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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 after a tenure of playing the circuit for nearly 2 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 Skynyrd; 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 that made the newest Equinox history!

The current line up, with Dennis’s extreme, dynamic vocal range and tone, Todd’s and Mark’s whaling, versatile guitar leads, riffs and guitar harmonies along with Brian’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 is now performing in the high profile Hartford/ Spring field club and venue scene….

…. Stay tuned for the details and location of their next performance on the Equinox website news and dates pages!

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