EQUINOX, the Story.. .

Equinox is the Hartford/ Springfield’s area’s Premiere Rock n Roll Band performing classic hits and songs that have filled the radio airwaves from the 70’s to today with a focus on the 80’s.  Equinox possesses the uniqueness of playing songs that other bands just don’t play or can’t play, but you certainly remember well and want to hear. Equinox has reformed once again after a tenure of playing the circuit for 5 years. The band is chartering a new musical direction, but still including some of the best rock n roll selections from the former play list. The new direction has more of an edge and intensity with a mixture of some current material. The diverse list still goes on and on. Equinox’s current line up, repertoire and performance incorporates even more delivery of energy, charisma, dancabilty with powerful, dynamic vocals and with precise, intense musicianship to give a live show you won’t forget!

Here’s how it unfolded….

In the Late Fall of 2005 the band "Equinox" was formed with veteran musicians from Connecticut and Massachusetts, focusing their repertoire around "Classic Rock" to perform the Greater Hartford/Springfield area. The story of how Equinox evolved, however, goes back further. Keyboardist, Brian Chirgwin; guitarist, Todd Merrill and guitarist Paul Szubelick formed a project back in late 2004 incorporating some other local Springfield based musicians. Soon realizing the need for a strong versatile lead vocalist they found and incorporated a veteran and well established Singer/Soloist Gary S. Jones with a dynamic vocal range for the project line up in early 2005. In the spring of 2005, Brian had met Bassist, Ron Webster, of the Hartford based band "Busted". Ron and Brian had considerations of incorporating Brian as another member of Busted, since it was devoid of keyboards, but decided not to pursue it. Several months went by and after not finding the right replacement bassist for the project that had recently left, Brian had invited Ron to join. Meanwhile, still actively playing in Busted, Ron started diverting his focus to the project with hopes of launching it as successful premier club band and parted ways with Busted. Brian was pushing the same direction with the project. Realizing overwhelming talent in the project, they all surmised one other veteran musician was needed to give the momentum to launch what was soon to be "Equinox". Ron called upon his long time friend and former band member from years before, drummer, Mike Baracchi, to join. It was a unanimous decision, to have Mike on board as the final touch. At that point the business end of the band had been completed, and the energy and chemistry was in place for a successful launch. The name "Equinox" was chosen, and soon an impressive 6 song marketing demo was recorded. A show format was forged, the top area talent/booking agent secured and website designed and incorporated taking the band to it’s debut in February of 2006.

In the Summer of 2007 guitarist, Paul Szubelick had decided to tender his resignation to the band due to his wife expecting newborn twins at the end of the summer. Todd had also decided that he was going to step up his plans pursue a full time musical career in Austin, Texas and relocate. He, too, gave his notice to that band that he would also be departing, but not until early 2008. Gary’s solo career had been keeping him preoccupied with a constant schedule of gigs and a strain on voice due to the demand of Equinox combined with his solo work. Contemplation of a break for the band was inevitable. At first, Ron, Brian and Mike were planning to carry on and reform the band. Uncertain of the band’s future, Mike decide to join a heavily working trio called “Bad Monkey” and decided to not go on. Timely, Todd decided to post pone his plans to move to Texas way off into the future and join Ron and Brian. In the meantime, Ron had meet up with an old acquaintance, Mark Gentile, former guitarist and friend of his old band mates from the band “Busted”.  Mark had just left a musical project with a close friend and accomplished drummer/ percussionist Bill Lariviere. Ron invited Mark and his former band mate, Bill, to consider joining the reformation of Equinox. After one get together of Mark and Bill with Ron, Brian and Todd, there was, once again, a magic musical chemistry. Gary Jones participated in the one time jam, but it was reconfirmed his direction and the newly reforming Equinox was still not a match. That left the task of finding great singer that could vocally cover the new direction and take the band to a new level and place. Todd prevailed in finding Dennis Marini and asked him to come to an audition and check out the band. The band was blown away by Dennis’s voice and immediately offered him the position of front man/lead vocalist. Dennis accepted and paved the way for a new direction and edge for Equinox!

