Jess Corbett, guitarist and vocalist for the Hulls, was feeling jolly. “Mariah Carey got nothing on us,” he joked, right after the band had covered “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” the Christmas song Carey is well known for covering herself.
It was one of many covers performed on “Deck the Hulls,” a night dedicated to not only good old fashioned punk and rock ‘n’ roll music both holiday and otherwise, but also to raising funds and collecting canned goods for a cause.
According to Kevin MacKenzie, who also plays guitar and provides vocals for The Hulls, the New Haven-based band began Deck the Hulls at Rudy’s in 2010 to celebrate the holiday and play with other bands they enjoyed. Three years ago the celebration moved to Three Sheets, and it was decided that it would also become a fundraiser for the CT Food Bank.
“Jess really loves Christmas,” said MacKenzie. “He’s all about it.”
The Hulls’ members also decided last year to make it a two-night event. Both this year and last, the same lineup played Friday at 33 Golden Street in New London — “our home away from home,” according to MacKenzie — as well as Saturday in New Haven. “The same bands get together and have a good time.” Attendees at both events, dubbed Deck the Hulls VII, were asked to make a $3 donation or canned goods at the door.
This year’s lineup included the New London-based band Marvelous Liars — Nicholas Johns on guitar and vocals, Nick Cancelmo on bass and vocals, and Shane O’Connell on drums — who opened the show with a hard blues tinged rock ‘n’ roll assault that gradually filled the room with eager listeners. Their songs recalled the best of more modern bands, but also at times felt reminiscent of more classic bands, easily combining swagger with sound.
When The Nuclears arrived on stage five members strong — Mike and Brian on guitar and vocals, Briana on vocals and tambourine, Bobby on bass, and Kevin on drums — the party kicked into an even higher gear as the Brooklyn-based band delivered song after song of full-on high energy rock ‘n’ roll. The three vocalists never seemed to stop moving to the music, even while singing, and took the ever-growing crowd with them. They also added the holiday spirit, as well as a little humor, into the mix. Their song “Nuclear Winter Wonderland” led into a cover of “Run Run, Rudolph” and got many in the audience singing and dancing along. By the time the band ended with the song “Are You Coming to the After Party?” there was no doubt that anyone in this room would be down with continuing the party anywhere with this band.
The room was packed and eager for more when The Hulls took to the stage. MacKenzie (dressed in gingerbread-man sweater), Corbett and bassist John Meah (dressed in matching holiday pants and blazers), and drummer Bob Breychak (in Santa hat and Nuclears t‑shirt) seated behind a drum set covered in multi-colored Christmas lights were all more than ready to complete the night’s celebration. Mixing their own punk rock originals, some from their last release Total Wrecks and Unemployment Checks — released at last year’s Deck the Hulls — with their own punk take on holiday classics, this band seemed to be having all the fun, inciting sing-alongs without even trying to such modern classics as Tom Petty’s “Christmas All Over Again” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas.”
They even had a Santa in the audience who ended up on stage and singing along with them to the Bruce Springsteen version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” The crowd stayed high-energy throughout the set as did the band, and even when the set was over the room remained warm and buzzing with the spirit of the music and the holiday mood.
This was the second fundraiser show at Three Sheets I attended in the past week, and one of almost too many to count in the past year. During a season when so many people struggle for so many reasons, it was refreshing to once again see the New Haven musical community so eager to share their talent for a cause. The year is almost over, and while some say to it good riddance, I will always remember it as the year more people than ever decided to reach out in kindness when it sometimes seemed easier to hide in pain.
