"Feeling famous with Cafe B"
originally published in the Record-Journal, December 18, 2011

WALLINGFORD When they formed in the fall of 2001, members of the Wallingford band Cafe B never thought they’d still be together this long.

But that’s what happened. In November, musicians in the ’80s cover band celebrated their 10th anniversary.

Named after the “cool cafeteria,” Cafeteria B, in Sheehan High School, the five member band has gone through transformation after losing two members, vocalist Rachel Nalbandian and bassist Steve Vedder.

"We went from six members to four. We couldn’t imagine the band without them,” said keyboardist Mark Hastings. “After being together for nine years, how do you incorporate someone new into that mix?”

But after meeting Pat Russo, their new bassist, at Vedder’s wedding, integrating a new member came easy. Russo, who originally played guitar, learned how to play bass guitar and played his first show with Cafe B this past February.

"He’s like another family member,” said vocalist Renee Morehouse. “He fits right in.”

Morehouse, Hastings and his brother, Scott, who plays drums, have had an interest in music since they were around 5 years old. Morehouse sang in a choir and the Hasting brothers played instruments that their parents gave them — Mark on keyboard and Scott on drums.

“My brother and I, we both picked it up instantly,” Mark Hastings said. “No one in our family was really musically inclined.”

Morehouse sang with other bands while she was growing up, but out of all the bands she’s sung with, Cafe B has been her favorite to perform with.

"This is definitely where I fit in and where I feel comfortable,” she said.

Covering classics from Pat Benatar, Journey and Foreigner over the years, the band has expanded its song list to include current artists like the Black Eyed Peas and Katy Perry.

But even though their song list has grown to nearly 80 songs, there’s still one song that has remained Mark Hastings’ favorite to play—Van Halen’s “Jump.”

“That song has a lot of keyboard and it shows off my talent,” Hastings said. “As far as getting people dancing I like playing ‘I Have a Feeling’ and ‘Firework.’ I just love the fact that people are enjoying it and dancing around.”

Cafe B loves playing to a full house, but it was never the members’ intention to get famous when they got together 10 years ago. Playing music was just an outlet for the cover band to have fun.

“We knew right from the beginning that we’re a cover band and it’s just for fun,” Morehouse said. “I don’t think I could even handle being famous. I hate having my picture taken and I hate Facebook, could you imagine?”

Despite not wanting to be in the spotlight, Morehouse does have one goal for the band — to feel famous. With Cafe B typically playing shows at smaller venues, Morehouse wants to have the chance to play to a larger crowd. After filling in as a vocalist for the band The Happening this past summer, Morehouse had the opportunity to play a show at the Wolf ’s Den at Mohegan Sun in Montville.

“When I filled in for that band I kept thinking I have to get Cafe B here,” she said. “It’s just a great feeling and it’s fun.”

By Tiffany Diorio
Record-Journal staff
tdiorio@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2234