Arts Leaders Moonlight With Challenging Experimental Rock

If you follow arts and music in Newtown, you probably know Robert Rabinowitz. The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission member also plays a large role in Healing Newtown, the organization founded after Dec. 14 to support healing arts. He has organized open mic nights and musical events in Newtown. He also makes up one half of the Hadron Big Bangers, alongside another area arts mainstay -- Martin Earley, the chair of Oxford's Cultural Arts Commission.

The Hadron Big Bangers recently released their new album, "Strange Beauty Decays." But be warned: this is not your typical bar band playing your favorite cover songs.

"We know it's not mainstream," laughs Rabinowitz. Drawing from prog-rock like King Crimson and Frank Zappa, the Hadron Big Bangers' music is dark, creative and sonically challenging. The band formed about two years ago -- "Strange Beauty Decays" is the result of about a year of work, done in the breaks between Rabinowitz and Earley's day jobs and responsibilities on their cultural arts commissions.

Rabinowitz's background ranges from punk rock to classical music. After he started getting involved in the arts scene in Newtown, he decided to try to make the band happen. He wanted an alternative to a safe, eager-to-please cover band.

"There's nothing wrong with covers, but I never wanted to do other people's music," he said. "Even when we do covers it's not a cover."

In the Hadron Big Bangers, Rabinowitz, who plays bass, goes by the stage name Robert Are. Earley, who plays guitar, bills himself as Martin Ear. The two use looped effects and complex rhythms, but rarely employ a drummer.

"It's not radio-friendly," says Earley. "But we don't get into that music with that in mind -- thinking that we're going to make a fortune."

Rabinowitz wonders how much of an outlet he may find among "commercial radio." Nonetheless, he's confident.

"Martin and I firmly believe there's an audience for this," he says. "The question is how do we find it?"

With their scientific name (simultaneously referencing the Large Hadron Collider and the big bang), it's not surprising he describes a band's success in scientific terms.

"You know how with chemical reactions there's a point where it happens?" he says. "I think there's a tipping point. If it's good enough and enough people like it, suddenly the grassroots grows and you're not an unknown band. But I don't think there's any formula to make it happen."

To listen to the Hadron Big Bangers, check out their Weebly and ReverbNation sites. The CD is also available on Amazon and ITunes.