*Spencer Swain has been performing on the violin since the age of four. Today the 23-year old Newtown native is still playing and is a member of a very successful band called ZOX (rhymes with “rocks,” which the band does) based in Providence. Spencer joined the violin rock-reggae-punk band named after its drummer about 2½ years ago and hasn’t looked back yet (the band was formed at Brown University in 1999).

“Think SUBLIME meets LED ZEPPELIN meets THE POLICE meets BEETHOVEN” is one line from the band’s biography and it’s a perfect description. One of the best tracks from the band’s first album is “Canon,” a take on Pachelbel’s immensely popular (and familiar) Canon in D as only this band could present it. Thirteen additional original tracks on the self-produced Take Me Home (fourteen, actually; there’s a hidden track) give listeners a good idea of what these guys are capable of.

Zox’s schedule is such that the guys – Spencer on violin, singer-songwriter-guitarist Eli Miller, Bassist Dan Edinberg and the aforementioned drummer Zox – usually play Wednesday through Sunday.

Sets are filled with about 50 percent of material from the band’s debut album and 50 percent new material.

“The newer ones are better,” Spencer said this week from Providence, just before the band was to hit the road and head north to begin this weekend’s work in Maine. “We’ve been working on building up our new material for a new album, but don’t have any immediate plans for a new one.” Because in the meantime the band’s schedule has these guys so busy they barely have time to think about eating and sleeping regularly, never mind laying down master tracks for a new album.

The band is in Connecticut twice this week – they were at the University of Hartford last night (February 12) and will be at Connecticut College tonight. The guys will be at The Crow’s Next, on the campus. The show is open to the public, showtime is 10:30, and there’s no cover charge.

What’s unfortunate for a number of people is that I was hoping to highlight a show that was scheduled in Danbury next week. The guys were scheduled to open for BADFISH on Friday, February 20. But here’s the thing: I’ve just learned this morning that Colorado Brewery has closed. A recording at the restaurant this week says the CityCenter restaurant closed on February 8, and the bar will remain open only until February 15 but with no food service.

So we’ll have to wait a little longer for Zox to be in our neighborhood. If you’re curious about the band, however, visit its website (www.ZoxBand.com), check out its song samples, purchase a copy of Take Me Home, and watch for updates.

*I bumped into George Greytak earlier this week, and he was still excited over the show he and his band played last weekend.

George is the drummer for FOG, a band with a repertoire that runs from The Allman Brothers to ZZ Top. Fellow members are fellow Sandy Hook resident Jason Benson on guitar and keyboards, Ian Kelly of Norwalk on guitar, and Roger Munford of Weston on bass. The band was the headliner at Saturday night’s “Trinity Rocks the Town Hall: The 1st Annual Dance Party Benefit.”

In addition to being psyched over the fact that they were playing a show, and that it was to help members of Trinity Episcopal Church raise money for their upcoming efforts at WorkCamp in Canton, Ohio, later this year, George said he was especially jazzed to have been playing the same weekend we were all celebrating the 40th anniversary of THE BEATLES’ arrival in the States.

“I started playing the drums because of those guys,” he said. “A lot of us got into music because of them, so it was great to still be playing last weekend, at that particular time.”

*New shows at The Webster in Hartford continue the celebration of all things 80s. My generation. There are some good things about that decade (any John Hughes film, Bon Jovi), and some bad (any Revenge of The Nerds film, Culture Club). The Webster has added a show by TIFFANY on April 27. Another show will take listeners back only about a decade, but it’s still some fun retro: HANSON will be in Hartford on March 10.

Tiffany tickets go on sale March 1 through any tickets.com outlet. The Hanson show isn’t on sale to the public yet, and the Webster’s website isn’t offering an on-sale date. Call the theater’s box office for details, 860-525-5553.

Until next week I’ll be seeing you… on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141.

Shows listed at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

FEBRUARY 13 — Stephen Kellogg at Acoustic Café, Bridgeport (shows at 8 & 10 pm); Howie Day and Stereophonics at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages); Rahzel at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury;

February 14 — Buster Poindexter at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts; Matt Haimovitz at Acoustic Café; Sam Taylor Blues Machine at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Hipnotic at Tuxedo Junction;

February 20 — Barenaked Ladies at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; NRBQ at Mohegan Sun Wolf Den, Uncasville; Roomful of Blues at Foxwoods Casino’s BB King Nite Club, Ledyard; SideShow at Stash’s, New London; Silverstein at The Empress Ballroom, Danbury (all ages); Raisin Hill at Acoustic Café; Max Creek at Tuxedo Junction;

February 20-21 — Roomful of Blues at B.B. King Nite Club at Foxwoods, Ledyard;

February 21 — Hat City Blues Band at The Redding Roadhouse, Redding; Toby Keith at Mohegan Sun Arena; Darik & The Funbags at Tuxedo Junction;

February 26 — Living Colour at Toad’s Place (all ages show; rescheduled date, tickets from original show date will be honored); The Leon Russel Band at Black-Eyed Sally’s; The Slip featuring Nathan Moore at The Webster Theatre, Leslie Helpert, Mos Opus and DOT opening (all ages);

February 27 — Styx at Foxwoods Casino’s Fox Theatre, Ledyard; Big Shot at Toad’s Place; America at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Evolution (Journey tribute band) and Unchained (Van Halen tribute) at Tuxedo Junction; Off The Hook at 707 On Main, Monroe;

February 27-28 — Roomful of Blues at B.B. King Nite Club at Foxwoods.

February 28 — SideShow at Sports Rock USA, Bristol; Cyndi Lauper at Foxwoods’ Fox Theatre; tHrOnE at The Webster Theatre, Look West, Base 2, Downward Limit and Monty’s Fan Club opening (all ages); 3rd Sister at Acoustic Café; Dr Mudd & Phillip the Beatbox at Tuxedo Junction; Off The Hook at 59 Bank Street, New Milford.