claus? (Sorry, I don't know how to make the upside down question mark in front) and joined them on their Christmas Medley which consisted of their "rockabilly/surf style" Away in a Manger coupled with Silent Night jammed on some wicked guitar.  Stand by to experience that in person if you wish.  Somewhere in the Christmas portion of the show they even managed to work in The Lord's Bright Blessing, a song and narrative piece from, of all things, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol which for the entire show was playing on mute on a big screen behind the band.  That they perform that particular song from that particular movie is just one of the quirky little things that makes BFC special. 

     Eventually, the show momentarily came to a close but the audience was having none of it and began chanting for an encore while applauding raucously.  To every one's delight the band, instead of playing one more quickie single, launched into a lengthy and vigorous rendition of Tiger in My Tank.  Everyone loved it.  Well done, Big Fat Combo.  And thank you for a spectacular show!  See you next time!

Oh, and by the way, they also have a "No Cuss" guarantee.  So you never need to worry about bringing the kids along to the show!