Name: Big Fat Combo & The Manchurians
Start: 2025-04-19T20:00:00-04:00
Location: The Kate - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

Big Fat Combo
The Big Fat Combo is a rockabilly band from central Connecticut, known for their unique take on classic rock 'n' roll. The quartet consists of Tom Murphy on upright bass, John Murphy on drums, Tom Hearn on rhythm guitar, and Cary Pollick on lead guitar. They have been at it for over 25 years.
Their music is a blend of original tunes, like "Tag Sale," "Banned by Sam the Clam's," and "Chicks Dig It," along with covers of rock 'n' roll, garage rock, punk, country, and easy listening classics. They're particularly notable for their ability to make these diverse influences their own.
They play rootsy American music, mixing well crafted originals with a surprising pick of left field cover tunes. A solid rhythm section featuring stand up bass, a charismatic front man and a guitarist who makes the most wonderful bunch of noises come out of his instrument, all combine to a groovy rock experience.
The Manchurians
The Manchurians formed in 1999, carving a solid rhythm and blues based sound around the songwriting and vocals of Roger C. Reale. In 1978, Reale released the album Radioactive with GE Smith and Hilly Michaels. A second album was recorded in 1979 featuring Mick Ronson, Jimmy McAllister (Beckies, Left Banke), and Michaels. That album was later released, with Radioactive, as a CD, The Collection, on Rave On Records.
Since that time Reale has written for, among others, Buddy Guy, BB King, and Johnny Winter.
He has been nominated four times for a Grammy, and also received a WC Handy Award nomination.
Recently he wrote lyrics to, and supplied lead vocals for, legendary guitarist Steve Cropper’s latest album releases: Fire It Up, and Friendlytown. On Friendlytown, Reale shares writing credits on songs with ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, and Queen’s Brian May. Both albums were Grammy nominated.
Guitarist/arranger Dean Falcone has worked with Jon Brion, Aimee Mann, Norah Jones, Susanna Hoffs (the Bangles), Todd Rundgren, Bun E Carlos ( Cheap Trick), Jon Auer (Posies, Big Star), Joey Molland (Badfinger), Jody Stephens (Big Star) and Brian May (Queen).
Harmonica extraordinaire and vocalist Bob Orsi (Scratch Band, The Mighty Soul Drivers) has recorded with and led The Mighty Soul Drivers across area venues resulting in outstanding shows, and CT veteran drummer Rich Suarez
Today, The Manchurians continue to bring rhythm and blues to the masses in their own unique and inimitable style. Their live shows are characteristically intense and passionate, and not to be missed.