In the August of 2008 Equinox was hired to play a large private party for the company that Bill worked at. The morning of the gig, a sudden medical condition rendered Dennis unable to perform that night. After extensive scrambling and networking, Ron found an old acquaintance and buddy, Mike Gill from the band RTM, who just happened to be available and willing that night to fill in for Dennis. Mike is a veteran rocker, well known by area musicians to have a great vocal range, tone, pitch and abilty. Unfortunately, Dennis's medical condition continued and he stepped down as the singer for the band. Immediately, the band offered the position to Mike. He accepted and the rest is Equinox history. In December of 2008 Mark had tendered his resignation to the band as guitarist to pursue a different musical style and path. Mike asked his veteran musician brother and RTM guitarist, Danny, if he would be interested in joining Equinox. Dan came down to the next rehersal and the chemistry fell into place and came on board with the band!

A few months later keyboardist and co-founding member, Brian parted ways with the band. Bill's long time friend and former band mate, Scott Gower, came on board as Brian's replacement. In the late summer of 2010 Dan and Mike parted way with Equinox to persue other musical endevors, primarily focusing back on their long-time band, RTM.

In September of 2010, shortly after Mike's departure, Ron proposed the Equinox singing position to vetran singer and longtime friend, Winton Fenderson. Winton was the singer for a music project Ron got involved in that late summer. The oppurtunity and fate was uncanny. At the same time, for brief period, guitarist, Paul Blaze came on board with the Equinox line up as Dan's replacement. In mid December 2010 Scott and Blaze parted ways with Equinox. Winton's longtime friend and former band mate, Mark Zito was offered the the keyboard position. He gladly accepted, as Mark was also involved in the same musical project with Ron and Winton. With Todd's versatile and outrageous guitar playing, Blaze was not replaced and Equinox resumed with Todd exclusively covering all guitars.

In the meantime, during the holidays 2010-2011, Winton had been contacted by Bob Seger's management and booking agent. Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band were preparing to commence Bob Seger's 2011 tour in late March, however, Bob him self only wanted to perform select city dates while the Silver Bullet Band wanted to play as much as possible. The Silver Bullet Band (all Rock and Roll Hall of fame inducted musicians), without Bob, called themselves "Live Bullet Band", were hunting nationally for a talented, seasoned "sound like Bob Seger" singer to fullfill the dates and smaller "larger scale" venues that Bob prefered not to perform at. Winton had posted some youtube videos a year or so before of him performing some Bob Seger songs, particularly, "Main Street". The Live Bullet Band's Management Co and booking agency, Soar with Phoenix, discoverd Winton through these youtube videos and his once in a lifetime oppurtunity started to unfold! Many conversation and interviews happened and Winton was chosen as the new singer for the "Live Bullet Band" when they were not performing with Bob during his select dates. Right along Winton had kept Equinox informed of all that was magically and ironically unfolding with this opputunity. He gave us the word that it would be best if Equinox starts looking for his replacement, as he was about to head out in the month of February to reherse with The Live Bullet Band in Florida. The first thought was to see what Mike Gill was up to and see if he would consider coming back to Equinox. Mike came out to a gig in Springfield in early February and to the band and Winton's invitation, sat in on lead vocals on a song. The chemisty immediately clicked and Mike decided to give it a go and come back to the band! Two weeks later Winton went off to Florida to reherse with the "Live Bullet Band" in preparation for their national tour. We wish Winton all the best and success!

The current equinox line up is now a 5 piece band, with Mike's dynamic vocal range, control and tone back on lead vocals, Todd’s whaling, versatile guitar leads, riffs and rythmes along with Mark's technical and articulate key, synth and piano chops blend well over a precise, powerful and solid rhythm section consisting of Ron on bass and Bill on drums and percussion. 

The Band continues performing in the high profile Hartford/Springfield/RI Beach club and venue scene….

…. Stay tuned for the details and location of their next performance on the Equinox website news, dates pages and the band's Facebook page and MySpace (www.myspace.com/equinoxbandrocks)!

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