Having showcased the best of the 2006 Spotlight Concert performers on January 13 at the Patchogue Theater in front of A&R and music industry executives, The Inside Connection has begun showcasing the next round of Long Island artists for 2007.

      The first Spotlight Concert kicked off on January 27 at a small bar in Lindenhurst called Pistachios. The show was an eclectic array of musical styles featuring String Alley, Last Charge of the Light Horse, Pete Sanchez and Idle Vice.

      The acoustic trio String Alley kicked off the evening with a gentle blend of acoustic rock and blues, employing fiddle, 12-string acoustic guitar and mandolin. The band has been around for nine years and features a lineup as diverse as its instrumentation, with frontman Jeff being the elder statesman with a background in hard blues, rock and do-wop. Youngest member Spring comes from a classical background. In between them age-wise is multi-instrumentalist Russ, who comes from a metal background and can basically play anything with strings. www.myspace.com/stringalley

      Next was Last Charge of the Light Horse, an indie rock band with Americana leanings along the lines of Wilco. Last Charge of the Light Horse is the new project of former Blue Sandcastle guitarist/frontman Jean-Paul Vest and features the father and son rhythm section of A.J. and Artie Riegger. They have an excellent debut album titled Getaway Car. www.myspace.com/lastcharge

      Third up were indie rockers Pete Sanchez. There's no Pete in the band. Nor a Sanchez. But there are two sets of brothers: George Wolf on lead vocals and Brian Wolf on drums, with Scott Bruno on lead guitar and Sean Bruno on bass. George has a detached stage presence and a rather unique vocal sound, but the band rocks. They recently released their debut EP, Walk On The Sun, which was recorded at Audio Magick studios. www.petesanchez.com or www.myspace.com/petesanchez

      Idle Vice closed the night with exuberance despite frontman Matty being sick. And even though their large fan base was crammed into the tiny Pistachios, they were joyously pogo-ing, jumping around and singing along with the band. While Matty's voice cracked a few times, there was no denying the band was tight behind him, and helping out on vocals was guitarist Justin. While somewhat "emo" in their sound, the band isn't confined to the limitations of the genre. Their first EP, A Way You'll Never Be, sold 400 copies in less than two months. This band is on to something. www.myspace.com/idlevice

      The second Spotlight Concert of 2007 took place February 3 at the Hairy Lemon in Selden with the Mondays, Soundside, Breakin Hundred and Bleeding Egos.

      The first band of the night was indie pop punkers the Mondays, featuring veteran local musicians Ken Carmen - vocals/keyboards, Don Cook - bass/vocals, John Aita - guitar/vocals and new drummer Kevin Gonzalez. The band is planning a U.K. tour this summer and have a new CD, StoryTeller, on Harborgate Records. www.themondays.com

      Next was four-piece pop-rock band Soundside. When I say pop, I mean it in the "popular" sense, and definitely rock. With songs like "Back To The Beginning" and "Never Take Me Alive," off their self-titled sophomore album, you'll experience the driving guitars, and the melodic vocals of frontman Rich Arcati, and realize that pop music doesn't have to suck. They have been touring relentlessly and have a previous full-length CD, A Day Without Change (2005). www.soundsideband.com

      Along the same lines was the next band, Breakin' Hundred, whose music was very compatible with Soundside. In fact, they should tour together. Breakin' Hundred definitely has popular appeal, which was demonstrated by their huge crowd singing along with every song. Breakin' Hundred have that "pump your fist in the air and sing along" rock sound that has mass allure. Their live show is dynamic and infectious. breakinhundred.com

      Closing out the night was Bleeding Egos, featuring a vascular surgeon, a neuropsychologist, a history teacher and a neurologist! What kind of music can such intellectuals create? Rather good indie rock! Featuring Tom Arnold - lead guitar/vocals, Tony Bolton - rhythm guitar/vocals, Gus Romano - bass/vocals and Bob Gatto - drums, the band draws on a variety of influences, including the Beatles, REM and Elvis Costello, to create a sound distinctly their own. www.bleedingegos.com

      The most recent Spotlight Concert happened February 17 at Katies in Smithtown with the Doug Gordon Band, Seven 27, Tragic Orange, Jimmy Krack Corn and A World Away.

      Starting things off was the Doug Gordon Band, an eclectic and diverse rock group that showcases the songwriting of Doug Gordon - - vocals/guitar. He is joined by Frank DeGiorno - guitar/vocals, Ken Jockers - keyboard/sax/flute/guitar/vocals, Warren Kurz - bass/vocals, Richie Kurz - drums/vocals and Will Chimienti - percussion/vocals, and all were crammed onto the small stage. All this personnel and instrumentation generate an interesting blend of rock with some jam influences. The band is recording their second full-length CD at VuDu Studios with producer/engineer Bob Stander. www.douggordon.org

      Shifting gears musically was Seven 27, who create some heavy-duty rock and metal. With the solid musicianship of Vic Gaetan on lead guitar and keyboard, Mike D'Amelia on bass, Mikey Cakes on drums, and fronted by the powerful vocals of Jay Martino, this band doesn't hold back. www.myspace.com/seven27

      Keeping up the intensity, Tragic Orange took the stage. Playing hard alternative rock, this band has a solid following, and great stage presence in frontman Phill Skiba. Backing him are guitarist Steve "V", bassist Dion DeNardo and drummer Christina Vitucci. Vitucci has endorsements from Orange County Drum & Percussion, Danmar accessories, and Vater drumsticks, and DeNardo has been in bands signed to Victory Records. Live, the band rocks pretty hard, drawing on classic rock influences, but executes the sound in modern context. Lyrically, they are pretty deep, layered over serious guitar rock. www.myspace.com/tragicorange

      Next was Jimmy Krack Corn, who have been making a name for themselves the last few years, especially with their singer, Amanda Hocker, and the throaty, bluesy guitar work of James Rottmann. Equally grounded by their rhythm section of John Lamont on bass and Jerry Horbal on drums, the band plays classic rock but gives it a fresh sound. Hocker is well known for her psychotic stage faces and lively rock dancing while the band cranks behind her. www.jimmykrackcorn.net

      Closing out the night was the young band A World Away. Despite the late hour, they still commanded a sizable and high-spirited audience, with many dancing and singing along. The band plays indie rock driven by the one-two punch of guitars and keyboard, over which frontman Steve delivers his heartfelt vocals. It's not quite emo and not quite straight-up rock, but something in between and definitely original. The band has a CD, Fearless. www.aworldawaymusic.com

      The next Spotlight Concerts will be at the Dublin Pub on March 30 and the Vintage Lounge on April 21. Slots are still available. Contact mikef@insidecx.com for more information.