GA-20 bring the blues to Infinity Hall

GA-20 performed at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Conn. on Friday, Feb. 21.

Mike Cobb

GA-20 bring the blues to Infinity Hall

Blues band GA-20 rocked Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, Feb. 21. Named after a Gibson guitar amp, the band specializes in authentic, high energy, and sometimes obscure blues, country, garage and even indie rock.

The band’s founding member, Matt Stubbs has curated a vintage sound, eschewing the typical hard blues rock sound of Stevie Ray Vaughn, and instead selecting deep cuts from all the Kings — BB, Albert, and Freddy — John Lee Hooker, Hound Dog Taylor, and more.

“I started GA-20 to play around Boston bars. I just really wanted to play the stuff I like. We used small amps to play quiet with a focus on trying to emulate those old records. As we played bigger venues we got louder. We started to get our own sound. Most modern blues bands are a platform for soloing, which we do too, but our focus is on melody, creating a mood and telling a story,” Stubbs explained.

Though his influences are many, he credits his dad for getting him started in music.

“My father was a musician. I grew up hearing his bands rehearse. I picked up the guitar around age 13 or 14, soon joined his band, and he started taking me around on weekends to see live blues. I was bitten by that bug. I took some lessons, went to Berklee College of Music, dropped out and have been gigging ever since,” he said.

Stubbs’s understated playing set the scene, while drummer Josh Kiggans laid down solid grooves and shuffles at Infinity Hall. The newest member, lead singer and guitarist Cody Nilsen, is a wicked slide player, soulful singer, and an engaging showman. At times Nilsen ventured offstage, out into the audience to stir up the crowd.

GA-20 has no bass player, but the dueling guitarists handle the lower register with the flick of a tone switch with one playing bass and rhythm while the other plays lead. Together they achieved a fat, grooving sound.

“We are going for that vintage 50s Chicago sound. There are many albums with two guitars and drums and no bass. But one of us plays a bass line or low part on guitar. It’s become part of our sound. We’ve had bass players sit in, but it sounds more typical. So, we’ve been doing the no bass thing for the last six years,” Stubbs explained.

An enthusiastic crowd mobbed the group’s merch booth after the show where vinyl records, tapes, CDs, and velvet black posters with a 70s aesthetic sold well. The band released a new single on Feb.4 on Coalmine Records. Their music can be purchased on their website: ga20band.com

GA-20 breathes new life into classic blues rock with deep cuts and stellar playing. They are touring the US and Europe through September. Catch them while you can!

Latest News

Big Blue lax wins Founders League

LAKEVILLE — The Hotchkiss School girls lacrosse won the 2025 Founders League championship with an 11-10 victory over Choate Rosemary Hall May 21.

The Bearcats battled back from behind by as many as four points.

Keep ReadingShow less
Marvelwood lacrosse goes back-to-back in HVAL

The Marvelwood lacrosse team poses for a group photo May 20 after winning the HVAL title for the second year in row.

Photo by Lans Christensen

KENT — On Tuesday, May 20, Marvelwood School lacrosse defeated Woodhall School 15-9 in the Housatonic Valley Athletic League tournament final.

It was second straight HVAL championship win for the Pterodactyls and their fifth league title since 2018.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers strike gold at BL track championships

HVRHS sophomore Ryan Segalla went three-for-three May 17 with Berkshire League gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m races. He was also on the gold-winning 4x400m relay team.

Photo by Riley Klein

Berkshire League track and field wrapped up a season of competition with the league finals in Litchfield May 17. The BL festival followed with decathlon, heptathlon, steeplechase and hammer in Falls Village May 20 and Thomaston May 21.

The events included athletes from Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Gilbert School, Lakeview High School, Nonnewaug High School, Northwestern Regional High School, Shepaug Valley High School, Terryville High School and Thomaston High School.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salisbury approves traffic detour for June NASCAR event

Lime Rock Park is slated to host the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Friday and Saturday, June 26 to 28, in Lime Rock, Connecticut.

Photo by Nathan Miller

SALISBURY — First Selectman Curtis Rand agreed to sign approvals for changes in traffic patterns and a “hauler parade” for Lime Rock Park’s NASCAR event June 26 to 28 after a lengthy and detailed discussion at a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen Wednesday, May 21.

Lime Rock Park is hosting a weekend of NASCAR events. In anticipation of a larger than usual crowd, park leadership has asked to have one-way traffic on Route 112 — Lime Rock Road — from the junction of Route 7 and Route 112 to White Hollow Road and the main track entrance between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and one-way traffic in the opposite direction between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28.

Keep ReadingShow less