The Shags (Connecticut band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 in West Haven, Connecticut, United States |
| Founder | Tom Violante (Tom Roberts), Carl Augusto (Carl Donnel) |
| Headquarters | West Haven , United States |
Area served | New England, United States |
Key people | Tom Violante, Carl Augusto, Johnny Tangredi, Sam Goldman, Thomas "Doc" Cavalier |
| Products | Garage rock music recordings and singles |
The Shags were a garage rock ensemble originating from West Haven, Connecticut, active during the mid-1960s. They produced a number of recordings, some tracked at Trod Nossel Studios, and stood out as the most recognized band to adopt the name "the Shags." Their music has been reissued on multiple compilation albums, featuring prominent songs such as "Don't Press Your Luck" and "Breathe in My Ear." The group reunited on several occasions throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Formation
Established in West Haven during the summer of 1963, the Shags were formed by school friends Tom Violante (who performed under the name Tom Roberts) and Carl Augusto (known on stage as Carl Donnel). Both were heavily influenced by rock & roll from an early age; Augusto played lead guitar and occasionally provided vocals, while drummer Johnny Tangredi, who would later join the band, had previously played with a local surf rock outfit called the Deltons. Foreseeing the influence of the British Invasion, Augusto and Violante sought to create a group that embodied this emerging musical trend.
The initial lineup consisted of Violante handling rhythm guitar and lead singing duties, Augusto on lead guitar, Rich Ventura contributing rhythm guitar and vocals, and Eddie Staffieri on drums. Rehearsals took place in Violante's family garage located on Cynthia Drive in West Haven. Later additions included Bobby Giannotti on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. During this phase, the band operated under the name Hollywood Dropouts. Subsequent personnel changes saw Ventura, Staffieri, and Giannotti leave; Mike Goodwin joined on bass and vocals, Jeff Cannata took over drums (later collaborating with Giannotti to form Jasper Rath), but Cannata soon departed and was succeeded by Johnny Tangredi. The band performed sporadically at small local venues during this period.
Recording Career
By late 1964, the Hollywood Dropouts attracted the interest of Sam Goldman, who had previously managed and produced doo-wop legends the Five Satins; he assumed managerial and production responsibilities for the group. Around this time, bassist Mike Goodwin exited and was replaced by Billy Hall. The lineup then featured Violante on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Augusto on lead guitar and vocals, Hall playing bass, and Tangredi on drums. John "Aaron" Perkins was also added for live vocal performances only.
Goldman advocated for a more concise band name to facilitate record labeling. After dismissing "the Creeps," they settled on "the Shags," inspired by the Beatles’ distinctive longer “shaggy” hairstyles that were considered provocative during that era. Although other bands in the mid-1960s adopted similar names, this group gained prominence as the definitive Shags and secured a registered trademark when they reunited in 1995.
In 1965, they recorded their debut single "Wait and See" backed with "It Hurts Me Bad" at A-1 Sound Studios in New York City; it was released through Nutta Records. The session also produced "'Cause of You." Vocals were led by Violante on "Wait and See" and "'Cause of You," while Augusto sang lead on "It Hurts Me Bad," supported by harmonies from other members. Augusto later reflected that limited studio time forced them to record conservatively, which resulted in tracks that did not fully capture their energetic live sound.
An unusual element during these sessions involved local neighborhood toughs joining in, including a tambourine player nicknamed Whitey. Despite his lack of musical proficiency, the band tolerated his presence due to his intimidating demeanor.
"Wait and See" achieved a peak position of #5 on local charts for three weeks, significantly increasing their popularity across nightclubs, college venues, outdoor concerts, and block parties. However, their subsequent single "By My Side" backed with "'Cause of You," released via Sammy Records, failed to replicate this success locally. Following this disappointment, Sam Goldman parted ways with the band.
Leadership under "Doc" Cavalier
During this era, dentist Thomas "Doc" Cavalier, who was acquainted with drummer Johnny Tangredi, ventured into the music industry by purchasing Synchron Sound Studios located in Wallingford, Connecticut. He subsequently rebranded it as Trod Nossel Studios. Cavalier took on the role of manager for the Shags and facilitated a recording deal with his own label, Taurus Records, in the fall of 1965. The Shags were the first group he both managed and produced; he also oversaw other bands from the New Haven area, such as the Bram Rigg Set.
The Shags recorded their single "Don't Press Your Luck" backed with "Hey Little Girl" at Trod Nossel, which Taurus Records released in May 1966. This release became a regional hit on both sides, with "Don't Press Your Luck" serving as their breakthrough track that propelled them to prominence across New England. Their rising fame allowed them to open for renowned artists including the Byrds, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Chad and Jeremy, the Young Rascals, B. B. King, Peter and Gordon, the Beau Brummels, the Lovin' Spoonful, Simon & Garfunkel, the Righteous Brothers, and the Coasters. In June 1965, they took part in a notable charity event at Yale's Woolsey Hall alongside Lesley Gore and Chubby Checker, attracting large and enthusiastic audiences.
Their following single was a rendition of the Beatles' "I Call Your Name," paired with "Hide Away," released through Laurie Records. In 1966, the Shags appeared in lip-synced segments for an unaired local television pilot titled The Show With A Very Long Title. The next year saw the release of "Tell Me" backed with "As Long as I Have You" on Kayden, a label under Cameo Records. Another Laurie Records single, "Breathe in my Ear" coupled with "Easy Street," reached number 101 on national charts but faced bans in certain Southern states due to provocative lyrics, which hindered its broader commercial success. By 1967, internal conflicts and evolving musical trends contributed to instability in maintaining a consistent bassist and eventually resulted in the band's dissolution.
Subsequent activities
Augusto and Violante joined forces on several ventures, including Pulse—a heavy rock group formed alongside former members of Bram Rigg—reflecting the tumultuous atmosphere of 1968. Augusto described that year as a turning point influenced heavily by widespread social and political upheaval in the United States, which shaped their artistic direction.
Led by Violante and Tangredi, the Shags regrouped during the 1980s and reunited sporadically throughout the 1990s. Tommy Violante also engaged in work with Connecticut’s regional VNA office and fronted the Key West Trio, a band inspired by Jimmy Buffett and the Beach Boys that specialized in performing hits from the 1950s and 1960s. The Shags’ recordings have been included on compilation albums such as Sundazed Music’s Don't Press Your Luck! The In Sounds of 60s Connecticut.
Band members
- Carl (Augusto) Donnell (lead guitar, vocals)
- Tom (Violante) Roberts (rhythm guitar, vocals)
- Billy Hall (bass)
- Lance (Biesele) Gardner (bass)
- Johnny (Tangredi) Stanton (drums)
- John "Aaron" Perkins (vocals, live performances only)
- Myron Frame (vocals, percussion)
Discography
- "Wait and See" with "It Hurts Me Bad" (Nutta 101, 1965)
- "By My Side" paired with "Cause of You" (Sammy 102, 1965)
- "Don't Press Your Luck" accompanied by "Hey Little Girl" (Taurus 1881, 1966)
- "I Call Your Name" backed with "Hide Away" (Laurie 3353, 1966)
- "Tell Me" coupled with "As Long as I Have You" (Kayden 407, 1967)
- "Breathe in My Ear" alongside "Easy Street" (Kayden 408, 1967)