'Alternative' rock evolves with Marcy Playground

NORFOLK — Music fans looking for a taste of ’90s “alternative†rock that has matured like a bottle of 12-year-old whiskey can set their sights on the Infinity Music Hall this Sunday, May 23, when Marcy Playground takes the stage.

In fact, it’s Marcy’s old classic, “Sex & Candy,†that is now older than that bottle of whiskey, but lead singer John Wozniak said this trio, which has outlasted countless other bands in the genre, is coming to rock your world.

“We like to just go and do our best to blow people away,†Wozniak said Tuesday by phone from his home in Toronto. “We get out there, and we rock. People are always surprised at how hard the show rocks, especially if they’ve never seen the band before.â€

Having been counted among the likes of Everclear, Fastball, the Foo Fighters and Stone Temple Pilots as a group that created memorable ’90s hits, Marcy Playground has been through some lineup changes and musical ups and downs during the past decade, which saw Wozniak move to Canada. There, he produced other bands for several years and met his wife, Raine, a music industry pro in her own right.

Wozniak now considers himself part of the Toronto music scene, where music fans have embraced this former New Yorker (and before that, Minnesotan — Marcy Playground was named for Marcy Open School, an elementary school in Minneapolis, where Wozniak was intimidated by bullies at recess).

From the band’s self-titled debut CD in 1997 to “Shapeshifter†in 1999 and “MP3†in 2004, the band has acknowledged a sense of dwindling success. Last year’s “Leaving Wonderland … In a Fit of Rage†took the group to a new level, incorporating classic-rock influences while maintaining a more powerful modern guitar-rock edge. The tunes conjure up memories of old Rolling Stones and Aerosmith riffs, with a dose of modern alt-rock dissonance.

“I’m older,†Wozniak, 39, said. “I did grow up a bit. I listen to music all the time, and my tastes change.â€

While Marcy Playground isn’t hurting for cash, Wozniak said the band did learn a lesson during leaner years that touring is important.

“This tour is going to be pretty much full-on,†he said. “We’re going to book as many dates as possible. Especially since we’ve released this record on our own label, we have to tour relentlessly. It’s our best marketing tool.â€

Fans of the Marcy Playground of the 1990s will get their share of memorable songs at the live show, but those who have stuck with the band through thick and thin will not be disappointed.

“I’ve been actually surprised by people who know all the records,†Wozniak said. “Not only do they have all the records, but they’re young people, and their parents liked us.â€

So much for the term “alternative rock.â€

In some respects, Sunday’s show at Infinity Hall will be a study of modern rock music as it has evolved through the age of iPods and mp3s. In any case, Wozniak said, expect a high-energy show.

“Plus, we’re a trio, so we have to rock,†Wozniak said.

Sunday’s show starts at 8 p.m. with opening act Jason Spooner. For more information, call 860-542-5531 or visit
infinityhall.com.